Minor League Report (9/12): Sterling Sands, Mussels Hold Strong

[Nash Walker]

Cole Sands was dominant in a Wind Surge victory while the Mussels held on for a close win over Palm Beach. 

SAINTS SENTINEL
Storm Chasers 3, Saints 2
Box Score
Bryan Sammons: 3 2/3 IP, 5 H, 2 R/ER, 4 BB, 2 K
HR: Jimmy Kerrigan (19), Drew Maggi (16)
Multi-hit games: Kerrigan (2-for-4, HR)

Bryan Sammons started this very tight game for the Saints and allowed two runs in 3 2/3 innings. The Saints’ bullpen, and especially Yennier Cano, was fantastic. Cano and Nick Vincent threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings in relief. 

Jimmy Kerrigan smashed his 19th homer of the season and Drew Maggi went yard for the 16th time in the seventh inning. Two solo homers was all the offense would provide in the loss. 

The Storm Chasers broke through in the 10th with an RBI single from Ryan McBroom. St.Paul went down quietly in the bottom half. The Saints fell to 58-56 after the loss. 

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Wind Surge 6, Naturals 2
Box Score
Cole Sands: 6 IP, H, 0 R/ER, 2 BB, 5 K
HR: D.J. Burt (3), Leobaldo Cabrera (11)
Multi-hit games: Burt (2-for-5, HR), Spencer Steer (3-for-4, 2 R), Cabrera (2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI)

Cole Sands was terrific in Sunday’s win. He worked six scoreless innings, allowing only one hit while walking two and striking out five. Sands owns a 1.80 ERA with 17 strikeouts over his last 20 innings. 

D.J. Burt and Leobaldo Cabrera each blasted homers in the third to help the Surge get out to a 4-0 lead. Kody Funderburk allowed two runs in relief of Sands. Funderburk’s ERA with Wichita sits at a tremendous 1.02. 

The Wind Surge salvaged a series split with the Naturals. They remain in first place by 2.5 games in the Double-A Central - North. 

KERNELS NUGGETS
Timber Rattlers 5, Kernels 4
Box Score
Tyler Watson: 3 IP, 3 H, 4 R/ER, 3 BB, 3 K
HR: None
Multi-hit games: Aaron Sabato (2-for-5, 2 R), DaShawn Keirsey (2-for-3, 2 RBI), Jair Camargo (3-for-4, RBI)

The Kernels failed to record an extra-base hit in its 5-4 loss Sunday. Tyler Watson struggled with his command, allowing four runs on three walks and three hits in three innings of work. Carlos Suniaga also walked three and allowed a run in relief. Steven Cruz supplied three innings of scoreless, hitless work, striking out three. 

Aaron Sabato continued a very nice weekend with two more hits. Sabato entered today hitting .263/.375/.737 with three homers over his last five games. The slugger absolutely mashed at North Carolina prior to struggling in Low-A, but he’s finally starting to click at the plate after the promotion. 

Despite the loss, the Kernels won four of six games this week against the Timber Rattlers, improving to 63-51 on the season. 

MUSSEL MATTERS
Mighty Mussels 7, Cardinals 6
Box Score
Brent Headrick: 2 IP, 4 H, 2 R/ER, BB, 5 K
HR: None
Multi-hit games: Jake Rucker (2-for-3, 2 RBI), Patrick Winkel (2-for-4, 2B, R, RBI)

The Mussels had a huge second inning, thanks to RBI doubles from Alerick Soularie and Patrick Winkel, an error, an RBI single from Mikey Perez and a sacrifice fly from Jake Rucker. 

Fort Myers leaned on its bullpen to hold the lead as Logan Campbell, Juan Pichardo, A.J. Labas, and Matthew Swain combined for seven innings and just two earned runs. Brent Headrick started and struck out five in two innings while allowing two runs on four hits and a walk. 

It was a great week for the Mussels. They took five out of six games from Palm Beach on the back of some great offensive performances and big outs late. Fort Myers is 57-53.

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
The FCL Twins did not play Sunday. 

