Article: Twins Minor League Report (9/5): Kirilloff Paces Miracle, Palm Perfects Title

[Ted Schwerzler]

The Minnesota Twins ended up just having two minor league affiliates in action tonight, but both found themselves on the right side of elimination games. The Miracle advanced to the Florida State League Championship Series thanks to a big performance by Alex Kirilloff, and Tyler Palm played a key role in an Elizabethton title.TRANSACTIONS

Cedar Rapids Kernels

Received LHP Bryan Sammons from Chattanooga

Received INF Victor Tademo from Rochester

Assigned LHP Carlos Suniaga to Elizabethton

Assigned RHP Jared Finkel to GCL Twins

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 3, Palm Beach 1

Box Score

 

If this one looked like déjà vu in the box score, it’s because there was a good deal of that on the field. Fort Myers again used a two-run, and one-run inning to push themselves out to a 3-1 lead. This was game two of the series, but the result remained the same. With the victory, Fort Myers wins the 2018 Florida State League South Division Series and advances to the Championship Series.

 

Both teams combined to hold serve through two innings in this one. Jose Miranda broke the action open with a two-run blast, scoring Alex Kirilloff, in the top of the third. Fort Myers did end up giving one of those back in the bottom half however.

Fast forward to the sixth, and Mark Contreras drove in Travis Blankenhorn on a sacrifice fly to allow the Miracle some breathing room.

 

Clark Beeker worked one out shy of five innings in this one, and despite allowing five hits, he gave up just one run with two walks and four strikeouts. Alex Phillips did some heavy lifting in relief, while Hector Lujan and Adam Bray locked up the victory.

 

 

Although not overpowering with the bats, Fort Myers has pitched their way to dominance through two postseason games thus far. Kirilloff enjoyed a 5-for-5 night from the two hole this evening, and Shane Carrier joined him in perfection, going 3-for-3 on his own.

 

The Miracle now awaits the winner of the Clearwater and Dayton series.

 

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Game one of the series between Beloit and Cedar Rapids was rained out tonight. It will be played tomorrow night.

 

E-TWINS E-TALK

Elizabethton 2, Princeton 1

Box Score

 

This one was a barnburner, and while pitching was where the game was won, it was the E-Twins that had enough to get the job done. Prelander Berroa turned in five strong innings allowing just one run on four hits and a walk, while striking out four. Tyler Palm who tallied the final four innings, picked up the win.

Coming out on top 2-1, the Elizabethton Twins take home a second straight Appalachian League title, number eight for manager Ray Smith.

 

After getting behind by a run in the third inning, DaShawn Keirsey doubled home Gilberto Celestino to knot things at one in the fourth. With the innings and at-bats dwindling, Celestino doubled to drive in Yunior Severino for the go-ahead run in the eighth.

 

Elizabethton saw a handful of new and exciting prospects come and go this season, and the end result being a ring on their finger has to bookend a feeling of accomplishment. Many of these players are recent draftees or new to the organization, and coming together for the ultimate goal at this level is nothing short of impressive.

 

Congratulations to the entire E-Twins club on a great 2018 season!

 

 

STARS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day – Tyler Palm (Elizabethton) – 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Twins Daily Hitter(s) of the Day – Alex Kirilloff (Fort Myers) – 5-5, R

 

TOP PROSPECT SUMMARY

#1 - Royce Lewis (Fort Myers) – 0-5

#2 - Alex Kirilloff (Fort Myers) – 5-5, R

#13 - Travis Blankenhorn (Fort Myers) – 0-3, R, K

#16 - Yunior Severino (Elizabethton) – 0-3, R, 2 K

 

THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Cedar Rapids @ Beloit (7:00PM CST) – RHP Jhoan Duran (7-5, 3.75 ERA)

 

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

 

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[ashbury]

Congrats to both squads!

[John Kelsey]

Man, Kiriloff is something else. 

[108Stitches]

I mean yeah Kirilloff is aiight.

[108Stitches]

Hey Royce can you lay down a bunt or something?

[rdehring]

Congrats to Elizabethton for another championship.  Can this be a year where the organization gets a second?  Or even third?

 

Interesting that Sammons is headed back to Cedar Rapids.  Do you know what the rules are regarding returning a player for the playoffs?  Are there any rules?

 

Fort Myers gets to relax for a night to see whether they play Clearwater or Daytona. Would be interesting if it is Clearwater after facing them this past weekend.

 

We have gotten to expect a couple hits a night from AK, but five!  Expect he will begin next year at Chattanooga.  If he moves up to AAA mid-season, should be ready to join the Twins in late August or September as a 21 year old. Hopefully, by then the Twins will be a much different team because the current version is a mess.  

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Congratulations to Harold Mains, President, Mike Mains, GM, Ray Smith, Manager, the E-Twins' coaches, the E- Twins' staff and employees, all the young players, and the grounds crew, headed by Big Dave McQueen. Also congratulations to the town of Elizabethton. I am so happy for all of you.

[Squirrel]

Will get to see the Miracle play Friday night after just missing their game on Tuesday! Yay!

[jkcarew]

Kirilloff in an extra-base drought.  Hope he can snap out of it.

[slash129]

Congrats to the E-Twins!   The future is bright.

 

Go Kernels!

 

Go Miracle!

[slash129]

 

If he moves up to AAA mid-season, should be ready to join the Twins in late August or September as a 21 year old. Hopefully, by then the Twins will be a much different team because the current version is a mess.  

 

I would expect earlier next year if the Twins are competing, and this production level continues with decent gains on the defensive side of the ball.  Otherwise, mid-April 2020 ... see Bryant, Acuna, Jr. (and soon to be Guerrero, Jr. and Jimenez).

[Monkeypaws]

E-Town - title #12. Second only to the Bluefield squad, which has served the Orioles, Dodgers and Blue Jays. All 12 if Elizabethton's titles have come as a Twins affiliate, 1978 to 2018, from Lenny Faedo and Jesse Orosco to Trevor Larnach and Gilberto Celestino. Hats off!