Article: Twins Minor League Report (7/22): Contreras Provides Walkoff Win for Wahoos

[Seth Stohs]

Twins v. Yankees… Always entertaining and always fun to see the Twins win! Rochester wasn’t scheduled to play on Monday, and Ft. Myers and Elizabethton were rained out. However, there was still a lot of action in the Twins minor leagues on Monday. A top prospect homered in Cedar Rapids, though two infielders ended up pitching for the Kernels. The GCL Twins swept a doubleheader on Monday. And Pensacola won with a walkoff!Find out everything that happened happened in the Twins system on Monday, starting with the transactions of the day.

 

TRANSACTIONS

• The Twins placed 1B CJ Cron on the IL (thumb), and they officially optioned RHP Zack Littell.
• LHP Lewis Thorpe was promoted while RHP Cody Stashak was added to the 40-man roster and then the 25-man roster.
• RHP Randy Dobnak was promoted to AAA Rochester.
• Infielder Michael Helman was placed on the Miracle Injured List with a right forearm fracture.

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester

Box Score

 

Travel Day for the Red Wings.

 

 

BLUE WAHOOS BITES

Pensacola 5, Mobile 3

Box Score

 

The Wahoos grabbed an early 2-1 lead in this game, and extended it to 3-1 in the 7th innings. However, Mobile grabbed one run in the 8th and another in the 9th inning to tie it. But outfielder Mark Contreras didn’t want extra innings and ended the game with a two-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth to give Pensacola the win.

 

Contreras went 2-for-4 in the game. Alex Kirilloff went 2-for-4 as well. Brian Navarreto had a big game. The burly catcher went 2-for-3 with his fifth double and fifth home run of the year. Lewin Diaz added his fifth home run since joining the Blue Wahoos.

 

 

Griffin Jax had a couple of tough starts of late, but he was in fine form on Monday night. He gave up two runs (1 earned) on four hits over seven innings. He walked two and struck out eight. Alex Phillips came on for the eighth inning. He gave up a run that inning. He then left the game with two runners on in the top of the ninth inning. Tom Hackimer came on and allowed one of the inherited runners to score. But he kept the game tied going to the bottom of the ninth inning.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers, Dunedin

Box Score

 

Rained out. Doubleheader tomorrow.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 2, Ft. Wayne 10

Box Score

 

It was not a great night for the Kernels pitchers. I mean, any time that two position players get to pitch in a game, things probably didn’t go as planned.

 

Tyler Palm started. He gave up five runs (2 earned) on six hits in just three innings. He walked four batters and struck out three. Alex Schick came on and was charged with three runs on two hits and three walks in 1 1/3 innings. He struck out two. Nate Hadley continued his impressive pro debut. He went 2 2/3 innings without allowing a run. He gave up just one hit, walked on and struck out three batters. Infielder Daniel Ozoria came on to start the bottom of the eighth inning. He recorded just one out and gave up two runs on five hits. Yeltsin Encarnacion then came in from second base. He needed ten pitches, but the one batter he faced grounded into an inning-ending double play.

 

Gilberto Celestino led the Kernels offense by going 3-for-4. Wander Javier added his fifth home run of the season.

 

One interesting thing to watch… Ft. Wayne outfielder Dwanya Williams-Sutton was hit by a pitch four times on Monday. Then again, the teams don’t play again in 2019.

 

Also for Ft. Wayne, infielder Luke Becker walked three times in the game. The Fairmont, MN, native now has 19 walks and just 14 strikeouts on the season. He was the Padres’ 9th round pick a year ago out of Kentucky.

 

E-TWINS E-NOTES

E-Twins, Bluefield

Box Score

 

Game postponed due to wet grounds.

 

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

Game 1 - GCL Twins 6, GCL Pirates 0

Box Score

 

Dakota Chalmers returned to the mound for another rehab start. The right-hander gave up just one hit over five shutout innings. He walked four and struck out five batters. Junior Navas gave up just one hit over the final two innings.

 

The Twins scored six runs. Sergio Toribio walked twice and had a sacrifice fly. He drove in two of the runs. Francisco Martinez tripled. LaRon Smith doubled. Keoni Cavaco had a single and an RBI.

 

Game 2 - GCL Twins 9, GCL Pirates 4

Box Score

 

The Twins came away with the doubleheader sweep. Wander Valdez hit a three-run homer, his fourth of the short-season. Francisco Martinez went 2-for-4 with a double. Jake Hirabayashi tripled.

