Minor League Report (7/18): Tomás Telis, Saints Battle Back For Walk-off Win

[Nash Walker]

The Saints never gave up in Sunday's win, coming back from a 6-2 deficit and ultimately walking it off on a Tomás Telis single in the 10th. 

TRANSACTIONS

LHP Charlie Barnes returned to the St.Paul Saints roster

RHP Joe Harvey placed on 7-day injured list (right forearm strain)

RHP Luis Rijo returns to the Cedar Rapids Kernels roster from 7-day injured list

SAINTS SENTINEL

Saints 7, Drillers 6

Box Score

Andrew Albers: 5 IP, 9 H, 4 R/ER, 0 BB, 3 K

HR: Willians Astudillo (2), Jimmy Kerrigan (9)

Multi-hit games: Jake Cave (2-for-4, BB), Astudillo (2-for-4, HR, BB), Kerrigan (2-for-4, HR, BB)

Clippers centerfielder Alex Call homered in his first two at-bats and singlehandedly gave his club an early 3-0 lead. Columbus took a 4-0 lead in the fourth, looking to pull away. Willians Astudillo and Jimmy Kerrigan hit back-to-back homers in the sixth inning to cut the deficit in half.

Columbus looked to have the game in the hand when they took a 6-2 lead in the eighth. The Saints battled back and got to Clippers reliever and Minnesota native Sam Hentges to tie the game in the bottom half. Sherman Johnson roped an RBI single to score Keon Broxton, and the Saints stayed alive. 

In extras, Nick Vincent pitched around the automatic runner and gave the Saints a chance to walk it off. Tomás Telis did just that. With two outs and a runner on third, Telis ripped a single up the middle to secure the victory. 

WIND SURGE WISDOM

Drillers 9, Surge 1

Box Score

Austin Schulfer: 5 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K

HR: None

Multi-hit games: None

The Surge struggled to get any offense going in Sunday’s loss. They went 3-for-31 with one double while their pitchers gave up seven earned runs. Austin Schulfer started and gave the Surge a chance to win, allowing only two runs in five innings. 

Tulsa broke through in the sixth inning with three homers, expanding their lead to 9-0 heading into the late innings. Drillers starter Gerardo Carrillo pitched his best game of the year, dazzling for six innings with no earned runs and five strikeouts. 

Ernie De La Trinidad kept his batting average above .300 with an RBI single in the seventh. De La Trinidad entered the game hitting .325/.417/.590 over his last 22 games and 97 plate appearances. 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Kernels 13, Cubs 3

Box Score

Luis Rijo: 1 2/3 IP, 2 H, 2 R/ER, 2 BB, K

HR: Jair Camargo (12), Edouard Julien (4), Max Smith (4)

Multi-hit games: Julien (2-for-3, HR, 4 RBI, 3 BB), Wander Javier (3-for-6, RBI, R), Camargo (2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI), Smith (3-for-4, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, BB)

Wander Javier got the Kernels going with an RBI single in the first to take a 1-0 lead. Javier recorded three hits and is 12 for his last 40 (.300) with two homers, two doubles and a triple. Edouard Julien belted a grand slam in an eight-run fourth inning, his fourth homer in 17 games with the Kernels. 

The Kernels walked 10 times in the win. Max Smith had a terrific game, continuing a very strong July. Smith entered Sunday hitting .262/.436/.548 with a .984 OPS and seven extra-base hits over his last 13 games. Speaking of hot streaks, Jair Camargo homered again, his third in the last eight games. 

Luis Rijo made his second start of the 2021 season and allowed two runs in one-plus innings. Rijo was outstanding for the Kernels in 2019, pitching to a 2.86 ERA and striking out 99 in 107 innings. Ben Gross was terrific in relief, striking out eight over 5 1/3 innings. Gross owns a 1.23 ERA over his last six outings with 32 strikeouts in 29 ⅓ innings. 

MUSSEL MATTERS

Hammerheads 8, Mussels 2

Box Score

Zarion Sharpe: 6 IP, 10 H, 5 R/ER, 0 BB, 2 K

HR: None

Multi-hit games: Misael Urbina (2-for-4, 2B, R)

Zarion Sharpe’s final line isn’t pretty, but he was pretty dang good outside of a disastrous first inning. Jupiter jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead on three RBI singles and a wild pitch. Sharpe allowed just one more run after the first when Dalvy Rosario stole home in the fifth. 

Misael Urbina looked to have cooled down after a nice 10-game stretch where he hit .293/.354/.488 from July 3rd to 15th. Entering the game 0 for his last 10, Urbina bounced back with two hits, including a double.

Yunior Severino added an RBI single in the first, snapping an 0-for-9 stretch. Like Urbina, Severino was fantastic last week, slashing .381/.417/.857 with two homers and four doubles from July 6th to 13th.

