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Eric R Pleiss

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Blog Entries posted by Eric R Pleiss

  1. Eric R Pleiss
    Episode 43 of the Twins baseball podcast, Talk To Contact (@TalkToContact), is now available for download via iTunes or by clicking here.


    http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Gibson1.jpgKyle Gibson, Spring Training 2013. Photo Credit: Betsy Bissen
     


    Eric and Cody talk recent Twins happenings, including a struggling bullpen, an awful PJ Walters, and whatever it is that is going on with some Twins Minor Leaguers in the Futures Game.
    The two are then joined by Seth Stohs from TwinsDaily.com to talk about all things Twins Minor League and what fans can expect from Kyle Gibson as he makes his MLB debut on Saturday.
    After the break the boys talk beer, baseball, and the news.
    92 minutes of chatter.
     
    You can follow Cody on Twitter (@NoDakTwinsFan) or read his writing at NoDakTwinsFan. You can follow Paul on Twitter (@BaseballPirate) or read his writing at Puckett’s Pond. And of course, you can find me on Twitter (@ERolfPleiss) and read my writing at Knuckleballs!
    - ERolfPleiss
     
    ​Originally published at www.KnuckleballsBlog.com
  2. Eric R Pleiss
    The Twins, according to legend, are afraid of the Yankees. And you know what, after some quick post-season exits at the hands of the Yankees, that is a pretty easy narrative to build. Add in the fact that the Twins have struggled to beat the Yankees in the regular season, despite the Twins having fairly successful regular season teams for most of the 2000’s, and you begin to see how that narrative continues to grow.
    http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Santana.jpg
    Johan Santana
     
    In the 11 years between 2000 and 2010 the Twins compiled a .537 winning percentage, going 957-826. During that same span the Twins went 25-57 against the New York Yankees, a .325 winning percentage. Take out the 77 games against the Yankees and the Twins are 163 games above .500 instead of just 131. That is a significant bump. During that same time period the Twins played the Yankees four times in the post-season, managing to win just two games, while losing 12, swept in 2009 and 2010. That brings the Twins’ 11-year record against the Yankees to 27-69 (.281). That is bad, almost as bad as the 2003 Detroit Tigers (43-119), the worst team of the last 50 years.
     
    During that same 11-year span the Yankees were 1060-718, only had a losing record against one American League team (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 45-54), and won two World Series titles (and losing in the World Series two other times). So clearly the Yankees were a better team than the Twins over that same time period, but the Yankees’ .596 winning percentage is not so much larger than the Twins’ .537 that you would expect the Twins fail so miserably against the Yankees during the span.
     
    Assuming each team’s regular season winning percentages represented their true talent over those 11 years, the Yankees should have beaten the Twins only about 53% of the time, not the nearly 72% clip they had over that same span. So what gives? Why did the Yankees perform so well against the Minnesota Twins, especially in the post season?
     
    For me, it comes down to roster construction, and specifically the postseason pitching rotations, where teams often turn to only their top three or four pitchers.
     
    2003
     
    [TABLE]


    Game (score, winner)

    Twins (starting pitcher)

    Yankees (starting pitcher)


    [TD=width: 213]1 (3-1 Twins)
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]Johan Santana
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]Mike Mussina
    [/TD]


    [TD=width: 213]2 (1-4 Yankees)
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]Brad Radke
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]Andy Pettitte
    [/TD]


    [TD=width: 213]3 (1-3 Yankees)
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]Kyle Lohse
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]Roger Clemens
    [/TD]


    [TD=width: 213]4 (1-8 Yankees)
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]Johan Santana
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]David Wells
    [/TD]

    [/TABLE]
     
    The Twins, with a lack of depth in their starting rotation chose to go back to their ace on four days of rest, facing elimination in Game 4. The Yankees, alternatively, felt strong enough to run out David Wells (4.14 ERA, 4.3K/9, essentially a league average pitcher in 2003 despite his 15-7 W/L record) knowing that should they be pushed to a decisive Game 5 they could turn to Mike Mussina, their ace, against Brad Radke (4.49 ERA and a pitch to contact friendly contact rate of 82.2%).
     
    So while you would certainly expect the Twins to score more than 3 runs over their final 3 games in this series, outside of Santana the Twins certainly did not have a rotation that could even dream about keeping up with New York (and remember that the Kyle Lohse of 2003 (4.61 ERA) is a far cry from the pitcher he has been over the past three seasons).
     
    2004http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/wordpress/img/trans.gif
     
    [TABLE]


    Game (score, winner)

    Twins (starting pitcher)

    Yankees (starting pitcher)


    [TD=width: 213]1 (2-0 Twins)
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]Santana
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]Mussina
    [/TD]


    [TD=width: 213]2 (6-7 Yankees)
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]Radke
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]Jon Lieber
    [/TD]


    [TD=width: 213]3 (8-4 Yankees)
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]Carlos Silva
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]Kevin Brown
    [/TD]


    [TD=width: 213]4 (5-6 Yankees)
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]Santana
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]Javier Vazquez
    [/TD]

    [/TABLE]
     
    The Twins essentially ran the same group of pitchers out there again the following year in 2004, except inserting Silva for Lohse (and Lohse ended up taking the loss in game four, appearing in relief as the game stretched to extra innings). Silva’s 4.21 ERA looks bad against the numbers that pitchers are putting up today, but amidst the steroid era scoring environment and the high-run environment of the Metrodome, it graded out as an ERA+ of 112. Kyle Lohse was really the team’s only other option there, but with an ERA north of 5 that year, he certainly did not look like a postseason starter. The Yankees, on the other hand, had almost a completely new staff. Still anchored by Mike Mussina, this staff had Lieber and Vazquez making one year pitstops in New York, along with Brown who joined the Yankees in the twilight of his 19 year MLB career.
    http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/MoralesNathan2009.jpg
    Joe Nathan (36)
     
    This time the starting pitching was not as big of an issue as the bullpen and a lack of timely hits from the Twins regulars. The Twins won Game 1 on a great performance from Santana, and then proceeded to lose Game 2, and Game 4 in extra innings after subpar performances from the consistently reliable Joe Nathan.
     
    The Twins should have won every game in this series with the exception of Game 3 (which was a blowout until the Twins scored 3 runs in the bottom of the ninth). A little bad luck and some untimely hits cost this team the series, but after a similar result in 2003, that bad luck started to look more like a Twins inability to defeat the Bronx Bombers.
     
