Twins Minor League Report (7/16): Short-Season Affiliates Fall, Full Minor-League Slate Returns Friday

TRANSACTIONS

• FCL Twins placed RF Gregory Duran on the full-season injured list. The outfielder has been injured since July 5.
• FCL Twins placed RHP Bianger Liendo on the full-season injured list. The 20-year-old has yet to throw for the Twins’ organization this season.
• Minnesota Twins sent RHP Zack Weiss outright to St. Paul Saints. Weiss was signed by the Minnesota Twins in February and has spent time on the injured list all season. After making a few rehab appearances the Twins didn’t have room on their 40-man and Weiss cleared waivers, accepting an assignment with the Saints.

All full-season affiliate teams remain off today in conjunction with Major League Baseball, but both short season teams were in action.

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
FCL Pirates 6, FCL Twins 5
Box Score
It was a rough outing for 19-year-old 5th round pick, Dylan Questad, who walked five batters in just three innings, including four consecutive walks to start the second inning before allowing a two-run double to finish off his day before recording an out in the second inning. 

The Twins put up some runs in the bottom of the third inning thanks to an error and a bases-loaded walk of their own, followed by an RBI single from Dameury Pena to give the FCL Twins a 4-3 lead.

In the top of the fourth inning, the FCL Pirates scored three more runs which proved to be the game-winning runs off of FCL Twins pitcher, Eduardo Soriano, who struggled with command of his own by walking three in the inning in addition to a wild pitch.

Yilber Herrera connected on an RBI double in the top of the fifth inning to put the FCL Twins within a run, but the comeback fell short as the final score ended up at 6-5.

DOMINICAN DAILY
DSL Marlins 7, DSL Twins 5
The DSL Twins got the scoring start on Thursday afternoon thanks to a Luis Rodriguez RBI single and a balk, giving the Twins an early 2-0 lead.

It was a tough start from 17-year-old Leonardo Rondon, who was unable to get out of the first inning for the DSL Twins. In 2/3 of an inning, Rondon allowed three hits and a walk to go with four runs (three earned). The Marlins quickly rebounded to a 4-2 lead after one.

After tying the game in the second inning, the DSL Marlins again took the lead in the fourth inning, when Miami’s Adrian Bello connected with an RBI single off of DSL Twins’ pitcher Aiberson Ventura.

The highlight of the game for the DSL Twins, though, was a first-pitch home run from Irvin Nunez to left field to tie the game. This marked the second home run of the season for the 18-year-old catcher.

Unfortunately, the DSL Marlins didn’t wait long to get the lead back once again, thanks to a pair of Twins throwing errors that allowed the DSL Marlins to score the winning runs of the game, handing the loss to Neftali Rodriguez, despite not allowing a run.

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Pitcher of the Day - Neftali Rodriguez, DSL Twins (L, 2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 4 K)
Hitter of the Day - Irvin Nunez, DSL Twins (1-for-2, 2 R, HR (2), RBI)

UPCOMING MINOR LEAGUE ACTION

Minor League action will resume on Friday with all affiliates back in action:

Saint Paul Saints: Randy Dobnak will take the mound for the Saints as St. Paul begins a series against the 42-50 Toledo Mudhens.

Wichita Wind Surge: Marco Raya will toe the rubber for the Wichita Wind Surge as they begin a series against the 55-32 Frisco RoughRiders.

Cedar Rapids Kernels: Christian MacLeod will pitch for the Kernals as Cedar Rapids begins a series against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

Fort Myers Mighty Mussels: Ricky Castro will take the mound for the Mussels as they begin a series against the Clearwater Threshers.

Leave any thoughts or questions below as we prepare for full-season Minor League Baseball to kick off again this weekend.