Article: Twins Minor League Report (4/27): All Good In Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood

[Cody Christie]

After fast starts for most of the minor league affiliates, things have come back down to earth over the last week. Cedar Rapids, Fort Myers and Chattanooga have all lost multiple games in a row, with the Lookouts in the midst of losing six of their last seven games. Top prospect Jose Berrios was on the mound to try to end that streak tonight.

 

Rochester has been picking up some of the slack with a nice little stretch of four wins in their last five games. This includes a two-game win streak to start this week. Would this trend continue or would the Red Wings join the rest of the losing happening on the farm?RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 6, Columbus 1

Box Score

A strong pitching performance from Taylor Rogers and a trio of home runs from Doug Bernier, Reynaldo Rodriguez and Brock Peterson helped Rochester push their latest winning streak to three games. Rogers allowed one earned run on two hits over eight strong frames, the first time has he reached the eighth all season. He walked four and struck out four en route to his second win. A.J. Achter finished the game with a perfect ninth, including two punch outs.

 

The Bernier and Rodriguez homers were part of a four-run fifth inning that put Rochester up for good. Peterson's knock, his team-leading fourth of the year, was part of a two-run eighth. Eddie Rosario went 2-for-4 and scored a run. Jose Martinez led the team with three hits including his third double.

 

Outfielder Wilkin Ramirez, who is currently on the disabled list, was with the team on Monday. He has been rehabbing from a pulled muscle injury and he will likely rejoin the team in the near future.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 5, Tennessee 3

Box Score

Jose Berrios made his fourth start of the season on Monday night, and he tried to help the Lookouts get back to their winning ways. He did his best to put his team in position to win by throwing six innings of two-hit ball. The only run he allowed was on a solo home run. Berrios danced around a season-high four walks but his five strikeouts helped get out of some jams.

 

Berrios left with 4-1 lead and things got a little dicey with Nick Burdi on the mound. The first batter he faced coaxed a walk and the next batter hit a home run. He got out of the inning with two pop outs, a single and a strikeout. Jake Reed and Zack Jones combined to pitch scoreless eighth and ninth innings to preserve the win.

 

Stephen Wickens drove in two runs and reached base three times to help power the offense. Byron Buxton had multiple hits for the second time in the last three games. Max Kepler collected his first triple of the year and Levi Michael scored a pair of runs.

 

Adam Brett Walker crushed his league-leading 5th home run of the season, a blast to right centerfield.

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 5, Palm Beach 4 (11 innings)

Box Score

This was the fifth meeting between these two clubs this season and the Miracle had yet to find a way to beat the Cardinals. It took another extra-inning affair and a come-from-behind route, but the Miracle finally found a way to come out victorious.

 

Luke Westphal made his third start and lasted four innings while giving up four runs on six hits. He struck out one and walked one. The Miracle bullpen was masterful. Alex Muren, Brian Gilbert, J.T. Chargois, and Tim Shibuya combined to toss eight shutout innings with all but Chargois throwing multiple frames. Shibuya picked up his first win of the season.

 

Alex Swim started the rally in the 11th inning with a one-out single. The Miracle then used three consecutive walks, to Mitch Garver, Niko Goodrum and Marcus Knecht, to score the winning run. Knecht and Bryan Haar had matching 2-5 lines with a double each. Swim and Chad Christensen both collected three hits.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids- Scheduled Off Day

 

The Kernels are in the midst of a three game losing streak in which they were swept by Kane County. Cedar Rapids entered the day with an 11-7 record. That mark was good enough for second place, two games back, in the Midwest League Western Division.

 

Zack Granite currently leads the team in batting average (.364), OBP (.485), and OPS (.958). Trey Vavra leads the team in home runs (3) and slugging percentage (.589). Granite and Vavra are tied for the team lead with four doubles. Nick Gordon leads the team in triples (2) and RBI (15). Tanner English has stolen seven bases while Granite is not far behind with six steals.

 

Stephen Gonsalves, Mat Batts, and Jared Wilson lead the team's starters with two wins each. Gonsalves leads starters with a 0.90 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 20 IP. Cameron Booser leads the team with two saves and an-eye popping 15 strikeouts in eight innings pitched. Felix Jorge has also been impressive with 24 strikeouts in 18 innings pitched with a 1.50 ERA.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Taylor Rogers, Rochester Red Wings

 

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Stephen Wickens, Chattanooga Lookouts

 

TUESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Rochester vs Columbus (5:35 CST) – RHP Alex Meyer

Chattanooga @ Mississippi (6:05 CST)- RHP Greg Peavey

Ft. Myers vs Palm Beach (6:05 CST) – RHP Aaron Slegers

Cedar Rapids @ Quad Cities (11:00 am CST) - RHP Jared Wilson

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

 

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[lightfoot789]

http://www.local8now.com/sports/headlines/Lookouts-top-Smokies-5-3-301507621.html

 

3rd Home Run to opposite field this season.  Surprisingly hit 4th this game instead of 7th.

 

Big win despite not playing Sano - Polanco and Harrison.  I expect those 3 players to comeback recharged and lead the Lookouts to a series win Tuesday and Wednesday.  Great game by Berrios.   Zach Jones is a stud and most underrated player of the Twins bullpen prospects.

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

I've been extremely nervous about Buxton the past six months or so. The one 4 bit game didn't really change that. He does seem to be playing a bit better, so hoping this trend sticks. I'm still cautiously skeptical, but hoping for the best. We need you to come through Buxton...no pressure.

[clutterheart]

 

   Zach Jones is a stud and most underrated player of the Twins bullpen prospects.

 

Yeah the Burdi hyped relegated Jones to a set up man/afterthought.  But Burdi's poor control put Jones back in the 9th and he is performing.

Hope he can stay healthy

[SirLoin]

Did I miss something about Sano?  Is he hurt, in the doghouse or is he just getting a couple days of rest to recharge?

[AlwaysinModeration]

Buxton was given two days off, and that seemed to have worked. Doug M seems like a creative streak when it comes to managing.

[PeanutsFromHeaven]

As the Adopted Prospect Parent, I'm wondering, is the Chargois single inning pattern part of his reintroduction to playing, or does there seem to be less trust for him?

[TRex]

 

As the Adopted Prospect Parent, I'm wondering, is the Chargois single inning pattern part of his reintroduction to playing, or does there seem to be less trust for him?

IMHO, I think it has more to do with, after losing the last 2 years to injury, trying to keep him healthy.

[Seth Stohs]

 

As the Adopted Prospect Parent, I'm wondering, is the Chargois single inning pattern part of his reintroduction to playing, or does there seem to be less trust for him?

 

That would be my guess... I'll agree with TRex on this one.