Article: Twins Minor League Report (6/28): Torreyes Rips 2 Homers in Rochester Return

[Tom Froemming]

Ronald Torreyes hit a pair of homers in his return to Rochester, Brent Rooker racked up three more hits, Travis Blankenhorn went deep again, Brian Navarreto played hero for Pensacola and a 2019 draftee earned his first victory and was named pitcher of the night. Come check out tonight’s Twins minor league report.TRANSACTIONS

-Lewis Thorpe recalled by the Twins from Rochester.

-Zack Littell optioned to Rochester from the Twins.

-Ricky Ramierz sent on a rehab assignment to the GCL Twins.

 

RED WINGS REPORT

Pawtucket 7, Rochester 5

Box Score

 

Chase De Jong: 3.1 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 63.8% strikes (44 of 69 pitches)

HR: Ronald Torreyes 2 (5)

Multi-hit games: Brent Rooker (3-for-5, 2B), Ronald Torreyes (2-for-4, 2 HR), Nick Gordon (2-for-5, 2B), Wynston Sawyer (2-for-4, 2B)

 

Ronald Torreyes returned to the Red Wings in a home run homecoming. He played a couple of rehab games for Fort Myers, but announced his return to Triple A with authority, hitting a pair of homers.

 

 

It was another nice night at the plate from Brent Rooker, too, as he collected three hits, but the Rochester pitching staff couldn’t stop the bleeding. All four pitchers who appeared gave up earned runs, though Cody Stashak racked up five strikeouts in his 2 1/3 innings of work. He’s up to 19 Ks against just one walk in his 12 innings since being promoted to Triple A.

 

The Wings lineup had its chances to do some more damage, but combined to go 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

 

BLUE WAHOO BITES

Pensacola 5, Biloxi 3

Box Score

 

Jorge Alcala: 2.2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 61.7% strikes (37 of 60 pitches)

HR: Travis Blankenhorn (14), Brian Navarreto (4)

Multi-hit games: Travis Blankenhorn (2-for-4, 2B, HR), Brian Navarreto (2-for-4, 2B, HR), Alex Kirilloff (2-for-5, 2B)

 

This game was tied entering the bottom of the eighth inning. To make things even more dire, the first two Blue Wahoos hitters were retired that frame. But Joe Cronin and Aaron Whitefield drew back-to-back walks to spark a rally. Brian Navarreto fell behind 0-2, fought back to work the count even, then delivered a two-run double to left field.

 

Jorge Alcala had a very uneven start, giving up three runs despite striking out six batters in just 2 2/3 innings, but the Pensacola pen was tremendous. Adam Bray pitched 4 1/3 shutout innings before Sam Clay was perfect over the final two frames.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers (Postponed)

 

The Miracle with play a doubleheader with Bradenton tomorrow.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Wisconsin 4, Cedar Rapids 2

Box Score

 

Luis Rijo: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 65.0% strikes (52 of 80 pitches)

HR: None

Multi-hit games: Wander Javier (2-for-3, 2 2B, BB), Gilberto Celestino (2-for-4, 2B)

 

Tough night for the Kernels. Luis Rijo only gave up one earned run, but couldn’t get out of the fifth inning. His ERA is 2.65 on the year, but his record dropped to 1-5 with this loss. J.T. Perez shined out of the bullpen tonight, throwing 2 1/3 innings of perfect ball to go with three strikeouts.

 

The Kernels combined to hit five doubles, two coming form Wander Javier, but ended up going just 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

 

E-TWINS E-NOTES

Elizabethton 7, Greeneville 2

Box Score

 

Ben Gross: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 76.7% strikes (56 of 73 pitches)

HR: Charles Mack (2)

Multi-hit games: Spencer Steer (3-for-5, 2B), Charles Mack (2-for-5, HR), Willie Joe Garry Jr. (2-for-4)

 

 

Spencer Steer, the Twins’ third-round pick from this year’s draft, was a one-man wrecking crew. He hit a two-run double in the second inning, an RBI single in the fourth and another run-scoring single in the eighth.

 

Ben Gross, a 10th rounder from the recent draft, earned his first professional victory in an excellent start. The only run he gave up over six innings was on a solo homer. He gave up just two other hits and did not walk a batter.

