Twins Minor League Report (5/29): Jason Wheeler-Dealer!

The Twins fell behind the Rangers early and could not catch the Rangers down the stretch, despite Josh Willingham's best game of the year. The Twins open a three-game series in New York on Friday night, and then begin a four-game home and home series with the Brewers beginning Monday night in Milwaukee.

Red Wings Report

Rochester 1, Syracuse 5

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Logan Darnell pitched just two innings, gave up one run (three earned), stuck out four and walked one. He yielded seven hits and threw just 66 pitches before being lifted for Deolis Guerra to start the third inning. Guerra pitched two perfect innnings, striking out three; then A.J. Achter entered the game in the fifth inning and did the same. Edgar Ibarra struggled through a couple innings but managed to give up just one run and struck out two. Michael Tonkin finished the ninth and struck out two but also gave up a run. All told, the bullpen pitched seven innings, struck out ten and walked no one, not a bad day when the starter can't pitch into the third inning.

Taylor Hill, the starting pitcher for the Syracuse Chiefs, pitched eight innings to pick up his International League leading seventh win of the year. He only struck out two Red Wings, but limited them to just three hits. Eric Farris and James Beresford were both 1-4 at the top of the order and Chris Rahl, the number seven hitter, was 1-3 with the Red Wing's only other hit. Deibinson Romero was credited with the only RBI of the night with a sac fly. Chris Herrmann, playing right field, was lifted in the third with a sore wrist. Doug Bernier finished the game in his place.

Rock Cats Review

New Britain 1, Portland 2

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This loss drops the Rock Cats to 22-27, the worst record in the Twins system. The Portland Sea Dogs scored their two runs in the first inning off Tyler Duffey. Duffey pitched six innings, turning in a quality start. He struck out five, walked just one and gave up only those two runs in the first inning. Jim Fuller and Adrian Salcedo took it the rest of the way, each with a scoreless inning of relief.

The Rock Cats scored their lone run in the top of the ninth to put some heat on the Sea Dog's closer Noe Ramirez, but could not complete the comeback. Daniel Ortiz was the only Rock Cats hitter with multiple hits. He was 2-3 with a double, a walk and a run scored. The rest of the Rock Cats managed just four more hits and one more walk. The Rock Cats were 1 of 8 with runners in scoring position, with plenty of missed opportunities.

Miracle Matters

Fort Myers 3, Clearwater 0

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Jason Wheeler pitched eight innings of two-hit baseball to lead the Miracle over the Clearwater Threshers. Wheeler struck out seven and walked one, picking up his fourth win of the year. Madison Boer got the save for the Miracle with a perfect inning in the ninth. After Wheeler allowed the Threshers' Chris Swauger to reach in the fourth inning, the Threshers did not put another man on base.

The Miracle managed only four hits on the night, but they picked up eleven walks and every Miracle hitter reached base at least once. Mike Gonzales, playing as the designated hitter and batting eighth, was 2-4 with a double and two RBI to lead the Miracle. Dalton Hicks also had a good night, reaching base three times with a 1-2 night at the plate with two walks and a run scored.

Eddie Rosario returned to action following his 50-game suspension. He played centerfield and batted third for the Miracle. He went 0-3 and walked twice.

Kernels Nuggets

Cedar Rapids 5, Wisconsin 8

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Ryan Eades pitched five innings and gave up three runs but only one of those was earned. He struck out four, walked two and his ERA now sits at 5.66. Eades has come a long way since being drafted in the second round of last year's draft, but has not dominated the Low-A level the way many had expected. After Eades' exit, Chris Mazza came in and was tagged with the loss when things blew up on him. He gave up four runs on five hits and two walks in 1.1 inning. Jared Wilson came in to pitch with one out in the seventh and pitched 1.2 innings, giving up one run and striking out three. Felix Jorge pitched a scoreless ninth.

The Kernels looked better with the bats than they did on the mound, but not by much. They did not draw a single walk on the day and had six strikeouts. Michael Quesada, the Kernels catcher, had a third of their hits with a 3-4 night, including a double, two RBIs and a run scored. No other Cedar Rapids player had multiple hits, but Mitch Garver was 1-4 with an RBI with the other Kernels extra base hit, another double.

Twins Daily Players of the Day

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Jason Wheeler, Fort Myers Miracle

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Michael Quesada, Cedar Rapids Kernels

Friday's Probable Starters (all times central)

Gwinnett @ Rochester (6:05 pm) - Kris Johnson - (Listen)

Binghamton @ New Britain (5:35 pm) - Sean Gilmartin - (Listen)

Fort Myers @ Clearwater (5:30 pm) - Brett Lee - (Listen)

Wisconsin @ Cedar Rapids (6:35 pm) - Ethan Mildren - (Listen)

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