Article: Twins Minor League Report (8/12): Romero Dominates, You Pick Day's Top Hitter

[Seth Stohs]

It was a busy night in the Twins minor league system. The Red Wings held their Hall of Fame ceremony pre-game and then hit four home runs in their game. Was it enough? The Lookouts got a quality start, but their offense was tremendous. One of the organization’s top pitching prospects put on a display in Ft. Myers. The Kernels had a batter with a five-hit game. The E-Twins had a big inning. And, Minnesota kids got the win and save for the GCL Twins on Friday.

 

We also need you to help vote for today's Hitter of the Day. Too many good choices.

 

There were a couple of transactions of note on Friday as well:

• With Tommy Milone going on the disabled list, the Twins called up Pat Dean to fill the long-relief role that Andrew Albers successfully filled on Thursday night.
• Following the Twins game, they announced that Andrew Albers has been DFAd and a pitcher will be added before the game on Saturday.
• With two of their starters now with the Twins, the Red Wings announced that lefty David Hurlbut has been promoted from Chattanooga and will start on Saturday.

With that, let’s get to the Minor League Report for Friday.

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 7, Scranton/Wilkes Barre 12

Box Score

 

In the last few days, the Red Wings have lost ⅖ of their starting rotation to the Minnesota Twins. First, it was Andrew Albers and on Friday it was Pat Dean. Things didn’t go as planned, however. Jason Wheeler, who has been the Red Wings most consistent starter all season, gave up four runs in the first inning. He gave up another in the second and two more in the third. Through three innings, he had given up seven runs. Normally that would be a time to remove the starter. However, manager Mike Quade stuck with Wheeler and the left-hander threw three scoreless innings. So his final line says that he gave up seven runs on seven hits (including three homers) and three walks in six innings.

 

Key Play: If you had a chance to watch the game on milb.tv, you may have seen the unfortunate first inning against Wheeler. With one out and runners on first and second Wheeler coaxed a ground ball to third base. Leonardo Reginnato fielded and threw to James Beresford at second for the first out. Beresford made the turn and made a terrific throw to first base, a step before the batter reached first. However, Reynaldo Rodriguez casually caught the ball and stepped away from the bag... the problem was that he casually stepped off the bag before he caught the ball. The umpire made the correct call. Safe. Could have been out of the inning, and after the blunder, Wheeler gave up four runs in that first inning. Can't help but wonder how the game goes if that play is made properly.

 

At that point, the Red Wings offense had caught up. Adam Brett Walker hit a three-run homer, his International League-leading 23rd homer of the season. Byron Buxton added his seventh Rochester homer, a solo blast. Reynaldo Rodriguez added his third homer to cut the deficit to 7-6.

 

 

DJ Baxendale came in for the seventh inning. His ERA jumped to 1.67 as he gave up three runs (two earned) on three hits and two walks in the inning. Neil Ramirez threw the final two innings. He gave up two runs on two hits and a walk. He struck out four.

 

John Ryan Murphy added his second homer of the year to give the Red Wings their seventh run. Buxton was the lone Wings player to have multiple hits. He was 2-4 and stole his sixth base.

 

Before the game, the Red Wings added Jason Bartlett and Merv Rettenmund to their Hall of Fame. Bartlett played parts of the 2004, 2005 and 2006 seasons in Rochester. In those seasons, he hit .331, .332 and .306. He played ten seasons in the big leagues. Rettenmund played 13 seasons in the big leagues after one season in Rochester. That season he was The Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year after hitting .331 with 22 homers for the Red Wings. He was the International League’s Rookie of the Year and MVP in 1968.

 

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 12, Birmingham 1

Box Score

 

Aaron Slegers returned to nearly his pre-disabled list form in this game, and his offense provided plenty of offensive support.

 

Before going on the DL, Slegers had a run of nine straight quality starts. Since his return, he has thrown two innings twice and worked up to five innings in his most recent start. On this night Slegers gave up one run on six hits in seven innings. He struck out five without issuing a walk. Brandon Peterson worked two scoreless innings. He gave up one hit, walked one and struck out two.

 

The Lookouts scored six runs in the third innings. They got an RBI double from Zach Granite, an RBI double from Niko Goodrum, a two-run double from Stuart Turner and a two-run single from TJ White. They added four more runs in the sixth inning, and two more runs in the ninth inning.

 

Zach Granite led the way. He went 3-6 with his 15th double, sixth triple and five RBIs. Turner went 3-4 with a walk and his 17th and 18th doubles. Goodrum went 2-5 with his fourth double. TJ White was 2-5. Travis Harrison hit his 21st double.

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 0, Charlotte 2

Box Score

 

The Miracle lost, but Fernando Romero was as impressive has he has been all year. The hard-throwing right-hander from the Dominican went the first seven innings. He gave up no runs. He gave up six hits, walked none and struck out 11. His Miracle ERA drops to 2.39.

