Twins Minor League Report (7/11): Jorge Starts Strong in AA

Even though MLB games won’t resume until Friday, Monday’s schedule consisted of a nearly full slate for the Twins affiliates.

In good news, Jason Wheeler will start for the International League in the AAA All-Star Game on Wednesday. In other news, the Twins released Kevin Jepsen today. They’ll be on the hook for the remainder of his salary (less the prorated minimum when he signs with another team).

Let’s check out the rest of the games.

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester - OFF DAY

At the All-Star break, the Red Wings are 52-40, 4.5 games off of the division pace, but good for only a half-game deficit in the wild card race.

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 6, Tennessee 7

Box Score

Felix Jorge made his AA debut for the Lookouts on Monday. He squared off against Jen-Ho Tseng, a well-regarded prospect in his own right, who was pursued heavily by the Twins as an international free agent in 2013.

Jorge’s night started off as well as you’d hope: He faced nine batters and retired them all, four on strikeouts and four on ground balls. But when the lineup turned over, so did the results. After getting the leadoff batter out, extending his streak to 10 straight, Jorge gave up five consecutive singles, resulting in three runs. Two more singles and a blast resulted in three more runs in the fifth inning. A walk and two more singles plated one more run and Jorge’s night was over: 5 1/3 innings, 10 hits, seven runs, a walk and four strikeouts.

The bullpen trio of Zack Jones, Mason Melotakis and Raul Fernandez combined for five strikeouts and three shutout innings.

Chattanooga scored first in the third inning when Niko Goodrum singled in Leo Reginatto, who doubled. They tacked on two more in the third inning thanks to a handful of singles and a balk. A Ryan Walker double and Stuart Turner home run contributed to the final three runs.

Walker and Mitch Garver both had two hits. Only D.J. Hicks didn’t get a hit.

The Lookouts are now 46-42 on the season.

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 1, Dunedin 5

Box Score

Miles Nordgren dominated for six innings before running into big trouble. Nordgren made it through the seventh, but not before giving up five hits, four runs (three earned) and a walk. He struck out two. Entering the seventh, Nordgren had only allowed one hit. Luke Bard (a run on two hits, walk and strikeout) and Brandon Peterson (walk, two strikeouts) each pitched an inning.

Offensively, Fort Myers collected only four hits. Brad Hartong doubled. LaMonte Wade, Tanner Witt and Daniel Kihle added singles.

The Miracle are 12-7 in the second half, holding a one-game lead in the FSL South.

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 4, Kane County 0

Box Score

The offense got on the board when Luis Arraez drove in Jermaine Palacios, who tripled, on a sacrifice fly. It was all the Kernels would need - though they’d get more - to win the game.

Arraez and Nelson Molina each had two-hit games. Zander Wiel had a two-run home run, his sixth of the season. Casey Scoggins had a double. Molina also stole a base, his third.

Eduardo Del Rosario pitched five shutout innings, somewhat miraculously. He put nine runners on base - five hits and four walks - and struck out five. Anthony McIver pitched three scoreless innings, striking out two. Tom Hackimer, completed the shutout.

E-TOWN E-NOTES

Elizabethton 4, Greeneville 12

Box Score

The E-Twins trailed 4-3 entering the ninth inning, but an eight-run frame ended all hopes for the home team.

The offense wasn’t particularly good, but it was moot when the bullpen fell apart. E-town combined for only six hits, two from Shane Carrier, who provided the team with its only extra-base hit, a double. Alex Kirilloff was 0-4 with a strikeout; he played center field.

Jose Martinez started the game and pitched five innings. He allowed three runs and struck out three. Alex Robinson pitched a scoreless frame. Griffin Jax struck out four in two innings. Jax gave up a solo home run though and was charged with the loss.

Johan Quezada recorded two outs. He walked two and allowed four hits. He allowed six earned runs before being replaced by Hector Lujan, who allowed two more runs to score.

Elizabethton drops to 7-11

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Twins 4, GCL Orioles 2

Box Score

The piggyback tandem of Taylor Clemensia (hit, three walks, four strikeouts) and Brady Anderson (five hits, two runs, seven strikeouts) each pitched four innings before Onas Farfan allowed a hit in the ninth inning, picking up the save.

Competitive Balance pick Jose Miranda led the offense today, picking up three hits, including his first extra-base hit, a double. He drove in two runs. Jorge Andrade and Tyree Davis each also had multi-hit games and doubled. Andrade stole a base. Aaron Whitefield singled twice.

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Pitcher of the Day – Miles Nordgren, Fort Myers

Hitter of the Day – Jose Miranda, GCL Twins

TUESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Chattanooga at Tennessee (6:05 CST) - LHP Stephen Gonsalves (2-1, 4.91 ERA)

GCL Twins at GCL Orioles (11:00AM CST) - TBD

Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss Monday’s games.