Twins Minor League Report (4/26): Berrios, Walker, Palka, Gonsalves, More

TRANSACTIONS

Things have been busy on the transaction list the last few days, for the Twins and throughout the minor league system. Today was a busy day, but expect to hear several more in the next day or two.

Before Wednesday’s Twins game, the team announced the starters Ervin Santana (back) and Kyle Gibson (shoulder) were going to the Disabled List.

Reports came out around noon that JO Berrios was on the way to Minnesota and will start on Wednesday night against Cleveland. Later, we learned that Jorge Polanco would be returning to the Twins as well.

Alex Wimmers was promoted to AAA Rochester.

The Twins released Brett Lee from the Chattanooga roster. Trevor Hildenberger and Luke Westphal were promoted from Ft. Myers. Brandon Peterson was sent down to Ft. Myers.

Brian Navaretto was placed on the disabled list for the Miracle. That explains the promotion of Kevin Garcia from extended spring training previously announced.

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 8, Buffalo 7 (14 innings)

Box Score

In the last week, the Twins have taken Tyler Duffey, Alex Meyer and now JO Berrios from the Red Wings. Meyer was supposed to start on Tuesday, so this was a bullpen game. The last thing the team needed was extra innings, especially considering Berrios had been scheduled to start for them on Wednesday.

Seven pitchers worked for the Red Wings. David Martinez made the spot start. It was the second time he’s started for the Red Wings this season and the second time that he completed six innings. Martinez went 6.1 innings and gave up three runs (two earned). He gave up six hits, walked none and struck out five. Brandon Kintzler came on and got just one out. He gave up two hits and a run (plus two inherited runs) and got just one out. Buddy Boshers got two outs, one on a strikeout. Marcus Walden gave up a hit and walked two in his scoreless inning. Dan Runzler then gave up just one hit over 2.2 scoreless innings. Next, Alex Wimmers worked two scoreless innings in his AAA debut, completing the 13th inning.

The game was tied at four going into the top of the 14th. Adam Brett Walker found himself at the plate with the bases loaded. Walker crushed a ball to right field that hit near the top of the wall. Walker’s triple scored three runs and gave the Red Wings a 7-4 lead. Wilfredo Tovar followed with an RBI single which proved important.

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JR Graham came in for the bottom of the 14th to protect the four-run lead. Before he got an out, he had given up three runs including a home run from Jesus Montero. However, he got the next three outs and held on to that 8-7 lead for the win. It gave Alex Wimmers his first AAA win.

Walker led the way. He went 4-7 with his third double, first triple and three RBI. Carlos Paulino went 3-7. James Beresford went 2-6 with a walk. Max Kepler was in the lineup and went 0-4 with two walks and a sacrifice fly. Byron Buxton went 1-7 and struck out three of his first four at bats. He did hit a double.

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 10, Birmingham 7

Box Score

Ryan Eades struggled again in this start. He gave up five runs in the first inning. In 3.1 innings, he gave up six runs on nine hits. He walked four and struck out three. Corey Williams came in and settled things down. In 2.2 innings, he gave up only a solo home run and a walk. Mike Strong gave up two hits but no runs in his inning. Jake Reed threw a perfect inning. JT Chargois recorded his third save. He gave up a hit and walked a batter but got the three outs for the save.

Daniel Palka continued an incredible streak. He went 3-3 with a walk, his seventh double and his third home run - a grand slam in the 3rd inning. In his final at-bat, he struck out which ended a streak of reaching base in 14 straight plate appearances. Leonardo Reginnato went 4-5. Mitch Garver added two doubles in five at-bats. Zach Granite and Engelb Vielma each had two hits. Granite stole his ninth base.

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MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 9, Jupiter 1

Box Score

When Stephen Gonsalves is on the mound, his team typically doesn’t need a lot of runs, but on this night, they provided some anyway. The Miracle used a five-run third inning and a three-run sixth.

Alex Swim led the way with three hits in five at-bats. Nick Gordon was very good as well, going 2-3 with two walks. He also stole his fourth base. Ryan Walker was also 2-5.

Of course, Gonsalves was terrific. In fact, the lefty had a no-hitter into the 6th inning. In total, he went six shutout innings. He allowed two hits, walked two and struck out six. With the win he is now 2-1 with a 1.44 ERA.

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 1, West Michigan 0

Box Score

The Kernels got a run early and held on. The shutout means that they have not allowed a run in 19 straight innings.

Randy LeBlanc got things started out well. The right-hander went the first six innings. He gave up four hits, walked one and struck out four. CK Irby struck out three over the next two innings. He gave up just one hit. John Curtiss got the ninth. He gave up two hits, but maintained the shutout. He struck out one.

The Kernels managed just five hits in the game. Sean Miller was 2-3, and he drove in JJ Fernandez with a single for the game’s lone run. Luis Arraez went 1-2 with a walk and his second double.

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Stephen Gonsalves, Ft. Myers Miracle

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Adam Brett Walker, Rochester Red Wings

WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Buffalo (12:05 CST) - LHP Jason Wheeler

Chattanooga - No Game Scheduled

Ft. Myers @ Jupiter (5:30 CST) – RHP Kohl Stewart

West Michigan @Cedar Rapids (6:35 CST) – RHP Andro Cutura

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

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