    2009
     
    [TABLE]


    Game (score, winner)

    Twins (starting pitcher)

    Yankees (starting pitcher)


    [TD=width: 213]1 (2-7 Yankees)
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]Brian Duensing
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]CC Sabathia
    [/TD]


    [TD=width: 213]2 (3-4 Yankees)
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]Nick Blackburn
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]A.J. Burnett
    [/TD]


    [TD=width: 213]3 (1-4 Yankees)
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]Carl Pavano
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]Pettitte
    [/TD]

    [/TABLE]
     
    After being swept out of the postseason by the Oakland Athletics in 2006, the Twins stumbled in 2007 and just missed the postseason in 2008 losing game 163, but they were back in the postseason once again in 2009 to take on the Yankees.
     
    My initial thought when looking at the Twins starters: LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL.
    http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/BakerGroundBallReaction.jpgScott Baker
     
    I was going to say that things were probably not as bad as they looked, but Brian Duensing was the Twins’ only starting pitcher with an ERA under 4 (3.64), and he only made nine starts that season (but he was sparkly good as a starter in those 9 games, pitching 52.2 innings to the tune of a 2.73 ERA despite just a 5.6K/9). It seems ridiculous that the Twins started Duensing in Game 1, but the Twins burned Scott Baker in Game 163, along with half of their bullpen, the day before. Still, Blackburn might have been their best option in Game 1, and that alone is laughable in 2013.
     
    This was a Twins team that snuck into the playoffs and faced just about the most lopsided pitching matchups I can imagine. The Twins were at a special disadvantage as Joe Mauer, Denard Span, and Jason Kubel were their main offensive weapons, and as left handed hitters, all were on the wrong side of the platoon against Sabathia and Pettitte.
     
    Hard to imagine the Twins winning a game in their series, even if the two teams were offensively similar (and they were not, the Yankees scored almost 100 more runs than the Twins in 2009). Maybe a little tough luck to be swept, but the Twins had the worst of it in every matchup.
     
    2010
     
    [TABLE]


    Game (score, winner)

    Twins (starting pitcher)

    Yankees (starting pitcher)


    [TD=width: 213]1 (4-6 Yankees)
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]Francisco Liriano
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]Sabathia
    [/TD]


    [TD=width: 213]2 (2-5 Yankees)
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]Pavano
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]Pettitte
    [/TD]


    [TD=width: 213]3 (1-6 Yankees)
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]Duensing
    [/TD]
    [TD=width: 213]Phil Hughes
    [/TD]

    [/TABLE]
     
    For me, this was probably the most frustrating series against the Yankees. Maybe I do not even have to go that far, Game 1 of this series was probably one of the most frustrating games I have watched as a Twins fan.
    http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/LirianoPitch.jpgFrancisco Liriano
     
    The Twins went into this series with the Yankees with home field advantage, playing in front of sold out crowds at brand spankin’ new Target Field. Twins euphoria had likely not been higher since 1991. Liriano was pitching well again (of course he was, it was an even numbered year) and the Twins staked him to an early 3-0 lead and Liriano was cruising through the first five innings. Then in the sixth inning, following a Nick Swisher strike out, Mark Teixeira doubled, and then advanced on a wild pitch. Liriano walked the next batter (Alex Rodriguez) and as a fan you started to get that feeling that the Yankees were going to blow things open. They did. Liriano fell apart and the Yankees grabbed the lead with a four run inning. At that point, just about everyone in Twins territory knew that the game, and ultimately the series, was over (or at least it surely seemed that way).
     
    The Twins once again struggled against left handed pitching and in the final game of the series Brian Duensing could not make it out of the fourth inning and the Twins lost to the Yankees once again.
     
    While I felt cheated in 2004 when the Yankees thoroughly defeated the Twins in the other three post season series, largely because of a lack of starting pitching on the Twins end. Sure, the Yankees had some great arms, but the Twins never had more than one pitcher that might be considered an above average postseason pitcher, and in 2009 they did not have any. Hate on the Yankees all you want, the real culprit here is a lack of starting pitchers.
    http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/yankee20sweep3.jpg
    Image from M.T.'s Blog, http://matt7.mlblogs.com/
     
