Article: Twins Minor League Report (5/13): Rooker Homers, Perez Piles Up Hits

[Cody Christie]

With only two scheduled games in the Twins system, it could have been a quiet day in the minor leagues. However, Rochester and Chattanooga played a pair of tight games. Some big name prospects played roles in the outcomes of both games. Two former first-round picks, Kohl Stewart and Tyler Jay, pitched in Chattanooga. Top prospect Fernando Romero faced off against Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani.

 

Which prospects stood out in Sunday’s action? I’m glad you asked…ROSTER MOVES

RHP Calvin Faucher assigned to Cedar Rapids from Fort Myers

RHP Moises Gomez assigned to Elizabethton from Cedar Rapids

RHP Derek Molina assigned to Elizabethton from Cedar Rapids

INF Nelson Molina released from Fort Myers

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 3, Scranton/WB 1

Box Score

Rochester jumped out to an early lead and tried to hold on for the win. In the second frame, Kennys Vargas singled and Wynston Sawyer moved him to second with a single of his own. Nick Buss provided the big hit of the inning as he smashed a three-run home run. It was his first home run since joining the Twins organization. He had 11 home runs in the Pacific Coast League last season.

 

Myles Jaye started and tried to take advantage of the early runs. He pitched five innings and allowed one run, a solo home run, while striking out two and walking two. In three of his last four starts, he has held the opposition to one earned run.

 

Jake Reed, Alan Busenitz, and John Curtiss combined for four shutout innings. For Reed and Busenitz, they each recorded their first hold. It was the second save for Curtiss. Busenitz pitched the seventh and the eighth inning and allowed only one base runner on a walk. He struck out three and his Triple-A ERA is down to 0.90.

 

Vargas was the lone Red Wings hitter to finish with multiple hits but he also struck out twice. He’s hitting .189 for the season. Sawyer reached base three times in four at-bats. Ryan LaMarre added his first double since being sent back to Rochester.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 10, Tennessee 11 (12 Innings)

Box Score

Kohl Stewart was flying through the first five innings of this game before running into trouble in the sixth. Through five innings, he had allowed one run, a home run. In the top of the sixth, Stewart allowed a lead-off single before striking out a batter. The next batter reached on an error by TJ White. Then Stewart proceeded to allow four straight hits as five runs would score in the inning. Overall, he allowed four earned runs (six total runs) on seven hits with six strikeouts and no walks.

 

Things got crazy from there as the two clubs combined for 13 runs from the sixth inning to the end of the game. Unfortunately for Chattanooga, Tennessee scored 10 of the final 13 runs. Out of the 11 runs scored by the Smokies, four of them were unearned. Every pitcher besides Tyler Jay saw an unearned run score while he were on the mound.

 

Ryne Harper stuck out five in 2 2/3 innings but he allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits. Sam Clay took the loss, his third, after allowing an unearned run in the final frame. He struck out four and walked one in 2 1/3 innings.

 

Chattanooga had plenty of offensive chances. The club went 7-for-21 with runners in scoring positon and left 11 men on base. Brent Rooker collected his third home run, a solo shot, in the sixth inning. Alex Perez reached base five times in the game as part of a three-hit effort. He also led the team with three RBIs. Brian Olson went 3-for-6 with an RBI and Nick Gordon added a pair of hits.

 

STARS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Hitter of the Day: Alex Perez, Chattanooga (3-for-4, 3 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB)

Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day: Myles Jaye, Chattanooga (5.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 K, 2 BB)

 

TOP PROSPECT SUMMARY

Here is a look at how the Twins Daily Top 20 Twins Prospects performed:

#3 – Nick Gordon (Chattanooga) – 2-6, R, 2 K

#7 – Brent Rooker (Chattanooga) – 1-6, HR, R, RBI, K

#14 – LaMonte Wade (Chattanooga) – 1-6, RBI

#19 – Tyler Jay (Chattanooga) – 1.2 IP, 2 ER, K, 2 BB

 

MONDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Chattanooga vs. Tennessee (6:15 CST) – RHP Omar Bencomo (2-0, 2.97 ERA)

Fort Myers @ Jupiter (5:30 CST) – RHP Sean Poppen

Cedar Rapids vs. Quad Cities (6:35 CST) – TBD

Please feel free to ask any questions about Sunday’s games, or ask any questions you may have.

 

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[Seth Stohs]

Alex Perez was thrown out at home after a Chris Paul fly out to end the game. They almost had to go another inning. 

I'm not sure that this Pace of Play rule with  a runner starting on second base has helped the pace of play. 

[Doctor Wu]

 

Alex Perez was thrown out at home after a Chris Paul fly out to end the game. They almost had to go another inning. 

I'm not sure that this Pace of Play rule with  a runner starting on second base has helped the pace of play. 

I haven't been following the results of the new Pace of Play rule in the minors thus far, but it strikes me as one of those misguided experiments that will soon be terminated.

[ThejacKmp]

 

I haven't been following the results of the new Pace of Play rule in the minors thus far, but it strikes me as one of those misguided experiments that will soon be terminated.

 

It's basically the equivalent of college football's overtime vs. pro football's overtime. College is way better in that case but I'm not sure it applies to baseball.

 

I think you can say that the essence of football is an offense trying to punch it in on a short field and a defense trying desperately to hold them to a field goal.

 

Not sure that the essence of baseball is getting a guy in from second base with no outs.

[PDX Twin]

Nothing at all wrong with ties! I hate that American sports can't just leave games tied.

[cmoss84]

 

Alex Perez was thrown out at home after a Chris Paul fly out to end the game. They almost had to go another inning. 

I'm not sure that this Pace of Play rule with  a runner starting on second base has helped the pace of play. 

 

 

Nothing at all wrong with ties! I hate that American sports can't just leave games tied.

I've got it!

 

If the game is tied after nine innings, each team chooses one player to participate in one round of a home-run derby. They can list an "extra innings loss" just like hockey does to help with tie-breakers at the end of the year. 

[DocBauer]

Would be interesting at the end of the year to compare 2 things:

 

1] Does the new format actually speed up the average time of extra inning games....

 

...and related...

 

2] Compared to years before, has the average of NUMBER of extra innings played to finish a game changed significantly.

 

I can see where the rule could actually assist a milb RP learn from the situation. But just doesn't "feel" like professional ball to me this way.

[wsnydes]

 

I've got it!

 

If the game is tied after nine innings, each team chooses one player to participate in one round of a home-run derby. They can list an "extra innings loss" just like hockey does to help with tie-breakers at the end of the year. 

This would be anti-climactic to me.  It's akin to a shootout in hockey.  You take a great, hard fought team sport game and turn it into an individual sport that's completely different from the rest of the game.  

 

I wouldn't have an issue with having a tie at all.  That being said, I don't necessarily mind 18 inning games either.