Minor League Report (9/19): Kernels Klinch With Huge Win

[Nash Walker]

The Kernels clinched their eighth playoff berth in as many years with a blowout win. The Wind Surge also put up double-digit runs and the Mussels won a tight game. 

SAINTS SENTINEL
Indianapolis 10, Saints 3
Box Score
Drew Strotman: 4 IP, 8 H, 7 R/ER, 3 BB, 2 K
HR: Drew Stankiewicz (2)
Multi-hit games: Jimmy Kerrigan (2-for-3, 2 2B, RBI, BB), Stankiewicz (2-for-3, HR, RBI, R)

Drew Strotman started allowed seven runs in four innings in the Saints’ loss Sunday. Strotman has allowed 23 runs over his last 23 innings. Yennier Cano gave up two runs in relief on two hits and two walks. Ryan Mason allowed an unearned run and Vinny Nittoli and Chris Nunn each pitched scoreless innings. 

Drew Stankiewicz blasted a homer in the third and added another hit from the nine-hole. Jimmy Kerrigan drove in Mitch Garver in the fourth with a double and BJ Boyd picked up an RBI with a groundout. 

Indianapolis recorded 13 singles and zero extra-base hits, scoring 10 runs and walking five times. The Saints fell to 61-59. 

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Wind Surge 10, Travelers 6
Box Score
Ben Gross: 4 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
HR: Spencer Steer (14), Andrew Bechtold (18)
Multi-hit games: Austin Martin (2-for-2, 2 2B, 3 BB, 3 R), D.J. Burt (2-for-5, 2 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI), Steer (2-for-4, 2B, HR, R, 4 RBI), Aaron Whitefield (2-for-4, 2B)

Spencer Steer hit a three-run homer in the first, setting the tone for a great offensive day for the Surge. Ben Gross started and allowed five runs (four earned) in four innings of work. 

Austin Martin reached base five times, including two doubles and three walks. Andrew Bechtold continued his power-breakout with his 18th homer of the season. Simeon Woods Richardson pitched two scoreless innings and struck out one. Alex Phillips and Erik Manoah Jr. each threw scoreless innings. 

Jordan Gore allowed one run on two hits in the ninth. The Surge will compete in the playoffs next week. 

KERNELS NUGGETS
Kernels 11, Chiefs 0
Box Score
Aaron Rozek: 5 IP, 0 R/ER, BB, 4 K
HR: Edouard Julien (15), Matt Wallner (15), DaShawn Keirsey 2 (7)
Multi-hit games: Julien (2-for-5, HR, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB), Aaron Sabato (2-for-4, 2 R, BB), Wallner (2-for-3, HR, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI), Alex Isola (2-for-5, RBI, R), Daniel Ozoria (2-for-2, 2B, 2 RBI, R), Keirsey (2-for-5, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R)

The Kernels clinched a playoff berth with a huge 11-0 win Sunday. Aaron Rozek started and dazzled with five scoreless innings. Rozek struck out four. Denny Bentley, Carlos Suniaga, Zach Featherstone, and Andrew Cabezas combined for four scoreless innings out of the Kernels’ bullpen. 

Edouard Julien and Matt Wallner both hit two-run homers in the third and the Kernels never looked back. DaShawn Keirsey then added a solo homer in the fourth before Michael Helman drove in a run on an RBI double.

The Kernels didn’t stop. Alex Isola added an RBI double, Daniel Ozoria drove in two as a pinch-hitter, and DaShawn Keirsey hit two homers, his sixth and seventh of the season. 

MUSSEL MATTERS 
Mussels 5, Tarpons 4
Box Score
Brent Headrick: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 7 K
HR: None
Multi-hit games: Christian Encarnacion-Strand (2-for-4, 3B, RBI), Kyler Fedko (2-for-4, R), Mikey Perez (2-for-4, 2 2B, RBI, R), Willie Joe Gary Jr. (2-for-4, 3B, RBI, R)

Willie Joe Garry got things going with an RBI triple in the second and things were looking good for the Mussels early. Brent Headrick started and dominated in three innings, striking out seven. 

Unfortunately David Festa couldn’t hold the lead, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and a walk. Zarion Sharpe pitched very well in relief, striking out three in 3 1/3 one-run innings. 