    "Originally published at www.knuckbleballsblog.com"
  3. Eric R Pleiss

    Opening Day Starter

    By Eric R Pleiss,

    Originally published at KnuckleballsBlog.com
     
    With the Twins likely done making moves this winter, and with Spring Training games just around the corner, I thought it would be a good time to put my predictive powers to the test and try and suss-out the Twins’ plan for the Opening Day starter. With the Twins opening the season at home this year, the Opening Day start has a little more significance than it has the past couple of years when the Twins started the season on the road. The Twins have not started the year at home since 2009, and the last Twins pitcher to win the Opening Day game at home was Livan Hernandez in 2008 against the Los Angeles Angels. In fact, the Twins haven’t won an Opening Day game since 2008, working on an 0-4 streak losing 6-1 in 2009 against the Mariners, 6-3 against the Angels in 2010, 11-3 in 2011 against the Blue Jays, and 4-2 a year ago in Camden Yards against the Orioles. An Opening Day win would be a nice change of pace.
    http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/opening-day-optimism.jpg
    Since the Twins moved to Minnesota to start the 1961 season, Opening Day starters are just 14-25, with 12 no decisions. Not exactly a great track record on baseball’s biggest day, but with names like Camilo Pascual, Jim Kaat, Jim Perry, Bert Blyleven, Frank Viola, Brad Radke, and Johan Santana, the Twins’ Opening Day starter has historically been some of the most beloved players in Twins history.
    Looking over the current 40-man roster, and some non-roster invites to Spring Training, there are several players who have a shot at being the Opening Day starter. I’ll rank them from least likely to start to most likely to start on Opening Day.
    Rafael Perez (1% chance to start Opening Day) – Perez was just signed to a Minor League deal with the club a week ago. He’s spent his entire big league career working out of the bullpen, and has not had a K/9 above 6 since 2008. He has put up strong ERAs every year except 2009, but with the declining strike out rates and a ballooning walk rate, his ERA has been propped up by an above average strand rate. Perez has an uphill battle to even make the team as a left-handed reliever, and an even tougher climb into the starting rotation.
    Rich Harden (4%) – Like Perez, Harden is with the Twins on a Minor League deal. Harden has not pitched in the big leagues since 2011, and while he has had a consistently above average strike out rate, he has not been an above average pitcher since 2009. There is some question as to whether or not Harden’s shoulder can stand up to the high pitch counts associated with starting, so there is a pretty decent chance that if he makes the team at all, the Twins would prefer that he work out of the bullpen to keep him healthy for the entire season. I like him more than Perez because Harden has a track record as a starting pitcher, and because the Twins are so desperately in need of strike outs, but he is still a long shot to even break camp with the Twins.
    Mike Pelfrey (7%) – Pelfrey signed a 1-year deal with the Twins this offseason hoping to rebuild his value coming off of Tommy-John surgery. Pelfrey is still not a ful year removed from surgery, so there are concerns about his ability to be ready to start the season in the rotation. Unlike Harden and Perez, if he is healthy, Pelfrey has a guaranteed spot in the rotation. If I was confident that Pelfrey would be healthy when the Twins break camp I would have him higher, but it is early in camp and I anticipate that he will end up needing an extra few weeks go get all the way up to speed.
    Liam Hendriks (10%) – Hendriks is a fringe candidate to make the 25-man roster out of Spring Training, but with questions about health among several of the arms ahead of him on the pecking order, he is likely to be the next man in if any one of the projected five starters are not ready to start the season. Even a healthy Liam Hendriks is a long shot to take the ball for the Twins on Opening Day as Ron Gardenhire usually likes to reward his veterans.
    Kevin Correia (12%) – Poor Kevin Correia has been written off since before the ink was dry on his shiny-new 2-year $10 million dollar contract. Correia certainly is not the type of pitcher that would typically get the ball on baseball’s biggest stage, but the Twins seem to like his veteran leadership and clubhouse presence, something that went a long way forCarl Pavano (who started back-to-back Openers in 2011 and 2012). Pavano had almost a year and a half of starts with the Twins under his belt prior to taking the mound on Opening Day, but with no other experienced veterans on the roster, Correia might end up pitching by default.
    Kyle Gibson (13%) – The Twins seem dead set on starting the year with Aaron Hicks in center field field despite not having any Major League experience. If the Twins are trying to build excitement in 2013 and invite fans to buy into the Twins future, Gibson could wind up pitching on Opening Day to help build momentum toward 2014 and beyond. But like Pelfry, Gibson is coming off of Tommy-John surgery, and unlike Pelfrey, Gibson figures heavily into the Twins future plans, so they are likely to treat him with kid gloves. The Twins are looking to limit his inning totals in 2013, so putting him on the mound from Day 1 does not do a lot to aid that effort.
    Scott Diamond (15%) – After playing the role of savior for the 2012 Twins, Diamond was the overwhelming favorite to take the ball on Opening Day. If Diamond is healthy he will undoubtedly be pitching on April 1st. But Diamond had surgery in December to remove some bone chips from his throwing elbow and is reported to be progressing through his rehab slower than anticipated. There is still an outside chance that Diamond is healthy when the Twins open 2013, but the Twins want Diamond healthy long-term, so if any question marks remain about his health, expect the Twins to take things nice and slow.
    Vance Worley (38%) – Vance Worley seems to have become the Twins de facto Opening Day starter because there really is not anyone else with a real shot at keeping him from it. He has a lot of things working in his favor; he is healthy, he is young and exciting, has a chance to be a long-term part of the Twins ballclub, and he is not Kevin Correia (which is to say he is not old, ineffective, and overpaid).
    When the Twins traded away Ben Revere for Worley and Trevor May I would not have though Worley had any shot to pitch on Opening Day, but he seems to be the last man standing.
    -ERolfPleiss
     
    Read more about the Minnesota Twins at KnuckleballsBlog.com, including Eddie Rosario Turning Heads.
  4. Eric R Pleiss
    This is the first post in a series highlighting the Twins number one draft picks, originally published at BaseballTwins.com
     
    [TABLE=class: tr-caption-container]

    [TD=align: center]http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/pics/eddie_leon_autograph.jpg[/TD]


    [TD=class: tr-caption, align: center]Eddie Leon, All-American[/TD]

    [/TABLE]
    In 1965, the first year of the MLB draft, the Twins had the ninth selection and used it on a talented shortstop from the University of Arizona, Eddie Leon. Leon ended up not signing with the Twins and went back to Arizona and earned All-American honors in 1966. Selected the following year, third overall by the Chicago Cubs in the June Secondary draft, Leon once again failed to sign with the club that drafted him and went back to school. Like he did in 1966, after returning to campus he once again earned All-American honors. Finally, in 1967, Leon was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the second round of the June Secondary draft and at the age of 20 reported to the Double-A Pawtucket Indians in the Eastern League. When asked why he declined to sign his first times through the draft, Leon told The Baseball Historian that not only was he not getting what he felt was an "adequate" bonus for a first round draft pick, but also because he wanted to finish his Civil Engineering degree at the University of Arizona.
    Leon played 51 games for the Indians and hit .202/.261/.307 and made 13 errors in 211 chances posting just a .938 fielding percentage. Despite his poor performance at AA Leon was promoted to Triple-A Portland for the final 17 games of the year, where Leon hit slightly better .233/.283/.349 and made just two errors in 62 chances. In 1968 Leon played the full season in Portland, building off his late season success from '67. Leon's offensive numbers were up across the board, and while he committed 30 errors in 705 chances, he was rewarded for a successful season with a brief September call up with the Cleveland Indians. Eddie Leon made his Major League debut on September 9, 1968 playing in Metropolitan Stadium against the Minnesota Twins, the team that first drafted him three years ago, entering the game in the 9th inning as a pinch runner for shortstop Larry Brown. Two days later, once again against the Twins, Eddie Leon was back in the lineup as a 10th inning defensive replacement for Pinch Hitter Jimmie Hall. In the top of the 12th inning, with the Indians having just taken a 1-0 lead and runners on first and second with no outs, Leon stepped to the plate with a chance to extend the Indians lead and promptly struck out. Leon would appear in five more games that September but would not have another plate appearance.
    [TABLE=class: tr-caption-container]

    [TD=align: center]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hafnvl2TIJA/SSi_7yoawUI/AAAAAAAAHJI/YDqepDMrc9A/s320/eddie-leon.jpg[/TD]


    [TD=class: tr-caption, align: center]Eddie Leon, Shortstop[/TD]

