Article: Minor League Report (8/27): Live-Blogging Sunday's Action

[Seth Stohs]

Sunday's minor league report looks a bit different than normal. Maybe you've been following along all day, but if not, this article was live-blogged throughout the day on Sunday with updates when there were scores, or other events.

 

There has been some talk about how strong Twins affiliates have been this season. All seven Twins minor league affiliates either have already clinched a playoff berth or currently are the team in the lead for a playoff spot. The minor league seasons will all be complete on Labor Day.

 

The Twins front office and manager have continued to say that they are thrilled with the minor league success, but the big league club will be the priority. We've seen that already as the Twins have called up the likes of Kennys Vargas, Mitch Garver, Zack Granite and John Curtiss within the last week from Rochester to help the big league club despite the Red Wings having a chance to make the playoffs.

 

Below, you will be able to see where each of the affiliates currently stands in their playoff hopes. (before the game, but after each game, they've been updated, when needed)

At this point, we know of no transactions in the organization on Sunday.Thanks for following the updates throughout the day. It was fun to keep tabs on the goings on in the Twins minor leagues throughout the day. So for those who are seeing this for the first time, the format is obviously quite different from what you normally see here, but more frequent updates can be good too.

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 4, Buffalo 3 (FINAL)

Box Score

 

Aaron Slegers starts for the Red Wings at 12:35. At 76-57, the Red Wings have been eliminated from winning their division. However, they have a two game lead over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in the Wild Card race. Their magic number coming into the day is 8.

 

12:47 UPDATE: In the top of the first inning, Slegers hit the leadoff batter. With two outs, 1B Rowdy Tellez doubles in the runner to give the Bisons a 1-0 lead.

 

12:58 UPDATE: In the top of the second inning, Slegers gave up a solo home run to SS Shane Opitz. Red Wings down 2-0.

 

1:04 UPDATE: Following Niko Goodrum getting hit by a pitch, Leonardo Reginnato doubled him in to put the Red Wings on the scoreboard. Through two innings, Red Wings 1, Bisons 2.

 

1:30 UPDATE: With two on and one out in the 4th, Slegers gave up a run-scoring single to Opitz to make the score 3-1 Bisons. While he's given up three runs, Slegers does have six strikeouts, including the third out of this inning with runners on 2nd and 3rd.

 

2:16 UPDATE: With two outs, and just after Chad Allen got ejected, Anthony Recker singled in Niko Goodrum to cut the Red Wings deficit to 3-2. Goodrum had singled and stolen second base. It was his 11th steal of the game.

 

2:24 UPDATE: He's at 89 pitches, so I don't know if he's done, but after two strikeouts in the 7th, Aaron Slegers now has nine strikeouts in the game.

 

2:35 UPDATE: Engelb Vielma led off the 7th with a walk. Two outs later, Daniel Palka singled him in and after an error, he also scored to give the Red Wings a 4-3 lead. Here it is... an absolutely crazy "Little League Home Run."

 

 

2:40 UPDATE: Aaron Slegers' 102nd pitch gave him his 10th strikeout of the game. He's likely done, having given up only those three early runs. A very impressive outing.

 

2:52 UPDATE: Michael Tonkin coming in for the ninth to protect a 4-3 Red Wings lead.

 

2:57 UPDATE: Tonkin had a 1-2-3 ninth inning to record his fifth save. Aaron Slegers is now 14-4 (he was 4-4 at one point) on the season.

 

 

Multi-Hit Games: Leonardo Reginnato (2-3, walk, 2B (14), Anthony Recker (2-4))

 

PLAYOFF UPDATE: The Red Wings won. Lehigh Valley was shutout/one-hit on Sunday, so the Red Wings Magic Number drops to six.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 0, Jackson 3 (FINAL)

Box Score

 

Dereck Rodriguez starts for the Lookouts. Game starts at 2:05. After going 42-28 and clinching a playoff berth in the first half, the Lookouts are now 43-18 in the 2nd half. They have a seven game lead in the division with a magic number of 3.

