Twins Minor League Report (4/16): Pitching Falters Throughout System

TRANSACTIONS

• The Minnesota Twins recalled OF Trevor Larnach from the St. Paul Saints before he even appeared in a game for them after rehabbing with Fort Myers. In somewhat demoralizing news, he swapped roster spots with that OF Matt Wallner, who was optioned to make the room.
• The Saints also activated RHP Austin Schulfer, who made his first appearance of the season in Indianapolis.
• Down in the Midwest League, the Cedar Rapids Kernels transferred RHP Alejandro Hidalgo from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day. Hopefully that doesn’t signal the end of his season as he deals with a shoulder injury.
• The Mighty Mussels placed SS Yohander Martinez on the 7-day IL, and were assigned RHP Julio Bonilla from the FCL roster in his place.

SAINTS SENTINEL
St. Paul 6, Indianapolis 10
Box Score
The Saints jumped out to a 1-0 lead after a half-inning as Diego A. Castillo led off the game with a triple, and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. followed with a triple of his own.

Right-hander Randy Dobnak got the starting nod and surrendered the tying run in his first inning. He ended up finishing four innings and was charged with five earned runs on six hits and three walks, while striking out three. He ran up a high pitch count, throwing 79 with just 45 going for strikes (57%).

Before Indianapolis’ three-run third inning, the Saints went back ahead in the top of the second after Anthony Prato led off with a single, moved to third on an errant pickoff attempt, and scored on a sac fly from Tanner Morris. They tied the game at four in the fourth thanks to RBI singles from Will Holland and Keirsey Jr. The offense added two more runs in the sixth for their final total, when Holland drilled his second home run of the season.

Relievers Michael Boyle (1 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, BB) and Josh Staumont (1 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 2 K) also got roughed up a bit by the Indianapolis offense. Scott Blewett (1/3 IP, 2 H, K) and Austin Schulfer (1 IP, K) finished off the game for the Saints.

Castillo (3-for-4, R, 3B, SB), Keirsey Jr. (2-for-5, 3B, 2 RBI, 2 K), Morris (2-for-4, 2 R, 2B, RBI, BB) and Holland (2-for-3, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI, BB, SB) had multiple hits in the loss. Anthony Prato finished 1-for-4 with a run scored and another walk, giving him 13 in 12 games so far this season, as his OBP sits at .490 thus far.

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Tulsa 15, Wichita 4
Box Score
Rafael Marcano made the start for the Wind Surge and made himself work a bit for his results for the first three innings, which included just one run allowed but also four walks and a few errant pitches. It caught up to him in the fourth, when he was lifted after walking the first two hitters of the frame. They both came around to score, leaving him charged with three earned runs in three-plus innings. He allowed one hit, walked six, and struck out four.

Wichita took a 2-1 lead after the third inning after Jake Rucker led off with his first home run of the season.

Alerick Soularie followed with a walk, stole second base, and advanced to third on a throwing error from the catcher. Two batters later Ben Ross brought him in with a sac fly. The offense went cold in the middle innings, as the Wind Surge fell behind 9-2 through seven.

Those other six runs were charged to right-hander Scott Engler (2 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 2 K) and Taylor Floyd (2 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 3 BB) in those innings.

The Wind Surge offense added two runs in the eighth after Emmanuel Rodriguez led off with a walk before Andrew Cossetti and Kala’i Rosario clubbed back-to-back doubles to make it 9-4.

Miguel Rodriguez couldn’t escape a drilling either, allowing six runs (3 earned) on six hits to finish off the game’s final two innings. He struck out two.

Wichita’s lineup was led by Rucker, who collected two other hits in the game in addition to his homer. Emmanuel Rodriguez drew two walks in five at-bats and scored a run. He has reached base in every game so far this season.

KERNELS NUGGETS
Cedar Rapids @ Wisconsin (Postponed – Rain)
Another week, another series being played at a stadium I’ve had the pleasure of visiting in my minor league baseball watching travels. Unfortunately, the Kernels series opening matchup with the Timber Rattlers on Tuesday was postponed due to the same rainstorms that hit the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. The game will be made up tomorrow as part of a doubleheader beginning at 12:10 PM with Andrew Morris scheduled to be on the bump in Game 1, followed by Zebby Matthews in Game 2.

MUSSEL MATTERS
Jupiter 7, Fort Myers 4
Box Score
The Mighty Mussels defense had a big of a rough day, committing three errors that led to three unearned runs, all of which were charged to starting pitcher Ty Langenberg. Other than that, Langenberg was solid enough, finishing five innings and allowing two earned runs in addition on three hits and one walk, while striking out four.

Fort Myers scored their first run of the game in the bottom of the third inning when Isaac Pena singled and came around on a double from Rayne Doncon that made it 3-1 Hammerheads.

The bullpen duo of Samuel Perez (2 IP, 2 ER, 2 H BB, 2 K) and Danny Moreno (2 IP, H, 3 K) finished out the game for the Mighty Mussels.

Down 7-1 in the seventh, Maddux Houghton led off the inning with a single, then three batters later scored on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Pena. That was Pena’s only plate appearance in this one that didn’t result in a hit or walk, but he still reached base in each at-bat after starting the season in a 1-for-23 slump. In the eighth inning, the offense added two more runs to their final tally after Brandon Winokur led off the inning with a double, scored on a Poncho Ruiz groundout, and later a wild pitch allowed Rafael Cruz to scamper home.

Pena (3-for-4, R, 2B, RBI, BB), Doncon (2-for-5, 2B, RBI, K), and Houghton (2-for-3, R, 2B) each had two hits in the loss.

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Pitcher of the Day – Danny Moreno, Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (2 IP, 1 H, 3 K)
Hitter of the Day – Will Holland, St. Paul Saints (2-for-3, 2 R, HR (2), 3 RBI, BB, SB (3))

PROSPECT SUMMARY
#3 – Emmanuel Rodriguez (Wichita) – 0-for-3, R, 2 BB, 2 K
#10 – Brandon Winokur (Fort Myers) – 1-for-5, R, 2B, 2 K
#13 – Kala’i Rosario (Wichita) – 1-for-4, 2B, RBI, 2 K
#16 – Yunior Severino (St. Paul) – 1-for-5, K

WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
St. Paul @ Indianapolis (11:05 AM CST) – RHP David Festa (0-0, 2.16 ERA)
Tulsa @ Wichita (12:05 PM CST) – RHP Jarret Whorff (0-0, 2.25 ERA)
Cedar Rapids @ Wisconsin (Game 1: 12:10 PM CST) – RHP Andrew Morris (0-0, 0.90 ERA)
Cedar Rapids @ Wisconsin (Game 2) – RHP Zebby Matthews (1-0, 1.80 ERA)
Jupiter @ Fort Myers (6:05 PM CST) – LHP Ross Dunn (0-0, 2.57 ERA)

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

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