Article: Twins Minor League Report (8/21): Lackluster Offenses

[Steve Lein]

The Twins minor league affiliates got (nearly) eight full innings of pitching from each of their starting pitchers on Sunday afternoon, but just one of those starters ended the day with a notch in the win column. That was thanks to a lackluster display of offense throughout as two of the lineups were shut out, and the other two totaled just four runs.In transaction news, the Minnesota Twins optioned one-day call-up Adalberto Mejia back to Rochester after his 2.1 inning MLB debut on Saturday, and recalled right-hander Pat Light about a week after his scheduled flight for his MLB debut chance was cancelled. The Twins also signed free agent Confesor Lara and assigned him to Fort Myers and he made appearance on Sunday.

 

To see which of the starting pitchers got the victory on Sunday, and just how bad of a day it was in the organization for hitters, read on!

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 3, Gwinnett 2

Box Score

 

Rochester scored three runs in the first two innings, and held on for the victory thanks to a strong effort from starting pitcher Nick Greenwood.

 

He went eight innings in the game, and scattered five hits. He gave up single runs in the second and sixth inning thanks to a pair of solo home runs. He walked nobody and struck out four. In four of his eight innings he went one-two-three.

 

Rochester scored the first run of the game after Byron Buxton led off the game with a triple, his third of the year with the Red Wings. Wilfredo Tovar followed with an RBI single for the 1-0 lead.

 

In the second inning, Adam Walker led off with a single, and later a two-out rally was sparked by a two-base throwing error on a pickoff attempt at first. Logan Schafer singled him home, stole second base, and was driven in on a single from Leonardo Reginatto. That was all the Red Wings would need.

 

Right-hander Alan Busenitz made his first appearance in AAA with his new organization, and closed out the ninth for his first Rochester save with a scoreless inning. He allowed one hit and struck out one.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Montgomery 2, Chattanooga 0

Box Score

 

The Lookouts lineup was unable to solve the mystery that was Biscuits starter Hunter Wood for the first five innings, and had just as much trouble with their bullpen for the final four.

 

As a team Chattanooga managed just two hits and three walks, and struck out eight times. They were 0-7 with runners in scoring position and left just four men on base for the game.

 

Zach Granite doubled for one of those hits. Travis Harrison was 1-2 with a single and two walks.

 

Felix Jorge made the start for the Lookouts, and did everything he could to give his teammates a chance. Over eight innings, he scattered ten hits and one walk that were good for just two earned runs against. He struck out only one, but limited the damage all night with an efficient ninety-six pitches. He also went one-two-three in the third, sixth, and eighth innings.

 

Reliever Luke Bard pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit and striking out one.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Jupiter 3, Fort Myers 1

Box score

 

The Miracle also got an eight inning effort from their starting pitcher, but just like their Southern League counterparts, it wasn’t enough for them to come out with a victory.

 

In this one it was Keaton Steele who was the hard luck loser. He allowed all three runs (two earned) on six hits in his eighth innings of work. He walked none and struck out four in being saddled with his eleventh loss of the year despite his team outhitting the opposition 8-6 on the game.

 

Fort Myers tied the game at one in the fifth inning thanks to an RBI double off the bat of Max Murphy to score Brian Navaretto, but another runner would be thrown out at home trying to score from first to end the threat. That was all the Miracle could muster.

 

Murphy (2-3, 2B, RBI, BB) and Nick Gordon (2-4) each collected two hits on the day to pace the offense.

 

Organization newcomer (and solid all-around name) Confesor Lara made his debut with the Twins organization and pitched a clean ninth inning for the Miracle, striking out one. He was previously part of the Detroit Tigers system and had reached as high as AA. The Twins signed him as a free agent after about a week with the Joliet Slammers of the independent Frontier League.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Burlington 9, Cedar Rapids 0

Box Score

 

Cedar Rapids also got a pretty good effort from their starting pitcher, but that distinction won’t be discernible in the box score.

 

Sam Gibbons went 7.2 innings in this one, and allowed four hits. He also walked four, but an unfortunate error on a line drive to right fielder Jaylin Davis cleared the bases for a 3-0 Burlington lead in the fifth inning. That was all the Bees would need to pop the Kernels on this day as they managed just five hits and no extra-base hits as a team on offense.

 

Gibbons allowed two legitimate runs in the sixth thanks to a double, walk, RBI groundout and RBI single.

 

Casey Scoggins, Nelson Molina and Travis Blankenhorn all reached base twice with one single and one walk apiece. As a team the Kernels were just 0-2 with runners in scoring position, so they didn’t even manage many opportunities.

