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After going 5-3 on a recent eight game road trip against the Charlotte Knights (White Sox) and Gwinnett Braves (Braves), the Rochester Red Wings returned home this weekend to play four games against the Toledo Mud Hens (Tigers). After dropping the opener 8-1 last night, the Wings were hoping Kyle Gibson would be able to get them back on their winning ways.

Entering today’s game with a record of 5-5 in 12 starts so far this season; Gibson had won three of his last four starts and has pitched six plus innings in all four of those starts.

It seems that the only thing keeping Gibson in Rochester is a lack of consistency. While Samuel Deduno, P.J. Walters, Pedro Hernandez, and several other pitchers, have been promoted to the Twins, opportunities to play in Minnesota have been there. However the biggest name in the Red Wings rotation remains in Rochester.

In today’s start, the overall numbers are good. Gibson pitched seven innings giving up just four hits, allowing just one run, striking out six but also walking five. Thanks to a Brian Dinkelman home run and a Drew Butera sacrifice fly, Rochester went on to win the game 3-1 over Toledo, giving Gibson his 6^th win of the season and improving to 6-5 on the year, and lowering his ERA to 3.16.

However the number that is looms in this start is the walks, while the free passes did not result in runs, it’s still something that you hate to see. Looking back it’s hardly going to be considered a bad start, but if you’re looking for a promotion soon things like that are going to stick out. Coming into today, the Twins lead the league in fewest walks allowed with just over 2.6 per game, and are tied for fewest in all of Major League Baseball, walks is something that Minnesota does not tend to do.

The numbers split between wins and losses are mind-blowing for Gibson this season. In his seven starts ending in a no-decision, or loss, Kyle Gibson has pitched 34 total innings, giving up 45 hits, 25 earned runs, 10 walks and 29 strikeouts in that stretch, equalling a 6.62 ERA.

Compare this to the now six wins Gibson has on the season, and the numbers are jaw dropping. In those six starts he’s pitched a combined 45.2 IP, 22 H, 3 ER, 16 BB, and 40 strikeouts, which translates to a 0.60 ERA. When Gibson is on track he’s proven to be almost unhittable, but when he struggles, it’s almost as though he’s a completely different pitcher.

While there is definitely an opportunity for Gibson to make his mark in Minnesota this year, it’s going to take a few more of the good outings, and less of the mediocre to poor outings if he’s going to get the call to show what his potential at the major league level.