    [/TABLE]
    In 1969 Leon was back in Triple-A, but after a strong first half in which he hit .262/.313/.349 and had his best fielding percentage of his Minor League career, he was promoted back to Cleveland and was the regular short stop for the remainder of the year. For the next three years Leon was the starting shortstop for the Cleveland Indians. Following the 1972 season, Leon was traded to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Outfielder Walt Williams. 1973 was a struggle for Eddie Leon and he hit just .228/.291/.291. The early 1970s was certainly not a time of high offensive output, but Leon's hitting line was good enough only for a 62 OPS+ (only slightly better than perennial Twins All-Star, Drew Butera). Leon was a part time player in 1974 and only played in 31 games for the White Sox. Often appearing as a pinch hitter or late-inning defensive replacement, Leon only accumulated 53 plate appearances and hit just .109/.143/.130.
    Following the 1974 season, Leon was once again traded, this time going to the New York Yankees in exchange for 31 year old reliever Cecil Upshaw. Eddie Leon played just two innings for the Yankees, entering the May 4th game in Milwaukee as a defensive replacement in the 8th inning and not receiving an at bat. That would be Leon's final appearance in Major League baseball as he was released by the Yankees the following day and spent the remainder of 1975 and all of 1976 playing baseball in the Mexican League for the Tampico Alijadores.
     
    Read more about the Minnesota Twins at BaseballTwins.com, including the most recent post about Darin Mastroianni's Heat Maps.
  5. Eric R Pleiss
    Originally posted at Knuckleballsblog.com
    Last week the Minnesota Twins added eight players to their 40-man roster, maxing out their roster with 40 players. The Twins will likely remove at least one player prior to the upcoming Rule 5 draft, but for now, the Twins do not have room for any additions. If Spring Training started tomorrow, here are the 40 players that would be competing for a coveted 25-man roster spot and a place on the 2013 Opening Day roster. We'll start with the Pitchers today, and look at the position players later this week.


    http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/HermsenST2012c-300x225.jpgB.J. Hermsen, recently added to the Twins 40-man roster. PhotoCredit: Knuckleballs
     


