Twins Minor League Report (5/16): Hurl Like a Boss

RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 2, Charlotte 3 (11 innings)

Box Score

After watching the end of the Twins game and settling in to write this report, I figured, “Why not watch the end of the Red Wings game?” I got logged in to milb.tv just in time to watch Charlotte outfielder Leury Garcia slide across home plate to score the game-winning run, sending Rochester to defeat and dropping their record to 20-18.

The 11-inning affair lasted just over three hours, as over 6,700 people witnessed a well-pitched game. Tommy Milone allowed two runs - both solo home runs - over seven innings. He struck out four and walked none. Alex Wimmers recorded four outs, Ryan O’Rourke recorded one and the game was turned over to Marcus Walden to end the ninth.

Not only did Walden get out of the ninth, he also pitched the 10th and started the 11th. Unfortunately, Walden allowed a single, then unleashed a wild pitch, allowing Garcia to enter scoring position and score he did on a game-ending single by Daniel Fields.

Kennys Vargas homered in the second to start the game’s scoring. Later, in the seventh inning, with the score in favor of Charlotte 2-1, both Adam Brett Walker and Carlos Paulino drew walks. Stephen Wickens doubled, driving in Walker. Paulino was thrown out to end the inning.

Vargas, Wickens and Wilfredo Tovar all contributed two hits. Max Kepler hit his fifth triple of the season. Byron Buxton did not play after being removed for precautionary reasons on Saturday. He left Saturday’s game because of back spasms.

Rochester will continue this series on Tuesday.

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

Chattanooga 1, Biloxi 0 (10 innings)

Box Score

In a season - which is still early - that we’ve seen a number of dominant starts by numerous pitchers, David Hurlbut’s performance on Monday was arguably the best so far. Nine innings. No runs. Two hits allowed. Complete game, two-hit shutout, you say? Not exactly. Not even a decision for Hurlbut as the Lookouts needed extra innings to seal the win.

Hurlbut faced 28 batters, erasing one hit with a caught stealing, and struck out seven. He was lifted after throwing 94 pitches. (I would have let him go back for the 10th because, why not?!)

The Lookouts had a few opportunities to score earlier in the game, but those threats ended more than once with Daniel Palka striking out. So in the 10th, after Stuart Turner singled to lead off the inning and he was moved over by a Levi Michael sacrifice bunt, Biloxi intentionally walked Leo Reginatto to get to Palka, who - along with batting nearly .300 - had four strikeouts on the evening. No wise. A wild pitch left first base open… but Biloxi elected to pitch to Palka and he ended the game with a ground ball to third base that scored Turner for a walk-off win.

Jake Reed was credited with the win for working a scoreless 10th.

Turner and Joe Maloney both had two-hit games.

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 5, Dunedin 2

Box Score

Different night, mostly same idea: When is this pitcher going to get promoted?

Tonight’s edition was Kohl Stewart. While fighting his command, Stewart still dominated for six shutout innings, walking three and allowing three hits. He struck out four. Stewart dropped his ERA to 1.77 and is nipping on Gonsalves’s heals to hopefully earn this promotion.

Brandon Peterson did his part to preserve the shutout, striking out three in two innings. Raul Fernandez, however, did not. He allowed a two-run home run in the ninth inning.

The top of the order: Logan Wade (double, triple, 2 RBI, run), Chris Paul (two doubles, RBI, run) and Nick Gordon (three hits, home run, RBI, run) combined to go 7-for-15 with five extra-base hits, three runs and four runs batted in. Gordon, now batting .331, also stole his sixth base.

Fort Myers improves to 22-16.

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids - DAY OFF

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Pitcher of the Day – David Hurlbut. Chattanooga

Hitter of the Day – Nick Gordon, Fort Myers

TUESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Charlotte (6:05PM CST) – LHP Andrew Albers

Biloxi @ Chattanooga (6:15PM CST) - RHP Aaron Slegers

Fort Myers @ Dunedin (10:00AM CST) – LHP Tyler Jay (3-2, 3.03 ERA)

Beloit @ Cedar Rapids (6:35PM CST) – RHP Cody Stashak (2-2, 1.95 ERA)

Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss Monday’s games.

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