Minor League Report (9/30): No Laws in Toledo

[David Youngs]

Trademarked as a relief pitcher, Derek Law diced through the first three innings for the Saints on Thursday night against Toledo. Add in a timely homer and a lights-out bullpen performance and there was nothing the Mud Hens could do. 

MINOR LEAGUE END OF THE YEAR AWARDS
There have been quite a few bright spots around the Twins' farm system throughout the 2021 season. Yet through all the ups, downs, wins, and losses there were a number of players who distinguished themselves as crowned jewels. Congrats to all of our 2021 Minor League Award winners!
Twins Daily 2021 Minor League Hitter of the Year: Jose Miranda
Twins Daily 2021 Starting Pitching of the Year: Louie Varland
Twins Daily 2021 Relief Pitcher of the Year: Jovani Moran
 

Short Season Awards
Twins Daily 2021 Short Season Hitter of the Year: Kala'i Rosario
Twins Daily 2021 Short Season Pitcher of the Year: Samuel Perez

TRANSACTIONS
The Saints placed catcher Ben Rortvedt on the IL with a concussion.

SAINTS SENTINAL
St. Paul 2, Toledo 0
Box Score

A late-inning blast and dominant pitching led to a gutsy win for the Saints on Thursday night at Fifth Third Field. 

After six innings of a stalemate, the Saints struck the scoreboard in the top of the seventh. Leadoff man Jose Miranda reached on a hit by pitch and eventually moved his way to third on a groundout and wild pitch. 

He may as well stayed at first. 

Moments later, Mark Contreras launched a 1-0 pitch over the right field wall to give the Saints a 2-0 lead. The blast was Contreras' 18th on the year and fifth in September. 

Starting pitcher Derek Law was rock solid on the night, tossing three innings of scoreless ball. Law allowed three hits and two walks while striking out four. And while Law kicked off the party, the guest of honor title belonged to the St. Paul bullpen. 

The duo of Chandler Shepherd and Yennier Cano rattled off six innings of scoreless ball to hold the lead for the Saints. Shepherd was nearly perfect through four innings, giving up one hit, zero walks, and striking out three. Cano entered in the eighth and put the nail in the coffin for St. Paul. After a smooth eighth, Cano gave up a one-out double to Mud Hen shortstop Ryan Kreidler.

It didn't matter. 

Cano regained the momentum and struck out the next two batters to seal the deal for the Saints.

The Mud Hens outhit St. Paul 5-2, with a Jose Miranda single playing as the only other hit for the Saints in addition to Contreras' blast. Yet when it came to crunch time, Toledo couldn't convert, going 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

The Saints are now 5-2 in the Final Stretch of the season. 

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Hitter of the Day: Mark Contreras (St. Paul)- 1-for-3, HR, R, 2 RBI, K
Pitcher of the Day: Chandler Shepherd (St. Paul)-  W, 4.0 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, H, 5 K

PROSPECT SUMMARY
#6-  Jose Miranda (St. Paul)- 1-for-3, R
#7- Joe Ryan (Minnesota)- Game in progress
#13- Gilberto Celestino (St. Paul)- 0-for-4, K
#16 - Brent Rooker (Minnesota)- Game in progress

FRIDAY'S PROBABLE STARTER
St. Paul @ Toledo (6:05PM CST) RHP Beau Burrows (4-5, 5.16 ERA)

View full article

[Danchat]

I wonder if we will get to see Contreras at some point next season? He's reportedly a great defender in the corner outfield spots and he hit well this year. I'd rather see him than the likes of Refsnyder and Cave.