Article: Twins Minor League Report (5/3): Fireworks In Chattanooga

[Seth Stohs]

A former first-round pick delivered a walk-off victory in Chattanooga on Sunday afternoon, in a game where both teams combined for thirty-hits and twenty-seven runs to provide the most entertaining game of the year. Elsewhere, there were three quality starts from starting pitchers, and standout games from several hitters.Read on to hear all about the slugfest in Chattanooga, and everything else that happened in Sunday’s action!

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Norfolk 3, Rochester 7

Box Score

 

Rochester started the game off with a bang, scoring four runs in the first inning to chase Norfolk starter Zach Davies from the game after recording just two outs.

 

Eddie Rosario started the early rally with a walk, and an error put Reynaldo Rodriguez and Rosario on first and second. Josmil Pinto singled and Rosario raced home, but was thrown out at home for the second out. An Eric Fryer single brought Rodriguez home from third for the game’s first run, then Danny Ortiz brought home two more with a triple to center field. He scored on a single from James Beresford to make it 4-0 after the first inning, and Davies was gone from the game.

 

Rochester struck for two more runs in the fifth inning on singles from Jose Martinez and Beresford, and Aaron Hicks led off the sixth with a home run to left center to put them up 7-1.

 

Alex Meyer made the start for the Red Wings, and delivered a quality start. It was not without it’s warts as he allowed three runs on six hits and four walks, but limited the damage by scattering them and tallying six strikeouts. He pitched into the eighth inning, but walked the first two batters and was replaced by Caleb Thielbar. Sixty-three of his 104 pitches went for strikes on the afternoon.

 

Thielbar allowed the two inherited runners to score in the eighth while recording one out before being lifted for A.J. Achter. He finished the game for his first save of the year, striking out one in 1.2 innings.

 

Hicks (2-5, R, 2B, HR, RBI), Fryer (3-5, 2 R’s, RBI), Ortiz (2-4, 2 R’s, 3B, 2 RBI), and Beresford (2-4, 2 RBI) had multiple hits on the day for the offense.

 

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Jacksonville 13, Chattanooga 14

Box Score

 

It was all fireworks all the time in Chattanooga, as the teams combined for thirty hits and twenty-seven runs on the game.

 

Jacksonville jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, before the Lookouts struck for six runs in the bottom of the third.

 

The inning got started with a leadoff triple from Max Kepler, his second on the season, and he scored on an error by the first baseman that came off the bat of Stuart Turner. A Heiker Meneses single moved put runners on first and second, and they both raced home when Byron Buxton tripled to left. Buxton scored on a Dalton Hicks single, then Miguel Sano punctuated the inning with a two-run home run to left. The triple and home run were both Buxton's and Sano’s fifth of the year, respectively.

 

Lookouts starter Greg Peavey gave the lead back immediately in the fourth inning as a hit batter, two singles, and a double tied the score at 6-6 and brought Dallas Gallant into the game. Another double plated two more runs to give Jacksonville the lead 8-6.

 

Chattanooga tied the game at eight in the bottom half when a Levi Michael double brought home Matt Juengel, and a Hicks sac fly brought home Meneses from third base.

 

The score remained tied until the bottom of the seventh, when Adam Brett Walker II hits his sixth home run of the year, a solo shot, to make it 9-8. The lead again would not hold as Jake Reed ran into trouble in the top of the eighth, allowing three consecutive singles to score two, and a triple that brought in two more to make the game 12-9 in favor of the Suns.

 

The Lookouts were not about to back down however, and again tied the game in the home team’s half of the inning when Buxton and Meneses scored on a Levi Michael triple after singling themselves, and Sano brought home Michael with a sac fly to make it 12-12.

 

Nick Burdi came in to pitch the ninth inning, and after recording an out, gave up a triple to Kenny Wilson to put the go-ahead run on third. A sac fly gave the Suns the lead before Burdi finished the inning with a strikeout.

 

You just knew the Lookouts lineup was going to not give up in this one, and Walker led off the bottom of the inning with a double to left. A Kepler single and stolen base put the game winning run on second, and a walk to Turner loaded the bases. The tying run scored when Meneses drew a second consecutive walk, and Byron Buxton stepped into the box with the game winning run on third.

 

He popped out in foul territory (wink), but the 2012 first rounder got picked up by 2011’s first-round pick, Levi Michael. His single to left on an 0-1 count brought Kepler racing home to start the walk-off celebration:

 

video by Erika Sperl, aka eLee612

 

The Lookouts offense pounded out thirteen hits and was 6-14 with runners scoring position. Buxton (2-6, 2 R’s, 3B, 2 RBI), Michael (3-6, R, 2B, 3B, 4 RBI), Walker (2-5, 2 R’s, 2B, HR, RBI), Kepler (2-4, 2 R’s, 3B, BB, SB), and Meneses (2-4, 3 R’s, RBI, BB) filled up the stat sheet for Chattanooga.

 

All four pitchers for Chattanooga gave up an earned run, but the offense would not let them down. Burdi picked up the win to make him 2-3 on the season.

