Twins Minor League Report (4/14): Kernels Keep Kruisin'

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 8, Beloit 4

Box Score

The Kernels got the scoring going right away in the first inning. After two were out, left fielder Trey Vavra launched a home run to left-center field on a 1-2 fastball. After the game, he said, “He threw me a fastball, inner half and I was able to get to it. He had thrown me two curve balls before and though he could get it by me.”

The Kernels added four runs in the second inning to take a commanding 5-0 lead. With one out, Tyler Kuresa singled and TJ White walked. Pat Kelly beat out a fielder’s choice, but there were now two outs and runners on first and third. The Kernels have really done a good job in this series scoring multiple runs after two outs.

Tanner English singled in Kuresa with the first run of the inning. Zach Granite walked to load the bases for Nick Gordon. Gordon came up big again, driving in two runs with a single up the middle. His eight RBIs is one shy of the league leader, Kernels outfielder Zack Larson. Gordon worked with hitting coach Tommy Watkins on his approach in such situations this spring.

“In spring training, Tommy (Watkins) and I had a little fun with it. With runners in scoring position, I would get really big. I would try to bring everybody in. He told me to calm down and stay within myself and let things happen. With runners in scoring position, we have a little deal. Every time I try to get big and go deep, I owe him a buck every time. It’s kind of a Twins Court that we have. It’s really been helping me. It’s kind of competitive, and for him to do that for me keeps me focused.”

According to manager Jake Mauer, Gordon is “a good hitter. He knows where the barrel is. He just keeps going. It’s what you look for. A lot of the guys that have success and get up to the big league level always did real well with runners in scoring position, for whatever reason, they just relish that, and that’s when it kind of rises. They don’t let the situation get too big.”

The fourth run of the inning came when Trey Vavra lined a shot that went right through the legs of the third baseman. Beloit had three errors in this game while the Kernels had none. Defense has been a key for the Kernels early success.

Mauer said, “We worked hard in spring training. We really did a lot of the little things. We really harped on the little things. The boys have really taken to it. We’re going to make our fair share of errors. There’s no doubt about it, but we’re making the plays we’re supposed to, and I think that’s a big reason that we’ve started the way that we have.”

Starter Jared Wilson did a nice job in his first start of the season. He hadn’t really ever been a starting pitcher before this year, so it was a good showing. He went five innings and gave up two runs on six hits and a walk. He struck out three.

Following the game, he said, “I felt pretty good. Obviously it’s the longest I’ve gone in my pro career, and I never really started in college, so it’s uncharted territory, but I felt strong.”

It didn’t always come easy, and he had to work himself out of a couple of tough situations, but he was able to successfully limit damage. “I’ve spent so much time in the pen and inherited a lot of runners in past experiences, so I didn’t get too rattled. It’s more just trying to find a way to get out of it. I didn’t really have straight-out-of-the-bullpen stuff, but I was just trying to find ways to keep guys off balance and get out of the inning.”

Randy LeBlanc pitched a scoreless sixth inning. However, he struggled in the seventh. He gave up two runs on three hits and two walks in the inning. C.K. Irby came in to get the final out on a ground out. The Kernels still had a 6-4 lead.

The team responded well right away in the bottom of the inning. Tanner English initiated the scoring again with a leadoff single. Zach Granite followed with a line-drive single to left field. Nick Gordon sacrificed both runners (though he appeared to be bunting for a base hit). With two outs, Max Murphy walked to load the bases.

Jorge Fernandez was due up, but the Snappers manager brought in a left-hander, so Fernandez had to move to the right-hander’s batter’s box. He responded with a solid, line drive beyond a diving shortstop. The hit scored two runs and gave the Kernels their four-run lead again.

Mauer said, “Fernandez had a heck of an at-bat. It was two big runs there to give us a cushion. He was right on it.”

Irby walked three batters in the eighth inning but the Snappers were unable to score in that inning. Cameron Booser was brought in for the ninth inning. He needed just nine pitches to get through the inning. Of those nine pitches, eight were fastballs and all sat between 95 and 96 mph. He threw one changeup at about 85 mph.

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 3, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 1

Box Score

Up 1-0 in the sixth, the Red Wings added two runs to their lead. Argenis Diaz doubled in James Beresford. Later, Aaron Hicks tripled in Diaz.

Pat Dean made the start for the Red Wings. He replaced Trevor May in the Red Wings rotation. He performed well. He went six innings and allowed only an unearned run on three hits. He walked two and struck out eight. Lester Oliveros recorded five outs, three of them on strikeouts. Logan Darnell got the final out of the eighth inning. Michael Tonkin pitched a perfect ninth inning for the save, his third of the young season.

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

After playing their first five-game series of the season in Montgomery, the Lookouts return home to play their home opening series today.

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 1, Tampa 3

Box Score

The Miracle played a morning game, and their bats were unable to wake up in this one. Of course, there are two exceptions to that. Niko Goodrum knocked his fifth double in addition to a walk. Alex Swim extended his hitting streak to all six games by going 2-4. Logan Wade added a double.

Lefty Luke Westphal made the start for the Miracle. In 3.1 innings, he was charged with three runs (two earned) on five hits. He walked none and struck out five. Tim Shibuya came on and gave up four hits, but no additional runs, in his 2.2 innings. He didn’t walk anyone and struck out two. Brandon Peterson walked on and struck out one in two scoreless innings.

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Pat Dean, Rochester Red Wings

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Alex Swim, Ft. Myers Miracle

WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Scranton/Wilkes Barre (9:35 a.m. CST) – RHP Alex Meyer

Birmingham @ Chattanooga (6:15 CST) – RHP Tyler Duffey

Tampa @ Ft. Myers (6:05 CST) – RHP Kohl Stewart

Peoria @ Cedar Rapids (6:35 CST) – LHP Mat Batts

Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss the Wednesday games.