Article: Twins Minor League Report (5/1): No-Hitter In Cedar Rapids Upstages Gonsalves Performance

[Seth Stohs]

The biggest story line heading into the minor league games on Monday, was the 2018 Triple-A debut of top pitching prospect Stephen Gonsalves. He was beyond fantastic for the Rochester Red Wings as he got them to .500 on the season as you’ll read. It was quite possibly the best pitching performance I’ve ever NOT rewarded the pitcher of the day award to since I’ve been helping write these reports for Twins Daily. To find out why, you’ll have to make it to the Kernels recap to see what a couple of pitchers combined to do there (hint: what’s better than a one-hitter?To find out what exactly happened in those games and how all the rest of your favorite Twins prospects fared on Tuesday night, keep reading!

 

 

TRANSACTIONS

 

There were several moves in the Minnesota Twins system on Tuesday:

 

The Twins selected the contract of IF Gregorio Petit from Rochester. In the corresponding move IF Sean Miller was promoted to AA from Chattanooga. To get the Red Wings roster filled they also added catcher Winston Sawyer from the Lookouts while placing first baseman Brock Stassi on the temporary inactive list.

 

To take one of the roster spots in Chattanooga IF Alex Perez was promoted from Fort Myers. To take his place on the Miracle roster IF Carson Crites was moved up from Cedar Rapids and they also received reliever Kevin Marnon who would debut for the Miracle on Tuesday night.

 

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 2, Pawtucket 0

Box Score

 

The Rochester offense scored two runs in the top of the fifth thanks to the bat of Kennys Vargas, who clubbed his third home run of the season to give them the lead. That was all the lineup would need to produce as a top pitching prospect making his 2018 Triple-A debut turned in the second longest start of his MiLB career.

 

Left-hander Stephen Gonsalves was that starter, and he was lights out against the Red Sox. In 7 2/3 innings he allowed just one walk and one hit while adding five strikeouts. Going into the eighth inning, Gonsalves had faced the minimum thanks to a double-play ball in the second inning, and had retired sixteen in a row. In that eighth inning, he walked the leadoff man but would get two outs, including a K to his final hitter, before being replaced by Alan Busenitz. Gonsalves threw 92 pitches on the game, with 55 of them going for strikes (including eight swinging strikes). Now with five starts in AAA on his resume, he has gone six plus innings in four of those while allowing only four runs. He did have a couple of outings last year that blew up his small-sample AAA stat line, but there’s a lot to like in all his other outings at the final rung on the ladder to the bigs.

 

Busenitz finished the final 1 1/3 innings to pick up his first save of the season with Rochester. He allowed two hits and got all three outs via K's in the ninth.

 

The Red Wings got multiple hit efforts from Jake Cave (2-4, 2 2B, RBI) and Jermaine Curtis (2-4) to give Gonsalves his fourth win of the season.

 

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Scheduled day off.

 

The Lookouts had the day off on Tuesday as they traveled from Tennessee to Alabama. They begin a five-game series with the Mobile BayBears on Wednesday with lefty Lewis Thorpe on the mound looking for his first win of the 2018 season.

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 1, Tampa 2

Box Score

 

Fort Myers also got a strong effort from their starting pitcher, but the hitters weren’t able to get much going to back it.

 

Anthony Marzi was that starter in this one, and he delivered a quality start. In his six innings, he scattered four hits and a walk while striking out five. He allowed two runs (one earned) on 92 pitches (64 for strikes). He left the game down 2-0 and in line for the loss.

 

The Miracle got on the scoreboard in the top of the seventh inning when Travis Blankenhorn bombed his fifth home run of the season, a solo shot to left field. The rest of the lineup added just three singles and one walk while going 0-3 with runners in scoring position and leaving six men on base.

 

Ryan Mason pitched a scoreless seventh inning thanks in part to a Jimmy Kerrigan assist to cut down a runner at home. Mason gave up two hits in the inning. Fresh off his promotion to Fort Myers, Kevin Marnon added a scoreless eighth inning to finish the game. He allowed two singles and struck out one in his Florida State League debut.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

South Bend 0, Cedar Rapids 10

Box Score

 

Unlike their higher-level cohorts, the Kernels had no problem with offense on Tuesday. As a team they racked up sixteen hits and used a big inning to take complete control against the Cubs. They really didn’t need that output either however, as two pitchers combined to toss the Kernels first no-hitter since the 2013 season.

 

Their lineup scored single runs in the second and third innings thanks to solo home runs from Jean Carlos Arias and Akil Baddoo. It was the first one the year for Arias, and second for Badoo Cedar Rapids then put the game out of reach in the fourth as they sent eleven men to the plate and scored seven of them to go ahead 9-0.

 

That big inning got going after one-out singles from David Banuelos and Trey Cabbage who trotted home on Ben Rodriguez’s second home run of the year. Singles from top prospects Baddoo, Royce Lewis, and Alex Kirilloff followed that blast, and Arias added an RBI single before Andrew Bechtold’s second double of the season cleared the bases to account for the crooked number. They tacked on another run in the eighth as a Kirilloff double brought in Baddoo who had reached with another single.

