Article: Twins Minor League Report (8/11): Duffey, Kepler Continue To Dominate

[Seth Stohs]

The Twins won in come-from-behind and walk-off fashion on Tuesday night against Texas. None of the minor league affiliates had that kind of excitement, but it was a busy day in the Twins minor leagues. Rochester played two in Buffalo. Tyler Duffey made his return to the mound for the Red Wings. Max Kepler just kept on hitting for the Lookouts. Stephen Gonsalves was on the mound for the Miracle. The Kernels had a nail-biter. The E-Twins got a dominant start. And, Luis Arraez had another strong game.All that and more can be found as you work your way through today’s minor league report.

 

 

TRANSACTIONS

 

As we announced here yesterday, Kennys Vargas was promoted to AAA Rochester. He took the roster spot of Danny Santana who went on the disabled list. Levi Michael was activated for the Lookouts. Josmil Pinto began a rehab in the GCL.

 

 

RED WINGS REPORT

 

Game 1 – Rochester 7, Buffalo 0

Box Score

 

Tyler Duffey returned to the mound for Rochester for the first time since he made his major league debut in Toronto. He worked six shutout innings. He gave up just one hit, walked none and struck out five. He improved to 5-6 with a 2.53 ERA with the Red Wings. Aaron Thompson gave up two hits, but no runs, in the seventh inning to complete the shutout.

 

Danny Ortiz led the offense. He went 2-4 with his 29^th double. Reynaldo Rodriguez hit his 14^th home run. Byron Buxton went 1-3 with a walk and a triple.

 

Game 2 – Rochester 0, Buffalo 9

Box Score

 

Game 1 went well. Game 2, not so much. Jason Wheeler started and was charged with eight runs (6sixearned) on seven hits and three walks in just 2.1 innings. Cole Johnson worked three innings and gave up one run on three hits and two walks. He left with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth inning. Eric Farris replaced him. He got the next two batters out with just one inherited runners scoring.

 

James Beresford went 2-4. He was the lone hitter with more than one hit. Byron Buxton went 1-4. Kennys Vargas arrived in time for the second game. He went 0-2 and walked once.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 6, Mobile 2

Box Score

 

Max Kepler just continues to rake. In four at-bats, he had a single, his 27^th double and his 12^th triple of the year. Travis Harrison went 2-4 with his 21^st double and three RBIs. Niko Goodrum went 2-4 with his third triple and two RBI. He also stole his 14^th base with the Lookouts. Jorge Polanco stole his 15^th bag.

 

David Hurlbut began his outing with seven shutout innings. He got two outs in the eighth inning, but also gave up two runs. He ended him night giving up just those two runs on nine hits in 7.2 innings. He struck out seven and didn’t issue a walk. Brandon Peterson came on and struck out the batter he faced to end the eighth. He struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning to pick up the save.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 1, St. Lucie 3

Box Score

 

Stephen Gonsalves put together a quality start in this game. The lefty gave up just one run on four hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out four batters. He left the game tied at one. Zack Jones got the seventh inning. He gave up one run on one hit and a walk. He struck out two and took the loss. Tyler Jay got the eighth inning. He gave up another run on two hits in the inning. He didn’t walk any and struck out one.

 

Chad Christensen went 2-4. Mitch Garver went 1-2 with two walks and his 18^th double.

 

Tanner Vavra continues to hit well. He went 3-4 and added his eighth double. Vavra began the season by going 1-26 (.038). Since that time, he has hit .284 and is now at .251 on the season. In his last 35 games played, he has hit .317.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 5, Lake County 4

Box Score

 

The Kernels were able to hang on for a one-run win in this game. The top of the order did the job for them on this night. Tanner English had a single and a walk. Nick Gordon went 3-5 with his 17^th double. Edgar Corcino was 3-4 with his 12^th double.

 

Keaton Steele started. He gave up three runs on four hits in six innings to improve to 4-3 on the season. He walked one and struck out four. Mike Theofanopoulos gave up one run on one hit and one walk in his inning. He struck out one. Nick Anderson came on and struck out three over two scoreless innings to record the save.

 

E-TOWN E-NOTES

Elizabethton 3, Greeneville 1

Box Score

 

Cody Stashak returned after a short DL stint and pitched well. He struck out nine over five shutout innings. He gave up just three hits and didn’t issue a walk. Logan Lombana came on and struck out six over three shutout innings. He gave up just two hits. Kuo Hua Lo recorded his fourth save. He gave up one run in the ninth.

 

Daniel Kihle went 2-3 with a walk and his fifth double. Brian Olson went 2-4. Jermaine Palacios hit his seventh double. Brad Hartong hit his fourth double.

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Twins 8, GCL Rays 5

Box Score

 

The Twins got a lot of offensive contributions in this game. Luis Arraez is back up to .329 after going 4-5. Christian Cavaness went 2-4 with a walk, his third double and his first triple. Josmil Pinto returned to game action and went 2-5 with a three-run homer. He DHed. Kolton Kendrick went 2-4 with a walk. Trey Cabbage went 2-3.

 

Jovani Moran made another start. The lefty went four innings and gave up two runs on four hits. He walked one and struck out four. Matz Schutte came on and worked the next two innings. He gave up an unearned run on two hits and a walk. Callan Pearce gave up a single in a scoreless inning. Rich Condeelis gave up two runs on a hit and three walks in two innings. He struck out four.

 

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Tyler Duffey, Rochester Red Wings

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Max Kepler, Chattanooga Lookouts

 

WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Rochester @ Buffalo (6:05 CST) – LHP Taylor Rogers

Tennessee @ Chattanooga (6:15 CST) – RHP Greg Peavey

Ft. Myers @ St. Lucie (5:30 CST) – RHP Kohl Stewart

Cedar Rapids @ Lake County (12:00 CST) – RHP Felix Jorge

Greeneville @ Elizabethton (6:00 CST) – TBD

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

 

 

Feel free to leave any questions or comments below

 

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[h2oface]

Wrong game, Tyler. The last start was the one to throw this game.

[clutterheart]

Brandon Peterson keeps getting strike outs no matter which level he is at

[JaleelWhite FanClub]

Wow! I was just about to post a question asking what was going on with Pinto. I hadn't heard anything since April or May (whenever he suffered his concussion).

 

Considering the Twins and upper minor lack of quality catching options, here's to hoping Josmil advance quickly and maybe (just maybe) get a September call up.

[Seth Stohs]

Pinto had a good day yesterday. They'll want to get him behind the plate and see how he responds. I'd suspect he'll spend up to a week in the GCL before going back to Rochester.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Brandon Peterson keeps getting strike outs no matter which level he is at

 

Yeah, he hasn't been intimidated by the jump to AA. He had two straight rough outings, but he has been terrific before and after that. 

[Linus]

Listening to TR on the radio, I think they are going to let him DH for an extended period of time before they put him behind the plate.  Still doesn't mean he couldn't get a September call up.

[stringer bell]

Kepler for POY in the Southern League? I wonder how much that matters to the Twins' front office. I could see him staying in Chattanooga 'til the playoffs are over and then getting a couple weeks with the Twins.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Kepler for POY in the Southern League? I wonder how much that matters to the Twins' front office. I could see him staying in Chattanooga 'til the playoffs are over and then getting a couple weeks with the Twins.

 

It doesn't, but it's a nice honor for the player. He'll absolutely stay in Chattanooga through their playoff run. Can come up from there.