 

2:45 UPDATE: Jackson starter Brad Keller is yet to give up a hit through three innings. He's struck out three and walked one. Dereck Rodriguez has been hittable (4 hits), but equaled Keller with three zeroes on the board. Rodriguez is at 34 pitches while Keller is at 36 pitches through three innings.

 

3:03 UPDATE: Through five innings, Brad Keller still has not given up a hit. Only base runner has been LaMonte Wade, who walked.

 

3:09 UPDATE: In the bottom of the 5th, Rodriguez gave up a solo home run to Daniel Lockhart, his first AA home run. A couple of batters later, long-time part-time big leaguer Emelio Bonafacio hit his first AA homer of the year. He started the season with Atlanta.

 

3:24 UPDATE: No hit for the Lookouts through six innings for Brad Keller so far today.

 

3:32 UPDATE: Dereck Rodriguez gave up two singles to start the bottom of the 6th. After coaxing a pop-up, he walked a batter to load the bases. At that point, Randy Rosario came in to replace him.

 

3:38 UPDATE: The first batter rolled a ball toward third base. TJ White's only play was to first base. Another run scored off of Rodriguez. A walk re-loaded the bases. Rosario got a strikeout for the third out. Final line for Dereck Rodriguez:

5.1 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K.

 

3:44 UPDATE: Jonathan Rodriguez singled off of Keller, the first hit of the game (in the 7th inning) against Keller.

 

4:15 UPDATE: Mason McCullough replaced Keller. He issued a walk in the 8th inning, but that was it. Nick Anderson replaces Randy Rosario in the bottom of the 8th inning. Rosario gave up two hits and a walk in 1.2 innings of scoreless relief. Just one of the three runners he inherited in the sixth inning scored.

 

4:22 UPDATE: One hit, but no runs for Nick Anderson in the 8th inning. The Lookouts need to score three runs off of Joey Krehbiel in the 9th to tie the game.

 

4:29 UPDATE: Edgar Corcino led off the ninth with a double, his 17th. But the next three batters got out, ending the game.

 

Multi-Hit Games: I mean, the team only had two hits, so there were no multi-hit games.

 

PLAYOFF UPDATE: The Lookouts Magic Number remains three. Montgomery plays tonight.

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers, Charlotte (Doubleheader Postponed)

Box Score

 

Lewis Thorpe starts game one at 1:00. The Miracle went 33-35 in the first half, third in their division. However, in the second half, they have taken off. They are 39-21, four games ahead of Charlotte. Their magic number is six, so a double header sweep could do wonders.

 

12:30 UPDATE: The Miracle have announced that rain and poor field conditions have force the doubleheader to be delayed. They said that the gates will not open until at least 3:00 central time. Hopefully they can get the games in.

 

2:45 UPDATE: Press release from the Miracle regarding today's postponement and what it means for the upcoming schedule.

Today’s scheduled doubleheader between the Fort Myers Miracle, Advanced-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, and the Charlotte Stone Crabs, Advanced-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, has been temporarily postponed. If the Miracle are not leading the FSL South Division by more than two games after the final regular season game on Sunday, September 3, the two teams will potentially make up the scheduled doubleheader on Monday, September 4.

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 6, Quad Cities 9 (FINAL)

Box Score

 

Tyler Beardsley is on the mound for the Kernels. Game time is 1:15. The Kernels clinched a playoff spot by finishing second in their division in the first half with a 39-31 record. In the second half, they are 32-30, tied for second place in their division with Peoria, eight games back of first place.

 

1:20 UPDATE: Batting second, Travis Blankenhorn hit his 12th home run of the season for the Kernels to give them a 1-0 lead.

 

1:26 UPDATE: With two outs, Lewin Diaz singled, and then Caleb Hamilton scored him with a triple, his fourth of the season.

 

1:50 UPDATE: Shane Carrier and Travis Blankenhorn walked in the 2nd inning, with a Jordan Gore single in between. Carrier scored on a fielder's choice off the bat of Aaron Whitefield. Lewin Diaz then singled to score Gore with the second run of the inning. Diaz then stole second and when the throw was mishandled, Whitefield scored from third. Kernels 5-0 after 1 1/2 inning.

