Article: Twins Minor League Report (5/14): Walk-Off Wins Are Fun!

[Seth Stohs]

It was an interesting day in the Minnesota Twins system. At the top, the Twins got another horrific starting from Kevin Correia and Michael Tonkin struggled again. David Ortiz took it to his old team for the second straight night and the Red Sox topped the Twins 9-4.

 

There were two walk-off wins in the Twins' minor leagues, so that’s always fun. Another team scored its winning run thanks to a big blast in the team’s first inning. Unfortunately, if you’re a Cedar Rapids fan, it was a tough night. For the second straight day, they were swept in a double header against Peoria.

 

Let’s look at the goings on in the Twins system:

 

Download attachment: Nate Hanson 3.jpg

 

TRANSACTIONS

 

As mentioned yesterday, Ryan Walker and Carlos Avila were added to the Cedar Rapids Kernels roster on Wednesday morning. They take the roster spots of Engelb Vielma and Jason Kanzler. Dalton Hicks came off the Ft. Myers Miracle DL, and Alex Swim returned to Extended Spring Training.

 

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 5, Columbus 4

Box Score

 

Going into the 9^th inning, Pedro Florimon had been 0-13 in his short time with the Red Wings. However, he picked a great time for his first hit, a leadoff double. Two batters later, James Beresford drove him in with a sacrifice fly to give the Red Wings a walk-off win.

 

Chris Herrmann went 2-3 with a walk, his second double and his second stolen base. Wilkin Ramirez went 2-4.

 

Scott Diamond made the start for the Red Wings. The lefty gave up four runs (three earned) on five hits. In 5.1 innings, he struck out two. Yohan Pino went the next two innings and didn’t allow a run despite giving up a hit and walking two. He struck out three. Matt Hoffman got two outs. He walked two and struck out one. AJ Achter pitched the final inning and was perfect. He struck out two.

 

 

ROCK CATS REVIEW

New Britain 4, Portland 3

Box Score

 

Walk-off home runs are fun! Even walk-off singles are great! Winning walk-off walks? Well, hey, they're certainly better than walk-off (or any) losses!!

 

Down 3-1 going into the bottom of the 9^th, the Rock Cats got a single and a double from Corey Wimberly and Tony Thomas, respectively. That set up an RBI single for Nate Hanson, followed by the game-tying RBI single off the bat of Kennys Vargas. Still no one out, Reynaldo Rodriguez singled to load the bases. Danny Ortiz grounded into a force out. However, with one out, Brandon Waring worked the game-winning, walk-off walk.

 

Waring walked three times in the game. Nate Hanson was the hitting hero, however. He went 3-3 with two walks. Along with his game-tying single, Vargas walked twice as well.

 

Tyler Duffey started for New Britain. He went five innings. He gave up two runs (one earned) on five hits. He walked two and struck out five. Jim Fuller gave up one run on two hits and two walks over his two innings. Ryan O’Rourke walked one and struck out one in his scoreless inning. Dan Turpen struck out two in a scoreless inning.

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 4, Brevard County 3

Box Score

 

David Hurlbut has been terrific since moving into the Miracle rotation. On this night, he improved to 3-1 with a seven-inning effort. He gave up two runs (one earned) on eight hits and a walk. Tim Shibuya pitched a scoreless inning. Tyler Jones came in with a two-run lead and he recorded the save, though he made things interesting by giving up a run on one hit and two walks in the ninth.

 

Adam Walker came up to bat in the top of the first inning and gave the Miracle all the runs they would need. His sixth homer run came with the bases loaded. He went 2-4 in the game. Dalton Hicks returned to the Miracle lineup from the DL and went 1-3 with a walk.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Game 1 – Cedar Rapids 3, Peoria 4

Box Score

 

For the second straight day, the Kernels played two games. Kohl Stewart was the starter in the first contest. He gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits in four innings. He walked two and struck out three. Brandon Bixler took the loss. He gave up two runs (one earned) on three hits in his three innings. He struck three out without a walk.

 

Mitch Garver went 2-2 with two walks. Chad Christensen, Bo Altobelli, Michael Quesada and Joel Licon each went 2-4 in the game. They had base runners. In fact, they were 5-13 with runners in scoring position. However, they still left 11 runners on base.

 

Game 2 – Cedar Rapids 3, Peoria 5

Box Score

 

The Kernels gave up five first inning runs and were unable to come back. Derrick Penilla made his first start since his recent call up. He gave up those five runs – though just three were earned – on five hits and a walk in three innings. He struck out five. Todd Van Steensel was again impressive. He gave up just one hit over four shutout innings. He walked none and struck out five.

 

Chad Christensen went 2-4 in the second game as well. He hit his seventh double and drove in two runs. Joel Licon went 2-3.

 

 

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Todd Van Steensel, Cedar Rapids Kernels

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Nate Hanson, New Britain Rock Cats

 

THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Columbus @ Rochester (2:35 CST) – Alex Meyer (Listen)

Portland @ New Britain (9:35 a.m.) – Sean Gilmartin (Listen)

Ft. Myers @ Brevard Country (5:35 CST) – Alex Wimmers (Listen)

Cedar Rapids @ Burlington (6:30 CST) – Felix Jorge (Listen)

 

 

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

 

Click here to view the article