Article: Twins Minor League Report (7/31): E-town Rolls, Kernels Pitch Shutout, Gordon Saves Chattanooga

[Jeremy Nygaard]

An off day on the calendar, but not a day off by any means.

 

The Twins waited until the deadline to pull their trigger on a move, sending All-Star closer Brandon Kintzler to Washington for A-level LHP Tyler Watson and $500,000 in international bonus money. Watson will join Cedar Rapids, who placed Domenick Carlini on the disabled list.

 

The Twins now have three open 40-man spots and two holes to fill on the 25-man roster to fill before the San Diego series that begins Tuesday.

 

Earlier in the afternoon, pitcher Clark Beeker was named Midwest League Pitcher of the Week. Congrats to Clark!

 

Let’s check in on all of Monday’s games.RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester - OFF DAY

 

The 62-45 Red Wings will host Lehigh Valley in a series that begins tomorrow.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 7, Montgomery 6

Box Score

 

It was going to happen again. Despite having a two-run lead going into the bottom of the ninth inning, the Lookouts were going to play another extra-inning game. A triple followed by a single followed by a sacrifice bunt and it was one out with the tying run at second.

 

And then it happened, a rocket shot towards the hole that was definitely going to score the game-tying run. Only it didn't. A diving Nick Gordon fielded the ball to his right and quickly rifled the ball to first base where the runner was called out. (It was very close.) The next batter popped out and the game was over. In nine innings. Shortly after 10 pm central time.

 

T.J. White, Max Murphy and Carlos Paulino all had two hits. White hit his ninth home run. LaMonte Wade had only one hit, but it was a triple, and he drove in three runs. Nick Gordon, officially, was 0-1, but he drew three walks.

 

Kohl Stewart picked up the win, though it wasn't necessarily pretty. He worked six innings, striking out six, but allowed five runs on seven hits and four walks. He was effective in getting groundball outs (8:1) and improved his record to 5-5.

 

Randy LeBlanc struck out three in two scoreless frames before Nick Anderson picked up the one-inning save... which was an adventure.

 

At 70-37 overall and 27-9 in the second half, the Lookouts have a five-game lead in their division, and have consistently been the best team in the Southern League all season.

 

Let's see how much of this team remains together as the higher levels will surely come looking for help.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 3, Clearwater 6

Box Score

 

All of the Miracle runs came by way of the home run. Brent Rooker hit his second high-A homer (and 9th overall) with a solo shot in the second inning. It gave Fort Myers a 1-0 lead. After allowing the game to be tied in the fourth inning, Mitch Kranson hit a two-run blast in the fifth inning to put the Miracle up 3-1.

 

The Fort Myers bullpen - Glen Perkins and David Fischer - allowed a combined five runs in two innings, negating a good rebound start by Sean Poppen. Poppen went six innings, striking out five, allowing only one run on six hits.

Brandon Lopez paced the offense with two hits.

 

At 22-16, the Miracle are two games back in their division.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

 

Cedar Rapids 2, Clinton 0

Box Score

 

Charlie Barnes struck out four over four innings in his full-season debut. Only five runners - four hits and a walk - reached base, but none scored. Unfortunately, Barnes exited the scoreless tie and took a no decision.

 

Patrick McGuff was credited with the win. He allowed two hits and struck out two in two innings. Ryan Mason struck out three in two innings. Hector Lujan picked up his 11th save of the season.

 

The bats were relatively quiet - only seven hits all game - but new Kernel Jimmy Kerrigan drove in all (two) of the game's runs with a home run in the sixth inning. Gorge Munez, who scored the other run, had two hits including a double.

 

Now 56-51, but only 17-20 in the second half the Kernels are 5.5 games back in their division.

 

E-TWINS E-NOTES

Elizabethton 9, Kingsport 3

Box Score

 

The E-Twins continue to swing very hot bats and that was apparent again on Monday.

 

Every member of the lineup recorded at least one hit. Andrew Bechtold led the offense going 2-4 with two doubles and three RBI. Shane Carrier, Kolton Kendrick, Carson Crites and Akil Baddoo all had two hits. Carrier and Baddoo added doubles as did Jordan Gore and Jose Miranda. Crites and Baddoo each stole a base.

 

Melvi Acosta picked up the win, tossing 5.2 innings. He gave up two runs on five hits. Acosta struck out three. Rickey Ramirez recored the final 10 outs. He gave up a run on two hits and also struck out three.

 

The E-Twins have a five-game winning streak and have pushed their division lead to three games at 25-14.

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Twins vs GCL Rays

Postponed - Rain

 

The GCL Twins are 17-13.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Pitcher of the Day – Sean Poppen, Fort Myers

Hitter of the Day – Andrew Bechtold, Elizabethton

 

TUESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester vs Lehigh Valley (6:05 CST) - RHP Dillon Gee (3-1, 2.00 ERA)

Chattanooga at Montgomery (7:05 CST) - RHP Dereck Rodriguez (4-2, 4.04 ERA)

Fort Myers at Clearwater (6:00 CST) - RHP Eduardo Del Rosario (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Cedar Rapids vs Clinton (6:35 CST) - RHP Tyler Beardsley (3-4, 5.81 ERA)

Elizabethton vs Kingsport (6:00 CST) - RHP Nick Brown (0-1, 5.24 ERA)

GCL Twins at GCL Orioles (11:00 AM CST) - TBA

 

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

 

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[puckstopper1]

Anyone have any idea as to Perkins' velocity yesterday?  I'm assuming it is not good given his stat line.

[dbminn]

Might be time for Bechtold to move up - he's hitting .365/.443/.568. Cedar Rapids already has Blankenhorn and Cabbage. Maybe to Fort Myers? Any opinions from those who have seen him play?

[Brandon]

If the Twins call up a starter and one of the AA starters go to AAA would Poppins be ready to finish the year in AA or is that too soon?

[Brandon]

Finish the year

[Seth Stohs]

 

Might be time for Bechtold to move up - he's hitting .365/.443/.568. Cedar Rapids already has Blankenhorn and Cabbage. Maybe to Fort Myers? Any opinions from those who have seen him play?

 

Bechtold's doing just fine. I'd leave him there. Nothing wrong with succeeding. 

 

Blankenhorn has been playing 2B the whole second half. Cabbage has been playing more 3B of late. Those guys obviously need to play most days. 

 

So, I'd just let them all play. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

If the Twins call up a starter and one of the AA starters go to AAA would Poppins be ready to finish the year in AA or is that too soon?

 

He's made four starts in Ft. Myers... He'll finish the year there. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

If the Twins call up a starter and one of the AA starters go to AAA would Poppins be ready to finish the year in AA or is that too soon?

 

I did edit this one too. Ha!