 

2:19 UPDATE: Tyler Beardsley cruised through the first two innings, but with one out in the third, he gave up a three-run homer to catcher Chuckie Robinson, his 15th of the season for Quad Cities.

 

2:22 UPDATE: Abraham Toro-Hernandez followed with his ninth home run, cutting the Kernels lead to 5-4.

 

3:04 UPDATE: Tyler Beardley's day is done with one out in the fifth inning and a pair of RBI singles has put the Kernels down 6-5. Logan Lombana comes in with runners on first and second.

 

3:12 UPDATE: Lombana threw a wild pitch to advance the runners. He got the third out, but not before a sacrifice fly made it 7-5 Cedar Rapids. Tyler Beardsley's final line: 4.1 IP, 9 H, 7 ER, 3 BB, 1 K.

 

3:21 UPDATE: The Kernels responded with a run in the top of the sixth inning. With the bases loaded, Aaron Whitefield grounded into a double play, but Jordan Gore scored to make it 7-6.

 

3:37 UPDATE: Lombana gave up two runs on three singles in the bottom of the 6th inning.

 

3:49 UPDATE: Eddie Del Rosario replaces Lombana. Lombana is charged with two runs on three hits over 1.2 innings.

 

4:08 UPDATE: Rosario has thrown two perfect innings. They head to the ninth inning with the Kernels needing to score three runs to keep it going.

 

4:18 UPDATE: The Kernels had one base runner, but they were unable to score in the top of the ninth inning and fall 9-6.

 

Multi-Hit Games: Lewin Diaz 3-4, BB - Trey Cabbage 2-4, BB - Jordan Gore 2-5. Travis Blankenhorn added his 12th homer and walked twice.

 

 

E-TWINS E-NOTES

Elizabethton 6, Greeneville 2 (FINAL)

Box Score

 

Edwar Colina was named to the Appy League All Star team this week. At 5:00, he'll take the mound again for the Twins. On Saturday night, the E-Twins clinched a playoff berth again. They are 38-25 and 4 1/2 games ahead of Johnson City in the division.

 

5:50 UPDATE: It took until the fourth inning, but the E-Twins got on the scoreboard first. Carson Crites singled in the top of the inning. Nick Brown started (not Colina) and has given up just one hit through the first three innings.

 

5:57 UPDATE: Still in the top of the fourth frame, Gorge Munoz cleared the bases with a double to put the Twins up 4-0. Munoz then scored on an Akil Baddoo single to make it 5-0.

 

6:03 UPDATE: Yes, it's still the fourth frame, and here's another update. Following a pitching change, Jose Miranda singled in Akil Baddoo, who had stolen second base. 6-0 Twins.

 

6:12 UPDATE: Not as much fun to report or write about, but I suppose I should. Nick Brown gave up two runs (1 earned) in the bottom of the fourth inning. It's now 6-2 through four innings.

 

6:34 UPDATE: In the top of the 6th inning, there were one-out singles from Gorge Munoz and Akil Baddoo. Ariel Montesino grounded to third, but Munoz scored on the fielder's choice when the throw was bad. Then Baddoo scored when Jose Miranda flew out to deep-enough left field. 8-2 Twins.

 

6:45 UPDATE: The E-Twins have clinched the division title:

 

 

7:02 UPDATE: Nick Brown was done after six innings. Two runs (1 earned) on five hits. He walked one and struck out two. Jared Finkel came on for the 7th.

 

7:27 UPDATE: Jared Finkel got the final nine outs for the three-inning save. He gave up two hits and struck out two.

 

Multi-Hit Games: Akil Baddoo, 2-4, BB - Gorge Munoz, 2-3, BB, 2B (1) - Rainis Silva, 2-5.

 

PLAYOFF UPDATE: On Saturday, they clinched a playoff spot. On Sunday, they clinched the top spot in their division.

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Twins

Box Score

 

No Game Scheduled on Sundays in the GCL. In a little news, Twins 2nd round pick RHP Landon Leach has left the team and joined the Canadian U18 team at the World Cup. In previous years, Lachlan Wells and Lewis Thorpe have left the team to play in the World Cup as well.

 

The GCL Twins are currently 31-21 and hold a 5 1/2 game lead in their division. Their magic number to clinch a playoff spot is just three.

