Townsend Returns From Surgery With Win

Photo by Philip Wartena / Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

After sitting out the 2006 season with Tommy John surgery, Tampa Bay Devil Rays prospect Wade Townsend returned to action Thursday night, pitching 5 innings of two-hit ball, en route to a 6-1 win for his Columbus Catfish (South Atlantic League).

Townsend (1-0), the eighth overall pick in the 2005 draft, allowed two hits and a walk while fanning six en route to his first professional victory. The 6-foot-4 right-hander went 0-4 in 12 games (10 starts) during his debut season with Hudson Valley of the New York-Penn League.

It was Townsend's first appearance since blowing out his right arm in an Arizona Fall League start in 2005. He admitted he had some butterflies.

More: MinorLeagueBaseball.com

Townsend was pulled after facing two batters in the 6th inning for hometown favorite Brian Baker, who shut down a rally by the visiting Kannapolis Intimidators (White Sox).