    Right Handed Pitchers (Age, Position, Highest 2012 Level)
    Alex Burnett - 25, Reliever, MLB - Burnett appeared in 67 games for the Twins in 2012 and posted the best ERA of his career (3.52). Unfortunately, Burnett struck out batters at the lowest rate in his career (4.5/9), while still walking more than three batters per nine innings and his 2012 success is unlikely to continue in 2013, if he makes the 25-man roster, it will be as a middle-inning, low-leverage, reliever.
    Jared Burton - 31, Reliever, MLB - Like Alex Burnett, Burton also posted the best ERA of his career (2.18). Unlike Burnett, Burton's success came from an increase in stike out rates and a decrease in walk rates. Burton is almost a lock for the 25-man roster, and will likely be the eighth inning set up man.
    Cole De Vries - 27, Starter, MLB - De Vries was a long shot to make the 25-man roster in 2012, but because of a string of injuries and generally poor play from other Twins starters, De Vries started 16 games en route to a 4.11 ERA. De Vries is a typical Twins-type pitcher, low walks, low strike outs, and is a long shot to make the 25-man roster again in 2013, but unless the Twins acquire multiple starting pitchers through trades or free agency, the Twins do not have a lot of other competent options.
    Casey Fien - Casey Fien, Reliever, MLB - Fien returned to Major League action after spending 2011 in the Minors. Fien had several surprisingly good appearances toward the end of the year, earning a 2.06 ERA to go along with 32Ks in just 35.0 IP. Fien's previous MLB performance and Minor League track record does not indicate that he's likely to continue to perform at a high level, but he's gained the trust of Ron Gardenhire and has a farily good chance to make the 25-man roster with a strong performance this spring.
    Kyle Gibson - Kyle Gibson, Starter, AAA - Gibson spent all of 2012 rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and pitched in four different leagues during his rehab, including the Arizona Fall League where the big right-hander was said to be consistently throwing 93-94 MPH with good control. If fully healthy, Gibson is in line to be one of the Twins five starters in 2013.
    Deolis Guerra - 23, Reliever, AAA - Guerra split time in 2012 between Double-A New Britain and Triple-A Rochester and posted a 4.11 ERA in his first full season as a reliever, with high strike out numbers (9.1K/9) and low walk totals (3.3/9). At 23 Guerra is still fairly young for AAA and I expect him to start the season in Rochester, though he will have a chance to play in Minnesota before the season ends. Edit: Per John Bonnes and ScottyB, Deolis Guerra is out of options, so he'll need to make the 25-man roster or risk being claimed off of waivers.
    Liam Hendriks - 23, Starter, MLB - Hendriks struggled to turn his Minor League success into Major League succes and spent the better part of 2012 searching for his first big league victory. Hendriks finished the year 1-8 with a 5.59 ERA and only 50 strike outs over 85.1 innings. Ideally Hendriks would start 2013 in Rochester, working to fine tune his command against lesser hitters before being asked to join the Twins. If Hendriks makes the Opening Day roster it will likely be because the Twins lack other viable options rather than their belief in Hendriks ability to succeed at a high level.
    B.J. Hermsen - 22, Starter, AA - Hermsen is another Twins-type pitcher with low strike out numbers and in Hermsen's case, extremely low walk rates (1.6/9). Hermsen is unlikely to merit serious consideration for the starting rotation in 2013 because he has no experience above AA. Hermsen has continually put up ERAs around 3, and if he can continue to put up good numbers in AAA he should earn himself a September call-up and, if the Twins do not add a couple of free agents on multi-year deals, could be a candidate to start for the Twins in 2014.
    Lester Oliveros - 24, Reliever, MLB - Oliveros had Tommy John surgery in 2012 and will spend most, if not all, of 2013 rehabbing his elbow. He will be moved to the 60-day DL once Spring Training begins, opening up a roster spot.
    Josh Roenicke - 30, Reliever, MLB - Claimed off of waivers from the Colorado Rockies, Roenicke is unlikely to start the season in the Twins bullpen and instead the Twins will probably attempt to pass Roenicke through waivers later this spring and use him as roster depth in Rochester. However, Roenicke did post an impressive 3.25 ERA last season with the Rockies, so the Twins might be willing to give him a longer look in Spring Training before ultimately relegating him to the Minor Leagues.
    Anthony Swarzak - 27, Long Man/Spot Starter, MLB - The Twins have seen enough of Swarzak over the past couple of years (198.2 IP) to know what they have out of the 27-year old. Swarzak has struggled when he's been asked to start, but as a long man in the bullpen he's performed moderately well (5.79 ERA as Starter, 4.03 as reliever). I believe that the Twins will bring Swarzak back in a similar role in 2013, but if they are intent on finding a spot for B.J. Hermsen, this could be somewhere they'd be willing to make a switch.
    Michael Tonkin - 23, Reliever/Closer, High-A - While Tonkin has never pitched above High-A Fort Myers, he posted a 12.6 K/9 in 2012 and followed that up with a spectacular Arizona Fall League performance posting a 2.45 ERA over 14.2 innings with a 0.75 WHIP. Tonkin will likely start 2012 at Double-A New Britain, but he could certainly be in Rochester by the All-Star break.
    Tim Wood - 30, Closer, Reliever, MLB - Wood was claimed off of waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates after spending all of 2012 in Triple-A. As a likely closer, Wood does not have the kind of strike out numbers you would typically expect, but he's posted a 3.49 and 2.19 ERA each of the last two seasons in Triple-A so he's doing something right. You have to wonder why a guy with a 2.19 ERA did not get a September call-up with the Pirates as they were once again spiraling their way to another losing record. Before his successful 2011 and 2012 seasons, Wood struggled mightily in the PCL, splitting time between the Miami Marlins and Texas Rangers systems. Do not expect to see Wood on the 25-man roster this spring, as he's likely to spend most of the season in Rochester.
    Left Handed Pitchers
    Scott Diamond - 26, Starter, MLB - Diamond is the lone Twins starter to be guaranteed a spot in the 2013 rotation, so as long as he makes it through Spring Training without injury he has a secure spot on the 25-man roster. Diamond is now 2 years removed from being drafted by the Twins in the Rule 5 draft and while his strike out numbers are dreadfully low (12.6% strike out rate), he manages to keep the base paths clear by limiting walks and inducing ground balls. If Diamond can repeat his 2012 numbers the Twins will be ecstatic.
    Brian Duensing - 29, Reliever/LOOGY/Starter, MLB - With the Twins again searching for answers from their starting rotation Duensing given another chance to win a spot as a starter. He didn't fare well. Overall, Duensing has a 4.57 ERA as a starter compared to just a 3.38 ERA out of the pen. As a starter Duensing is subject to facing a lot more right handed batters (.302/.358/.473, AGV/OBP/SLG), whereas in the bullpen he can be used selectively against left handed batters (.217/.261/.298). Hopefully the Twins understand who Duensing is at this point in his career and keep him in the pen. He's a lock to be on the 25-man roster and should begin the year as the teams primary LOOGY (Left-handed One Out guY).
    Pedro Hernandez - 23, Starter, MLB - Hernandez is one of the players the Twins acquired in the Francisco Liriano deal with the White Sox. Hernandez has just one disastrous Major League start, and has only 52.1 innings at Triple-A. The Twins should send Hernandez back to Rochester to start 2013, and unless things go poorly for the Twins rotation again this year, he's unlikely to put on a big league uniform anytime before September.
    Glen Perkins - 29, Reliever/Closer, MLB - After signing a 4 year $11.85 million dollar deal this past winter, Glen Perkins went out and had one of the best years of his career, posting a 2.56 ERA to go along with 78 strike outs and just 16 walks in 70.1 innings. Perkins will start 2013 as the Twins primary closer, a role he shared at times in 2012 with Matt Capps and Jared Burton.
    Tyler Robertson - 24, Reliever/LOOGY, MLB - Making his Major League debut in 2012, Robertson performed poorly, but his Minor League performance in 2012, prior to his stint with the Twins, show the signs of life you like to see from a big left-hander. He gets plenty of strike outs (10.4/9 innings), and he doesn't give up a lot of a home runs. For Robertson the biggest issue is going to be control, as he walked 14 batters in his 25 innings for the Twins a year ago. Robertson is great against left-handed batters (.190/.268/.317), but if he cannot learn to get out right-handed hitters (.290/.436/.484) he is not going to stick around for long. Robertson should start the year as the Twins #2 LOOGY and a middle reliever.
    Caleb Thielbar - 25, Reliever, AAA - Thielbar made it as far as AAA in 2012, but at the end of 2011 he had never pitched above High-A. Thielbar likely needs some additional Minor League seasoning before the Twins are ready to put him on the 25-man roster, especially after a terrible Arizona Fall League permanence in which he posted an 11.05 ERA with 8 walks in just 13.0 innings.
    The Twins definitely have plenty of arms on the 40-man roster, but they don't have a lot of talent in the bunch. If the Twins start the season with this same group of arms they'll have Scott Diamond, Kyle Gibson, and Liam Hendriks as their one-two-three starters, and will be well on their way to another 90 loss season. It is more likely that the Twins sign at least two free agent pitchers, and bring in another arm via trade, but until anything happens, there is not a lot of hope readily available in Minnesota.
     
    For a look at Twins position players on the 40-man roster, click over to Knuckleballs.
     
    -ERolfPleiss
     
     
  6. Eric R Pleiss
    Episode 13 of the Twins baseball podcast, Talk To Contact (@TalkToContact), is now available for download via iTunes or by clicking here.

    http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/larien.jpg

     
     
    This week Paul and I take a look at Twins prospect (?) Daniel Ortiz and Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew. We again field a bunch of questions from the interwebs. Among the topics discussed form the mail bag: Joe Benson and his mullet, the Miami/Toronto trade, and regular season wins versus playoff success. We also have an update on the email from Larien who wanted to have a relationship and a business proposal. Tune in for Minnesota Twins banter and a whole lot more.
    You can follow Paul on Twitter (@BaseballPirate) or read his writing at the Puckett’s Pond.
    Oh, and I was a guest on this past Friday’s episode of the Phil Naessens Show. I talked a little bit about more about the Marlins/Blue Jays trade, and assess the current state of the Twins offseason.
    - ERolfPleiss
    ________________
    If you enjoy our podcast, please take a couple extra minutes and rate and review us on iTunes (ratings and reviews have magical iTunes powers, which help us become warlocks)
  7. Eric R Pleiss
    This article was originally posted at Knuckleballsblog.com.
     