 

Additionally, the Twins Dominican Summer League team is 49-22 and they clinched a playoff berth last week.

 

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day - Aaron Slegers, Rochester Red Wings

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Lewin Diaz, Cedar Rapids Kernels

 

 

MONDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Scranton/Wilkes Barre (6:05 CST) - RHP Felix Jorge

Chattanooga @ Jackson (6:05 CST) - RHP DJ Baxendale

Ft. Myers @ St. Lucie (5:30 CST) - RHP Sean Poppen

Cedar Rapids @ Quad Cities (6:35 CST) - LHP Bryan Sammons

Elizabethton @ Greeneville (6:00 CST) - RHP Edwar Colina

GCL Twins @ GCL Rays (11:00am CST) - TBD

 

 

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

 

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[rdehring]

Hey Seth, watching the last few innings of the Twins game. Just saw that some kid named Buxton got his 3rd home run today. I know he must be one of their younger guys. Is he a good prospect?

 

Thanks, have a great day.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Hey Seth, watching the last few innings of the Twins game. Just saw that some kid named Buxton got his 3rd home run today. I know he must be one of their younger guys. Is he a good prospect?

Thanks, have a great day.

 

I think he's got a chance to be a pretty good player... 

[nater79a]

Seth - need to flip the Jackson/Chattanooga score. Backwards...

 

Another question.   Aaron Slegers...what do you think the Twins will do with him on Sept 1 if the Wings look playoff bound?  I know Falvey/Levine have said the Twins come first, but after losing Tim Melville Rochester's rotation could be a little thin if they win the wildcard game.   They have Gonsalves, Hurlbut and Jorge, besides Slegers.

 

Also, if Slegers isn't called up within 20 days they'll burn an option on him.  Perhaps the Twins aren't too worried about that.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Sorry, but I did not like the blog format of the minor league games. I prefer  the way you  previously did the reports. You reporters are entertaining writers. The"reporting" format allows for more humor and an overall thoughtful evaluation the games and players. The snippet format of the blogs, takes that away. Thank you for this awesome website.

[Rosterman]

Unless Slegers would be needed to start, there is no rason to bring him up right away to the Twins. Let him start a playoff game or two.

 

Sand Diego, which is in their own AAA playoff hunt, was smart to sign Melville, with an open spot on their 40-man, helping the minor league team and giving them another option of a guy to possibly keep.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Seth - need to flip the Jackson/Chattanooga score. Backwards...

 

Another question.   Aaron Slegers...what do you think the Twins will do with him on Sept 1 if the Wings look playoff bound?  I know Falvey/Levine have said the Twins come first, but after losing Tim Melville Rochester's rotation could be a little thin if they win the wildcard game.   They have Gonsalves, Hurlbut and Jorge, besides Slegers.

 

Also, if Slegers isn't called up within 20 days they'll burn an option on him.  Perhaps the Twins aren't too worried about that.

 

I don't think they would worry at all about the option. He'll soon be 25, so they shouldn't worry about the one option year since he's already here. 

 

Slegers is a tough call. He was impressive in his first start, but I think they realize he isn't going to do that every time. Similarly, I'm sure no one was surprised when Gee's second start didn't go as well as his first one. Could go either way on him. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Sorry, but I did not like the blog format of the minor league games. I prefer  the way you  previously did the reports. You reporters are entertaining writers. The"reporting" format allows for more humor and an overall thoughtful evaluation the games and players. The snippet format of the blogs, takes that away. Thank you for this awesome website.

 

Fair enough... I think one thing we try to do here is try different things. As for the read, I agree... this format works if people are actually reading it throughout the day. But for those reading it later, it isn't as "pretty."

[terrydactyls]

I was amazed to read that Niko Goodrum had 11 steals in today's game. Must be some sort f record, right?

[FunnyPenguin]

 

Sorry, but I did not like the blog format of the minor league games. I prefer  the way you  previously did the reports. You reporters are entertaining writers. The"reporting" format allows for more humor and an overall thoughtful evaluation the games and players. The snippet format of the blogs, takes that away. Thank you for this awesome website.

I would have to say the same