Article: Twins Minor League Report (8/22): Terrible Tuesday

[Steve Lein]

I have to admit, Tuesday’s minor league report was a lot less fun to write than last Friday’s was, when Twins affiliates combined to go 6-0. That’s because they flipped that record to 0-5 for this one. The only thing keeping them from completely flipping that to six, was because Rochester’s game with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre was suspended due to rain in the fourth inning. That was unfortunate too, as one of their hitters put himself in line for the player of the day award for the second day in a row to that point.To find out just how unlucky Twins affiliates were on Tuesday night, read on...at your own risk.

 

 

TRANSACTIONS

 

There were several transactions that were made official before the games on Tuesday.

 

Nik Turley was optioned back to Rochester after the doubleheader yesterday.

 

In AA, Kohl Stewart was put on the 7-day disabled list with left-knee tendinitis just a day after officially rejoining the Lookouts roster. Alex Muren was called up from Fort Myers and pitched in their game last night. Sam Clay was returned to Fort Myers.

 

In Cedar Rapids, Christian Caveness was placed on the disabled list with a blood clot in his right shoulder. (Get well soon!) To take his roster spot Shane Kennedy was brought up from the Gulf Coast League.

 

In the Appalachian League, Christian Broussard was activated from the DL and made the start last night.

 

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Scranton/WB 4, Rochester 4 (Suspended in top of fourth inning)

Box Score

 

Rain suspended the Red Wings game on Tuesday in the top of the fourth inning. The RailRiders had scored two runs in the first two innings to account for their runs, including two solo home runs off starter Aaron Slegers.

 

Byungho Park accounted for all four of Rochester’s runs, with an RBI single in the first and a three run home run in the third. The game will be completed tomorrow before their regularly scheduled game.

 

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Mississippi 6, Chattanooga 5

Box Score

 

Starting for the Lookouts was Dereck Rodriguez, and he made it into the sixth inning before he was chased. In 5.2 innings the Braves scored five runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks. He allowed a solo home run and struck out two. Randy Rosario came on in relief with two outs in the sixth and promptly gave up a triple to score two inherited runners. He allowed a run of his own in the seventh and in total allowed four hits while picking up two K’s in 1.1 innings. Alex Muren finished the game with two scoreless frames. He gave up two hits, walked one and struck out two of his own.

 

Chattanooga made a late comeback, getting to 6-5 in the bottom of the eighth, but couldn’t get the big hit to put them over the top. With the bases loaded in the seventh after three walks and a catcher interference play that allowed one to score, they were able to push just one other runner across on a double-play ball before LaMonte Wade flew out to end the threat. In the eighth, a solo home run from T.J. White got it to 6-5, and two more walks put the tying run in scoring position, but it wasn’t meant to be.

 

Edgar Corcino (2-5, R, HR, RBI) and White (3-4, 2 R’s, 2B, HR, RBI) led the offense with multiple hits. Andy Wilkins had a double in four trips to the plate and Nick Gordon singled and picked up an RBI by drawing a bases-loaded walk. Levi Michael and Brian Navarreto each drew two walks. As a team the Lookouts were just 1-9 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base.

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 0, Clearwater 4

Box Score

 

The Miracle were shut out in this one as they managed just four hits. Chris Paul was 2-3 with a triple and was also hit by a pitch to reach base three times. Brent Rooker and Mitchell Kranson collected the other two hits for the offense, both singles. As a team they struck out only six times, but were 0-5 with runners in scoring position.

 

Randy LeBlanc made the start for Fort Myers and went the first five innings. He allowed three runs on seven hits while striking out four. The first run of the game for Clearwater came in the fourth inning and they added the other two against LeBlanc in the fifth.

 

Michael Theofanopoulos pitched two scoreless innings of relief, walking two and striking out one. Williams Ramirez pitched the eighth inning, allowing one run on two hits and a walk. He struck out one.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 1, Kane County 9

Box Score

 

Kane County jumped all over Cedar Rapids pitching in this one, building a 7-0 lead before the Kernels put their lone run on the scoreboard.

 

Bryan Sammons took the mound and went the first 3.2 innings. He gave up five runs (four earned) on three hits and four walks. He did strike out six. Patrick McGuff pitched the next 1.1 innings, striking out one but allowing four runs of his own on six hits, including a three-run home run. Logan Lombana finished the game for Cedar Rapids, keeping the Cougars from adding to their blowout in 3.0 scoreless innings. He walked two and struck out one.

 

Lewin Diaz was responsible for the Kernels only run, slugging his 11^th home run of the season in the fifth inning. Jimmy Kerrigan was 2-3 batting second in the lineup, and Shane Kennedy added the team's fourth hit. The Cedar Rapids offense did not have a single plate appearance with runners in scoring position as Kane County’s pitcher, Connor Grey, tossed a complete game.

