Article: Twins minor League Report (5/24): Milone and Slegers Dominate

[Steve Lein]

All four of the Minnesota Twins affiliates were in action on Sunday afternoon, and along with major league team, the organization had an undefeated day.

 

In Rochester, a certain starting pitcher continued his run of AAA dominance, top prospects began and ended the scoring for Chattanooga,Fort Myers got a complete game shutout effort on the hill, and the Cedar Rapids lineup knocked the Twins’ former affiliate around their old ball park.

 

Read on to find out who did what and where in Sunday’s MiLB action!

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 3, Norfolk 1

Box Score

 

Rochester scored single runs in the third, fourth, and seventh innings to provide plenty of run support for the continued AAA dominance of Tommy Milone.

 

He pounded the strike zone all day and scattered six hits over 8.1 innings. Eighty-five of his one-hundred-and-eight pitches went for strikes and he had retired eleven men in a row when he was finally struck for his first earned run since being optioned to AAA in the bottom of the ninth. Norfolk’s Christian Walker homered to make the score 3-1.

 

With the shutout no longer in place, Milone was lifted for A.J. Achter, who quickly got the final two outs for his sixth save of the year. Milone finished the game with eight strikeouts and no walks.

 

Jose Martinez got the scoring started for the Red Wings when he led off the top of third inning with his second home run of the year. He added a sacrifice fly to score Josmil Pinto in the fourth.

 

Danny Ortiz added the final insurance run when he led off the seventh inning with his seventh home run of the season and the 3-0 lead for Rochester.

 

Martinez and Ortiz both finished the game with two hits and a home run. Kennys Vargas was 1-4, and Argenis Diaz and Eric Fryer collected the other two hits for the Red Wings.

 

The win improved Rochester to 25-19 on the season, leading the International League North Division.

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 7, Mobile 6

Box Score

 

The Lookouts jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning, and the scoring was started by the bat of Miguel Sano. With Jorge Polanco on first base after a single, Sano launched his ninth home run of the season to center field and a 2-0 lead. Max Kepler and Adam Brett Walker followed with back-to-back doubles to score a third run, and Mike Gonzalez brought home Walker with a single to make it 4-0.

 

Mobile got one run back in the bottom of the inning after a leadoff home run against starter Greg Peavey, but Chattanooga scored two more in the second to make it 6-1.

 

Stephen Wickens reached base on an error, moved to second on a Byron Buxton groundout, and scored on a Polanco single. Travis Harrison then brought Polanco around to score with his first triple of the season to right field.

 

Peavey then kept the BayBears lineup silent until the sixth inning when they plated two runs to close the score to 6-3 and chase him from the game. D.J. Johnson escaped the jam in the sixth, and worked a scoreless seventh before running into trouble in the eighth. A walk, hit batter, and a double scored one before Zack Jones was summoned. He walked two batters to plate the first inherited runner, and then a sacrifice fly scored a second to tie the game at six.

 

In the top of the ninth however, the bat and legs of Buxton put Chattanooga back on top for good, as he beat out a ground ball to third base for a single, and the rushed throw to first turned into a throwing error that allowed Carlos Paulino to race home and make the score 7-6.

 

Jones got a one-two-three bottom of the ninth to pick up his third win on the season.

 

Polanco, Harrison, and Paulino each collected two hits, and Polanco stole his ninth base. Buxton finished 1-4 with a walk.

MIRACLE MATTERS

Brevard County 0, Fort Myers 4

Box Score

 

The Brevard County Manatees had no answer for the efficiency of starter Aaron Slegers on this day.

 

His quick work and complete game shutout performance allowed this game to finish in just under two hours. He didn’t go to a single three-ball count with any hitter, and threw twenty-one first-pitch strikes. The Manatees managed just three hits, all singles, and Slegers struck out a season-high nine batters. It was the first complete game shutout for the Miracle this season, and was one of two shutouts in the series.

 

The Miracle lineup got all the offense they would need in the second and third innings to jump out to 3-0 lead. Niko Goodrum drew his Florida State League leading twenty-seventh walk, stole his tenth base, and scored on a Marcus Knecht single in the second, and Tanner Vavra and Zach Granite scored on an Alex Swim single in the third.

 

Fort Myers added a run in the eighth inning on a throwing error from the catcher that allowed Swim to scamper home.

 

Knecht was 2-3 on the night with an RBI and stolen base, and Swim 2-4 with two RBI and a stolen base.

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 11, Beloit 1

Box Score

 

Cedar Rapids pounded out thirteen hits on the day to dismantle the Beloit Snappers in the organization's old stomping grounds.

 

They went ahead 2-0 in the second inning, when Blake Schmit drove in Max Murphy with a single, and Zack Larson scored on a wild-pitch strike three to Rainis Silva that would have ended the inning.

