Article: Twins Minor League Report (5/27): Granite Gets Last Laugh, Hits Walk-Off Winner

[Tom Froemming]

Karma’s a … well, let’s just say don’t mess with karma. In a completely unlikely and bizarre twist of fate, Zack Granite delivered a walk-off victory off a player he had gotten into a bit of a dust-up with earlier in the evening.

 

Find out what else happened around the Twins' minor leagues on Saturday.Transaction Update

 

Adalberto Mejia was called up to the Twins to start Saturday, and the Red Wings activated David Hurlbut from the disabled list to take his spot.

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 3, Indianapolis 2 (12 innings)

Box Score

 

In the third inning, Indians first basemen Joey Terdoslavich shoved Zack Granite after he was under the impression the Red Wings speedster did … something. Granite was a professional about the whole altercation, but Terdoslavich probably should have been ejected from the game.

 

It’s funny how things can come around to bite you. In the bottom of the 12th inning, Indianapolis was running out of bullpen arms and turned to Terdoslavich on the mound. With the game tied and Granite due up fifth it seemed unlikely the two would face off. But, of course, they did.

 

With the bases loaded and one out, Granite lined Terdoslavich’s pitch for the walk-off winner. Baseball: what a game, huh?

 

Back in the bottom of the ninth, Granite put his speed to good use to help send the game into extra innings. He led of the inning by reaching on a fielding error, then went from first to third on a ground out to the shortstop.

 

I repeat, Zack Granite went from first to third on a ground ball to shortstop. Crazy. To top it all off, he scored the game-tying run on a sacrifice fly by Daniel Palka.

 

Nik Turley’s been up and down between Chattanooga and Rochester a couple times already this year and has also bounced between the rotation and bullpen along the way. He started Saturday night, and picked up another five strikeouts over five innings of two-run ball.

 

The Rochester bullpen had an incredible night. Trevor Hildenberger took over for Turley and pitched 2.2 innings, gave up just one hit and struck out five batters. Buddy Boshers went 1.1 scoreless innings before Drew Rucinski threw three shutout innings to earn the victory.

 

Mitch Garver, who entered the night with his OBP at an even .400, drew four walks. Playing first base, he also made a game-saving scoop to end the top of the 12th inning as the winning run was on its way home from third.

 

This was a wild game which also included a pretty comical ejection and ensuing blowup from Indianapolis manager Andy Barkett.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Montgomery 3, Chattanooga 0

Box Score

 

Former Twin Yohan Pino (11 starts in 2014) made his season debut. It was also his first appearance in the States since he pitched for the Royals in 2015, as the right hander pitched in Korea last season. The 33-year-old struck out the side in order in the first inning, and gave up one run on two hits over three innings pitched.

 

Matt Tracy took over from there, as in took over the whole rest of the game. Tracy gave up a pair of runs over the final six innings, racking up five strikeouts. He gave up three hits and walked three.

 

Third baseman T.J. White (single and a walk) and second baseman Ryan Walker (two walks) were the only Rochester batters to reach safely twice. Edgar Corcino’s double was the Lookouts only extra-base hit.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Charlotte 4, Fort Myers 2

Box Score

 

After a 17-run barrage Friday night, the Miracle were shut out over the first six innings of this contest. By the time the bats got rolling it was too late. Sean Miller was 2-for-5 and had the only Fort Myers RBI on the night. It was Miller’s fifth multi-hit performance in his last eight games.

 

Randy LeBlanc was saddled with the loss after giving up four runs over six innings. Anthony McIver held the tone Crabs scoreless over the final two innings. Catcher Brian Navarreto had two hits and threw out two base runners. The loss dropped Fort Myers to 25-25 on the season.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 6, Kane County 0

Box Score

 

Sean Poppen continued his great start to the 2017 season by throwing seven shutout innings of three-hit ball while striking out six. He walked just one batter. The Harvard product’s ERA is down to 2.35. Zach Tillery and Hector Lujan handled the final two frames to secure the shutout.

 

Hank Morrison, playing his second game with Cedar Rapids, was 2-for-3 and hit his first professional home run. Travis Blankenhorn also had two hits and drove in three runs. Ariel Montesino was 1-for-2 with a double, two walks, stole a base and scored twice.

 

A loss would have put the Kernels and Cougars in a tie for the Midwest League Western Division lead, so this was a big victory for Tommy Watkins’ guys. Cedar Rapids is 28-21 so far under their rookie manager.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Sean Poppen (7 IP, 0 ER, 6 K)

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Zach Granite (scored the game-tying run and hit a walk-off single)

 

SATURDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester vs. Indianapolis, 12:35 pm CT, David Hurlbut (3.38 ERA, 1.50 WHIP)

Chattanooga vs. Montgomery, 5:15 pm CT, Felix Jorge (4.03 ERA, 1.48 WHIP)

Fort Myers at Charlotte, 11:35 am CT, David Fischer (3.32 ERA, 1.34 WHIP)

Cedar Rapids at Kane County, 6:30 pm CT, Domenick Carlini (5.97 ERA, 1.52 WHIP)

 

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

 

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[Respy]

Karma.

[dbminn]

What's the report on Sean Poppen? His K rate looks good. Does he have any velocity/stuff or is he a Harvard kid outsmarting Class A hitters? 

[mikelink45]

Not sure where to post this so I am just grabbing an opportunity.  This was in the New York Times today: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/27/sports/baseball/minnesota-twins-are-weighing-their-early-success.html?emc=edit_th_20170528&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=27551192

 

I guess the team is holding its winning ways long enough to get some attention away from the Coasts!

[terrydactyls]

Not sure where to post this so I am just grabbing an opportunity.  This was in the New York Times today: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/27/sports/baseball/minnesota-twins-are-weighing-their-early-success.html?emc=edit_th_20170528&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=27551192

 

I guess the team is holding its winning ways long enough to get some attention away from the Coasts!

 

Unless something drastic has happened, I'm pretty sure New York is still on the East Coast.

[Seth Stohs]

 

What's the report on Sean Poppen? His K rate looks good. Does he have any velocity/stuff or is he a Harvard kid outsmarting Class A hitters? 

 

I saw him pitch in Cedar Rapids a few weeks ago. I was more impressed with him than I thought I would be. Sat 91-93. Had good movement. Has 3-4 decent pitches and good control. Made in-game adjustments. He's a prospect in my mind, though I think he was just outside (or just inside? I can't remember) my top 40 prospects. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Not sure where to post this so I am just grabbing an opportunity.  This was in the New York Times today: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/27/sports/baseball/minnesota-twins-are-weighing-their-early-success.html?emc=edit_th_20170528&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=27551192

 

I guess the team is holding its winning ways long enough to get some attention away from the Coasts!

 

It would fit very well in the Twins forum... 

[108Stitches]

Granite is a better sport than I am! I couldn't help but blow that dude a kiss after the walk off haha. Poppen is doing very very well. Shouldn't Tyler Wells be back soon? Long 7 day DL. Should definitely be back to a strong starting lineup with him Poppen and Beeker (assuming he continues doing what he was). Good to see the call ups holding their own as well