Article: Twins Minor League Report (5/30): Bencomo Dazzles While Miranda Launches

[Ted Schwerzler]

Today was filled with early action on the farm for the Minnesota Twins affiliates. Each of the four minor league teams played afternoon matinee games, and there was plenty of action. With Omar Bencomo replacing Aaron Slegers at Triple-A, and Jose Miranda putting on a show for the Kernels, highlights were long and across the board.TRANSACTIONS

Minnesota Twins-

Add RHP Aaron Slegers from Triple A Rochester

Rochester Red Wings-

Add RHP Omar Bencomo from Double A Chattanooga

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 5, Durham 2

Box Score

 

For the Red Wings, Aaron Slegers was initially slated to start today’s matinee. With the Minnesota Twins having exhausted their bullpen in an extra-innings affair last night, he was needed to provide length in relief. In his place, Omar Bencomo came up from Double A Chattanooga.

 

Bencomo last pitched for Rochester back in 2016. After spending 2017 in the Marlins organization, today represented his 2018 debut with the Twins Triple A affiliate. Suggesting that the outing went well would be an understatement. He shoved for 6 innings allowing just one hit and striking out four while walking none. By the time Rochester’s starter left, they were in command of the game.

 

Facing former Minnesota prospect Chih-Wei Hu, Kennys Vargas homered in the top of the second inning. It was his seventh of the year and second in as many days. The Red Wings would then pile on against Hu in the fourth. Jake Cave drove in Nick Gordon (who picked up his first Triple A triple) on a single, while Chris Carter cleared the bases with a two-run shot. Nick Buss then tripled in Wynston Sawyer to put the away club up 5-0.

 

Alan Busenitz came in to work two scoreless innings, which has become the expectation when he’s on the bump for Rochester. The reliever now owns a 0.54 ERA and a 24/5 K/BB ratio across 16 2/3 innings at Triple-A in 2018.

 

Working the ninth inning, John Curtiss would get himself into a bit of a jam after allowing a walk and hit to give Durham runners on second and third with two outs. A throwing error by Nick Gordon on what would have been the final out allowed both Bulls runners to score. Curtiss would pick up his teammate and record the final out on the next batter however. Tomorrow night, Rochester goes for the three game series sweep.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Birmingham 7, Chattanooga 1

Box Score

Kohl Stewart took the mound today for the Lookouts and was attempting to right the ship. After posting strong starts in five of his first six outings, he’d given up six runs in twoed of his last three. Unfortunately for both Stewart and the Lookouts, this one follow the latter pattern.

 

From the second through fourth innings, the Barons hopped all over the Chattanooga starter. Yielding seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits and three walks, Kohl was able to fan just four. Headed into the top of the fifth inning against top 100 prospect Dane Dunning, Chattanooga was staring at a seven run deficit.

 

Recently activated LaMonte Wade helped to push across the lone Lookouts run of the day. On an RBI single in the top of the sixth inning, Ryan Walker came around to score. With just five hits to their credit across the nine frames, Chattanooga wouldn’t be able to do enough to force a comeback.

 

Sam Clay and Paco Rodriguez worked two innings each in relief of Stewart. Both held the Barons scoreless and they struck out three and two batters respectively. With the series knotted at one game apiece, Chattanooga will look to take back the advantage tomorrow evening.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 6, Clearwater 3

Box Score

 

Hometown kid Brady Anderson was on the bump for the Miracle again today, and while he’s had an up and down season for the Miracle, this outing was good enough to keep them in it. Working 5 1/3 innings, Anderson scattered seven hits, allowed three runs, while both walking and striking out four batters. For his efforts, Anderson recorded his first win of 2018.

 

Given a lead in the second inning, a Travis Blankenhorn double pushed across Jaylin Davis for the game’s first run. A wild pitch from Anderson in the third would knot the game at one, but that would be the last time Clearwater would draw even.

 

Jimmy Kerrigan launched his sixth home run of the season in the top half of the sixth inning, and Taylor Grzelakowski doubled to drive in both Davis and Blankenhorn. Although a 4-3 lead may have held up, insurance was added in the ninth. Mark Contreras singled in Blankenhorn and Kerrigan then drove him in with a sharp single of his own. 6-3 into the final half inning was enough to grab the victory.

 

Both Davis and Blankenhorn fueled the offense today for the Miracle, tallying three hits apiece. Blankenhorn busted out of a three game hitless streak in a nice way, while Davis continues to trend towards the .300 mark on the year. Wrapping up the three-game set with Clearwater tomorrow night, the Miracle find themselves positioned for a sweep.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 15, Wisconsin 4

Box Score

 

Early and often was the mantra today for the Cedar Rapids Kernels. With Blayne Enlow on the bump, the home team knew a little run support should get them the victory. Luckily for manager Toby Gardenhire, the run support came in bunches and was highlighted by a massive finish.

 

The Kernels jumped out to a quick lead with Royce Lewis driving in Akil Baddoo on an RBI single; he would then come around to score on a Jose Miranda double. In the second inning, already one time through the order, Lewis doubled in Baddoo and score on an Alex Kirilloff two-bagger.

 

It was in the third inning that Enlow finally ran into some trouble. Giving back the lead, Cedar Rapids found themselves tied at four heading to the bottom half of the third frame. Ben Rortvedt quickly gave the home team some separation with an RBI double in the bottom half however. In the fourth, Miranda then tacked on another run, pushing the lead to 6-4, on his second RBI double of the game.

