Twins Minor League Report (4/15): WIns and Extras

RED WINGS REPORT

ROCHESTER 11, SCRANTON/WB 6

Box Score

The Red Wings dug themselves an early hole in this morning showdown before running away with a 5-inning ninth to secure their fifth victory in six games.

For better or worse, the story of this game will be the struggles of Alex Meyer. Meyer failed to complete four innings (3.2 IP) and surrendered five runs (all earned) on seven hits and five(!) walks. He struck out six and now sports an ERA of 8.31. Of the 88 pitches Meyer threw today, only 49 found the strike zone. Watching parts of the game, many balls weren't even close.

The clamoring you hear is no longer about putting Meyer in the Twins rotation, it’s about putting him in the bullpen. For now, though, the investment in Meyer as a starter will continue, and rightfully so.

One of the positives of Rochester’s young season has been the performance of the bullpen. Today it was the trio of Stephen Pryor, Caleb Thielbar and A.J. Achter. Pryor gave up a run in his 2.1 IP, walking two. But the trio combined to throw 5.1 innings, allowing only four hits, two walks and a run. Each of Pryor and Thielbar struck out three. Simply put, this bullpen has been everything the Twins bullpen hasn’t been through a week of the season.

The lineup sprayed 15 hits around today, led by Eric Fryer (four hits, four RBI) and Josmil Pinto (four hits, RBI). Danny Ortiz had a two hits and Jose Martinez drove in two runs.

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

CHATTANOOGA 4, BIRMINGHAM 3

Box Score

After dropping their opener, the Lookouts have been on a tear. The Lookouts needed all 27 outs to secure a victory on Wednesday... and then needed to make sure they got their 27th out before celebrating their home opener.

Tyler Duffey took a no-decision despite having, arguably, the best game of any Twins pitcher - majors or minors - this season. Duffey struck out eight in seven innings. He walked one and allowed two hits. He got eight outs on the ground and only one through the air. He STILL hasn't allowed a run to score. He does however, have the bad luck of his bullpen blowing both of his (potential) wins.

After Dalls Gallant gave the lead up, Zack Jones retired the side (but not without making it interesting by allowing a triple) with three swinging strike outs.

The Lookouts retook the lead in the bottom of the eighth after a Levi Michael walk was followed by a Byron Buxton single. A Miguel Sano fielder's choice advanced Michael to third before a Mike Gonzales single scored him.

Both Adam Brett Walker (home run) and Jorge Polanco (double) had extra-base hits in multi-hit efforts. Buxton went 1-for-4 and Sano went 0-for-4. Neither of them struck out though, which is a better sign.

MIRACLE MATTERS

FORT MYERS 1, TAMPA 3 (11 innings)

Box Score

Kohl Stewart tossed a career-high eight innings on Wednesday night. Though the press box didn’t have an official pitch count, all reports indicate that Stewart was very efficient. While he didn't strike out a high amount of guys (three), he didn't walk many either (two) and only allowed one run on eight hits. He had an impressive 12:3 groundout to flyout ratio as well. Unfortunately, Stewart got a no-decision.

Alex Muren relieved Stewart and gave up two runs in the 11th to get hung with a loss. Brian Gilbert finished it off.

The bats were pretty quiet again for the Miracle. Aderling Mejia had two hits, including a double, but is still only batting .120 on the season. Niko Goodrum also doubled, but saw his average drop to .345, which leads the team by a wide margin.

Last year's playoff hero, Jason Kanzler, went 0-for-3 and is now in a 0-for-23 slump that involves 14 strikeouts. Max Kepler got a hit in his first prolonged action as he works his way back from some elbow discomfort.

KERNELS NUGGETS

CEDAR RAPIDS 2, PEORIA 3 (12 innings)

Box Score

It took 12 innings, but the Kernels finally lost a game this year.

Mat Batts had a solid outing, pitching six innings and only allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits. He struck out five.

Both Sam Clay and Trevor Hildenberger struck out four in three innings, but Hildenberger couldn't go unscathed, giving up the winning run in the top of the 12th.

The middle of the lineup really struggled, going 0-for-13 with six strikeouts and two walks. Zach Granite had three hits (of the eight) and drove in two runs. Tanner English added a double.

Nick Gordon got the day off today.

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Hitter of the Day - Eric Fryer

Pitcher of the Day - Kohl Stewart

THURSDAY'S PROBABLES

Rochester vs Pawtucket (7:05 ET) - Taylor Rogers (0-0, 0.00) faces off against top prospect Henry Owens (0-0, 1.42) in a battle of lefties. Rochester has a one-game lead on Pawtucket in the International League North.

Fort Myers vs Tampa (7:05 ET) - Aaron Slegers (1-0, 0.00) will be on the mound as the Miracle try to battle back to .500.

Chattanooga vs Birmingham (7:15 ET) - Jose Berrios (1-0, 1.42) looks to build off his season-opener as the first-place Lookouts intend to stretch their five-game winning streak to six.

Cedar Rapids vs Peoria (7:35 ET) - John Curtiss (1-0, 4.76)