 

Right-hander Logan Lombana pitched the final 1.1 innings, but was knocked around in the ninth to the tune of four runs for the final blowout score. He allowed two hits, walked two, and the big blow was a three-run home run to cap the game’s scoring.

 

E-TWINS E-NOTES

Bristol @ Elizabethton – Postponed by rain.

 

The E-Twins game with the Bristol Pirates on Sunday afternoon was postponed by rain. They will make up the game as part of a double-header on Monday, starting at 5:00 PM CST.

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

 

The GCL Twins, like most of the rest of the Gulf Coast League, enjoyed the afternoon off on Sunday. They get back to action tomorrow morning on the road against the GCL Orioles.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Pitcher of the Day – Nick Greenwood, Rochester Red Wings, (W, 8.0IP, 2 ER’s, 5 H’s, 4 K’s)

Hitter of the Day – Logan Schafer, Rochester Red Wings (2-4, R, 2B, RBI)

 

MONDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Rochester @ Buffalo (6:05PM CST) – LHP Andrew Albers (9-6, 3.64 ERA)

Chattanooga @ Jacksonville (6:05PM CST) – TBD

Fort Myers – Scheduled day off.

Quad Cities @ Cedar Rapids (6:35PM PM CST) – RHP Brady Anderson (1-0, 2.12 ERA)

Bristol @ Elizabethton (5:00PM CST) – Game 1, TBD

Bristol @ Elizabethton – Game 2, TBD (makeup of Sunday’s postponement)

GCL Twins @ GCL Orioles (11:00AM CST) – TBD

 

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

 

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[wsnydes]

How has Buxton been doing since getting sent down this time around?  Is his knee still bothering him?  At this point, baring injury on the big league roster he is probably best served staying in AAA for the rest of the year, but I'm curious nonetheless.

[nytwinsfan]

 

  On 8/22/2016 at 12:50 PM, wsnydes said:

How has Buxton been doing since getting sent down this time around?  Is his knee still bothering him?  At this point, baring injury on the big league roster he is probably best served staying in AAA for the rest of the year, but I'm curious nonetheless.

Not so great. Since heading to AAA he's hitting .226/.294/.419 with 12 Ks and 2 BBs in 34 PAs. The Ks in particular are troubling. Someone with his hand-eye coordination should not be missing the ball that much. I know it is a SSS, but something is really wrong with his swing.

[wsnydes]

 

  On 8/22/2016 at 1:52 PM, nytwinsfan said:

Not so great. Since heading to AAA he's hitting .226/.294/.419 with 12 Ks and 2 BBs in 34 PAs. The Ks in particular are troubling. Someone with his hand-eye coordination should not be missing the ball that much. I know it is a SSS, but something is really wrong with his swing.

Eeesh...

 

Hopefully this is just a case of too much thinking.  Too much thinking about mechanics, too much thinking about approach, etc.  Sometimes it's best to get back to see ball, hit ball.  12 K's in 34 PAs, SSS or not, is not good at all.

Edited August 22, 2016 by wsnydes

[JaleelWhite FanClub]

At this point I think his even getting a September call up is questionable. I don't know if just closing the door on this year will serve him better than further struggles in the majors.

 

I would rather use the month to take a look at Palka & ABW II.

[JaleelWhite FanClub]

Kind of an in-between start for Jorge. I still think he's an intriguing guy going forward.

 

I'd be curious what others think. Check out the following forum post I had last week on Jorge and an old friend of ours.

 

http://twinsdaily.com/topic/23628-what-if-we-could-clone-felix-jorge/

 

[LimestoneBaggy]

 

  On 8/22/2016 at 1:52 PM, nytwinsfan said:

Not so great. Since heading to AAA he's hitting .226/.294/.419 with 12 Ks and 2 BBs in 34 PAs. The Ks in particular are troubling. Someone with his hand-eye coordination should not be missing the ball that much. I know it is a SSS, but something is really wrong with his swing.

 

I'm still hopeful this is part of the growing process. If I had to guess, he's finding out some flaws in his hitting approach and trying to fix them at the plate. Like syndes said. You fix a swing in practice, at the plate should be muscle memory. Guys like this (and maybe Berrios) are just seeing their first major hurdle, and need to adjust. Hopefully, once the mechanical fixes are in, the results will show...... 

[Deduno Abides]

Buxton needs to learn pitch recognition and a shorter, more level, swing. He's not going to learn these things in the next two weeks. He must also be mentally tired. He should be benched for the rest of the season and given a hitting coach for the winter, with a goal of demonstrating a good swing in April and May in AAA.