 

Donny Breek started and went the first three innings. He was charged with an unearned run on one hit and four walks. He struck out three batters. Steven Theetge came on for his professional debut. He gave up one run on two hits and a walk over two innings to record his first professional Win. Petru Balan gave up two runs on three hits over the final two innings. He struck out three.

 

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day - Griffin Jax, Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Brian Navarreto, Pensacola Blue Wahoos

 

PROSPECT SUMMARY

Here’s a look at how the Twins Daily Midseason Top 20 Twins Prospects performed:

 

#1 - Royce Lewis (Ft. Myers) - Rained Out

#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Pensacola) - 2-4, K

#3 - Brusdar Graterol (Pensacola) - Injured List (shoulder)

#4 - Trevor Larnach (Pensacola) - 0-4, 3K

#5 - Wander Javier (Cedar Rapids) - 1-4, R, RBI, HR(5)

#6 - Jordan Balazovic (Ft. Myers) - Rained Out

#7 - Keoni Cavaco (GCL Twins) - 1-4, RBI, 3K

#8 - Brent Rooker (Rochester) - Injured List (groin).

#9 - Jhoan Duran (Ft. Myers) - Rained Out

#10 - Blayne Enlow (Ft. Myers) - Rained Out

#11 - Lewis Thorpe (Minnesota) - In Progress

#12 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) - No Game Scheduled.

#13 - Ryan Jeffers (Ft. Myers) - .Rained Out.

#14 - Luis Arraez (Minnesota) - In Progress

#15 - Matt Wallner (Elizabethton) - Rained Out

#16 - Ben Rortvedt (Pensacola) - 0-4, 3 K

#17 - Akil Baddoo (Ft. Myers) - Injured (Tommy John)

#18 - Jorge Alcala (Pensacola) - Did Not Pitch.

#19 - Misael Urbina (DSL Twins) - Did Not Play

#20 - Travis Blankenhorn (Pensacola) - Injured List

 

TUESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Norfolk @ Rochester (6:05 CST) - TBD

Mobile @ Pensacola (6:35 CST) - LHP Bryan Sammons (2-3, 5.26 ERA)

Ft. Myers @ Dunedin (DH @ 12:00 CST) - RHP Cole Sands (3-2, 2.04 ERA), RHP Jhoan Duran (2-8, 3.16 ERA)

Cedar Rapids - No Game Scheduled

Princeton @ Elizabethton (5:30 CST) - RHP Tyler Benninghoff (2-1, 6.38 ERA)

GCL Pirates @ GCL Twins (11:00 CST) - TBD

 

Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss the Monday games or any other minor league topics you would like.

 

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[Aerodeliria]

Any news about Hackimer? I've not heard anything for weeks...

[nclahammer]

Minnesota Twins fans, remember the name Dakota Chalmers.  He was a 3rd round pick by the Oakland A's in 2015, has had some injuries in the minors, and the Twins aquired him in an under the radar move for Fernando Rodney.  He's currently rehabbing and pitching in the GCL.   Heard some buzz about him in the minors with Oakland, has a live arm.

[sloopjont]

"One interesting thing to watch… Ft. Wayne outfielder Dwanya Williams-Sutton was hit by a pitch four times on Monday. Then again, the teams don’t play again in 2019."

 

I'd like a Paul Harvey rest of the story on this one if anyone knows more about whether this was intentional and why.  Thanks!

[rdehring]

Great seeing Jax back on top of his game after a couple rough outings.  Pensacola needs him and a few others to step up the next five weeks.  Meanwhile, Kirilloff has been getting multi-hit games about every other night for awhile.  

 

Javier hit a home run, and that is good.  That other Wander also hit a home run, of the three run variety, plus a walk in 5 plate appearances.

 

 

[In My La Z boy]

Dobnak looks like he is coming fast like Stashak. Love the cutting bait on relievers and trying our own guys - Won't love it quite so much if we don't make a deal - but, lets see what we have right now. Lots of rule 5 guys this winter. No reason to lose anyone we want to keep - or lose the opportunity to trade someone of value, rather than have to expose them and get nothing. So far so good - 8 days to go. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

Any news about Hackimer? I've not heard anything for weeks...

What news? He pitched at AA yesterday, no?