 

One of the hits Romero gave up was off the bat of a rehabbing Oswaldo Arcia. Cam Booser replaced Romero in the 8th inning. He walked a batter and then gave up a two-run homer to Arcia which was the entirety of the game’s scoring. It was the only hit Booser gave up. He struck out two. Luke Bard worked a perfect ninth inning.

 

The Miracle offense managed just three hits in the game. Joe Maloney hit his 13th double. Tanner Witt and Trey Vavra were each 1-2. Witt walked once as well. Vavra was hit by a pitch.

 

Miracle Manager Jeff Smith was ejected in the 8th inning.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 10, Kane County 1

Box Score

 

The game was delayed by rain in the third inning, but it didn’t slow down the Kernels’ bats. Speaking of bats that haven’t cooled down, out hitter of the month of July, Zander Wiel, went 5-5 in this game to lead the way. Sean Miller and JJ Fernandez were both 2-5. Casey Scoggins went 2-4. Travis Blankenhorn added his second double. Brandon Lopez went 1-3 with two walks.

 

It was a pretty unique game for catcher Kevin Garcia. He was on third base early in the game when Christian Cavaness stole second base. Garcia took off for home and scored. In the ninth inning, he hit a three-run homer. I am guessing that it is the first time Garcia has stolen home and homered in the same game in his career. They were his first stolen base and first home run of the season.

 

Miles Nordgren started and returned to the mound even after the 42-minute rain delay. He went seven innings for his fourth win. He gave up only an unearned run on five hits. He walked two and struck out four. Logan Lombana threw two scoreless innings in relief.

 

 

E-TWINS E-NOTES

Elizabethton 6, Kingsport 4

Box Score

 

A four-run third innings gave the Twins a lead that they were able to hang on to the rest of the way. In the big inning, infielder Caleb Hamilton hit a two-run double. Soon after, Amaurys Minier hit a two-run homer to give them a 4-0 lead. Minier went 1-2 with two walks and the homer, his eighth. Hamilton went 2-4 and both hits were doubles to give him four on the season.

 

Sean Poppen started. He threw four scoreless innings, though he gave up four hits and walked three. He struck out four. He met his pitch count after just four innings, and Austin Tribby came into the game. He gave up three runs (2 earned) on six hits over three innings. He struck out three and didn’t walk any. He was credited with the Win to improve his season record to 4-0. Patrick McGuff gave up a run on three hits over the final two innings to record his fourth save. He struck out three without issuing a walk, something he has called a key to his success so far as a pro.

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Twins 2, GCL Red Sox 1

Box Score

 

Left Bo Hellquist made the Friday start for the GCL Twins. The Minnesota-Duluth alum threw five shutout innings. He gave up four hits, walked none and struck out three. Moises Gomez came on and threw three scoreless frames. Onas Farfan came on for the ninth to protect a two-run lead. He gave up three hits and one run, but he held on to record his fourth save of the year. Hellquist improved to 4-1.

 

Jorge Munoz has been hitting well of late. The infielder went 2-4 in this game with his ninth and tenth doubles. Max Murphy, in another rehab appearance, added a double. Lean Marrero went 2-3 and stole his second base.

 

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Fernando Romero, Ft. Myers Miracle

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – You Vote:

• Zach Granite, Chattanooga Lookouts
• Stuart Turner, Chattanooga Lookouts
• Zander Wiel, Cedar Rapids Kernels

SATURDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (6:05 CST) - LHP David Hurlbut

Chattanooga @ Birmingham (6:30 CST) - RHP Kohl Stewart

Charlotte @ Ft. Myers (5:05 CST) - RHP Dereck Rodriguez

Cedar Rapids @ Kane County (6:30 CST) – LHP Lachlan Wells

Elizabethton @ Bluefield (6:05 CST) - RHP Jose Martinez

GCL Twins @ GCL Red Sox (9:00 am CST) - RH Huascar Ynoa

Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss Friday's games.

 

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[Otwins]

5 for 5 should win hitter of the day

[WiesbadenDAN]

Agreed...5 for 5 Zander Wiel is my vote as well.

[Twinsoholic]

I concur. Zander Wiel.

[wsnydes]

Call me a lemming, but I also tip my cap to Wiel. Hard to top a 5-for-5 day at the plate.

[Bob Sacamento]

In one day, Wiel raised his batting average from .252 to .261 pretty impressive considering he already has 450+ plate appearances.

[Halsey Hall]

• I'm on board with the 5-5.

[nater79a]

Short-changed Merv Rettenmund just a bit. Played 13 years in the bigs, not 13 days.

[diehardtwinsfan]

not really a debate when a guy collects 5 hits.

