Twins Minor League Report (9/5): Kirilloff Paces Miracle, Palm Perfects Title

TRANSACTIONS

Cedar Rapids Kernels

Received LHP Bryan Sammons from Chattanooga

Received INF Victor Tademo from Rochester

Assigned LHP Carlos Suniaga to Elizabethton

Assigned RHP Jared Finkel to GCL Twins

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 3, Palm Beach 1

Box Score

If this one looked like déjà vu in the box score, it’s because there was a good deal of that on the field. Fort Myers again used a two-run, and one-run inning to push themselves out to a 3-1 lead. This was game two of the series, but the result remained the same. With the victory, Fort Myers wins the 2018 Florida State League South Division Series and advances to the Championship Series.

Both teams combined to hold serve through two innings in this one. Jose Miranda broke the action open with a two-run blast, scoring Alex Kirilloff, in the top of the third. Fort Myers did end up giving one of those back in the bottom half however.

Fast forward to the sixth, and Mark Contreras drove in Travis Blankenhorn on a sacrifice fly to allow the Miracle some breathing room.

Clark Beeker worked one out shy of five innings in this one, and despite allowing five hits, he gave up just one run with two walks and four strikeouts. Alex Phillips did some heavy lifting in relief, while Hector Lujan and Adam Bray locked up the victory.

https://twitter.com/MiracleBaseball/status/1037497182251884544

Although not overpowering with the bats, Fort Myers has pitched their way to dominance through two postseason games thus far. Kirilloff enjoyed a 5-for-5 night from the two hole this evening, and Shane Carrier joined him in perfection, going 3-for-3 on his own.

The Miracle now awaits the winner of the Clearwater and Dayton series.

https://twitter.com/MiracleBaseball/status/1037513633922789376

KERNELS NUGGETS

Game one of the series between Beloit and Cedar Rapids was rained out tonight. It will be played tomorrow night.

E-TWINS E-TALK

Elizabethton 2, Princeton 1

Box Score

This one was a barnburner, and while pitching was where the game was won, it was the E-Twins that had enough to get the job done. Prelander Berroa turned in five strong innings allowing just one run on four hits and a walk, while striking out four. Tyler Palm who tallied the final four innings, picked up the win.

Coming out on top 2-1, the Elizabethton Twins take home a second straight Appalachian League title, number eight for manager Ray Smith.

After getting behind by a run in the third inning, DaShawn Keirsey doubled home Gilberto Celestino to knot things at one in the fourth. With the innings and at-bats dwindling, Celestino doubled to drive in Yunior Severino for the go-ahead run in the eighth.

Elizabethton saw a handful of new and exciting prospects come and go this season, and the end result being a ring on their finger has to bookend a feeling of accomplishment. Many of these players are recent draftees or new to the organization, and coming together for the ultimate goal at this level is nothing short of impressive.

Congratulations to the entire E-Twins club on a great 2018 season!

https://twitter.com/ETwinsBaseball/status/1037514700941082624

STARS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day – Tyler Palm (Elizabethton) – 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Twins Daily Hitter(s) of the Day – Alex Kirilloff (Fort Myers) – 5-5, R

TOP PROSPECT SUMMARY

#1 - Royce Lewis (Fort Myers) – 0-5

#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Fort Myers) – 5-5, R

#13 - Travis Blankenhorn (Fort Myers) – 0-3, R, K

#16 - Yunior Severino (Elizabethton) – 0-3, R, 2 K

THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Cedar Rapids @ Beloit (7:00PM CST) – RHP Jhoan Duran (7-5, 3.75 ERA)

Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Wednesday’s games!