 

Baddoo, Lewis and Cabbage all notched three hits on the game. Kirilloff and Arias added two hits apiece while Bechtold and Rodriguez each drove in three runs. As a team they were 5-for-12 with runners in scoring position while leaving only six men on base.

 

Starter Edwar Colina was again effectively wild in this one as, despite allowing five walks in his six innings, he obviously didn’t allow a hit or run and struck out two. In picking up his second win of the year he lowered his ERA to 0.60 in 21 innings with the Kernels. He was replaced in the seventh inning with left-hander Jovani Moran who finished off the no-hitter by picking up a three-inning save, his first of the year. He walked one and struck out one.

 

 

Colina and Moran combined to throw 131 pitches on the game, with 79 of them going for strikes. The no-hitter was quite an accomplishment for the defense as 24 of the 27 outs on the game were made in the field. The game started with an error on shortstop Royce Lewis and another error on second baseman Jose Miranda in the third inning put a runner on third base, but they caught him at home on a double-steal play for the innings second out before Colina would later escape that jam with the bases loaded. South Bend wouldn’t threaten again as they went 0-4 with runners in scoring position and left five men on base.

 

Congratulations to Colina, Moran, and the Kernels on the fantastic effort!

 

 

STARS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day – Edwar Colina/Jovani Moran, Cedar Rapids Kernels (Combined no-hitter, 9.0 IP, 6 BB, 3 K’s)

Too good to not give honorable mention: Stephen Gonsalves, Rochester Red Wings (W, 7.2 IP, H, BB, 5 K’s)

Twins Daily Hitter of the Day – Akil Baddoo, Cedar Rapids Kernels (3-5, 3 R, HR, RBI)

 

 

TOP PROSPECT SUMMARY

 

1. Royce Lewis (Cedar Rapids) – 3-5, R

4. Stephen Gonsalves (Rochester) – W (1-0), 7.2 IP, H, BB, 5 K’s

5. Alex Kirilloff (Cedar Rapids) – 2-5, R, 2B (6), RBI

10. Akil Baddoo (Cedar Rapids) – 3-5, 3 R, HR (2), RBI

13. Lewin Diaz (Fort Myers) – 1-4, K

15. Mitch Garver (Minnesota) – 0-4, 2 K’s

17. Travis Blankenhorn (Fort Myers) – 1-4, R, HR (5), RBI

 

 

WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Rochester @ Pawtucket (11:05PM CST) – RHP Myles Jaye (0-1, 6.59 ERA)

Chattanooga @ Mobile (6:35PM CST) – LHP Lewis Thorpe (0-3, 5.30 ERA)

Fort Myers @ Tampa (5:30PM CST) – RHP Tyler Wells (2-1, 3.63 ERA)

South Bend @ Cedar Rapids (6:35PM CST) – LHP Tyler Watson (1-1, 3.00 ERA)

 

 

Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Tuesday’s games!

 

Click here to view the article

[FormerMinnasotan]

So now are the Twins going to call up Gonsalves to replace Lynn while the Twins place Lynn on the DL with a “mystery” ailment? Gonsalves really seems to be getting his groove on this year and so far resembles the 2016 Gonsalves more so than the 2017 Gonsalves (who seemed a little off after starting the season on the DL). While I understand it is 1 start in AAA this year Gonsalves has been as dominant in Chattanooga as well in his previous 4 starts. Does he have stuff he needs to improve on? Yeah, but to a degree I feel Gonsalves might actually fare better in the Bigs than Romero as he has proven he is able to adapt to any surroundings and understands what he needs to do to succeed.

[curt1965]

Gonsalves pitching was the best news of the 2018 Twins baseball calendar- including major and minor league franchises!!!!!

 

June 1 to 0ctober 1

 

 

 

#1-Gonsalves (13-3)

 

#2- Romero. (9-5)

 

#3- Berrios. (17-7)

 

#4- Santana (13-9)

 

#5- May. (6-3)

[rdehring]

I would probably have given the pitcher of the day nod to Gonsalves.  7.2 innings of shutout, one hit ball at AAA seems better to me than either of the guys individually at Cedar Rapids.  And to me the award is pitcher of the day, not pitchers of the day.  So he would be my selection.

 

I think we all need to remember something about Lynn as he struggles early this year.  Not only did he miss most of spring training, he hasn't been able to settle into any routine in April due to all the cancellations.  If he hasn't improved by the end of May, then do something.  

[mikelink45]

I really think Gonsalves has done enough to earn a chance in the bigs. 

[slash129]

 

I would probably have given the pitcher of the day nod to Gonsalves.  7.2 innings of shutout, one hit ball at AAA seems better to me than either of the guys individually at Cedar Rapids.  And to me the award is pitcher of the day, not pitchers of the day.  So he would be my selection.

