Article: Twins Minor League Report (6/16): Chattanooga Champs

[Tom Froemming]

The Chattanooga Lookouts put together a comeback victory that clinched a first half division title, thus solidifying their spot in the Southern League playoffs.

 

Find out what else happened around the Twins' minor leagues on Friday.

 

TRANSACTIONS

 

Several moves were made in the system and we'll update them as we hear them.

• Twins Daily has learned that along with Adam Wilk, the Twins will promote RHPs Alex Wimmers and Alan Busenitz. As Wimmers was only optioned four days ago, he can be the 26th man, or the Twins would have to place a pitcher on the DL.
• Hearing at least one pitcher is moving up from Chattanooga to Rochester as well. Again, more as we can confirm.

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester at Pawtucket POSTPONED

 

This was the 10th postponement of Rochester’s season. They’ll be playing a doubleheader tomorrow.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 5, Tennessee 3

Box Score

 

The Lookouts are the first half champions of the Southern League North Divison, clinching a playoff berth, after a crazy comeback in the top of the ninth. Trailing 3-2 entering the final inning, T.J. White led off with a broken-bat single. Levi Michael followed with a walk.

 

Dan Rohlfing dropped down a sacrifice bunt, but the Smokies first baseman decided to try to get the out at third, airmailing the ball into left field instead. White and Michael came around to score, giving the Lookouts the lead. Rohlfing would later come around to score on a passed ball.

 

A broken bat, a walk, an error and a passed ball. The Baseball Gods were certainly on Chattanooga’s side tonight.

 

Luke Bard pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to seal the victory for the Lookouts. Starter Randy LeBlanc gave up two runs on five hits over 5.1 innings. He had four strikeouts and walked one batter. White was 3-for-4 with a double and scored twice. Edgar Corcino tallied a pair of hits. Nick Anderson pitched a scoreless eighth inning to keep the game within a run for the Looks, who are now 40-28 on the season.

MIRACLE MATTERS

OFF

 

It’s the all-star break for the Florida State League. All-Stars from Fort Myers are Sam Clay, Dereck Rodriguez, Brian Navarreto and Chris Paul. The game is tomorrow.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Clinton 5, Cedar Rapids 4

Box Score

 

The Kernels jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the first inning thanks to a Christian Cavaness bases-clearing triple, but Clinton just kept chipping away, scoring single runs in the second, fourth, sixth and eighth innings to complete the comeback.

 

Over six innings, Eduardo Del Rosario gave up four runs, walked three batters and surrendered seven hits. Ryan Mason was credited with the loss after giving up the game-winning run in the eighth inning. Colton Davis pitched a perfect ninth, lowering his ERA to 1.45.

 

Cedar Rapids recorded just seven hits on the night, three of which came from Cavaness. Ben Rortvedt, who has been heating up of late, was 1-for-2 with a pair of walks. Tomorrow night there figures to be an excellent crowd in Cedar Rapids, as the Kernels are giving away Mike Trout bobbleheads.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Randy LeBlanc, Chattanooga (5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 4 K)

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – T.J. White, Chattanooga (3-for-4, double, 2 runs)

 

SATURDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERSS

Rochester at Pawtucket, 3:35 pm CT, Yohan Pino (7.82 ERA, 1.50 WHIP)

Rochester at Pawtucket, Game 2, Chris Heston (4.62 ERA, 1.35 WHIP)

Chattanooga at Tennessee, 6 pm CT, TBA

Cedar Rapids vs. Clinton, 6:35 CT, Tyler Wells (2.02 ERA, 0.98 WHIP)

 

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

 

Click here to view the article

[D.C Twins]

Don’t have the exact numbers, but it appears that Rortvedt has been handling himself better at the plate of late….

[jimbo92107]

I'm increasingly impressed by and hopeful for Dereck Rodriguez. The converted outfielder is gradually making himself into a legitimate pitching prospect. 

 

Keep it up, young man! I mean, keep it down...well, you know.

[nater79a]

TJ White....nothing flashy, just gets the job done.

[nater79a]

 

Don’t have the exact numbers, but it appears that Rortvedt has been handling himself better at the plate of late….

 

Don't have the Friday night numbers included, but here are Rortvedt numbers for June:

 

In 32 plate appearances

Slash line of .296/.406/.370  (.777 OPS)  2 doubles, 6 RBI, 5 K, 4 BB

 

Again, you can add to that a couple walks and a 1 for 2 night on Friday.

 

Hopefully, the kid is heading in the right direction with the stick. 

[108Stitches]

Kernels are on the struggle bus all of the sudden. Hopefully tomorrow they can muster more than just one hit for Wells this time.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Don't have the Friday night numbers included, but here are Rortvedt numbers for June:

 

In 32 plate appearances

Slash line of .296/.406/.370  (.777 OPS)  2 doubles, 6 RBI, 5 K, 4 BB

 

Again, you can add to that a couple walks and a 1 for 2 night on Friday.

 

Hopefully, the kid is heading in the right direction with the stick. 

 

Not a lot of power, but a great OBP and very respectable... hope that continues as he's quite a bit younger than the league.

[gman]

I'm a bit puzzled by Brian Navarreto making the allstar team.  His offense does not appear to support his selection, is his defense really that good?

[Seth Stohs]

 

I'm a bit puzzled by Brian Navarreto making the allstar team.  His offense does not appear to support his selection, is his defense really that good?

His defense is really that good... and without looking at others, maybe there aren't a lot of good hitting catchers in the FSL?

[Respy]

Wow.  How long have minor league teams been celebrating playoff births by trashing the locker room like MLB teams do?

[108Stitches]

Seth how come Well and Davis didn't make the All star team? Jaylin leads the league in home runs and Wells is 3rd in the league in Ks but has nearly 20 LESS innings the leaders

[Monkeypaws]

Chattanooga - Twins has been a very good combo.