    Last night, Bryce Harper and Mike Trout were awarded the Rookie of the Year awards, in the National and American League, respectively. Harper and Trout did amazing things as rookies, and in the case of Mike Trout, had the best season a rookie has ever had. Harper helped the Washington Nationals win their division, and Trout did his part to keep the Los Angeles Angels relevant until the final week of the season. Minnesota Twins, on the other hand, had plenty of rookies suit up for them in 2012, but outside of Scott Diamond, none of them did much of anything to help the Twins win games (in fairness, the rest of the team was not exactly doing a lot to help the Twins win games either).


    http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DiamondAPphoto.jpgScott Diamond (photo: Genevieve Ross/AP)
     


    MLB classifies rookies as any player with less than 130 at bats or 50 innings pitched or any player with less 45 or less days on the active roster during any part of the season other than September). Using the at bat and innings pitched limits, the Twins used 16 different players in 2012 that qualified as rookies: Brian Dozier, Chris Parmelee, Darin Mastroianni, Pedro Florimon, Matt Carson, Eduardo Escobar, Erik Komatsu, Chris Herrmann, Scott Diamond, Liam Hendriks, Sam Deduno, Cole De Vries, Tyler Robertson, Lester Oliveros, Kyle Waldrop, and Casey Fien. That's 16 out of 47 total players used in 2012 for the Twins, or a little bit more than 1 out of every 3 Twins. That is a lot of youth especially considering the Twins only called up a limited number of players in September, and just two rookies (Herrmann and Escobar).
    As a group, those 16 rookies accounted for a grand total of 4.1 Wins Above Replacement. They were led by Scott Diamond with 2.2 WAR, and at the other end was Liam Hendriks, -1.2 WAR. In between the Twins saw surprisingly positive performances from waiver claim Darin Mastroianni(.8 WAR) and defensive specialist Pedro Florimon (.8 WAR). The Twins were also disappointed by break-out candidate Chris Parmelee (-.6 WAR) and would-be lefty-specialist Tyler Robertson.
    Here, alphabetically, is a closer look at each of the Twins' 2012 rookies, including their status heading into 2013, as several players will still retain their rookie eligibility.
    Matt Carson - 31, OF, .227/.246/.242 (BA/OBP/SLG) - Carson exhausted his rookie eligibility in 2012, which is pretty impressive for a guy that is 31 years old and had played in parts of two previous seasons. The Twins called Matt Carson up late in the season when they were a little short on outfielders and Ron Gardenhire really seemed to enjoy having him around. He's unlikely to return to Minneapolis in 2013, as he is off of the 40 man roster, and the Twins have plenty of young outfielders just waiting to break onto the Major League roster.
    Cole De Vries - 27, RHP, 87.2/4.11/58/18 (IP/ERA/SO/BB) - Cole De Vries was the right guy in the right place at the right time in 2012. After signing as an undrafted free-agent in 2006 out of the University of Minnesota, De Vries spent the better part of the last six years quietly working his way through the Minnesota's farm system. De Vries struggled in 2010 (after being converted to a bullpen guy) between AA New Britain and AAA Rochester, but in 2011 he turned things around and despite starting the year back in Double-A, he finished the year in Rochester with a combined 3.40 ERA. De Vries started 2012 in Rochester (once again as a starting pitcher) and when the arms were falling off of every Twins starting pitcher with a hear beat, he was called up to the big leagues and performed better than many had expected. De Vries has lost his rookie eligibility heading into 2013, but he remains on the 40-man roster and has an outside chance of being the Twins' 5th starter this spring.
    Samuel Deduno - 29, RHP, 79.0/4.44/57/53 - Deduno was having himself a very surprising 2012 campaign until a string of bad starts toward the tail end of the season ballooned his ERA over 4. Deduno is a guy that has great movement on his pitches, but unfortunately not even he knows where the ball is likely to end up and as a result, Deduno finished the year with almost as many walks as strike outs. Deduno seemed to get a handle on his wildness about half way through his season, and will need to show increased control this spring but could battle De Vries for that 5th spot in the rotation. Deduno is on the 40-man roster and has exhausted his rookie eligibility.
    Scott Diamond - 26, LHP, 173.0/3.54/90/31 - He turned out to be the Twins' most effective starting pitcher in 2012, leading the team in innings, and providing the Twins with a reliable performance every fifth day. Without Diamond the Twins' best starter would have been Samuel Deduno, certainly not anyone's idea of a staff ace. Diamond is the only starting pitcher from the 2012 staff that has been guaranteed a spot in the 2013 rotation, and if the Twins can do enough in free agency, Diamond slots in as a solid number 3. Like Deduno, Diamond remains on the 40-man roster and is no longer eligible as a rookie.
    ...Continue reading at Knuckleballsblog.com
    -ERolfPleiss
  8. Eric R Pleiss
    This article was originally posted at Knuckleballsblog.com.
     
