Twins Minor League Report (8/25): Ryan Cruises, Sabato's Kernels Debut

TRANSACTIONS

• IF Zander Wiel was activated from the St. Paul Injured List and released from the Twins organization

SAINTS SENTINEL
Toledo 4, St. Paul 2
Box Score

Joe Ryan took the ball for the Saints tonight and continued his impressive performance since joining the Twins organization. He worked five innings and allowed just a single run on four hits and a walk. Continuing to rack up strikeouts, he punched out eight on the evening.

Luke Farrell began his rehab stint for the Twins and worked 1 2/3 innings giving up two runs on two hits but did strike out three batters.

Mark Contreras tallied St. Paul’s first runs on a two-run blast in the 6th inning. His 13th homer of the year scored Byron Buxton and gave the Saints a 2-1 lead. Unfortunately, Toledo took the lead back in the 7th, and top prospect Spencer Torkelson launched his first homer for the Mud Hens in the 8th.

Contreras contributed a multi-hit effort and was joined by the rehabbing Buxton who was also 2-for-4.

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Tulsa 3, Wichita 2
Box Score

The Wind Surge sent Tyler Beck to the bump tonight, and he contributed 5 2/3 of solid work. Giving up three runs on four hits, he was burned by the longball with three leaving the yard. Beck did record six strikeouts on the evening to balance out the three free passes.

Wichita kicked off the scoring in the 4th inning when Trey Cabbage homered for the 15th time with Wichita, his 24th overall this season. The 1-0 lead was erased in the 5th inning before Tulsa added two more runs in the 6th inning.

Roy Morales looked to make things interesting when he plated Chris Williams in the 7th inning, but that’s when the rally fell short.

KERNELS NUGGETS
Game 1: Beloit 3, Cedar Rapids 1
Box Score

It was Louie Varland’s turn in the rotation tonight, and he put up a solid effort. Working five strong innings allowing just two runs on six hits, he limited the damage by fanning five and walking just one batter.

Cedar Rapids trailed after the 1st inning, but it was Wander Javier who singled to drive in Aaron Sabato and tie things up in the 2nd inning. Mustering just two more hits the rest of the way, Beloit’s additional two runs were never matched.

No one recorded a multi-hit effort for the Kernels in this one, but Sabato did register his first hit, a double, in his first at bat.

Game 2: Cedar Rapids 6, Beloit 4
Box Score

Looking to split the doubleheader the Kernels turned to Tyler Watson in the nightcap. He lasted only four innings, but gave up just three runs on two hits and two walks. Watson did strike out two batters but was burned by a home run. Derek Molina worked two innings in relief and earned his seventh win of the season.

Cedar Rapids jumped out to the early lead in this one after Wander Javier jacked a solo shot, his 11th of the season, in the 2nd inning. Trailing following a 4th inning three-run blast, the Kernels went to work in the 6th inning.

Javier started the scoring again by driving in Sabato with a single. Jeferson Morales then crushed a three-run homer to score Seth Gray and Javier while recapturing the lead and providing some distance. Edouard Julien doubled up the Snappers score when his single allowed Gabriel Maciel to score the sixth run for Cedar Rapids.

This was an equal effort with only Javier providing two hits on the evening. Sabato did hit his second double in as many games, and started his High-A exposure by going 2-for-6 in the doubleheader.

MUSSEL MATTERS
Game 1: Bradenton 7, Fort Myers 0
Box Score

Fort Myers went with a bullpen effort in this one as Casey Legumina took the ball in the 1st inning. He struck out two batters and walked one but left the inning unscathed.

Unfortunately,  Bradenton put up a three spot in the third inning, and with a run in between, replicated that in the 6th inning. The Mighty Mussels mustered just two hits in the front half of the doubleheader, and it wasn't going to be enough to catch the Maurauders.

Game 2: Fort Myers 12, Bradenton 1
Box Score

Matt Mullenbach was on to make his Low-A debut and worked four innings, allowing just one run on six hits while punching out four batters. Despite this one going into the early hours of Thursday morning, he was as sharp as can be expected.

Charles Mack scored on a 2nd inning wild pitch to give Fort Myers their first lead before Patrick Winkel drove in Justin Washington in the 3rd inning. The Mighty Mussels were flexing again in the 4th inning as Alerick Soularie drove in Washington and Will Holland to double up their output.

In the 7th inning, still leading 4-1, Fort Myers added on in a big way for good measure. Jesus Feliz hit his sixth homer of the season, a three-run blast, that pushed the lead to six. A bases loaded walk for Willie Joe Garry scored Mack, and a Holland Single scored Christian Encarnacion-Strand. Washington worked the second bases loaded walk of the inning, and that was followed by walks for Soularie and Winkel. The Mighty Mussels added eight total in the frame, and four came by way of the free pass.

Soularie, Winkel, and Holland all posted multi-hit efforts on the nightcap that stretched into the early morning hours.

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
Scheduled day off

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Pitcher of the Day - Joe Ryan (St. Paul) - 5.0 IP, 4 H, R, ER, BB, 8 K
Hitter of the Day - Mark Contreras (St. Paul) - 2-4, R, 2 RBI, HR(13)

PROSPECT SUMMARY

#1 - Royce Lewis (Rehab) - Out for season (torn ACL)
#2 - Austin Martin (Wichita) - 0-3, BB, 2 K
#3 - Jordan Balazovic (Wichita) - Did not pitch
#4 - Simeon Woods Richardson (Wichita) - Did not pitch
#5 - Jhoan Duran (St. Paul) - Injured List (elbow strain)
#6 - Jose Miranda (St. Paul) - 1-5, 2B, K
#7 - Joe Ryan (St. Paul) - 5.0 IP, 4 H, R, ER, BB, 8 K
#8 - Matt Canterino (Cedar Rapids) - Injured List (right elbow strain)
#9 - Chase Petty (Complex) - No game
#10 - Keoni Cavaco (Fort Myers) - 1-3
#11 - Josh Winder (St. Paul) - Injured List 
#12 - Matt Wallner (Cedar Rapids) - 0-6,BB, 3 K
#13 - Gilberto Celestino (St. Paul) - 0-1, K (PH)
#14 - Drew Strotman (St. Paul) - Did not pitch
#15 - Noah Miller (Complex) - No game
#16 - Brent Rooker (Minnesota) - Did not play
#17 - Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) - Out for season (Tommy John surgery)
#18 - Misael Urbina (Fort Myers) - 0-3, K
#19 - Cole Sands (Wichita) - Did not pitch
#20 - Spencer Steer (Wichita) - 0-4, 2 K

THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

St. Paul @ Toledo (5:35 PM CST) - RHP Randy Dobnak (0-1, 3.38 ERA)
Tulsa @ Wichita (7:05 PM CST) - RHP Jordan Balazovic (4-2, 3.42 ERA)
Cedar Rapids @ Beloit (6:35 PM CST) - RHP Sawyer Gipson-Long (1-1, 3.27 ERA)
Bradenton @ Fort Myers (6:00 PM CST) - RHP Sean Mooney (0-1, 1.08 ERA)

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