Article: Twins Minor League Report (8/15): Bowden, Rodriguez Lead Red Wings

[Seth Stohs]

Congratulations to Tyler Duffey on his first major league win on Saturday night. The right-hander, who is a strong candidate for Twins Daily Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year, took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and finished with six shutout innings. Those who have read these minor league updates and stories on Duffey knew not to make a big deal out of his major league debut. You’ve read about that great curve ball that we witnessed on Saturday.

 

These minor league reports highlight players who perform. You just never know which ones will make it to the big leagues, much less stick there. That’s why it’s fun to get to know them.It was a quieter night in the Twins farm system, but still some strong performances to highlight in today’s minor league report.

 

 

TRANSACTIONS

 

It was another busy day of transactions through the Twins minor leagues.

• Following the Twins win on Saturday night, the team announced that Michael Tonkin will make yet another trek back to Rochester with Tommy Milone
• Lefty David Hurlbut has been promoted to Rochester and will start on Sunday. It may just be a one-game start, but he is excited for the opportunity.
• In Cedar Rapids, Tanner English was put on the 7-Day disabled list with a thumb sprain. Infielder Sean Miller was activated from the DL.

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 3, Scranton/Wilkes Barre 2

Box Score

 

Down 2-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh, the Red Wings mounted a nice comeback and earned a win against the division’s top team. Reynaldo Rodriguez led off with his 15^th home run of the year. Later in the inning, Argenis Diaz hit a sacrifice fly to score Kennys Vargas to tie the game. And Xavier Avery scored the go-ahead run on a balk.

 

Rodriguez was 2-4 with his 32^nd double to go with his home run. Byron Buxton singled twice in four at-bats. He is now hitting .390 in his stint with the Red Wings.

 

Michael Bowden, one week from his opt-out date, earned his ninth win of the year. He gave up two runs on five hits over seven innings. He walked one and struck out eight. Mark Hamburger got the next four outs, and Aaron Thompson got the final two outs to record his first save of the year.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 1, Tennessee 4

Box Score

 

Max Kepler hit his eighth home run of the season in the first inning. Unfortunately, the Lookouts had just two more hits the entire game and fell to Tennessee.

 

DJ Baxendale started and gave up four runs (two earned) on nine hits and two walks over six innings. He did not record a strikeout. Alex Muren threw two perfect innings. Corey Williams made his first AA appearance since the final day of the 2013 season. He walked one and struck out two in a scoreless inning.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 5, Palm Beach 1

Box Score

 

Mitch Garver led the Miracle offense. He went 2-3 with a walk, his 19^th double and two RBIs. Aderlin Mejia went 1-2 with two walks, his seventh double and two RBI. Ryan Walker added his fourth double.

 

Ryan Eades made the start and struggled with his control. However, he gave up just one run on two hits in 4.2 innings despite five walks. He struck out two. However, he had to leave the game due to injury. We’ll share more information when we hear something. Brian Gilbert walked one over 1.1 scoreless innings. Tyler Jay struck out two in his perfect inning. Trevor Hildenberger struck out four over his two innings.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 1, Ft. Wayne 3

Box Score

 

Sam Gibbons was solid in six of the seven innings he pitched on Saturday night. Unfortunately, he gave up three runs in the second inning. He gave up just those three runs on seven hits in seven innings. He walked two and struck out six. Jared Wilson struck out one in his perfect inning.

 

Celebrating his 21^st birthday, infielder Rafael Valera hit his fourth and fifth doubles. Nick Gordon went 2-4 with his 19^th double. Pat Kelly went 3-4.

 

E-TOWN E-NOTES

Elizabethton 0, Bristol 0

Box Score

 

Rain postponed this game. It will be made up at a later date.

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Twins 0, GCL Red Sox 3

Box Score

 

The GCL Twins don’t play on Sundays. Their bats forgot to show up on Saturday. The team collected just three hits in the game. Robert Molina’s third double was the lone extra-base hit.

 

Eduardo del Rosario started and gave up two runs on four hits in 5.1 innings. He walked a batter and hit two. He struck out four. Hector Lujan gave up two hits but no runs over the next 1.2 innings. He struck out one. Brandon Poulson worked the eighth inning. He gave up a run on one hit and two walks.

 

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Michael Bowden, Rochester Red Wings

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Reynaldo Rodriguez, Rochester Red Wings

 

 

SUNDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Scranton/Wilkes Barre @ Rochester (12:35 CST) – LHP David Hurlbut

Tennessee @ Chattanooga (1:15 CST) – LHP Jason Wheeler

Palm Beach @ Ft. Myers (5:05 CST) – RHP Ryan Eades

Cedar Rapids @ Ft. Myers (6:05 CST) – RHP Sam Gibbons

Elizabethton @ Bristol (6:00 CST) – RHP Miles Nordgren

GCL Twins @ GCL Red Sox (9:00 CST) – TBD

 

Feel free to leave any questions or comments below

 

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[Clyde123]

I read this report almost every morning and just wanted send my appreciation out to all those who put the work in putting it together.  Great read. 

[Seth Stohs]

I appreciate that. Cody, Jeremy, Steve, Eric and myself really enjoy doing them. (Though I guess I shouldn't put words in others' mouths.)

[halfchest]

Good to see Gordon continuing to hit.   His month to month splits look great after a horrible May

 

OPS by month

 

April  .652

May  .538

June .711

July .772

August .902

 

 

Nice to see the improvement month to month.  19 is pretty young for midwest league right?

[whosafraidofluigirussolo]

Do you think Bowden sees the bigs with the Twins? The bullpen is crowded (leaving quality aside, just speaking of quantity) and I think the 40-man is full, but do they find a way to give him a look?

Edited August 16, 2015 by whosafraidofluigirussolo

[nytwinsfan]

Good to see Gordon continuing to hit.   His month to month splits look great after a horrible May

 

OPS by month

 

April  .652

May  .538

June .711

July .772

August .902

 

 

Nice to see the improvement month to month.  19 is pretty young for midwest league right?

Seems like all of those scouts who kept insisting that his hit tool was really good despite poor early results weren't just making it up.

[Seth Stohs]

Tweeted this last night:

 

Nick Gordon is 2-4 with a double so far tonight. In his 67 games since 5/22, he's hitting .307!