Twins Minor League Report (9/2): Miracle Clinch, E-Twins Advance

ROSTER MOVES

• INF Victor Tademo promoted from Cedar Rapids to Rochester
  
• RHP Zack Littell recalled by Minnesota from Rochester
  

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 6, Lehigh Valley 5

Box Score

Rochester used a trio of three-run innings to take down Lehigh Valley. In the second inning, Kennys Vargas led off the frame with a double. Vargas moved to third on a hit-and-run before Zander Wiel brought him in with a sacrifice fly. Jeremy Hazelbaker homered to tie the game 2-2. Vargas was at the heart of the next two-run inning. Nick Gordon started the inning with a single before Vargas clocked his 21st home run on the season.

Omar Bencomo started and allowed two runs in the first inning. From there he settled in before running into some trouble before finishing the seventh. He left after allowing five runs on five hits with six strikeouts and two walks. Nick Anderson pitched two scoreless frames with five strikeouts to pick up his eighth win.

Rochester trailed by one entering the bottom of the ninth. Jon Kemmer put the tying run in scoring position with a sharp line drive double. Wiel sent everyone home happy with a walk-off two-run bomb.

https://twitter.com/DanJGlickman/status/1036408845332086788

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 1, Jackson 2

Box Score

Chattanooga’s offense was little and far between on Sunday. Trailing 2-0 in the final inning, Jaylin Davis doubled to start the frame. After a ground out moved him to third, Jimmy Kerrigan drove him in with a single. The Lookouts rally ended there as Brian Olson struck out and Joe Cronin flied out sharply to center. Kerrigan finished 2-for-4. Overall, the team went 1-for-5 and left seven men on base.

Austin Adams started and pitched two scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Anthony Marzi allowed one run on five hits in 4 2/3 innings with three strikeouts. Cody Stashak allowed the run that ended up being the game winner. He pitched 1 1/3 innings and struck out one.

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 2, Clearwater 1

Box Score

On the final day of the regular season, Fort Myers won the second half South Division title. It was the second straight season the team has won the second half crown. The Miracle actually finished with the same record as another team but they owned the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Aaron Whitefield had the biggest offensive inning of the game for Fort Myers. In the fourth inning, Shane Carrier singled and eventually stole second base before moving to third on a throwing error. Aaron Whitefield singled to drive him in. He stole second and third before scoring on a throwing error.

Brusdar Graterol pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings while striking out four and walking two. He only allowed three hits. Jovani Moran picked up the win after he allowed one run on two hits in 2 1/3 innings. Colton Davis earned his fourth save with two scoreless innings to close out the game.

https://twitter.com/MiracleBaseball/status/1036331194986708992

Game 1 of the South Division Championship Series starts on Tuesday night at Hammond Stadium.

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 4, Beloit 9

Box Score

All good things must come to an end and Cedar Rapids saw their season-high eight-game winning come to an end. Beloit needed to win to keep their playoff hopes alive and they have a chance to play the Kernels in the first round.

Ariel Montesino and Jacob Pearson hit back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning to help tie the game. Akil Baddoo finished 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles and an RBI. Ben Rodriguez reached base twice and drove in a run. Rodriguez extended his consecutive game on-base streak to 22.

Randy Dobnak started and allowed one run on two hits in two innings. Derek Molina took over and surrendered three runs on six hits. Johan Quezada was charged with the loss even though both runs scored against him were unearned. In the final frame, Jose Martinez allowed three runs on four hits while striking out two.

E-TWINS E-TALK

Elizabethton 5, Kingsport 2

Box Score

The E-Twins used a balanced approach to move into the Appy League Championship Series to defend their crown.

https://twitter.com/ETwinsBaseball/status/1036422282330222592

On the mound, Andrew Cabezas pitched 4 1/3 innings by allowing one run on one hit. He walked five and struck out five. Brian Rapp pitched nearly four full innings out of the bullpen (3 2/3 innings). He saw one run score on four hits while striking out one and walking one. Tanner Howell earned his first save with a perfect ninth.

Offensively, there was only one extra-base hit for the E-Twins but there were plenty of other ways to score some runs. Yunior Severino went 3-for-5 as he drove in a run and scored a run. Gillberto Celestino had one of the biggest hits of the night as he collected two RBI on a single in the fifth. DaShawn Keirsey reached base three times and scored a run.

Elizabethton will open the Appy League Championship Series on Tuesday night.

STARS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Hitter of the Day: Kennys Vargas, Rochester (2-for-4, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R)

Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day: Nick Anderson, Rochester (2.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 K, 0 BB, 0 H)

TOP PROSPECT SUMMARY

Here’s a look at how the Twins Daily Top 20 Twins Prospects performed. Please note that this Prospect Summary has been updated.

1. Royce Lewis (FM): 0-for-4, 3 K

2. Alex Kirilloff (FM): 2-for-3, BB

3. Brusdar Graterol (FM): 4.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 K, 2 BB, 3 H

4. Nick Gordon (ROC): 1-for-3, BB

5. Stephen Gonsalves (MIN): Did not play.

6. Trevor Larnach (CR): Did not play.

7. Brent Rooker (CHAT): 1-for-4, K

8. Akil Baddoo (CR): 2-for-2, 2 2B, RBI

9. Wander Javier: Out of for the season

10. Zack Littell (MIN): 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 K, BB, 6 H

11. Blayne Enlow (CR): Did not play.

12. LaMonte Wade (ROC): 1-for-4, K

13. Travis Blankenhorn (FM): 1-for-4, K

14. Lewis Thorpe (ROC): Did not play.

15. Ben Rortvedt (FM): 0-for-4, 3 K

16. Yunior Severino (ET): 3-for-5, R, RBI

17. Lewin Diaz (FM): Did not play.

18. Ryan Jeffers (CR): 1-for-4, K

19. Jacob Pearson (CR): 1-for-3, HR, RBI, R, K

20. Luis Arraez (CHAT): Did not play.

MONDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester vs. Lehigh Valley (12:05 CST) – RHP Chase De Jong (2-3, 3.41 ERA)

Chattanooga vs. Jackson (2:05 CST) – RHP Sean Poppen (5-7, 3.90 ERA)

Fort Myers – Playoffs start Tuesday

Cedar Rapids @ Beloit (2:00 CST) – LHP Tyler Watson (5-6, 4.78 ERA)

Elizabethton – Championship Series starts Tuesday

Please feel free to ask any questions about Sunday’s games, or ask any questions you may have.