    It is way to early to start thinking about the MLB draft, especially with real, meaningful baseball being played. But it probably does not hurt to start familiarizing ourselves with some of the names that might be floating around the top of the pre-draft rankings. If the draft was to start today, the Twins would find themselves with the third overall selection. Here are the first 6 of 11 potential first round draft picks the Twins could take in 2013.
    http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Mark-Appel.jpg
    Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford
    Appel is back in the draft for the third time after being selected in the 15th round by the Detroit Tigers in the 15th round of the 2009 draft, and again by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first round (8th overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He has a fastball that sits in the mid 90s and a nice looping slider that devastates right handed batters. Appel will be 22 next July and with the current state of Minnesota’s pitching staff, he would instantly become one of the best pitchers in the organization.
    Ryne Stanek, RHP, Arkansas
    Stanek was originally drafted in the 3rd round of the 2010 draft by the Seattle Marinersbut chose instead to attend college at the University of Arkansas.From his Arkansas Razorbacksprofile, he has a low 90s fastaball and a “tremendous” breaking ball. He was 8-4 in 2012 as a weekend starter for the Razorbacks and was an All-SEC performer. Matt Garrioch atMinorLeagueBall.com says of Stanek, “One of the best college pitches I have seen over the last 3 years.” He’ll need another strong season in the SEC to move onto the Twins’ radar at the top of the 1st round, but with a big time need for starting pitchers, you can’t count him out.
    Jeremy Martinez, C, Mater Dei HS (California)
    Jeremy Martinez is ESPN’s number 1 rated HS prospect on the ESPN 60 list. He’s committed to playing for the USC Trojans in 2013, but if the Twins are looking down the road for a guy to replace Joe Mauer, Martinez could be their man. Power showcase.com lists his pop-time from home to 2nd base at 1.86 seconds, which is pretty quick no matter who you are (MLB average is usually right around 1.8-1.9). In 2011 he was one of just two juniors on the USA 18 and Under squad so he’s been a front runner for the 2013 draft for some time now. The Twins seem to like current Minor League catcher Chris Herrmann, but Martinez would have a much higher ceiling than any catcher in the Twins organization.
    Austin Wilson, OF, Stanford
    Austin Wilson was drafted in the 12th round of the 2010 draft by the St. Louis Cardinals but found his way to onto Stanford Cardinal squad instead of going pro. As a sophomore in 2012 Wilson hit .285 and lead the team with 56 runs scored and 10 home runs. He also walked 24 times and was hit 15 more, raising his OBP to .389. Wilson will need to cut down on his strike outs (44) without sacrificing any of his power to move up the draft boards prior to the 2013 draft.
    ...Continue reading at Knuckleballsblog.com
  9. Eric R Pleiss
    Originally posted at Knuckleballs.
    Yesterday afternoon 32,261 baseball fans were treated to a 4.1 inning performance fromNick Blackburn in which more batters hit home runs (2) than struck out (1). Before he was yanked midway through the 5th inning, Blackburn faced 23 batters, and gave up 10 hits and 8 runs (all earned). Unfortunately for Twins fans, this marked Blackburn’s 8th start of 2012 in which he gave up 5 or more earned runs and failed to get through the 6th inning. In fact, Blackburn has pitched into the 7th inning just once in 2012, just last week when he went 6.2 innings and gave up just a single earned run, his best start since July 15th of 2011 when he was able to go seven full innings without giving up any runs, despite being tagged with a 2-1 loss.
    Originally drafted in the 29th round of the 2001 amateur draft out of Seminole State College, Blackburn made his MLB debut as a September call-up in 2007, going 0-2 in 11.2 innings spread out over 6 relief appearances. In 2008 he made the team coming out of Spring Training and has been a perennial fixture in the Twins rotation since then. Blackburn pitched fairly well in 2008 and 2009, posting ERAs just a blip over 4 in back to back seasons, and averaged almost 200 innings a year. Coming off of his 2009 season the Twins inked Blackburn to a 4 year $14 million dollar extension that included an $8 million dollar team option for 2014. Since that time he has struggled to stay healthy and seen his ERA increase, despite playing in the pitcher friendly confines of Target Field for half of his starts.


    http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Blackburn.jpgNick Blackburn

    2010 was a down year for Blackburn as his ERA rose to a career high 5.24 due in large part to career highs in HR/9 and BB/9 and a career low 3.8 SO/9. In 2011 Blackburn rebounded early in the season and had a 3.64 ERA through the end of June and looked like he had finally become the pitcher the Twins had hoped he would be. He was striking out almost 1 more batter per 9 than he was in 2010 and his BB/9 were down to a minuscule .84 walks per nine innings. However, Blackburn fell off significantly after the All-Star break and was shut down at the end of August and never made another appearance in 2011, finishing the year with just 148.1 innings pitched and an ERA of 4.49.
    Heading into 2012 the Twins were hopeful that Nick Blackburn would return from the arm issues that cost him the end of the 2011 season and once again be the dependable innings eater he was in 2008, 2009, and even the first half of 2011. Unfortunately things have been anything but smooth for Blackburn in 2012. His ERA is 7.46, he’s giving up more home runs than any other time in his career, and opposing teams are just spraying the ball all over the field against him. Opponents are hitting .327/.368/.566 against him, good enough for an OPS of .934, the same OPS as Melky Cabrera. Definitely not a recipe for success.
     
    ...
    Read on at Knuckleballs
  10. Eric R Pleiss
    This article was originally posted at Knuckleballsblog.com.
     
    The last time the Twins were any good (2010) they were swept out of the post season once again by the New York Yankees. The Twins finished that season with 84 wins, 4th best in all of baseball. They were rewarded for their success with the 30th selection in the 2011 draft. With that pick they selected Levi Michael.
    At the time of the draft Levi Michael and the University of North Caroline Tar Heels were playing their way into the College World Series (where they promptly made a two game exit). Levi Michael was in the midst of a fairly strong junior season (.289/.434/.434 (BA/OBP/SLG)), but he dealt with an ankle injury early on in that season which nagged him for a good part of the year. His sophomore season at UNC was his best, hitting .343/.484/.575 and ranked as the 13th best hitter in the ACC. While Michael was never projected to be a power hitter, his on-base skills (more walks than strikeouts 47/41) and his speed, coupled with pretty decent range on the defensive side of the ball made him one of, if not the top shortstops in the draft.
    http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Levi-Michael.jpg
    PHOTO BY SCOTT BUTHERUS, NAPLES NEWS
    Selecting Levi Michael was a departure from the Twins' usual draft strategy of drafting toolsy high schoolers (think Ben Revere and Aaron Hicks) and college arms (Kyle Gibson and Alex Wimmers), and was their first college position player taken since Travis Lee in 1996.* Perhaps the Twins selected Michael understanding that he was one of the best players available to them with the 30th pick and they certainly had a system void of shortstops with high upsides.
    The Twins signed Michael late for $1.75 million and despite not having a chance to play competitive baseball for the Twins in 2011, they started him at High A playing a combination of shortstop and second base for the Ft. Myers Miracle. Going into 2012 Baseball America rated Michael as the Twins 6th best prospect. TheTwins' rationale at the time had to be that Levi Michael was a polished college player who should not have much trouble adjusting to professional baseball, and could rise quickly through the Twins MiLB system.
    *The Twins whiffed on Lee in 1996, failing to sign him in the two weeks following the draft. He eventually signed a $10 million dollar 4-year contract with the expansion Arizona Diamondbacks and was their starting first basemen in their inaugural season in 1998 (and came in 3rd in Rookie of the Year voting). Lee posted a career bWAR of 5.3.
    Read about Levi Michael's 2012 season at Knuckleballs
  11. Eric R Pleiss
    This article was originally posted at Knuckleballsblog.com.
     
