Twins Minor League Report (7/27): Rains Reign In Southwest Florida

These topics and much more can be found as you work your way through today’s minor league report.

TRANSACTIONS

A day after adding RHP Michael Bowden to a minor league deal and assigning him to Rochester, the Twins also added 25-year-old outfielder Xavier Avery. He was in the lineup right away on Sunday evening. To make room for him, infielder Jose Martinez was placed on the disabled list.

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 4, Columbus 5

Box Score

The Red Wings mounted a comeback in the ninth. With two runners on, newcomer Xavier Avery singled in Chris Herrmann to cut the lead to 5-4. Columbus brought in former big league closer Carlos Marmol who struck out James Beresford to end the game.

Tyler Duffey got the start and didn’t pitch as poorly as his final line might indicate. The right-hander gave up five runs (three earned) on eight hits. He walked none and struck out three over 6.2 innings. He was hurt by a couple of errors, including Jorge Polanco’s ninth error in 21 games with the Red Wings. Mark Hamburger needed just three pitches to get out of that seventh inning. Aaron Thompson was given the eighth inning and was flawless.

The offense generated eight hits, but they were unable to come up with the runs. Polanco went 2-4 with his sixth double. Xavier Avery was 2-5 with the big ninth inning hit. James Beresford went 2-4. Danny Ortiz went 2-3. Reynaldo Rodriguez hit his 10^th home run of the season.

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 8, Tennessee 0

Box Score

He had struggled in recent starts, particularly with his control, but on Sunday Alex Wimmers was very good. He worked 6.2 shutout innings. He gave up six hits, walked one and struck out three. Tim Shibuya came on and got the next four outs. Matt Summers pitched the ninth inning.

Stuart Turner played hitting hero in this game. He went 3-4 with a walk and his fourth home run of the season. He’s likely more happy about the team pitching a shutout.

Adam Brett Walker went 1-3 with two walks. He hit his third triple and stole his eighth base. The Lookouts had eight hits and seven walks in the game.

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers, Lakeland

Box Score

The Miracle game was postponed by rain as poor weather has covered southwest Florida for several days now. The two teams are hoping to play a doubleheader on Monday.

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 5, Beloit 4

Box Score

It’s not quite how you draw it up, but the Cedar Rapids Kernels will take the win.

The Kernels had a two-run lead heading into the top of the ninth inning. Luke Bard, who has been terrific since arriving with the Kernels, came on. He was charged with two runs (one earned, thanks to an error of his own) on three hits, a walk and a hit batter.

The game went to the bottom of the ninth tied at four. Tanner English and Nick Gordon led off with singles. Edgar Corcino then dropped down a sacrifice bunt. Zach Larson was intentionally walked to load the bases. However, Tyler Kuresa came through with a game-winning single to center to give the Kernels the win.

Kuresa led the offense. He went 3-4 with a walk and his 10th double to go with the walk-off single. Tanner English went 3-5. Rafael Valera went 2-4 with his first triple and two RBIs. Zach Larson went 1-2 with three walks. He scored three runs and stole his 12^th base.

Luke Westphal started and the left-hander went the first five innings. He gave up two runs on six hits. He walked two and struck out five. Ethan Mildren gave up five hits over three shutout innings. Bard got the blown save, but he winds up improving to 6-0.

E-TOWN E-NOTES

Elizabethton 4, Kingsport 8

Box Score

Dereck Rodriguez started for the E-Twins on Sunday. He was charged with four runs (one earned) on seven hits and a walk in just four innings. He struck out one. He falls to 3-1 with a 1.35 ERA. Anthony Mciver came on. He gave up three runs on four hits over the next two innings. Josh Guyer gave up an unearned run on one hit over the final two innings. He struck out two and didn’t walk a batter.

For the second straight day, infielder Alex Perez went 3-5. The 22-year-old was the Twins 23^rd round pick this June out of Virginia Tech. Brad Hartong came on in the middle of the 3^rd inning to replace Rainis Silva behind the plate (no word yet on why Silva left the game). He went 3-4 with a triple and an RBI. Amaurys Minier went 1-2 with two walks.

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Twins @ GCL Red Sox

No Game Scheduled.

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Alex Wimmers, Chattanooga Lookouts

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Tyler Kuresa, Cedar Rapids Kernels

MONDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Toledo (6:00 CST) – LHP Pat Dean

Chattanooga – No Game Scheduled

Lakeland @ Ft. Myers (DH at 5:05 CST) – RHP Aaron Slegers, RHP Ryan Eades

Cedar Rapids– No Game Scheduled

Johnson City @ Elizabethton (6:00 CST) – TBD

GCL Twins @ GCL Rays (DH @ 10:00 CST) – TBD, TBD

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