The Mussels rallied in the eighth as Patrick Winkel and Mikey Perez added clutch hits to drive in runs. Ramon Pineda, younger brother of Twins pitcher Michael Pineda, earned the win. Fort Myers finished its season with a 60-54 record.

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
Season is Complete. 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Aaron Rozek (5 IP, 0 R/ER, BB, 4 K)
Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – DaShawn Keirsey (2-for-5, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R)

PROSPECT SUMMARY
Here’s a look at how the Twins Daily Top 20 Twins Prospects performed:
#1 – Royce Lewis (Rehab) - Out for season (torn ACL)
#2 – Austin Martin (Wichita) - 2-for-2, 2 R, 3 BB
#3 – Jordan Balazovic (Wichita) - Did not pitch
#4 – Simeon Woods Richardson (Wichita) - 2 IP, H, 0 R/ER, 2 BB, K
#5 – Jhoan Duran (St. Paul) - Injured List (Right Elbow Strain)
#6 – Jose Miranda (St. Paul) - 0-for-4, K
#7 – Joe Ryan (Minnesota) - Did not pitch
#8 – Matt Canterino (Cedar Rapids) - Injured List (Right Elbow Strain)
#9 – Chase Petty (Complex) - Did not play
#10 – Keoni Cavaco (Fort Myers) - Did not play
#11 – Josh Winder (St. Paul) - Injured List (Right Shoulder Impingement)
#12 – Matt Wallner (Cedar Rapids) - 2-for-3, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI
#13 – Gilberto Celestino (St. Paul) - 1-for-4, R
#14 – Drew Strotman (St. Paul) - 4 IP, 8 H, 7 R/ER, 3 BB, 2 K
#15 – Noah Miller (FCL Twins) - Did not play
#16 – Brent Rooker (Minnesota) - Did not play
#17 – Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) - Out for Season (Tommy John surgery)
#18 – Misael Urbina (Fort Myers) - 0-for-4, R, 3 K
#19 – Cole Sands (Wichita) - Did not pitch
#20 – Spencer Steer (Wichita) - 2-for-4, 2B, HR, R, 4 RBI

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[BH67]

'Tis a sad thing indeed that a.Minnesota professional sports fan can find joy only in the performance of an Iowa-based affiliate this weekend.  Lynx excepted as usual, of course.

[mikelink45]

When the season started the saints looked on beautiful. Then the twins started taking the saints and moving them to Minneapolis and The replacements are less recognizable. Of course there's Miranda and celestino, but overall I think we're waiting for next year when Martin steer and others move up and make St Paul exciting again

[roger]

Wow the year is over for those kids playing minor league ball.  Well, not for the Kernels and Wind Surge.  Guess the Saints also have a couple weeks of non-playoff baseball remaining, whatever that is.

Wonderful day in Wichita where the Wind Surge finished in first place, 18 games over .500.  Great performance Sunday by both of the players obtained for Jose Berrios, who also had a big day in Toronto.  Martin going 2-2 with three walks is exciting.  Also like Whitefield's day at 2-4 with a couple stolen bases.  OK, he was also thrown out once and had an error, but for someone who hadn't touched a hardball until he was 17, I like his long-term potential.  He is making progress and just may be with the Twins in say, 2023.

And the Kernels left little doubt that they wanted to keep playing next week, putting up a 11-0 butt kicking of Peoria who I believe was the last place team.  Nice to see some of the big names have big days from Julien, Sabato, Wallner and Isola.  Only problem is they now get to face Quad Cities who I believe won roughly two of three from Cedar Rapids this season.  But heck, anything can happen in a short series, right?  Do we know if it is three games or five?

Its good there remains some baseball for the TD team to write about.  But with the regular season ending, thanks to all who brought us these updates every morning as we shied away from reading about what the Twins did the previous day.  Thanks guys, it is appreciated. 

[Danchat]

 Strotman and Ryan are pitching as polar opposites. Strotman looks like he needs to try AA again, and Ryan already looks like our best starter. 
 

The Kernels are hitting really well, even Sabato is hitting well against this competition. Is the pitching in A+ worse than A for some reason?