Minor League Report (6/18): Kernels Clinch Division Title, Playoff Berth

TRANSACTIONS

• OF Braden Bishop signed to MiLB deal and assigned to St. Paul

SAINTS SENTINEL
Columbus 4, St. Paul 3
Box Score

The bats started off hot for the Saints though they ultimately fizzled out after the third inning. Kyle Garlick (2-for-3, RBI) mashed a solo home run in the first inning and Caleb Hamilton (1-for-4) followed two batters later with an RBI double to give St. Paul a 2-0 lead in the opening frame. Spencer Steer (1-for-5, RBI) added another run in the third inning with a solo home run, his ninth in 21 Triple-A games.

However, the Saints were unable to garner a single hit outside of the first five batters in the lineup and did not score after Steer’s jack.

Cole Sands pitched admirably to open the game, striking out three and allowing only one earned run in four innings. J.C. Ramirez, Yennier Cano, and Juan Minaya all surrendered one run during their seventh, eighth, and ninth innings, respectively, which ultimately sank the Saints.

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Tulsa 2, Wichita 1
Box Score

Cole Sturgeon's (1-for-4) solo home run was the only run the Wind Surge were able to muster against the Drillers on Saturday, despite connecting for seven hits, drawing four walks, and stealing three bases; they struck out 16 times collectively and left 16 runners on base.

Daniel Gossett was tremendous to start the game, striking out five and allowing only three hits in five innings of scoreless ball. Osiris German was ultimately saddled with the loss after serving up a two-run home run in the seventh inning. Bryan Sammons and Jordan Gore each threw a scoreless inning in relief. 

Austin Martin was given a second-straight night off.  He has not been in the lineup in four of the past six games.

KERNELS NUGGETS
Cedar Rapids 9, Dayton 5
Box Score

Five of the Kernels 10 hits against the Dragons went for extra bases as they cruised to their 40th win. Christian Encarnacion-Strand led all batters with three hits in five at-bats, including his 18th double of the season. Yunior Severino (1-for-5, 2 RBI) and Will Holland (1-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 BB) also smacked doubles. Wander Javier (2-for-5, 2 RBI) and Alerick Soularie (2-for-4, RBI) each launched solo home runs, their fifth and sixth, respectively.

Cade Povich was lights out on the mound as he struck out 11 and allowed two earned runs across five innings of work. He now has 68 strikeouts in 48 innings to go along with a solid 3.38 ERA. Orlando and Miguel Rodriguez combined to strike out six and allow three runs across the game's final four innings. 

With the win, the Kernels clinched a playoff berth by winning the first-half division title, joining the Ft. Myers Mighty Mussels as Twins affiliates that will be in their league's playoffs at the end of the season.

MUSSEL MATTERS
Fort Myers 5, Bradenton 4
Box Score

The Mighty Mussels hung on to take down the Marauders in Fort Myers on Saturday. 

Kala'i Rosario's (1-for-3, BB) two-run home run in the fourth inning was ultimately the deciding factor in the Mighty Mussels' win. Jake Rucker (2-for-4) and Luis Baez (2-for-3) each drove in an RBI. 

Marco Raya tossed the first 2 2/3 innings for Fort Myers, striking out five of the nine batters he faced. Matt Mullenbach, Niklas Rimmel, Regi Grace, and John Wilson combined to strikeout 10 batters, walk two, and give up four runs, three of them earned. 

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
FCL Twins 6, FCL Red Sox 5
Box Score

The baby Twins’ bats were scorching on Saturday, outhitting the Red Sox 14-7 with six—including Fredy Michel’s first home run of the season—going for extra bases. Ismael Perez led the Twins offense going 2-for-5 with a double, three RBI, and two runs scored.

Jose Olivares started on the bump for the Twins, striking out six and surrendering two runs in four innings of work. Danny Moreno picked up a three-inning save, striking out two and along only one batter to reach base (via walk). 

DOMINICAN DAILIES
DSL D-backs 6, DSL Twins 3
Box Score

The Twins were held scoreless until the seventh inning when they plated all three of their runs. Jose Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with an RBI, all three hits being singles.

Cesar Lares got the start and gave up five earned runs across 4 ⅓ innings, though he did strike out seven and only walk one. Anthony Narvaez tossed the final 1 ⅔, striking out one and surrendering one run.

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Pitcher of the Day – LHP Cade Povich (Cedar Rapids): 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 11 K
Hitter of the Day – Alerick Soularie (Cedar Rapids): 2-for-4, HR, RBI, BB, 2 R

PROSPECT SUMMARY
We will again keep tabs on the Twins top prospects. You’ll probably read about them in the team sections, but if they aren’t there, you’ll see how they did here. Here’s a look at how the current Twins Daily Top 20 performed:

#7 - Spencer Steer (St. Paul) - 1-for-5, HR, RBI
#9 - Noah Miller (Ft. Myers) - 0-for-3, BB
#15 - Matt Wallner (Wichita) - 0-for-1, 3 BB
#16 - Edouard Julien (Wichita) - 0-for-4, 3 K
#18 - Christian Encarnacion-Strand (Cedar Rapids) - 
 

SUNDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
St. Paul @ Columbus (12:05 PM CST) - RHP Jake Faria (1-2, 6.48 ERA)
Wichita @ Tulsa (1:05 PM CST) - RHP Casey Legumina (1-2, 6.59 ERA)
Cedar Rapids vs. Dayton (2:05 PM CST) - RHP Sean Mooney (2-2, 2.23 ERA)
Fort Myers vs Bradenton (12:00 PM CST) - TBD