 

The loss halted the Kernels win streak at five and evened both team’s records at 29-29 in the second half of the Midwest League season. Kane County won the Western Division in the first half, and both are 8.5 games behind the second half -leading Quad Cities River Bandits, which Cedar Rapids plays next on their current road trip.

 

 

E-TWINS E-NOTES

Johnson City 4, Elizabethton 3

Box Score

 

Elizabethton took the lead 3-2 in this one in the bottom of the sixth inning, as Andrew Bechtold’s tenth double of the year tied the game at two and a Mark Contreras single brought him in to put them out front. They weren’t able to hold that lead however.

 

Their first run of the game came in the bottom of the third courtesy of a sac fly from Kolton Kendrick. Akil Baddoo finished 1-3 with two walks and stole his fourth base, but was also thrown out for the fourth time.

 

Christian Broussard got the first inning for the Twins and walked the leadoff man, but got the next three. He was replaced by Edward Colina for the second inning. He went 5.2 innings, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk, with four K’s. Jovani Moran came on with two outs in the seventh and got the final out, but was charged with a blown save in the eighth when he gave up the go-ahead two-run home run to Elizabethton’s bitter rivals. To attempt to make up for that, he did strike out five in 2.1 innings to finish the game.

 

The Twins offense did threaten with two outs in the eighth, but were unable to get a run across to tie the game and went down one-two-three in the bottom of the ninth, all on strikeouts.

 

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Twins 4, GCL Orioles 10

Box Score

 

The Twins were outhit in this one 13-6, and it showed up on the scoreboard as they fell to the Orioles on the road.

 

After the Orioles struck for five runs in the first two innings, the Twins did crawl back to make the score 5-4 after the top of the sixth, but five more runs from the Orioles to answer did them in for good.

 

Tyler Benninghoff made the start and got just one out (likely plan for him coming back from injury is one inning appearances at this point, so don’t read too much into it). He walked two, gave up a two-run homer, and struck out one. Jordan Balazovic came in from there and got out of the first inning, but allowed three runs of his own in the second. He ended up finishing 3.2 innings, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out two along the way. Cody Stashak pitched a scoreless fifth inning but surrendered two runs on three hits overall in 1.2 innings, striking out two. Tyler Jay was the next man to get touched up, as he allowed both of Stashak’s inherited runners to score and one of his own while closing out the sixth, then two more on a home run in the seventh. He allowed four hits in 1.0 innings, while striking out one. Amilcar Cruz finally stabilized the scoreboard for the last four outs, walking two and striking out two.

 

On the offensive side, two Twins hitters collected two hits. Benjamin Rodriguez was 2-4 with two runs scored, a homer, and two RBI. His home run was the blast that brought them within one. Ricky De La Torre was 2-3 with a walk, a home run, and RBI. His solo shot got the Twins on the board in the second inning. The rest of the team combined to go 2-25 with 12 K’s. They were just 1-2 with runners in scoring position and left only four men on base overall.

 

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Pitcher of the Day – Logan Lombana, Cedar Rapids Kernels (3.0IP, 0 R’s, 2 BB’s, K)

Hitter of the Day – T.J. White, Chattanooga Lookouts (3-4, 2 R’s, 2B, HR, RBI)

 

 

WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre @ Rochester (6:05PM CST) – RHP Felix Jorge (0-0, -.--. AAA debut)

Mississippi @ Chattanooga (6:15PM CST) – TBD

Fort Myers @ Clearwater (6:00PM CST) – RHP Sean Poppen (2-2, 3.50 ERA)

Cedar Rapids @ Kane County (6:30PM CST) – LHP Tyler Watson (0-3, 6.06 ERA)

Bristol @ Elizabethton (6:00PM CST) – TBD

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

 

 

Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Tuesday’s games!

 

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[jun]

I don't see the need to add Dereck Rodriguez to the 40 man. He has not been impressive. Save the spot for whoever deserves it.

[clutterheart]

Akil Baddoo just turned 19 a few days ago.

 

Through 43 games has just 26 BB and 27 SO with a .494 slugging %.

 

That pretty good. He has been surging with a Monster Aug.

What a fun player!

[gunnarthor]

 

Akil Baddoo just turned 19 a few days ago.

Through 43 games has just 26 BB and 27 SO with a .494 slugging %.

That pretty good. He has been surging with a Monster Aug.
What a fun player!

Yep, I think he'll make the biggest jump on prospect rankings of all our guys but Miranda isn't far behind, either.  

[Dman]

 

Yep, I think he'll make the biggest jump on prospect rankings of all our guys but Miranda isn't far behind, either.  

 

MIranda and Bechtold were really hot to start the season and have cooled some recently.  Wander has really come on with the bat lately as well.  Some really talented young hitters are gonna end up in Cedar Rapids next year.

[bluechipper]

Good to see Lewin Diaz hit a HR. His last HR was way back on July 6th, but at least he's kept a high average, and he's one of the league leaders in doubles.