[Weave]

Good to see Randy Dobnak getting promoted to Triple A.  True Cinderella story.  His 2 year Anniversary playing affiliated ball will be Aug 1st.  In less than 2 years he went from non drafted independent player to one of the Bright Stars in the Twins system.  

I know I am biased being his Dad and all, but the numbers do not lie. 

http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=677976#/career/R/pitching/2019/ALL

 

[ashbury]

I know I am biased being his Dad

Twins Daily demands balanced and objective posting from all members.

 

J/K. We bask in the warmth of your well-placed pride.

[Twinsoholic]

How fast is a typical Randy Dobnak fastball? What are his other pitches?

[Han Joelo]

 

How fast is a typical Randy Dobnak fastball? What are his other pitches?

 

 

[Han Joelo]

 

Dobnak looks like he is coming fast like Stashak. Love the cutting bait on relievers and trying our own guys - Won't love it quite so much if we don't make a deal - but, lets see what we have right now. Lots of rule 5 guys this winter. No reason to lose anyone we want to keep - or lose the opportunity to trade someone of value, rather than have to expose them and get nothing. So far so good - 8 days to go. 

I was thinking the exact same thing.  There was an excellent article on Dobnak here at TD; might have been SD Buhr sharing, or someone else.  I just remember coming away impressed.  From what I recall of that article, Dobnak seems like a guy, who if given a chance, won't crumble or wilt.

 

You know TD's coverage is good when a guy like me, who has never watched even an AB of most of these guys, can start to spot the gamers.  

[Seth Stohs]

 

Any news about Hackimer? I've not heard anything for weeks...

 

He's been pitching, so what news are we looking for?

[Seth Stohs]

 

"One interesting thing to watch… Ft. Wayne outfielder Dwanya Williams-Sutton was hit by a pitch four times on Monday. Then again, the teams don’t play again in 2019."

 

I'd like a Paul Harvey rest of the story on this one if anyone knows more about whether this was intentional and why.  Thanks!

 

Well, that's kind of what I'm curious about? Just four pitches that didn't go where they were supposed to,, or something more? We may never know.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Good to see Randy Dobnak getting promoted to Triple A.  True Cinderella story.  His 2 year Anniversary playing affiliated ball will be Aug 1st.  In less than 2 years he went from non drafted independent player to one of the Bright Stars in the Twins system.  

I know I am biased being his Dad and all, but the numbers do not lie. 

http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=677976#/career/R/pitching/2019/ALL

 

it really is a remarkable story... He and Taylor Grzelakowski were signed together, and both have done well and moved quickly (Gelly last year, Dobnak this year). 

[ashbury]

Well, that's kind of what I'm curious about? Just four pitches that didn't go where they were supposed to,, or something more? We may never know.

Yep, stuff happens with young guys. Stubbornness on both sides, in the moment, moreso than an actual grudge, would be my guess. Glad if nothing serious happened. Something for coaches of both teams to talk about with their players next day.

[snotboogie]

 

Twins Daily demands balanced and objective posting from all members.

 

Exactly. So what does his mom have to say?

[Aerodeliria]

 

What news? He pitched at AA yesterday, no?

Oh! Thank you!! I missed it!!

[gil4]

 

Exactly. So what does his mom have to say?

Same thing as every mom - "you aren't going out to play ball until you clean your room"

[Weave]

Randy Dobnak's FB sits around 92-94 and tops out at 96.  Strike % is usually above 70.   I heard it once said Bob Gibson pitched like he was double parked.  Randy works the same way.  He works fast and throws LOTS of strikes.

[In My La Z boy]

 

Randy Dobnak's FB sits around 92-94 and tops out at 96.  Strike % is usually above 70.   I heard it once said Bob Gibson pitched like he was double parked.  Randy works the same way.  He works fast and throws LOTS of strikes.

I have a feeling he'd be up in the bigs today if he hadn't thrown 6 yesterday. Nice work Pop - you'll be sitting in the stands at Target watching him before the year is done!

[Otto von Ballpark]

I have a feeling he'd be up in the bigs today if he hadn't thrown 6 yesterday. Nice work Pop - you'll be sitting in the stands at Target watching him before the year is done!

Could be, although Dobnak isn't yet Rule 5 eligible this winter (unlike Smeltzer and Poppen, for example, or even Stashak and Eades who were already eligible).