Article: Twins Minor League Report (5/29): Memorial Day Update

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Happy Memorial Day!

 

After Sunday’s marathon game against Tampa Bay, the Twins were forced to make some moves on Monday morning. To reinforce the pitching staff, the team recalled P Drew Rucinski and selected the contract of LP Jason Wheeler. Wheeler will take the 40-man spot recently vacated by Adam Wilk, who was designated for assignment, placed on waivers, cleared and will report to Rochester.

 

Rochester will also reportedly add Ryan Eades to their roster in advance of Tuesday’s doubleheader.

 

Let’s check the only two affiliates in action on Monday.RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 5, Indianapolis 3

Box Score

 

With Wheeler getting the call-up, Rochester moved Aaron Slegers up a day to make the start (still on regular rest). He performed well, striking out seven in six innings and only allowing three runs on six hits and a walk and took a no-decision. Michael Tonkin pitched the final three shutout innings, walking two, allowing one hit and striking out three. Tonkin picked up the win, his first in AAA for the season.

 

The Red Wings got on the board in the fourth inning when Niko Goodrum drove in Matt Hague. It was a Goodrum double in the eighth, which followed a Mitch Garver double, that plated the team’s second run. John Ryan Murphy tied and put Rochester ahead with a single, scoring Goodrum from second and J.B. Shuck from first. An error by old friend Danny Ortiz helped. Bengie Gonzalez struck with the third double of the inning to score Shuck and put Rochester comfortably ahead.

 

Goodrum was 3-4 with a double, run and two RBI. Hague had two hits and a run. Shuck walked three times. Garver added two walks to his double.

 

Bad news for the Red Wings: Daniel Palka fractured a finger and is out indefinitely.

 

Rochester is 22-22.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga - DAY OFF

 

The Lookouts are 28-22.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers - OFF DAY

 

Fort Myers, on a recent cold streak, is 25-26.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 2, Kane County 3

Box Score

 

Clark Beeker made the start and went six innings. He was in line for the win, allowing only one run on a walk and five hits. He struck out five. The game was turned over to Andrew Vasquez in the seventh and he worked around two hits to keep the Kernels down only 1-0.

 

There wasn’t a lot of offense to speak of. To start the eighth inning, Travis Blankenhorn was hit by a pitch. Caleb Hamilton followed with a double. And though they only had two hits on the game at this point, they had two runners in scoring position and a chance to take the lead. That they did. Ben Rortvedt singled them both in. 2-1 Kernels.

 

Patrick McGuff was called in for the eighth inning. He allowed three hits which produced the tying and eventual game-winning run and took a loss as well as a blown save.

 

The Kernels are 29-22

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Pitcher of the Day – Michael Tonkin, Rochester

Hitter of the Day – Niko Goodrum, Rochester

 

TUESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester at Durham (6:05 CST) - RHP Ryan Eades *speculative* (0-0, -.-- ERA)

Rochester at Durham (Game 2) - Bullpen Game

Chattanooga at Birmingham (7:05 CST) - RHP Fernando Romero (3-5, 4.11 ERA)

Fort Myers vs Bradenton (5:35 CST) - LHP Lachlan Wells (2-6, 3.72 ERA)

Cedar Rapids vs Quad Cities (6:35 CST) - RHP Eduardo Del Rosario (4-2, 4.47 ERA)

 

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

 

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[mikelink45]

Is Wheeler taking Gibson's place in the rotation and if so why wasn"t Gibson instead of Vargas sent down?  Is this what you would have done?  I watched the blowout loss to Houston - actually the Bullpen loss and in that small sample did not see anything special about what Rucinski offers, from your reports I would think we have better minor league options - what are your suggestions?

[Seth Stohs]

 

Is Wheeler taking Gibson's place in the rotation and if so why wasn"t Gibson instead of Vargas sent down?  Is this what you would have done?  I watched the blowout loss to Houston - actually the Bullpen loss and in that small sample did not see anything special about what Rucinski offers, from your reports I would think we have better minor league options - what are your suggestions?

 

Wheeler is just up (at least for now) for long relief right now. There really isn't a long reliever on the roster, so he could be it. Of course, he could get a start and Gibson could go to the bullpen too. After the 15-inning game, they needed some fresh arms. Of course, the assumption is that Santana and Berrios could give them some length to help, but you never know. Even the top aces occasionally don't get through 5 (or sometimes 2). 

 

Rucinski is just an arm. There's a reason he's 27-28, has had very little MLB time. He's filler. 

 

I would have gone to Busenitz or Hildenberger instead. 

 

I'd DFA Rucinski (and Boshers). I think both would clear, so they can stick in the organization.