COMPLEX CHRONICLES

NO GAME SCHEDULED

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of The Day - Max Smith (3-for-4, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, BB)

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of The Day - Ben Gross (5 ⅓ IP, 4 H, R/ER, 8 K)

PROSPECT SUMMARY

Take note that we have finished our midseason update, so there is a new list! Here is a look at how the Twins Daily Midseason Top 20 Prospects performed:

#1 – Royce Lewis (Rehab) – Out for season (torn ACL)

#2 – Jhoan Duran (St. Paul) – Injured List (elbow strain)

#3 – Jordan Balazovic (Wichita) – DNP

#4 – Matt Canterino (Cedar Rapids) – Injured List (right elbow strain)

#5 – Jose Miranda (St. Paul) – 1-for-5

#6 – Keoni Cavaco (Fort Myers) – DNP

#7 – Gilberto Celestino (Minnesota) – DNP

#8 – Josh Winder (St. Paul) – DNP

#9 – Aaron Sabato (Fort Myers) – 0-for-3, K

#10 – Matt Wallner (Cedar Rapids - with FCL Twins on a rehab assignment) – No Game

#11 – Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) – Out for Season (Tommy John surgery)

#12 – Bailey Ober (Minnesota) – DNP

#13 – Cole Sands (Wichita) – DNP

#14 – Brent Rooker (St. Paul) – 0-for-3, 2 BB

#15 – Misael Urbina (Fort Myers) – 2-for-4, 2B, R

#16 – Spencer Steer (Wichita) – 0-for-4, R

#17 – Wander Javier (Cedar Rapids) – 3-for-6, RBI, R

#18 – Alerick Soularie (Complex) – N/A (foot injury)

#19 – Edwar Colina (Rehab) – Injured List (elbow)

#20 – Chris Vallimont (Wichita) – Did not pitch

 

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[Dman]

Gross is starting to make me a believer.  I wonder if they can run him up to AA and just see if he can compete there.  He has looked really good at this level for a while now.

 

Was happy to see Jullien have good game as had a couple klunkers.  Good to see he still has that HR power.

[Alex Wilde]

It’s great to Javier and De La Trinidad continuing to do well! On a side note, what does Ian Hamilton have to do at this point to prove himself and get another shot at the majors? He’s done better than any other pitcher on the Saints this year and somehow still hasn’t gotten called up. I’m not the one calling the shots, but this one doesn’t make any sense to me. 

[Seth Stohs]

58 minutes ago, Alex Wilde said:

It’s great to Javier and De La Trinidad continuing to do well! On a side note, what does Ian Hamilton have to do at this point to prove himself and get another shot at the majors? He’s done better than any other pitcher on the Saints this year and somehow still hasn’t gotten called up. I’m not the one calling the shots, but this one doesn’t make any sense to me. 

My assumption is that they really like Hamilton, but since he's out of options, they don't want to call him up and have to send him down. I would guess as soon as the trade deadline is over. Based on how well he's pitched, I would think they'll want to keep him around and on the 40-man roster all offseason. 

 

[darwin22]

16 minutes ago, Seth Stohs said:

My assumption is that they really like Hamilton, but since he's out of options, they don't want to call him up and have to send him down. I would guess as soon as the trade deadline is over. Based on how well he's pitched, I would think they'll want to keep him around and on the 40-man roster all offseason. 

 

Seth:  Thanks for the clarification/explanation as I've been calling for Hamilton's promotion for the last 2 weeks.  I guess I understand where mgmt. is on this front, but I have to ask------what's the downside of "dfa'ing" Colome at this point in the season while calling up Hamilton and adding him to the 40 man roster.  Hamilton has a much better chance of being part of the solution to our bullpen foibles in 2022. Colome's time is OVER.  Just wish it was sooner than later.

[Seth Stohs]

1 minute ago, darwin22 said:

Seth:  Thanks for the clarification/explanation as I've been calling for Hamilton's promotion for the last 2 weeks.  I guess I understand where mgmt. is on this front, but I have to ask------what's the downside of "dfa'ing" Colome at this point in the season while calling up Hamilton and adding him to the 40 man roster.  Hamilton has a much better chance of being part of the solution to our bullpen foibles in 2022. Colome's time is OVER.  Just wish it was sooner than later.

Cuz since May 1st, Alex Colome has a 3.52 ERA in 25 games. Not great, but may be able to get a couple of C prospects for him. 

But Juan Minaya could be DFAd again. Danny Coulombe could be DFAd. Neither would be claimed. 

But in general, I agree with your thought that Hamilton has a chance to be part of the future. They shouldn't risk losing him. He's already been DFAd once this year, so if they DFAd him again he could become a free agent. At this point, whenever they call him up, he should stay up. 

[roger]

Thanks for the comments above, Seth, explaining your thoughts on the Hamilton situation.  I had been thinking they may wait until September callups, but realize the rules have changed on that also.

First glance was again at the Kernels box score to see Javier with a 3-6 night.  FANTASTIC!  There is still a chance he can become that big time shortstop the Twins haven't had seemingly forever.  Also nice to see Urbina with two hits, including a double.  Also exciting was the nice game Gross had.  Seems he just keeps going out and doing his job.

[Dman]

10 hours ago, Alex Wilde said:

It’s great to Javier and De La Trinidad continuing to do well! On a side note, what does Ian Hamilton have to do at this point to prove himself and get another shot at the majors? He’s done better than any other pitcher on the Saints this year and somehow still hasn’t gotten called up. I’m not the one calling the shots, but this one doesn’t make any sense to me. 

I think it has to do with future 40 man decisions and the deadline right now.  I think we will see him after the deadline for sure.

[Alex Wilde]

9 hours ago, Seth Stohs said:

My assumption is that they really like Hamilton, but since he's out of options, they don't want to call him up and have to send him down. I would guess as soon as the trade deadline is over. Based on how well he's pitched, I would think they'll want to keep him around and on the 40-man roster all offseason. 

 

Thanks Seth. I understand what you are saying and definitely agree with you. Although, I am just wondering why he wouldn’t have been moved up instead of Law, Coulombe, and Minaya. He could have gone up, stayed, and pushed one of these 30 year olds back to AAA or to another team. Whatever the case may be, I am looking forward to watching him in a Twins uni!