 

I think we all need to remember something about Lynn as he struggles early this year.  Not only did he miss most of spring training, he hasn't been able to settle into any routine in April due to all the cancellations.  If he hasn't improved by the end of May, then do something.  

I second the Gonsalves nod.

 

I bet if they had the Twins official scorer, at least one of those errors would have been ruled a hit (didn't see the errors, but the Twins defenders have been getting bailed out on daily basis)

[John Kelsey]

 

Gonsalves pitching was the best news of the 2018 Twins baseball calendar- including major and minor league franchises!!!!! June 1 to 0ctober 1 #1-Gonsalves (13-3) #2- Romero. (9-5) #3- Berrios. (17-7) #4- Santana (13-9) #5- May. (6-3)

 

Odorizzi and Gibson aren't going anywhere if they continue what they've been doing. 

[jrod23]

So Sean Miller, who's batted .184 in AA, leapfrogged Nick Gordon?  Is Nick Gordon in too good of a groove right now that they don't want to mess with it?  Or is it going to be such a short stint that they don't want to bother with it?  Was the call for a utility man?

 

On a side note, good for Sean Miller on getting his first AAA hit.

[Steve Lein]

 

I would probably have given the pitcher of the day nod to Gonsalves.  7.2 innings of shutout, one hit ball at AAA seems better to me than either of the guys individually at Cedar Rapids.  And to me the award is pitcher of the day, not pitchers of the day.  So he would be my selection.

 

All I can respond with is I write the report! haha

 

I don't actually disagree with you from an individual perspective, and is why I still included Gonsalves as an honorable mention.

 

But a no-hitter is a big deal, and I often reward multiple pitchers/players if the story warrants it

[Seth Stohs]

 

So Sean Miller, who's batted .184 in AA, leapfrogged Nick Gordon?  Is Nick Gordon in too good of a groove right now that they don't want to mess with it?  Or is it going to be such a short stint that they don't want to bother with it?  Was the call for a utility man?

 

On a side note, good for Sean Miller on getting his first AAA hit.

 

It's not a prospect thing... We assume Petit is only going to be up for a week, and likewise Miller will likely only be up with Rochester for a week, so why have Gordon go through hoops? 

 

That said, if they would have called up Gordon, it likely would have been for good. Tells me that they're not quite ready to say that Gordon has accomplished the things (whatever they may be) at AA that they want to see before moving him up. Or, they feel they could just call Gordon up directly. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

So now are the Twins going to call up Gonsalves to replace Lynn while the Twins place Lynn on the DL with a “mystery” ailment? Gonsalves really seems to be getting his groove on this year and so far resembles the 2016 Gonsalves more so than the 2017 Gonsalves (who seemed a little off after starting the season on the DL). While I understand it is 1 start in AAA this year Gonsalves has been as dominant in Chattanooga as well in his previous 4 starts. Does he have stuff he needs to improve on? Yeah, but to a degree I feel Gonsalves might actually fare better in the Bigs than Romero as he has proven he is able to adapt to any surroundings and understands what he needs to do to succeed.

 

I don't know if he'd been dominant in his AA starts. Yeah, the numbers looked good, but he had high pitch counts and struggled with command of pitches. 

 

Last night was by far his best performance of the year. Obviously that shows in the stats. But having watched a lot of it, he was absolutely on. He had a good fastball with good command of it. He had the slow curve working both as a get-ahead pitch and as a swing and miss pitch. And he threw a couple of great changeups. To me, this start is the building block for him. The AA starts were almost like extended spring training for him... 

[South Dakota Tom]

  I love that it is Tyler day today in A ball.    These write-ups are great - pick whoever you want as P.O.D.

[jrod23]

 

It's not a prospect thing... We assume Petit is only going to be up for a week, and likewise Miller will likely only be up with Rochester for a week, so why have Gordon go through hoops? 

 

That said, if they would have called up Gordon, it likely would have been for good. Tells me that they're not quite ready to say that Gordon has accomplished the things (whatever they may be) at AA that they want to see before moving him up. Or, they feel they could just call Gordon up directly. 

 

That's what i was thinking.

[rdehring]

 

All I can respond with is I write the report! haha

 

I don't actually disagree with you from an individual perspective, and is why I still included Gonsalves as an honorable mention.

 

But a no-hitter is a big deal, and I often reward multiple pitchers/players if the story warrants it

Somewhat of a childish response from someone at a site I had total respect for!

[Steve Lein]

 

Somewhat of a childish response from someone at a site I had total respect for!

 

Not at all the intent of that response! Very tongue in cheek. That's the wink.

 

I don't disagree with you at all, as stated. 

 

I apologize that it came off like that.

[bighat]

 

Not at all the intent of that response! Very tongue in cheek. That's the wink.

 

I don't disagree with you at all, as stated. 

 

I apologize that it came off like that.

 

You came up with the award, you do the research, write the articles, etc. A combined no-hitter certainly fits the bill! I don't see any reason for you to apologize for anything you've written here. Good job and thanks for the reporting!