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Pitcher of the Day — Cole Sands: 6 IP, H, 0 R/ER, 2 BB, 5 K

Hitter of the Day — Jimmy Kerrigan: 2-for-4, HR 

PROSPECT SUMMARY

#1 - Royce Lewis (rehab) - Out for season (torn ACL)

#2 - Austin Martin (Wichita) - Did not play

#3 - Jordan Balazovic (Wichita) - Did not pitch

#4 - Simeon Woods Richardson (Wichita) - Did not pitch

#5 - Jhoan Duran (St. Paul) - Injured List (elbow strain)

#6 - Jose Miranda (St. Paul) - Did not play

#7 - Joe Ryan (Minnesota) - Did not pitch

#8 - Matt Canterino (Cedar Rapids) - Injured List (right elbow strain)

#9 - Chase Petty (Complex) - Did not pitch

#10 - Keoni Cavaco (Fort Myers) - On Temporary Inactive List. 

#11 - Josh Winder (St. Paul) - Injured List (right shoulder impingement)

#12 - Matt Wallner (Cedar Rapids) - 0-for-5, 2 K

#13 - Gilberto Celestino (St. Paul) - 0-for-4, BB, 2 K

#14 - Drew Strotman (St. Paul) - Did not pitch

#15 - Noah Miller (Complex) - Did not play

#16 - Brent Rooker (Minnesota) - 1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI

#17 - Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) - Out for season (Tommy John surgery)

#18 - Misael Urbina (Fort Myers) - 1-for-5, 2 R, RBI

#19 - Cole Sands (Wichita) - 6 IP, H, 0 R/ER, 2 BB, 5 K

#20 - Spencer Steer (Wichita) - 3-for-4, 2 R

 

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[Unwinder]

Where's Miranda? He didn't play last night either. Is he injured or something?

[Rosterman]

I'm still a little ticked. Strotman should be pitching and getting 4-5 starts with the major league club.

 

Balazovic and Sands could be pitching in St. Paul and also getting 4-6 starts, or x-amount of innings. With Balazovic coming to Target Field to even piggy-back in Ober starts, since Bailey can't go five innings.

[Seth Stohs]

10 hours ago, Unwinder said:

Where's Miranda? He didn't play last night either. Is he injured or something?

Saturday, I was told just some 'general soreness.' Needed a day off. Didn't play on Sunday either, which is probably good. He had played, i think all but one (maybe two) games up until this weekend. 

[Seth Stohs]

9 hours ago, Rosterman said:

I'm still a little ticked. Strotman should be pitching and getting 4-5 starts with the major league club.

Balazovic and Sands could be pitching in St. Paul and also getting 4-6 starts, or x-amount of innings. With Balazovic coming to Target Field to even piggy-back in Ober starts, since Bailey can't go five innings.

I would guess most would look at Strotman's numbers with the Saints and assume that he shouldn't be called up this year... Not that 4-5 starts there is indicative of anything he'll turn into. That said, I do expect that he will be called up yet to get some innings. I personally think that Charlie Barnes will start one of the two games against Cleveland on Tuesday since he only threw 45 pitches on Friday night. 

And, Balazovic and Sands are where they should be. I don't think there's any reason for any of them to move up to St. Paul. They should stay in Wichita, who should make the playoffs and help them win some playoff games. 

[Rosterman]

4 hours ago, Seth Stohs said:

I would guess most would look at Strotman's numbers with the Saints and assume that he shouldn't be called up this year... Not that 4-5 starts there is indicative of anything he'll turn into. That said, I do expect that he will be called up yet to get some innings. I personally think that Charlie Barnes will start one of the two games against Cleveland on Tuesday since he only threw 45 pitches on Friday night. 

And, Balazovic and Sands are where they should be. I don't think there's any reason for any of them to move up to St. Paul. They should stay in Wichita, who should make the playoffs and help them win some playoff games. 

That's right. Wichita will be playoff bound, which is good for that team. My only gripe for NOT bringing up a pitcher in a bad year for a team, is that it IS the perfect opportunity for them to get the Big League debut out of their system, and especially give them something to work towards in the off-season.

 

[Seth Stohs]

3 hours ago, Rosterman said:

That's right. Wichita will be playoff bound, which is good for that team. My only gripe for NOT bringing up a pitcher in a bad year for a team, is that it IS the perfect opportunity for them to get the Big League debut out of their system, and especially give them something to work towards in the off-season.

 

Sure, but neither of those guys will be opening day guys next year anyway, so not a huge deal. 

[h2oface]

If this season isn't depressing enough, and the popular excuse of the 2020 lost minor league season.... all of the 1-11 prospects either did play, are not playing, are out for the season and injured, or on leave. Only 6 of the 20 saw any action, and one of the 6 is really not a prospect anymore - Rooker - as he now has 172 ABs in the show.