Twins Minor League Report (6/4): JJ's Big Day, Stewart's AA Debut

Continue reading if you would like just a little bit more information from your Minor League Report.

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 4, Louisville 5

Box Score

Jason Wheeler took his turn on the mound for the Red Wings. The left-hander gave up four runs on eight hits over six innings. He walked two and struck out six. David Martinez came on for the seventh and got two outs, both on strikeouts, though he did walk one. Ryan O’Rourke came on and got the final out of the seventh on a strikeout. He stayed in for the eighth and gave up one run on three hits, though he did strike out one more.

Logan Schafer batted second in his second game with the Red Wings. In the first inning, he hit his first homer. Later, Eddie Rosario added his third homer with the Red Wings, a two-run shot. Buck Britton and James Beresford each went 2-4. Jorge Polanco and Kennys Vargas each doubled.

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 9, Birmingham 6

Box Score

The big story in this one was the AA debut of Kohl Stewart. It was a rocky start including a couple of rain delays. He gave up two runs in the first inning, and then there was a rain delay. He went out for the second inning and gave up three more runs (two earned) and got just two outs before lightning in the area forced a second weather delay. In all, he went 1.2 innings and gave up five runs (four earned) on four hits and three walks. He did strike out three.

After the lightning got far enough away and the game resumed, Luke Westphal replaced Stewart with the bases loaded and got the final out. He worked two more innings without giving up another run. He walked four and struck out four in 2.1 innings. Omar Bencomo entered and threw two shutout innings. Jake Reed pitched the seventh and eighth innings. He gave up one run in his second inning. Trevor Hildenberger came on for the ninth and despite two hits did not allow a run to pick up his seventh save.

The offense came through. Daniel Palka had just one hit, but it was his Southern League-leading 12th home run. It was his fifth home run in this series against Birmingham. Travis Harrison got things going with a bases-clearing triple in the second inning. He went 2-5 and the triple was his second. Zach Granite was again the catalyst at the top of the Lookouts lineup, reaching base five times. He went 2-3 and walked three times. He added his third triple. Leonardo Reginnato went 2-4 with a walk and two RBI.

MIRACLE MATTERS

In yesterday’s Minor League Report, we mentioned that seven members of the Ft. Myers Miracle were named to the Florida State League All-Star Game, which will be held at Hammond Stadium. On Saturday, the Miracle announced that eight of their players would be participating. With Kohl Stewart promoted to Chattanooga, he has been replaced by Felix Jorge. Also Nick Gordon was added as a replacement. Both are certainly deserving.

Game 1 - Ft. Myers 2, Daytona 4

Box Score

The Miracle jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the third inning. Unfortunately, they were unable to hold the lead. Nick Gordon went 2-3 with his 10th double and an RBI. Chris Paul was also 2-3.

Lefty Randy Rosario started and gave up four runs (three earned) on eight hits over five innings. He didn’t walk a batter but struck out one. Nick Anderson and Raul Fernandez each pitched a scoreless inning in relief.

Game 2 - Ft. Myers 1, Daytona 2

Box Score

With one out in the seventh inning, Gonsalves gave up a two-run double just inside the third base line that put Daytona ahead 2-1. Gonsalves was on. Through six innings, he had given up just one hit and struck out eight. After seven, he gave up two runs (just one earned) on three hits and no walks. He struck out eight and unfortunately, he is credited with the loss. According to Brice Zimmerman, Gonsalves hit 97 once.

The Miracle managed just four hits in the game, none after the first three batters. Edgar Corcino went 2-3 while Engelb Vielma and Nick Gordon each went 1-3.

After getting swept on Saturday, the Miracle are now 27-29 on the season.

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 9, Peoria 2

Box Score

Saturday was the 22nd birthday of Kernels’ right-hander Cody Stashak. The Kernels offense gift to him was a nice offensive explosion. That said, the 2015 draft pick from St. John’s put together a nice outing. In six innings, he gave up two runs on six hits. He walked two and struck out seven to improve to 3-3 with a 3.08 ERA. Williams Ramirez came on and recorded his first save. He threw three shutout innings, giving up just two hits, walking one and striking out four.

JJ Fernandez led the offense. He had an opportunity in the bottom of the eighth to complete a cycle with a triple. He settled for a single and a 4-4 day. He added a walk, his 12th double and his third home run. Zander Wiel went 3-5 with his 10th double. Sean Miller was also 3-5. Daniel Kihle went 2-5. Alex Perez led off. He walked twice and was hit by a pitch.

Ron Gardenhire is in Cedar Rapids this weekend, and The Gazette’s Jeff Johnson had a chance to catch up with him on Saturday night for this article.

(photo of JJ Fernandez by Seth Stohs)

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Stephen Gonsalves, Ft. Myers Miracle

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – JJ Fernandez, Cedar Rapids Kernels

SUNDAY'S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Louisville (1:05 p.m. CST) - RHP Kyle Gibson

Jacksonville @ Chattanooga (4:15 CST) - RHP DJ Baxendale

Daytona @ Ft. Myers (3:05 CST) – RHP Randy LeBlanc

Peoria @ Cedar Rapids (2:05 CST) – RHP Eduardo del Rosario

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