Article: Twins Minor League Report (6/21): Miracle Pitcher, Red Wings Power

[Seth Stohs]

Another quiet, all-star weekday in the Twins farm system. The Lookouts and Kernels both had a day off. They’ll start their second halves on Thursday. That’s also when the Elizabethton Twins make their 2017 debut. In other words, these Twins minor league reports are about to start getting bigger and busier again. But hey, six minor league affiliates to follow is even better than four, right?

 

In Rochester, Hector Santiago and Phil Hughes made their first rehab appearances. The Red Wings showed some power as well. The Miracle got a tremendous pitching performance on their way to another win.Find out everything and more that happened happened in the Twins system on Wednesday, starting with the transactions of the day.

 

 

TRANSACTIONS

 

Check out the transactions through the minor league system from late Friday night and Saturday:

• Hector Santiago and Phil Hughes were officially added to the Rochester Red Wings roster as rehab guys. Their roster is now at 25 plus the two rehabbers.
• Most of the 2017 Elizabethton roster was added on Wednesday. As noted in the Elizabethton Twins Roster Preview, there will be more moves in coming days.

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 3, Buffalo 1

Box Score

 

Hector Santiago made his rehab start for the Red Wings. The left-hander was given a 60-pitch limit, or four innings, whichever was less. True to Santiago form, he needed 57 pitches to get through three innings. He didn’t give up a hit or a run. He walked two and struck out two.

 

Veteran Kam Mickolio came in to replace him. He got an out, but after making his second pitch to his second batter, he had to leave the game with an apparent injury. Mason Melotakis came into the game, and two pitches later, he finished a walk (credited to Mickolio). But he was able to get the final two outs quickly.

 

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Mitch Garver led off with his sixth homer of the season. Two batters later, Niko Goodrum added his seventh home run to give the Red Wings a 2-0 lead.

 

Phil Hughes got the top of the fifth inning. The goal was for him to work one inning, and then this weekend, he’ll work in back-to-back games. He was successful. He walked one, but he got through the inning without allowing a run. Ten of his 19 pitches were strikes.

 

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Zack Granite added his second homer, a third solo homer for the Wings.

 

DJ Baxendale got the next seven outs, giving up a run on two hits. Trevor Hildenberger recorded his sixth save with two strikeouts over the final five outs. He reduced his ERA to 2.05.

 

Garver, Goodrum and Tommy Field each had two hits in the game. Granite was 1-3 with a walk. His .349 batting average leads the International League. The runner-up is at .319.

 

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga

Box Score

 

The Lookouts are enjoying the third (and final) day of their All-Star break. Of course, there wasn’t an All-Star Game played due to bad weather. The team will begin their second half of their season on Thursday evening at home.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 3, Jupiter 0

Box Score

 

At the end of last season, Cody Stashak made three starts for Ft. Myers. In 16.2 innings, he gave up just one run (0.54 ERA). That’s where he began this season. However, after his first eight starts this season, he was 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA. He was placed on the disabled list. In his first outing after his return, he threw five shutout innings. On Wednesday night, he threw six shutout innings. He gave up just one hit, walked two and struck out seven. He got healthy and has returned to form.

 

Andrew Vasquez faced six batters over two innings and struck out five of them. Sam Clay worked the ninth inning. He gave up a two-out double before finishing the game and maintaining the shutout.

 

In the fourth inning, the Miracle got two walks and an infield single to load the bases. Tanner English walked in a run, and then Rafael Valera followed with a sacrifice fly to give the Miracle a 2-0 lead. That’s where the score remained until the 8th inning when another fielding error allowed another run to score.

 

The Miracle had seven hits and walked four more times. Alex Perez went 2-4, the only player with more than one hit. The Miracle also stole five bases in the game.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids

Box Score

 

The Kernels also return from the Midwest League All-Star Game on Thursday night. Eduardo Del Rosario will take on Quad Cities.

 

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Cody Stashak, Ft. Myers

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Mitch Garver/Niko Goodrum, Rochester

 

 

THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Lehigh Valley @ Rochester (6:05 CST) - RHP Yohan Pino

Pensacola @ Chattanooga (6:15 CST) - LHP Stephen Gonsalves

Ft. Myers @ Florida (6:35) - LHP Lachlan Wells

Cedar Rapids @ Quad Cities (6:35 CST) - RHP Eduardo Del Rosario

Danville @ Elizabethton (6:00 CST) - RHP Edwar Colina

 

 

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

 

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