 

Their big inning was the top of the third, as they batted around and added six runs to their total. Nick Gordon was the victim of the first and last outs of the inning, but in between Trey Vavra singled, Murphy brought him home with a triple, Larson and Pat Kelly hit back-to-back doubles to score two more, Tyler Kuresa singled in Kelly, and Tanner English added a triple that scored Kuresa and Silva who had reached base on an error.

 

In the fourth inning they scored three more to go ahead 11-0 when two consecutive errors began the frame. A single from Larson, sac fly from Kelly, and double from Kuresa brought in the Kernels' final runs of the day.

 

It was more than enough for the Cedar Rapids pitching staff, who went with a bullpen game started by Zach Tillery. He pitched the first two innings, allowing just two hits. Luke Bard then made his second appearance of the season, pitching two hitless innings of his own. Cameron Booser pitched the fifth and sixth innings, allowing Beloit’s only run of the game, an unearned one, while walking three and striking out one. Trevor Hildenberger finished the final three innings for his fifth save. He allowed two hits and struck out one. Hildenberger’s ERA now sits at 0.35 on the season, his last ten appearances and 21.2 innings pitched being of the scoreless variety. Over that time frame, he’s allowed just six hits and two walks, while striking out twenty-five.

 

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Pitcher of the Day – Aaron Slegers, Fort Myers Miracle (CG SO, 9 IP, 3 H’s, 0 BB’s, 9 K’s)

Hitter of the Day – Max Murphy, Cedar Rapids Kernels (3-5, 3 R’s, 3B, RBI)

 

MONDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Rochester @ Durhan (4:05 PM CST) – LHP Jason Wheeler (1-2, 5.70 ERA)

Chattanooga @ Mobile (4:05 PM CST) – RHP D.J. Baxendale (3-0, 2.47 ERA)

Fort Myers – Scheduled Day Off.

Cedar Rapids @ Beloit (2:00 PM CST) – RHP John Curtiss (2-3, 5.79 ERA)

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

 

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[Dman]

Dang Milone needs to be up with the big club. Thing is everyone seems to be pitching ok to very good right now. I guess he sits and waits for a injury at this point?

 

Nice game by slegars I go from very excited to disappointed with him as he will pitch great fro a bit and then go in the tank. I hope this is the start of something special for him. I know he doesn't throw hard but I was big believer of his after the Twins drafted him.

 

Sure is fun when everyone is winning and so many players are doing well.

[drock2190]

Why is everyone so excited about Milone?

 

He's still the same pitcher. Mediocre at best in the majors. Go look at his stats from 2011 in Triple AAA, pitched great, K/9 over 9, low walk rate in 150 innings.

 

Same thing here, hope they trade him. Either him or Pelfrey. Heck do both once Santana comes back and if everyone is relatively healthy.

[h2oface]

Meyer's day to start was yesterday, and Fien got the relief inning, and Meyer was not used today in favor of Achter. I hope Meyer gets in some games if he is going to be developed. Maybe the games were too close and they want to win the minor league game more than be developing?

 

There should be a rule against blowing someone's save, tacking on runs to their ERA, and then stealing the win. It just doesn't and has never seemed fair. That pitcher shouldn't get the win. Maybe there already is, but it is never used by the official scorer. 

 

Official Rules: 10.00 The Official Scorer

10.17 Winning And Losing Pitcher
(a) The official scorer shall credit as the winning pitcher that pitcher whose team assumes a lead while such pitcher is in the game, or during the inning on offense in which such pitcher is removed from the game, and does not relinquish such lead, unless
(1) such pitcher is a starting pitcher and Rule 10.17(b.) applies; or
(2) Rule 10.17(c.) applies.
Rule 10.17(a) Comment: Whenever the score is tied, the game becomes a new contest insofar as the winning pitcher is concerned. Once the opposing team assumes the lead, all pitchers who have pitched up to that point and have been replaced are excluded from being credited with the victory. If the pitcher against whose pitching the opposing team gained the lead continues to pitch until his team regains the lead, which it holds to the finish of the game, that pitcher shall be the winning pitcher.
(b.) If the pitcher whose team assumes a lead while such pitcher is in the game, or during the inning on offense in which such pitcher is removed from the game, and does not relinquish such lead, is a starting pitcher who has not completed
(1) five innings of a game that lasts six or more innings on defense, or
(2) four innings of a game that lasts five innings on defense, then the official scorer shall credit as the winning pitcher the relief pitcher, if there is only one relief pitcher, or the relief pitcher who, in the official scorers judgment was the most effective, if there is more than one relief pitcher.
Rule 10.17(b.) Comment: It is the intent of Rule 10.17(b.) that a relief pitcher pitch at least one complete inning or pitch when a crucial out is made, within the context of the game (including the score), in order to be credited as the winning pitcher. If the first relief pitcher pitches effectively, the official scorer should not presumptively credit that pitcher with the win, because the rule requires that the win be credited to the pitcher who was the most effective, and a subsequent relief pitcher may have been most effective. The official scorer, in determining which relief pitcher was the most effective, should consider the number of runs, earned runs and base runners given up by each relief pitcher and the context of the game at the time of each relief pitchers appearance. If two or more relief pitchers were similarly effective, the official scorer should give the presumption to the earlier pitcher as the winning pitcher.
 

