Front Page: Twins Minor League Report (9/5): Kernels Force Game 3, Kirilloff Homers For Blue Wahoos

[Seth Stohs]

What a night! The Twins won a 2-1 game in Boston in a game with great playoff atmosphere. Two Twins minor league teams are playing in their leagues' playoffs. Alex Kirilloff hit another homer for Pensacola, but was it enough? The Kernels forced a series-deciding Game 3 with a 2-1 win in Quad Cities. Keep reading for more details.Find out everything that happened happened in the Twins system on Thursday, starting with the transactions of the day.

 

TRANSACTIONS

• The playoff teams are unable to make transactions once the playoff round starts.
• Not really a transaction, but I’m sure many saw on Wednesday that it was announced that Alex Kirilloff will not be playing in the Arizona Fall League. He is being replaced by Luke Raley.
• In addition, it was also announced that Ben Rortvedt will be the “Catcher to be Named Later” on the AFL squad.

BLUE WAHOOS BITES

Pensacola 1, Biloxi 4

Box Score

 

For the second straight night, Alex Kirilloff came through with a ninth-inning home run with the team down by four runs. Unfortunately on this night, the bases weren’t loaded. In fact, they were empty and it accounted for the Blue Wahoo’s lone run in Game 2.

 

 

Biloxi’s starter Dylan File was fantastic. Before the ninth inning, he gave up just one hit and hit one batter. He gave up the Kirilloff home run, but he earned the win.

 

Jose Miranda had the only other Pensacola hit, a second-inning single. Trevor Larnach reached base early in the game when he was hit by a pitch. Royce Lewis followed Kirilloff’s home run with a walk. But those were the only four base runners of the game.

 

Griffin Jax started and was charged with four runs on five hits and two walks over the first four innings. Two of those hits left the park. Dillon Thomas, who hit the game-winning homer in Game 1, hit a three-run homer in the third inning. Jake Gatewood hit a solo homer in the fourth inning.

 

Edwar Colina came on for the fifth inning. He gave up one hit, hit one and struck out one batter. He left because he was ejected after the benches cleared. Stephen Gonsalves came on and got the final two outs of the sixth inning. He worked two more scoreless innings. He walked three and struck out one. Tom Hackimer got the final out of the eighth inning.

 

The Blue Wahoos will need to win the next three games to advance to the Southern League’s second round. They return home to Pensacola for game 3 on Friday.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 2, Quad Cities 1

Box Score

 

Like the Twins game, the Kernels were able to complete a 2-1 pitcher’s duel to even their series at one game a piece.

 

Matt Canterino certainly set the tone for the game. The right-hander started with 4 2/3 innings before giving up a hit. He gave up two hits which scored the River Bandits’ lone run. He ended the inning with a pick-off. He gave up just those two hits, walked none and struck out eight batters.

 

Dylan Thomas came on and tossed two scoreless innings in relief.

 

For the second straight game, it was Tyler Webb that got the Kernels on the scoreboard. Following a Wander Javier triple, Webb beat a shift and singled in the game’s first run.

 

 

In the seventh inning, Webb doubled and then scored on a Jared Akins double to take back the lead, a lead that they would hold onto.

 

Ricky Ramirez worked the final two innings. He struck out three to record the save.

 

The Kernels will send Josh Winder to the mound for Game 3 on Wednesday trying to win the best-of-three series.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day - Matt Canterino, Cedar Rapids Kernels

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Tyler Webb, Cedar Rapids Kernels

 

PROSPECT SUMMARY

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

 

#1 - Royce Lewis (Pensacola) - 0-3, BB

#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Pensacola) - 1-4, R, RBI, HR(2), K

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

#5 - Wander Javier (Cedar Rapids) - 1-4, 3B, R

#13 - Ryan Jeffers (Pensacola) - 0-4, K

#14 - Luis Arraez (Minnesota) - 1-3, BB

#15 - Matt Wallner (Cedar Rapids) - 0-4, 2 K

#20 - Travis Blankenhorn (Pensacola) - 0-3, K

 

FRIDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Biloxi @ Pensacola (6:35 CT) - RHP Jordan Balazovic

Cedar Rapids @ Quad Cities (6:35) - RHP Josh Winder

 

 

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

 

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[Otwins]

Any reason given on the change to Railey going to the AFL?  I was looking forward to Kirilloff playing.

[Only Here in Negative]

Why did the benches clear? Is there video of that?

[rdehring]

Nice start from Canterino, not so nice from Jax.  

 

Is Raley replacing Kirilloff more about Raley getting some at bats than about Kirilloff?  Or maybe having Raley be seen by scouts to increase his value this winter?

 

The Kernels need to win a big game #3, while the Wahoos have their back against the wall.  Only way to dig out of that is to win tonight.

 

 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Why did the benches clear? Is there video of that?

 

I didn't go back and watch the video, but Thomas did Homer last night and again today, and then Colina hit him with an upper 90s FB, so I'm guessing that's what started it and why Colina was ejected.

[operation mindcrime]

I like our chances with Winder on the mound today!

[Seth Stohs]

Jordan Balazovic starting for the Blue Wahoos tonight.

[AZTwin]

About gave me a heart attack when you said Ben was catcher to be named later.  Thought he was involved in a trade somehow.  Thank god he's still in the organization!