A strong start allowed the Twins to post a 6-0 shutout against the Bristol Pirates during Monday’s game at Joe O’Brien field.

Starting things off for the Twins was pitcher Dereck Rodriguez, who opened up by striking out two consecutive batters during Bristol’s first at bat. Rodiguez went on to pitch for seven innings, during which he allowed only one hit, while firing in seven strikeouts against one walk. Rodriguez had a little more pressure on him than normal Monday with his father Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, who threw out the first pitch, on hand to watch the contest.

The Twins got on board early. In the first inning, with Austin Diemer on second, Tyler Kuresa smacked a single to left field, allowing Diemer to make his way home, putting the Twins up 1-0.

The Twins kept things rolling in the second as they posted two runs. The first came when Nelson Molina, with the bases loaded and no outs, hit a hard single to center field, allowing Kamran Young to score from third. Rainis Silva grabbed the second run of the inning, when he made it home during a hit from Sean Miller, who grounded into a double play.

The third inning saw the Twins grab two more runs, with Amaurys Minier scoring off a single from Minier, and Young scoring off a hit by Daniel Kihle.

Elizabethton scored one more run in the fourth, with Diemer scoring off a sacrifice fly from Kuresa.

The Twins posted 11 hits for the night, with both Young and Silva going two of three. Young posted two runs, while Silva had one run and an RBI. Nelson Molina went two of two with one RBI. Diemer finished the night going two of five.

In the eight inning, C.K. Kirby came in to relieve Rodriguez. Kirby threw for an inning before be relieved by Tyler Stirewalt.

The Twins moved to 4-3 on the season.

The teams will take to the Joe O’Brien field again tonight at 7.