Danny Duffy solid in first start for Omaha

Danny Duffy made eleven prior appearances at Werner Park in Omaha without taking a loss. He extended his streak to twelve on Sunday afternoon with a solid outing against the Nashville Sounds, picking up his first win of the season in a game Omaha won 6-5.

Topping out at 95 mph, with his fastball ranging from 91-94 most of the afternoon (according to PitchFX), Duffy gave up two earned runs on five hits and one walk, striking out four in six innings.

Omaha manager Brian Poldberg offered his assessment of Duffy's performance after the game.

"I thought he threw the ball okay," Poldberg said. "He had some times when he struggled a little bit, but I thought he recouped and showed command of all his pitches at times. His curveball was kind of inconsistent, but his changeup was a good pitch today and he threw some good fastballs."

Duffy, who as on an 80-pitch limit, maintained his velocity throughout the game, hitting 95 mph in the sixth inning on at least one occasion.

"My fastball and changeup is what I got through the game with," Duffy said. "My slider helped me out a couple of times - just showing it, and putting it in their heads, even if you don't have it that particular day will help you immensely.

"When I missed with my slider and my curveball today, I missed down. I didn't miss up a single time. So I take a lot of positives away and the team got a win, so we'll go into this next series at .500."

He credited his defense for playing well behind him, and came away impressed with the way Jesus Flores called the game behind the plate.

"We were clicking the whole time," Duffy said. "That's the first time I've thrown to him. Sometimes when I fall behind in the count I like to go changeup and he was right there - already had the grip."

Duffy gave up his first run in the second inning on two hits and a wild pitch. The second run he gave up came on a solo home run by left fielder Eugenio Velez in the fifth inning.

"I threw a good pitch," Duffy said about the home run ball. "I got in on him and he went down and got it and fisted it out. So what can you do?"

Duffy competed with Yordano Ventura for a roster spot with the Royals this spring, but he struggled, going 0-0 with an 11.45 ERA in six appearances, including two starts.

"I'm never good in spring," Duffy said. "I'm always trying to get my feel back. I put a lot of pressure on myself this year coming in knowing I'm going to be competing with the best stuff on the planet in Ventura and the kid shoved in spring training. Hats off to him. I'm proud of him for how far he's come. So I came here just trying to have fun and to be a good teammate. I'm having a blast with these guys."