Article: Twins MInor League Report (5/16): One-Run Fun

[Seth Stohs]

On Saturday, the Twins topped the Rays 6-4 to improve to 21-16 on the season. The two-run decision was bigger than each of the four Twins affiliate’s scores. One run decided each game. There was a walk-off in Cedar Rapids. Someone in Chattanooga drove in five runs while another was a home run shy of the cycle. One guy had four hits and he’s one of three players who could get your vote for Twins Minor League Hitter of the Day.Be sure to vote and have your voice heard in the comments below.

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 4, Lehigh Valley 5

Box Score

 

On Friday night, the Red Wings fell behind and were able to win with a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth. On Saturday, the Red Wings were down by a run heading into the final frame, but they were unable to tie or win it and suffered the loss.

 

Pat Dean started. The southpaw went six innings and gave up four runs. He allowed nine hits, walked one and struck out one. Logan Darnell came on and gave up two runs on three hits and recorded just two outs. Mark Hamburger got the next four outs, two of them on strikeouts. AJ Achter pitched a perfect ninth inning.

 

Danny Ortiz went 2-4 and hit his sixth home run of the season. Josmil Pinto went 2-3 with a walk an his fifth double. Wilkin Ramirez went 2-4 with his first two doubles of the season. James Beresford went 2-4 in the game.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 10, Montgomery 9

Box Score

 

The Lookouts jumped out to a big lead in this game and were able to hold one for the one-run win.

 

Alex Wimmers made the start and went the first five innings. He gave up five runs on five hits and a walk. He struck out nine. Cole Johnson came on and struck out four over two scoreless innings. Tim Shibuya was charged with three runs (two earned) on two hits in the eighth inning. Jake Reed was handed a two-run lead into the ninth. He gave up one run on two hits, but it was good enough to record his first save of the year.

 

The Lookouts got offense from a variety of sources on Saturday. Byron Buxton led the way going 3-5 with a single, his fourth double and his seventh triple. He also stole his tenth base. Travis Harrison went 2-4 with his league-leading 13^th and 14^th doubles. He drove in five runs on the day. Heiker Meneses went 2-4, adding his third double. Mike Gonzales also doubled. Miguel Sano went 1-2 with three walks in the game.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 2, Jupiter 3

Box Score

 

For the second straight time, the Miracle fell in a one-run game. David Hurlbut made the start. The left-hander worked the first six innings. He gave up three runs, though none of them were earned, on four hits. He walked three and struck out four. Brandon Peterson came on and was perfect through two innings. He struck out four.

 

Niko Goodrum had two of the Miracle errors, but he also led the offense. He went 2-4 with his eighth double. He also stole his eighth base. Alex Swim had another multi-hit game, going 2-4. Michael Quesada went 1-3 with a walk and his first double. Zach Granite got on twice, once on a walk and once with a single.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 4, Quad Cities 3 (13 innings)

Box Score

 

Coming into this game, the Kernels had a record of 22-13, a terrific start, to be sure. However, they were 5 ½ games behind Quad Cities which was 28-8. The teams played to a one-run game on Friday night and they had to put in some overtime to decide the game on Saturday as well. This time, it was the Kernels who came out on top when T.J. White singled in Max Murphy from second base with the winning run.

 

(Steve Buhr's video of the dramatic bottom of the 13th.)

 

The hit was White’s second of the game. Trey Vavra led the Kernels offensive attack. He went 4-6 with his eighth double to raise his batting average to .350. Tanner English went 2-5 and stole his 11^th base.

 

Felix Jorge made the start. The right-hander went the first 6.1 innings. He gave up three runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk. He struck out three. He was relieved by Trevor Hildenberger who tossed 2.2 scoreless innings. He gave up one hit, walked one and struck out four. Cameron Booser was next in line. The lefty gave up one hit and one walk over two scoreless innings. Randy LeBlanc was a winner for the third time this year. He gave up two hits and two walks, but no runs, in his two innings out of the bullpen.