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Charlotte 5, Fort Myers 2

Box Score

 

This one was a pitcher’s duel until Fort Myers starter Brett Lee left the game after six innings. He allowed just one run on five hits and four walks, while striking out two.

 

Brian Gilbert pitched a scoreless seventh but two walks and a single to start the eighth put the go-ahead run on the scoreboard, and runners on the corners for J.T. Chargois. A groundout and single brought in the inherited runners for a 4-1 Stone Crabs lead before Chargois recorded a strikeout to escape the inning.

 

Fort Myers got one back in the bottom of the eighth, when a Marcus Knecht sac fly brought in Niko Goodrum, but that’s all the Miracle were able to scratch out.

 

Charlotte added an insurance run in the ninth off Brandon Peterson, and reliever Brad Schreiber struck out Tanner Vavra, Engelb Vielma and Zach Granite to end the game.

 

Goodrum was 2-3 on the day with a run scored, a walk, and his fourth stolen base, Knecht and Vielma each recorded an RBI, and Tanner Vavra added a double to lead the offense. As a team they were 1-9 with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Clinton 5, Cedar Rapids 2

Box Score

 

Clinton jumped out to an early lead against Cedar Rapids starter Felix Jorge in the second inning, when consecutive singles put runners on base for first baseman Kristian Brito. His first home run of the year made the score 3-0, and provided all the offense Lumberjack starter Pat Peterson would need.

 

Jorge finished with a quality start, going six innings and allowing the three runs on nine hits and one walk. He struck out five.

 

Sam Clay allowed two runs on two hits and three walks in two innings, giving Clinton some insurance, and Michael Theofanopoulos finished the game with a scoreless ninth.

 

Although they had ten hits as a team, including multi-hit efforts from Max Murphy (3-4), Pat Kelly (2-5, R, 3B), and Trey Vavra (2-4, R, 2B), they managed just one RBI (Jorge Fernandez) and left ten men on base.

 

 

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Pitcher of the Day – Alex Meyer, Rochester Red Wings (W, 7.0IP, 3 ER’s, 6 H’s, 4 BB, 6 K’s)

Hitter of the Day – Levi Michael, Chattanooga Lookouts (3-6, R, 2B, 3B, 4 RBI, Game-winning single)

 

 

MONDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Rochester – Scheduled Day Off

Jacksonville @ Chattanooga (6:15 PM CST) – RHP D.J. Baxendale (2-0, 1.07 ERA)

Bradenton @ Fort Myers (6:05 PM CST) – LHP Luke Westphal (0-1,6.57 ERA)

Cedar Rapids @ Wisconsin – RHP Jared Wilson (2-0, 1.65 ERA)

 

 

Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss the Sunday games.

 

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[Gagne Fan]

Baxendale's era is 1.07

Must have been a typo on your part as you put 1.97

[nater79a]

Peavey seems to really be struggling with the Lookouts right now. 10+ ERA, 42 hits in 22 inn, 2.15 WHIP.

 

I wonder if there might be a change in the rotation at some point. Maybe bring up Chih-Wei Hu or Ryan Eades from the Miracle. Possibly move Tim Shibuya from the bullpen back into a starter role.

 

Peavey hasn't pitched in A ball since 2011 (only AA/AAA) so it probably serves no purpose to demote him to Fort Myers. Not sure what to do with him; but he's not helping Chattanooga much at this point.

[h2oface]

So..... offical scoring types (and perhaps umpire types), if anyone takes the time to look at the recap/summary of the top of the 8th in Rochester, I would be interested if you have a clarification on the scoring. Meyer entered the eighth with only 2 walks given up and one run (which was earned).  Meyer got credited with both (earned) runs that Theilbar let in after he relieved Meyer, after Meyer had walked the first two batters and was pulled. From a scoring standpoint, charging Meyer with both of the runs doesn't make sense to me. One run does, but not both. Parmelee, the second of the walks, was taken out on a fielders choice, and Meyer got the (earned) run tagged on him that was scored by a batter Theilbar pitched to! Is it the feilder's choice that makes that second run Meyer's responsibility? Seems odd to me. That must be it, but I don't like it. That is an assumption. But scoring doesn't allow an assumption of the double play. This is then an assumption that the fielder(s) would have made the play at first. To be responsible for a batter you don't even pitch to.......... I don't like it.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Baxendale's era is 1.07
Must have been a typo on your part as you put 1.97

 

Corrected, thank you!

[Seth Stohs]

 

Peavey seems to really be struggling with the Lookouts right now. 10+ ERA, 42 hits in 22 inn, 2.15 WHIP.

 

I wonder if there might be a change in the rotation at some point. Maybe bring up Chih-Wei Hu or Ryan Eades from the Miracle. Possibly move Tim Shibuya from the bullpen back into a starter role.

 

Peavey hasn't pitched in A ball since 2011 (only AA/AAA) so it probably serves no purpose to demote him to Fort Myers. Not sure what to do with him; but he's not helping Chattanooga much at this point.

 

It's an interesting question, really. It's been a tough start for him this year, for sure. He was very good last year in AA with the Mets, but in the Eastern League. I don't think they would send him to Ft. Myers.