 

Up by two runs heading into their final hacks, the Kernels decided to turn on the afterburners. In the bottom of the eighth, Miranda started things off with a grand slam, his fourth home run of the year. From there, Jacob Pearson launched his first career homer, and Robby Rinn followed with his first in the Twins organization. Not ready to be done, Jordan Gore doubled in Ben Rortvedt, and Akil Baddoo’s third long ball of the season put a stamp on things. When the dust settled, Cedar Rapids was able to head to the ninth holding a 15-4 lead.

 

Jose Martinez came on for the final frame, and the 11 run lead would stay intact. The Kernels have now hung 21 runs on Wisconsin in the past two games to cement a series victory. They can go for the three game sweep tomorrow night.

STARS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day – Omar Bencomo, 6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

Twins Daily Hitter of the Day – Jose Miranda 3-5, R, 6 RBI, 2 2B, GS HR(4)

 

TOP PROSPECT SUMMARY

1. Royce Lewis (Cedar Rapids) – 2-5, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2B

2. Fernando Romero (Minnesota) –

3. Nick Gordon (Rochester) – 1-4, R, 3B, 2 K

5. Alex Kirilloff (Cedar Rapids) – 1-4, R, RBI, BB, 2B, 2 K

7. Brent Rooker (Chattanooga) – 0-4, 2 K

8. Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) – 3.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 3 K

10. Akil Baddoo (Cedar Rapids) – 1-3, 4 R, 2 RBI, 3 BB, HR(3), 2 K

14. LaMonte Wade (Chattanooga) – 1-4, RBI, K

15. Mitch Garver (Minnesota) –

16. Ben Rortvedt (Cedar Rapids) – 3-4, R, RBI, 2 2B, BB, K

17. Travis Blankenhorn (Fort Myers) – 3-4, 2 R, RBI, 2B

THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Durham (6:05PM CST) – LHP Dietrich Enns (3-5, 5.11 ERA)

Chattanooga @ Birmingham (7:05PM CST) – TBD

Fort Myers @ Clearwater (6:00PM CST) – RHP Clark Beeker (1-3, 2.93 ERA)

Wisconsin @ Cedar Rapids (6:35PM CST) – TBD

 

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

 

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[Han Joelo]

I turned off the game after Kepler weakly grounded out on one pitch to start the 2nd.  Not checking in until...morning?  Ever?  There is a lot of cool, positive stuff in this post.  Much more fun place to be.

 

Okay, SSS be damned:

 

Lewis Thorpe:  Breaking out

Royce Lewis:  Power breaking out

Jose Miranda:  Breaking out?

Andrew Bechtold:  Breaking out soon?

Kohl Stewart:  Broken?

Blayne Enlow:  There are always a lot of numbers in his stat line, but none of them never seem to bigger than a 5 or a 6.

Alan Busenitz: Standing By...does Reed need a 10 vacation?

Hu:  Who did he get traded for?

[John Kelsey]

Miranda looked great in Cedar Rapids last weekend. Good to see him keep it going. 

[rdehring]

Has Vargas noted that the Twins are in need of a couple big bats?  Sure has been hitting the last couple weeks like a man in search of a promotion!

 

Gotta believe there is at least three or four guys in that Kernels lineup who will be playing for the Twins a few years from now.

[Han Joelo]

 

Has Vargas noted that the Twins are in need of a couple big bats?  Sure has been hitting the last couple weeks like a man in search of a promotion!

 

Gotta believe there is at least three or four guys in that Kernels lineup who will be playing for the Twins a few years from now.

I'm about ready to get on the Vargas train again.  Shoot, bring up Carter while you're at it.  I've seen Grossman roasted and defended, but it must feels like his contributions are a bit on the empty side.  

[puckstopper1]

 

Has Vargas noted that the Twins are in need of a couple big bats?  Sure has been hitting the last couple weeks like a man in search of a promotion!

 

 

Maybe the 7th kick in the pants (the Carter signing) is what Vargas needed as the first 6 didn't seems to have much positive long term impact...

[Doomtints]

Who is that in the stands?  Jesus or Weird Al?

[Doctor Wu]

 

I turned off the game after Kepler weakly grounded out on one pitch to start the 2nd.  Not checking in until...morning?  Ever?  There is a lot of cool, positive stuff in this post.  Much more fun place to be.

 

Okay, SSS be damned:

 

Lewis Thorpe:  Breaking out

Royce Lewis:  Power breaking out

Jose Miranda:  Breaking out?

Andrew Bechtold:  Breaking out soon?

Kohl Stewart:  Broken?

Blayne Enlow:  There are always a lot of numbers in his stat line, but none of them never seem to bigger than a 5 or a 6.

Alan Busenitz: Standing By...does Reed need a 10 vacation?

Hu:  Who did he get traded for?

If I'm not mistaken, Hu was traded for Kevin Jepsen late in the season (was that 2015?) when we were trying to strengthen our bullpen.

[Doctor Wu]

Great to read this reports from down on the farm, Keep 'em coming! And very gratifying to see many of our prospects playing well so far this year. Man, we need some good news during these trying days in Minnesota.

[Doctor Wu]

I had never heard of Bencomo before. Let's hope he has more starts like that one. But's he's no spring chicken. I checked online and saw that he's not 29 years old. So, not a hot young prospect ... but maybe a late bloomer?