 

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Trevor Hildenberger, Cedar Rapids Kernels

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Vote Below

• Byron Buxton, Chattanooga Lookouts – 3-5, 2B, 3B, SB
• Travis Harrison, Chattanooga Lookouts – 2-4, 2-2B, 5 RBI
• Trey Vavra, Cedar Rapids Kernels – 4-6, 2B

SUNDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Lehigh Valley @ Rochester (12:35 CST) – LHP Taylor Rogers

Montgomery @ Chattanooga (4:15 CST) – RHP Tyler Duffey

Ft. Myers @ Jupiter (12:00 CST) – RHP Kohl Stewart

Quad Cities @ Cedar Rapids (2:05 CST) – RHP Jared Wilson

 

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

 

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[nater79a]

Couple of "Behind The Boxscore" tidbits I noticed from the Lookouts game:

 

1. At first glance it may appear that Alex Wimmers had a so-so game, giving up 5 runs in 5 innings. But a closer look gives evidence of some sheer dominance. Wimmers' first inning was clean with 2 strikeouts. Then between innings 2 and 4 he retired 8 straight  Included in that stretch was 6 SO's in 7 batters. He did run into some issues in the 5th, but overall I thought he had a real solid outing. 

 

2. Catcher Stuart Turner picked a runner off 2nd base in the 5th inning.  I don't think there's any questions about Turner's arm and defensive prowess behind the plate!

[nater79a]

As far as hitter of the day... tough call, but I've got to go with Buxton. Two extra base hits, 2 runs scored, 2 RBI and a stolen base. 

 

Great nights by Harrison and Vavra though.

[curt1965]

Tough choice, but have to vote for Trey. He has absolutely been raking, and wonder what his potential is. As a 33rd round draft pick, I imagine his road to success is quite a bit tougher.

[jimbo92107]

Buxton for hitter of the day. I like it when a guy is constantly putting pressure on the other team. Buxton is doing that, including his steal, which makes opposing pitchers lose their cool. And imagine the kind of elite speed it takes to get SEVEN triples in just 36 games, and he spent the first twenty-something games shaking off rust!

[blairpaul715]

Also think it is a very close call, Buxton and Harrison are my favorite 2 minor leaguers, but I have to go with the Low draft pic who is , I assume, exceeding all expectations........Seems the Kernals are finding someplace to play him every nite.

[Dance with Disco Dan]

Buxton over Harrison on this night. I have to discount whatever Vavra does at Cedar Rapids because he is 1.6 years older than average for that league. He is certainly hitting well and the guy can only perform where the Twins assign him. Which raises the question of whether it's time to move Vavra up to Fort Myers. The Miracle are languishing near the bottom of the league in most hitting categories with an older lineup. Promoting Vavra may give the Miracle lineup a boost--like Granite has done so far--and get Vavra playing against more age-appropriate competition.

[Halsey Hall]

I'll give Harrison some love here, and the nod.  5 rbi's is an excellent night. 

[gunnarthor]

Really nice to see Sano take those walks.  His May numbers are fantastic - .321/.406/.625 10bb, 14k, 5 2b, 4 HR.

 

 

[drivlikejehu]

Sano took walks in April, too, he was just striking out too much and not consistently hitting the ball well. Hopefully he stays comfortable at the plate and healthy.

Edited May 17, 2015 by drivlikejehu

[Seth Stohs]

 

Buxton over Harrison on this night. I have to discount whatever Vavra does at Cedar Rapids because he is 1.6 years older than average for that league. He is certainly hitting well and the guy can only perform where the Twins assign him. Which raises the question of whether it's time to move Vavra up to Fort Myers. The Miracle are languishing near the bottom of the league in most hitting categories with an older lineup. Promoting Vavra may give the Miracle lineup a boost--like Granite has done so far--and get Vavra playing against more age-appropriate competition.

 

Vavra is a fourth year senior in his first full minor league season. 

 

In Brian Dozier's first full season (after 4 years of college), he was in Beloit through late May, and he was in the big leagues less than two years later. 

 

I'm not putting Vavra in Dozier's category (though Dozier didn't hit like Vavra has in the Midwest League) at this time, but it's way too early to worry about age-to-level of competition stuff.