Twins Minor League Report (9/4): Curtains And New Seasons

9:30 pm update:

The E-Twins evened the series with Greeneville with a convincing 14-7 win.

Despite giving up a run and an early lead, Elizabethton bounced back to up six first-inning runs and never look back. Their offense was led by Kolton Kendrick who had three hits including a double and two-run home run and J.J. Robinson who had two hits including a three-run home run. Akil Baddoo also homered. Carson Crites had two hits and a stolen base.

Brusdar Graterol got the start and wasn't great. In three innings, he allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk. He struck out five. Melvi Acosta was credited with the win. He struck out eight over four innings. Acosta allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk. Rickey Ramirez got knocked around for two runs on five hits in his two innings.

Tomorrow night at 7pm EST, these two teams will square off for the Appy League Western Division crown. Elizabethton will host. Winner-take-a-trip-to-the-Finals and loser goes home!

FOR THE E-TWINS: ONE GAME FOR THE WHOLE SEASON

MIRACLE UPDATE: Their postseason kicks off Tuesday night at 6:35 pm EST as they will host Palm Beach.

4:30 pm update:

The Kernels dropped their regular season finale to Beloit 3-0. Cedar Rapids managed only six hits, all singles. Lewin Diaz had two of them and finished the season batting .292. He was caught attempting to steal second base today.

Tyler Beardsley, activated earlier today in place of Evan Sanders, started the game and pitched six innings. He struck out three and allowed only one run on four hits and two walks. He was credited with the loss, his ninth of the season.

Logan Lombana pitched one inning of perfect relief. Colton Davis, on the other hand, gave up three hits and two runs in his inning of work.

The Kernels will head back to Iowa for one game on Wednesday night. They will host Kane County in the first game of the the MWL Quarterfinals. Games 2 and 3 will shift back to Kane County.

Tyler Wells will be on the mound. Wells is 5-3 on the season with 3.11 ERA. First pitch Wednesday will be at 6:35.

FOR THE KERNELS: A NEW SEASON

4:00 pm update:

Chattanooga beat Montgomery 2-1 to cap an impressive 91-49 season in which they were both the first- and second-half champions.

Next up is the Southern League Semifinals which will be against Montgomery (again). Because they won both halves, the Lookouts will host games 1, 2 and, if necessary, 4 and 5. Montgomery will only host game 3.

The series opens on Wednesday at 7:15 EST with Zack Littell on the mound. Dereck Rodriguez will get the start on Thursday.

Not a lot noteworthy from Monday's victory. Max Murphy drove in Nick Gordon in the first inning. Andy Wilkins hit his 12th home run, a solo shot, in the fourth inning.

Edgar Corcino finished his AA season batting .302. (But only .292 when combined with his AAA line.) LaMonte Wade ended with a .295/.400/.412 slash line which is comparable to his career line (.296/.405/.439), just with less power.

Ryan Eades picked up his fourth win of the season, pitching five innings of shutout, three-hit ball. He struck out one and walked one. Randy Rosario gave up a home run among three hits. He struck out two in two innings. Keaton Steele picked up his first professional save, hurling two shutout, no-hit innings. He walked a batter and struck one out too.

FOR THE LOOKOUTS: A NEW SEASON

3:30 pm update:

The Red Wings entered today all square with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, who held the tiebreaker.

Rochester took care of business, with a 10-1 victory over Pawtucket. Their regular season record is at an impressive 80-62.

The game with just as much importance, though, was being held in Lehigh Valley. Lehigh Valley jumped out to a 4-0 lead through two innings and things weren't looking good. Scranton got on the board in the 7th, then made noise in the 8th as well.

After cutting the lead to 4-2, Scranton had two men on with only one out. Unfortunately, two strikeouts later and it was still 4-2.

Coming into the final frame - and three outs from a playoff berth - Lehigh Valley allowed a leadoff home run and Scranton backed it up with a single, line out and another single. The Red Wings playoff chances were off life support.

A walk loaded the bases with one out. Any ball to the outfield should tie the game.

Another strikeout.

And in the final at-bat, which would decide the Red Wings playoff hopes, Scranton grounded out weakly to second base. The Red Wings season is over.

But the season ended on a win and some very good performances. Matt Hague with 2-4 with two home runs and three runs scored and, who knows, may be called on to supplement the Twins bench. Levi Michael had three hits and a stolen base. Jon Rodriguez, who crushed it at AA, hit his first AAA home run and drove in two runs. J.B. Shuck drove in four with a home run and a double. Leo Reginatto also had two hits and an RBI.

Adalberto Mejia pitched five innings, allowing one run on six hits and two walks. He struck out two. Dietrich Enns pitched four innings of shutout ball. He allowed four hits and a walk while striking out two.

Mejia and Enns will both likely be re-joining the Twins, though their roles - presumably in the bullpen - have yet to be defined.

FOR THE RED WINGS: CURTAINS