Twins Minor League Report (6/2): Mussels Muster Night Saving Win

TRANSACTIONS

• C Ryan Jeffers and OF Gilberto Celestino promoted to Twins
• OF Mark Contreras and C David Banuelos promoted to Triple-A St. Paul
• C Nick Garland transferred from Low-A Fort Myers to Double-A Wichita

SAINTS SENTINEL
Louisville 6, St. Paul 2

Box Score

It was a busy day for the St. Paul Saints, but for a handful of reasons off the field. Both Ryan Jeffers and Gilberto Celestino were activated by the Twins in the wake of injuries to Mitch Garver and Rob Refsnyder. Playing without a key lineup fixture, and the recently promoted outfielder, the ball was Charlie Barnes’ tonight. He was excellent turning in six scoreless while punching out six and walking just three.

The middle of the Saints lineup did all of the damage, but hits didn’t turn into runs. Brent Rooker launched his sixth homer of the year, and the 3-4-5-6 batters accounted for five of the team’s seven total hits. After being up 2-0 through five, the wheels fell off.

Lewis Thorpe entered in relief and allowed five runs on just three hits while walking two. He’s going to likely called upon by the injury-laden Twins again this year, but it’s been a tough go of late. These two clubs will play a twin ball tomorrow after a rainout on Tuesday. St. Paul will look to start another win streak with the seven gamer snapped tonight.

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Arkansas 5, Wichita 2
Box Score

Austin Schulfer got the start for the Wind Surge in this one and he kept the home club in it while dancing around danger for the better part of four innings. Allowing four runs, three earned, on six hits, Schulfer struck out six and walked three. He left with Wichita trailing 4-0, but the lineup picked him up quickly. A brief rain delay also through a wrench in this one.

One of Wichita’s best hitters this season, Jermaine Palacios, came through with his fourth double. Driving in B.J. Boyd, the Wind Surge were on the board. An Ernie De La Trinidad single later in the inning brought Palacios around and cut the lead in half, a 4-2 score. He joined Palacios in a multi-hit effort.

The circus started a bit in the 9th as a Ryan Mason wild pitch combined with a Roy Morales throwing error allowed the Travelers to plate their fifth run. Unfortunately, Wichita couldn’t muster a comeback late and that’s where this one ended. Another multi-hit night for Palacios has his average up to .320 on the season, and his OPS at .890 is begging to be reckoned with.

KERNELS NUGGETS
Fort Wayne 6, Cedar Rapids 1
Box Score

Kody Funderburk made the start in this one for Cedar Rapids. He came just one out shy from completing five innings, but his line was both confusing and dominant. Although three runs scored, none of them were earned, and he gave up just five hits and a single walk while striking out nine battings across the 14 outs recorded.

Cedar Rapids faced a 3-0 deficit in the 6th inning when they plated their first run. Spencer Steer has had a nice start to 2021 and a sac fly allowed Max Smith to scamper home. Unfortunately for the Kernels, that was the only run they’d tally all night.

Fort Wayne answered in the bottom half of the inning with a bases clearing single that plated three. The 6-1 result would hold through the 9th and give the Tin Caps a victory. Only Smith was able to join Steer in the hit column on the evening for Cedar Rapids.

MUSSEL MATTERS
Fort Myers 8, St. Lucie 4
Box Score

If you’re looking for a minor league player of the day, Sawyer Gipson-Long made a pretty strong case with his outing. Coming one out shy of six full innings, he punched out 11 while walking none. Four runners scored on six hits, but only two were earned. In a game that the Mighty Mussels put up runs, he kept the Mets in check. Rain kept this one from starting on time, but it didn't cool the bats.

Down 2-0 early, Jeferson Morales ripped the first of his two doubles on the night. This one plated Aaron Sabato and Yunior Severino in the 4th to knot the game at 2. Trailing again in the 5th, Fort Myers went to work. Misael Urbina wore a hit by pitch to pick up an RBI before Charles Mack singled and Morales doubled. When the dust settled, muscles were flexed, and the home team lead 7-3.

Recently re-entered into the lineup, Keoni Cavaco made up for a throwing error that allowed a run in the 6th by driving in Edouard Julien during the bottom half of the frame. Fort Myers saw their top three hitters account for seven of the 12 hits in this contest. Morales had a two hit night, but his four RBI proved to be the difference.

It’s also worth noting that Osiris German closed this one out for the Mighty Mussels grabbing 10 outs. Of those, he fanned eight and allowed just a single hit.

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Pitcher of the Day – Charlie Barnes (St. Paul) – 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
Hitter of the Day – Jeferson Morales (Fort Myers) 2-for-4, 4 RBI, K, 2 2B

PROSPECT SUMMARY

Here’s a look at how the Twins Daily Top 20 Twins Prospects performed:

#1 - Alex Kirilloff (Minnesota) – 0-for-3, BB, K
#2 - Royce Lewis (Rehab) - Out for Season (torn ACL)
#3 - Trevor Larnach (Minnesota) – 1-for-4, 2 K
#4 - Ryan Jeffers (Minnesota) – 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, K, HR(1)
#5 - Jhoan Duran (St. Paul) – Did not pitch
#6 - Jordan Balazovic (Wichita) – Injured List (back)
#7 - Keoni Cavaco (Fort Myers) – 2-for-5, R, RBI, 3 K
#8 - Aaron Sabato (Fort Myers) – 2-for-5, 2 R, K
#9 - Matt Canterino (Cedar Rapids) – Did not pitch
#10 - Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) – Injured List (right elbow strain)
#11 - Gilberto Celestino (Minnesota) – 0-for-2, K
#12 - Brent Rooker (St. Paul) – 1-for-2, R, RBI, 2 BB, K, HR(6)
#13 - Matt Wallner (Cedar Rapids) – Injured List (wrist sprain)
#14 - Misael Urbina (Fort Myers) – 0-for-3, R, RBI, K
#15 - Cole Sands (Wichita) – Did not pitch
#16 - Edwar Colina (Rehab) - 60-Day IL (elbow)
#17 - Ben Rortvedt (Minnesota) – Did not play
#18 - Alerick Soularie (Complex) – N/A
#19 - Jose Miranda (Wichita) – 0-for-4, K
#20 - Bailey Ober (St. Paul) – Did not pitch

THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

St. Paul @ Louisville (4:30PM CST) – RHP Jhoan Duran (0-0, 1.29 ERA)/G2 RHP Chandler Shepherd (0-1, 5.06 ERA)
Arkansas @ Wichita (7:05PM CST) – RHP Josh Winder (1-0, 1.48 ERA)
Cedar Rapids @ Fort Wayne (6:05PM CST) – TBD
St. Lucie @ Fort Myers (6:00PM CST) – RHP Louie Varland (2-1, 4.50 ERA)

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