(c.) The official scorer shall not credit as the winning pitcher a relief pitcher who is ineffective in a brief appearance, when at least one succeeding relief pitcher pitches effectively in helping his team maintain its lead. In such a case, the official scorer shall credit as the winning pitcher the succeeding relief pitcher who was most effective, in the judgment of the official scorer.
Rule 10.17(c.) Comment: The official scorer generally should, but is not required to, consider the appearance of a relief pitcher to be ineffective and brief if such relief pitcher pitches less than one inning and allows two or more earned runs to score (even if such runs are charged to a previous pitcher). Rule 10.17(b.) Comment provides guidance on choosing the winning pitcher from among several succeeding relief pitchers.

 

(d) A losing pitcher is a pitcher who is responsible for the run that gives the winning team a lead that the winning team does not relinquish.
Rule 10.17(d.) Comment: Whenever the score is tied, the game becomes a new contest insofar as the losing pitcher is concerned.
(e) A league may designate a non-championship game (for example, the Major League All-Star Game) for which Rules 10.17(a.)(1.) and 10.17(b.) do not apply. In such games, the official scorer shall credit as the winning pitcher that pitcher whose team assumes a lead while such pitcher is in the game, or during the inning on offense in which such pitcher is removed from the game, and does not relinquish such lead, unless such pitcher is knocked out after the winning team has attained a commanding lead and the official scorer concludes that a subsequent pitcher is entitled to credit as the winning pitcher.

[h2oface]

 

Why is everyone so excited about Milone?

 

He's still the same pitcher. Mediocre at best in the majors. Go look at his stats from 2011 in Triple AAA, pitched great, K/9 over 9, low walk rate in 150 innings.

 

Same thing here, hope they trade him. Either him or Pelfrey. Heck do both once Santana comes back and if everyone is relatively healthy.

It is nice to have depth. The Dodgers thought they had too many outfielders, and traded Kemp and tried to trade Eithier. Now, Crawford and Puig are out and Ethier and Van Slyke are needed desperately, and both are doing great. No need to trade Milone if he can be ready when....... and I mean when and not if....... when the injury happens and he is needed. They are paying him 2.8 million no matter where he pitches.

[Seth Stohs]

I don't think anyone thinks Milone is suddenly going to be something different or significantly better than ever. However, he's not a AAA pitcher and he's not a AAAA pitcher. He's an MLB pitcher, a back of the rotation guy, probably a #4. Depth is good.

[Seth Stohs]

We hear so much about tall pitchers and release points, but Aaron Slegers is 6-10 and was top 3 in the organization in BB/9 before this 0 walk outing.

[clutterheart]

Gordon is really struggling. Any iea what is going on with him? How is he doing defensively?

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Gordon is really struggling. Any iea what is going on with him? How is he doing defensively?

 

He's holding his own.  Keep in mind he started in A ball right out of highschool.  Usually when that happens, guys don't go Buxton on the league.  If he had, he'd probably be rocketing up everyone's lists.  I wouldn't be surprised at all if he takes a half or even a whole season to click.  He's a 19 year old this season.  The fact that he's not being overwhelmed is a plus. 

[drivlikejehu]

Gordon's RC+ of 64 is pretty much being overwhelmed as a hitter. He is young, etc., but there's no way to construe it as a good performance.

[benji21]

I really did not like the Gordon pick at the time and nothing he's done has changed my mind. Now, I don't remember who I wanted at the time (Alex Jackson maybe?) but I just didn't want Gordon. I know he's really young but he screams mediocre to me and that's not what we want that high in the draft. As usual with anything Twins I'd be more than happy to proven wrong, but I don't think I will. Gut feeling and all.

[GMinTraining]

 

I really did not like the Gordon pick at the time and nothing he's done has changed my mind. Now, I don't remember who I wanted at the time (Alex Jackson maybe?) but I just didn't want Gordon. I know he's really young but he screams mediocre to me and that's not what we want that high in the draft. As usual with anything Twins I'd be more than happy to proven wrong, but I don't think I will. Gut feeling and all.

 

Gordon could turn out to be like his brother.   Out of curiosity, who are some of the picks you've made over the years (1st round) that turned out well for the Twins or whoever else they were drafted for?  I think we all suffer from the "No - draft that guy" disease .  Our Gut feelings are usually somewhere in the middle of the success graph.

[blairpaul715]

 

I really did not like the Gordon pick at the time and nothing he's done has changed my mind. Now, I don't remember who I wanted at the time (Alex Jackson maybe?) but I just didn't want Gordon. I know he's really young but he screams mediocre to me and that's not what we want that high in the draft. As usual with anything Twins I'd be more than happy to proven wrong, but I don't think I will. Gut feeling and all.

Alex Jackson, is hitting .158 or something like that in Low A, and was recently sent to Extended Spring Training.