Twins Minor League Report (6/5): Gonzales Delivers

RED WINGS REPORT

Pawtucket @ Rochester

Box Score

They were able to play just two innings before the rains came, causing the game to be suspended. The Red Wings had a 1-0 lead thanks to an RBI double off the bat of Oswaldo Arcia. Lefty Pat Dean gave up two hits, but no runs, in two scoreless innings.

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 6, Tennessee 5

Box Score

It was a back and forth game, but fortunately, the Lookouts came out the winner in this game.

They got things going right away in the first inning. Byron Buxton led off with a single and then scored immediately on a triple by Jorge Polanco. Max Kepler singled in Polanco and the Lookouts had a 2-0 lead.

Going into the sixth inning, the score was tied at two. Mike Gonzales came to the plate with Travis Harrison on base. Gonzales launched his fourth home run of the season and second straight game with a homer.

Brett Lee made his AA debut on this night. The left-hander gave up two runs through the first five innings. He went back out for the sixth inning and the first three batters reached base. Jake Reed came in with two runners on base and gave up a sacrifice fly to tie the game. Lee was charged with four runs on five hits and two walks. He struck out one.

The game was tied heading into the eighth inning. Jorge Polanco led off with a walk which was followed by a single from Travis Harrison. With runners on first and third, Max Kepler flew out which allowed Polanco to score, but Harrison was doubled off. The Lookouts had a lead, but there were two outs. Next batter was Adam Brett Walker and he hit his second triple of the year. Michael Gonzales continued his big night. He singled in Walker to give the Lookouts a two-run lead.

Reed got one out in the seventh inning, and JT Chargois got the final two outs. With a lead, Cole Johnson came in for the final two innings. He gave up one run on one hit. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out three for his first save of the season.

Buxton went 3-5. Adam Brett Walker went 2-4 with the triple. Gonzales had two hits including his fourth home run.

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 2, Bradenton 6

Box Score

Chih-Wei Hu has been one of the top pitchers in the Twins system through the season’s first two months. At some point, even the best guys have an off day. For Hu, that came on Friday night against the Marauders. The right-hander gave up six runs (five earned) on nine hits and three walks in just 3.2 innings. He struck out three. It increased his season ERA with the Miracle from 1.10 to 2.01.

He was replaced by Alex Muren who gave up just one hit over the next 2.1 innings. He struck out two. Todd Van Steensel pitched the final two innings. He walked one and struck out four.

The Miracle offense managed just four hits in the game. Zach Granite had two of them. The speedy outfielder also stole his seventh base for the team. Mitch Garver walked twice.

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 4, South Bend 9

Box Score

Keaton Steele was terrific in his first couple of appearances with the Kernels, but he really struggled on this night. He gave up six runs on nine hits in four innings. He walked one and struck out one. Jose Velez came on and gave up two runs on one hit and three walks. He did strike out four batters. Trevor Hildenberger gave up a run for the first time in over 25 innings. Amazingly, he gave up as many runs in this game as he had in the entire season before it. He gave up one run on three hits and a walk in two innings. He struck out four. He saw his ERA rise from 0.31 to 0.59.

Nick Gordon led the Kernels’ offense. He went 2-4 with a walk and his sixth double. Brett Doe went 2-3 with a walk. Edgar Corcino moved from the 9-hole in the lineup to the third spot and went 2-5.

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Todd Van Steensel, Ft. Myers Miracle

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Michael Gonzales, Chattanooga Lookouts

SATURDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Scranton/Wilkes Barre @ Rochester (6:05 CST) – RHP Tyler Duffey

Chattanooga @ Jackson (6:05 CST) – LHP David Hurlbut

Bradenton @ Ft. Myers (5:05 CST) – RHP Aaron Slegers

Cedar Rapids @ West Michigan (6:00 CST) – RHP Zach Tillery

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