 

That said, though Hu and Eades have been good through four starts in Ft. Myers, I don't think that either of them should move up yet. Shibuya might be an option, but he's probably limited to about 3, maybe four innings for a while. Maybe I'm missing someone obvious. I guess they could send Hamburger down to keep him starting?

[lightfoot789]

I wonder if there might be a change in the rotation at some point. Maybe bring up Chih-Wei Hu or Ryan Eades from the Miracle. Possibly move Tim Shibuya from the bullpen back into a starter role.

 

 

Peavey hasn't pitched in A ball since 2011 (only AA/AAA) so it probably serves no purpose to demote him to Fort Myers. Not sure what to do with him; but he's not helping Chattanooga much at this point.

 

 

 

Chattanooga should bring up the guy who was an All Star pitcher for Ft. Myers last year and one of their aces all the way to the championship.  Brett Lee earned a promotion from his performance last year (10+ wins) and should have been with the Lookouts out of spring training.  Lee has been a major factor in that groups  winning ways for the last 3 years.

 

 

[diehardtwinsfan]

I'd say the good news with Meyer is that it looks like he ran out of gas.  7 IP, 2 BB, 1ER, and 6K, only to see the walks/ER rise in the 8th when.  We'd be pretty happy about the line through 7. 

[eLee612]

If I had to pick one word for yesterday's game, it would be tenacity. Chattanooga knows how to rally!! There are some teams who, when scored on early (ahemLastYearsTwins) were basically done... but the Lookouts are clearly not one of them. I'll admit that both Greg (Peavey) and Dallas Gallant made me a little nervous, but they worked their way out and had strong defensive backup. That being said, I too would be interested in getting Brett Lee up here and see how it plays out. 

 

Here is ABDub's solo home run in the 7th. Let me see if I have this embedded video thing figured out...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rqSkYPiJ24

 

 

Edited May 4, 2015 by eLee612

[laloesch]

 

I'd say the good news with Meyer is that it looks like he ran out of gas.  7 IP, 2 BB, 1ER, and 6K, only to see the walks/ER rise in the 8th when.  We'd be pretty happy about the line through 7. 

 

Alex just needs to relax and pitch.  If he saves some of that gas for later innings he'll walk fewer batters and his arm & shoulder will thank him.     

[Gagne Fan]

Pretty simple on the earned runs for Myers...a relief pitcher can't be penalized for a putting an inherited runner out on a fielders choice.

[Tibs]

Kind of crazy that Miguel Sano has a .705 OPS, yet he is hitting just .162.

[nater79a]

 

Chattanooga should bring up the guy who was an All Star pitcher for Ft. Myers last year and one of their aces all the way to the championship.  Brett Lee earned a promotion from his performance last year (10+ wins) and should have been with the Lookouts out of spring training.  Lee has been a major factor in that groups  winning ways for the last 3 years.

 

Was thinking about Lee also.  But he seems to be off his game right now with the Miracle.  16 hits in 11 inn, 1,82 WHIP. Maybe give him a few more starts to see if he ramps back up?

 

Agree he was solid last year with the Miracle and should be given a look at some point in AA. 

[GMinTraining]

 

Here is ABDub's solo home run in the 7th. Let me see if I have this embedded video thing figured out...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rqSkYPiJ24

 

How close was Walker's 9th inning double to being a HR?  Announcer on radio made it sound pretty close.

[bulldozier14]

 

Kind of crazy that Miguel Sano has a .705 OPS, yet he is hitting just .162.

His BABIP is .156 this year, which seems crazy low for a guy as powerful as he is. People have been saying he's been getting loud outs this year, and I believe he's had terrible luck to go with the rust. I think it is only a matter of time until his numbers come up big time, and the fact that his OPS is .705 given his low BABIP is impressive and encouraging. 

[eLee612]

 

How close was Walker's 9th inning double to being a HR?  Announcer on radio made it sound pretty close.

 

Really #Ü@&1%$ close.   I think Walker gets overshadowed sometimes by having Sano and Bux on the same team, but this kid is super talented.  

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

 

Chattanooga should bring up the guy who was an All Star pitcher for Ft. Myers last year and one of their aces all the way to the championship.  Brett Lee earned a promotion from his performance last year (10+ wins) and should have been with the Lookouts out of spring training.  Lee has been a major factor in that groups  winning ways for the last 3 years.

I agree--Brett has nothing to prove at Ft. Myers.  He was my AAP in 2013 and 2014.  I was extremely (bad word) that he didn't start the season in Chattanooga.  He was the best pitcher at Cedar Rapids in the second half of 2013.  He made the AS team at Ft. Myers in 2014.  His ERA has been on the right side of 3.00 all three years in the Twins system,  He even threw 2 complete games in 2013 and 2014 (that's 4 2 in each year).

[Thegrin]

Lee has nothing to prove in Florida. Send him to AA and send down Peavey 

[jokin]

 

Lee has nothing to prove in Florida. Send him to AA and send down Peavey 

 

Probably more like "out", either out to the pen or out of the organization.