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Red Sox 4, GCL Twins 3 (10 innings)

Box Score

 

Niklas Rimmel: 3.2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

HR: None

Multi-hit games: Parker Phillips (2-for-4, BB)

 

Keoni Cavaco was 0-for-3 with a strikeout and exited this game in the bottom of the fifth inning. According to the game log the Red Sox hit a single to shortstop prior to the substitution.

 

STARS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day: Ben Gross, Elizabethton

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day: Ronald Torreyes, Rochester

 

TOP PROSPECT SUMMARY

Here’s a look at how the Twins Daily Top 20 Twins Prospects performed

 

2. Alex Kirilloff (PNS): 2-for-5, 2B, K

5. Wander Javier (CR): 2-for-3, 2 2B, BB

6. Brent Rooker (ROC): 3-for-5, 2B, K

11. Nick Gordon (ROC): 2-for-5, 2B, SB, K, E (throw)

16. Gilberto Celestino (CR): 2-for-4, 2B, E (fielding)

19. Jorge Alcala (PNS): 2.2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 61.7% strikes (37 of 60 pitches)

 

SATURDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester vs. Pawtucket, 6:05 pm CT (TBD)

Pensacola vs. Biloxi, 6:05 pm CT (TBD)

Fort Myers vs. Bradenton, Game 1: 4:00 pm CT (Tyler Watson)

Fort Myers vs. Bradenton, Game 2: TBD (Jordan Balazovic)

Cedar Rapids vs. Kane County, 6:35 pm CT (Josh Winder

Elizabethton at Greeneville, 5:30 pm CT (TBD)

GCL Twins vs. GCL Red Sox, 9:00 am CT (TBD)

 

Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss the games.

 

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[Aerodeliria]

Thanks! I guess there won't be a Hackimer report for awhile, will there?

[rdehring]

 

Thanks! I guess there won't be a Hackimer report for awhile, will there?

Does anyone know how long the suspension is and what it was for?

 

All the top prospects who played, except Alcala, had really nice days.  Great seeing Kirilloff and Javier included.  Hopefully, they will stay healthy and get back on track as the summer plays on.

 

Torreyes was supposed to battle for a utility job this spring.  When he went to Rochester, his hitting was terrible before going on the IL.  Was he battling thru injuries while playing which effected his play?

 

While watching the game yesterday, they showed the bullpen when Thorpe was going thru some type of stretching routine.  Looked like some type of bird prancing around the bullpen.  If anyone saw it, is this something other pitchers do?  Or is it strictly an Aussie thing?

[Mr. Brooks]

Does anyone know how long the suspension is and what it was for?

 

All the top prospects who played, except Alcala, had really nice days. Great seeing Kirilloff and Javier included. Hopefully, they will stay healthy and get back on track as the summer plays on.

 

Torreyes was supposed to battle for a utility job this spring. When he went to Rochester, his hitting was terrible before going on the IL. Was he battling thru injuries while playing which effected his play?

 

While watching the game yesterday, they showed the bullpen when Thorpe was going thru some type of stretching routine. Looked like some type of bird prancing around the bullpen. If anyone saw it, is this something other pitchers do? Or is it strictly an Aussie thing?

Torreyes wasn't injured. He was on the restricted list, which can't be used for injuries, not the IL.

[rdehring]

 

Torreyes wasn't injured. He was on the restricted list, which can't be used for injuries, not the IL.

Thanks for reminding me of that.  Perhaps whatever the restriction was for caused him to not play well while waiting for the axe to fall.

[ChrisKnutson]

I think it’s time that we move Alcala to the bullpen.

[ashbury]

Does anyone know how long the suspension is and what it was for?

I did a few minutes of web-surfing and didn't turn up anything.

 

Without an official announcement, I choose to assume (speculate) it's some infraction of team rules, as opposed to anything mandated by the leagues. Missing the team bus twice in a month, for instance, or tardy to team meetings enough times to draw the next level of action. I would read little into it for the long term - the organization might just be taking a tougher stance on certain rules, making an example of players here and there. Again, pure speculation.