[clutterheart]

I know its only been 3 games but Blankenhorn has played DH in two of them. They need to get him in the field. Miller, Cavaness, Weil should not be getting field time over Blankenhorn.

 

Hopefully the FO will be giving Jake Mauer a phone call and stop this before it goes on much further.

[Seth Stohs]

 

not really a debate when a guy collects 5 hits.

 

I don't disagree... though Wiel had 5 total bases... Granite had 6 total bases, a single, double and triple and drove in five runs... That's the hesitation for me.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I know its only been 3 games but Blankenhorn has played DH in two of them. They need to get him in the field. Miller, Cavaness, Weil should not be getting field time over Blankenhorn.

Hopefully the FO will be giving Jake Mauer a phone call and stop this before it goes on much further.

 

I don't necessarily disagree, but a couple of things...

 

1.) he's a second baseman... Cavaness is an OF and Wiel is a 1B, so they have nothing to do with Blankenhorn playing 2B.

2.) Miller's going to play some 2B, some 3B and some SS, and he's worthy of playing time too.

3.) Arraez plays 2B too... 

[nytwinsfan]

 

I don't necessarily disagree, but a couple of things...

 

1.) he's a second baseman... Cavaness is an OF and Wiel is a 1B, so they have nothing to do with Blankenhorn playing 2B.

2.) Miller's going to play some 2B, some 3B and some SS, and he's worthy of playing time too.

3.) Arraez plays 2B too... 

 

Seth, why did they move Blankenhorn from 3B to 2B? Doesn't have the arm for it? Because looking down the road a couple years, the Twins are more likely to have an opening at 3B than 2B. Whether Dozier, Polanco or Gordon (if Vielma at SS), 2B seems pretty covered.

[ashbury]

My vote is Turner. It's hitter of the day and not runner of the day, so Granite's 2 triples equate to Turner's 2 doubles, while Turner consumed fewer outs having a walk instead. And in a 10-1 rout, Weil's 5 singles somehow turned into only 1 run and 0 RBI. So I'll take Turner's day, TYVM.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Seth, why did they move Blankenhorn from 3B to 2B? Doesn't have the arm for it? Because looking down the road a couple years, the Twins are more likely to have an opening at 3B than 2B. Whether Dozier, Polanco or Gordon (if Vielma at SS), 2B seems pretty covered.

 

Played SS in high school, drafted as a 3B... They have Trey Cabbage at third base, so they moved him over to 2B. Blankenhorn's 3-4 years from the big leagues, so giving him some flexibility is a good thing.

[Darius]

I'll take the 5 RBI, and hitting yourself into scoring position, over 5 singles any day of the week (unless the the 5 singles are accompanied by more hard run production, which they weren't).

 

What good are the five hits if he only scored once and doesn't drive anything in (obviously, not knowing how things went in terms of advancing runners for other to knock in)? One walk could produce as much. It's a flashy box score and good for Avg/OBP, but really doesn't do much in terms of of changing the number on the scoreboard, which is the ultimate goal.

 

Granite.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I'll take the 5 RBI, and hitting yourself into scoring position, over 5 singles any day of the week (unless the the 5 singles are accompanied by more hard run production, which they weren't).

What good are the five hits if he only scored once and doesn't drive anything in (obviously, not knowing how things went in terms of advancing runners for other to knock in)? One walk could produce as much. It's a flashy box score and good for Avg/OBP, but really doesn't do much in terms of of changing the number on the scoreboard, which is the ultimate goal.

Granite.

 

While I agree with the first paragraph... I disagree with the second paragraph... Wiel shouldn't be hurt by the fact that no one was in scoring position before he came to bat or drove him in. Five hits in Five at bats is ALWAYS an impressive feat. He didn't get out. But I do think extra base hits are good too, which is why I had a hard time picking.

[Steve Lein]

I vote for Granite. Not really a wrong choice here, though!

[Jordan1212]

I vote Kevin Garcia the guy hit a home run plus the best part stole home guys go 5for5 guys don't steal home pretty cool.

[70charger]

Quote: "Rettenmund played 13 games in the big leagues after one season in Rochester. That season he was The Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year after hitting .331 with 22 homers for the Red Wings. He was the International League’s Rookie of the Year and MVP in 1968"

 

My first reaction was how does a guy have so much success in AAA and then only go on to play 13 games in the majors? So I looked him up. Turns out it was 13 years.

[ashbury]

Quote: "Rettenmund played 13 games in the big leagues after one season in Rochester. That season he was The Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year after hitting .331 with 22 homers for the Red Wings. He was the International League’s Rookie of the Year and MVP in 1968"

 

My first reaction was how does a guy have so much success in AAA and then only go on to play 13 games in the majors? So I looked him up. Turns out it was 13 years.

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