    The last time the Twins were any good (2010) they were swept out of the post season once again by the New York Yankees. The Twins finished that season with 84 wins, 4th best in all of baseball. They were rewarded for their success with the 30th selection in the 2011 draft. With that pick they selected Levi Michael.
    At the time of the draft Levi Michael and the University of North Caroline Tar Heels were playing their way into the College World Series (where they promptly made a two game exit). Levi Michael was in the midst of a fairly strong junior season (.289/.434/.434 (BA/OBP/SLG)), but he dealt with an ankle injury early on in that season which nagged him for a good part of the year. His sophomore season at UNC was his best, hitting .343/.484/.575 and ranked as the 13th best hitter in the ACC. While Michael was never projected to be a power hitter, his on-base skills (more walks than strikeouts 47/41) and his speed, coupled with pretty decent range on the defensive side of the ball made him one of, if not the top shortstops in the draft.
    http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Levi-Michael.jpg
    PHOTO BY SCOTT BUTHERUS, NAPLES NEWS
    Selecting Levi Michael was a departure from the Twins' usual draft strategy of drafting toolsy high schoolers (think Ben Revere and Aaron Hicks) and college arms (Kyle Gibson and Alex Wimmers), and was their first college position player taken since Travis Lee in 1996.* Perhaps the Twins selected Michael understanding that he was one of the best players available to them with the 30th pick and they certainly had a system void of shortstops with high upsides.
    The Twins signed Michael late for $1.75 million and despite not having a chance to play competitive baseball for the Twins in 2011, they started him at High A playing a combination of shortstop and second base for the Ft. Myers Miracle. Going into 2012 Baseball America rated Michael as the Twins 6th best prospect. TheTwins' rationale at the time had to be that Levi Michael was a polished college player who should not have much trouble adjusting to professional baseball, and could rise quickly through the Twins MiLB system.
    In 87 games for the Miracle, Michael has struggled to get his offensive game going. He is hitting just .237/.333/.309. He has continued to showcase a strong understanding of the strike zone at High-A, walking in more than 11% of all plate appearances. Unfortunately, he is not getting on base enough to steal bases and he has not shown any of the power he did in college, with just 15 extra base hits so far this year (his OPS of .642 does not even rank him in the top 100 of the Florida State League). Michael's batting line is held down mostly due to a poor 1st half where he batted just .216/.317/.293. He's been much better in the second half so far (.275/.365/.339) and he's cut his strike out rate nearly in half down to 12.8% from 22.6%. However, as a switch hitter he's still struggling mightily against right handed pitching, with an OPS of just .608, almost 100 points lower than against left handed pitching. At 21 years of age Levi Michael is the 3rd youngest player on the Miracle Roster, and almost two full years younger than the average Florida State League player, so even if he spends all of 2012 and part of 2013 in Ft. Myers he would still be a full year younger than the average player when he joins the Double-A Rock Cats.
    While his bat is still adjusting to the professional game, Michael is making most of the plays at both SS and 2B and leads the Miracle in games played and Fielding% at both positions. Michael's future in the middle infield is still up in the air as the Miracle have him splitting time between the two positions, spending slightly more time at short. I'm not going to pretend to know much of anything about his defensive abilities beyond the tidbits I have listed above. I have not seen him play in person, and I do not know if the errors he is committing are because he is getting to balls outside of his range and not making plays, or because he is just booting balls on routine plays. Any help in this area would be greatly appreciated.
    The biggest take-away on Levi Michael is that it is still early. He is in his first year of professional baseball and he is one of the youngest players on his team. He is going to face plenty more ups and downs in his career. Compared to the Twins' current shortstop, Brian Dozier, Michael has posted essentially the same line in his first year of High-A baseball that Dozier posted in his first full year at the same level, but Michael is two years younger and did not have the extra two years in the Twins system that Dozier had. The future might not look bright right now, but Levi Michael is still the best middle infield prospect in the Twins system not named Eddie Rosario.
    *The Twins whiffed on Lee in 1996, failing to sign him in the two weeks following the draft. He eventually signed a $10 million dollar 4-year contract with the expansion Arizona Diamondbacks and was their starting first basemen in their inaugural season in 1998 (and came in 3rd in Rookie of the Year voting). Lee posted a career bWAR of 5.3.
    -ERolfPleiss
  12. Eric R Pleiss
    Originally published at www.Knuckleballsblog.com
     
    http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/172493889-194x300.jpg
    I recently received a review copy of Harmon Killebrew: Ultimate Slugger. The book was written by Steve Aschburner with a foreword by Jim Thome and published by Triumph Books.
    Steve Aschburner is a long time sports writer, covering all four major league sports and NCAA basketball. His primary area of emphasis is NBA basketball, but between this book, and his 2008 work "The Good, the Bad & the Ugly: Minnesota Twins", it is clear that he has a soft spot for America's Pastime and the Minnesota Twins.
    As a Twins fan not old enough to have seen Harmon Killebrew play for the Senators/Twins, nor old enough even to remember him calling games for the Twins on television, reading Ultimate Slugger provided an excellent opportunity to familiarize myself with one of the greatest men to ever play professional baseball. Not only did I learn a lot about Killebrew, but I learned a lot about the game of baseball as it was played nearly 50 years ago.
    The book is straight forward enough, it starts with a brief synopsis of Killebrew's family lineage, includes some stories about Killebrew as a young kind, and then follows his career through his early days as a "Bonus Baby" in the 1950s right through his playing days and his strong presence with the Twins up until 2011.
    The two things I liked best about Ultimate Slugger was the way Aschburner captured the spirit of Killebrew and the insights into Major League Baseball as it existed in the 50s and 60s. Aschburner best captured Killebrew through interviews and stories from his life long friends. He provided insight into the MLB gone-by with just enough statistical analysis to give you an idea of how the game was played and who the biggest players were, and throwing in some anecdotes that highlight the essence of the game.
    One thing that particularly struck me was the story of how Harmon Killebrew's first trip to the Major Leagues. Killebrew joined the Washington Senators during a 19 game road trip. A NINETEEN GAME ROAD TRIP (The Twins' longest road trip in 2012 is 10 games, and that's one of the longest road trips in MLB this year). But when Killebrew joined the Senators on that road trip, it was not just the first time he'd been to a Major League game, but the first time he'd even seen a Major League stadium. Because he was a "bonus baby" Killebrew did not have the benefit of Minor League seasoning, and his first two years he played sporadically, mostly being used as a pinch hitter or pinch runner. Pretty interesting start for a man that would become an MLB icon.
    The biggest drawback to the book is Aschburner's writing style. As a seasoned sports writer, his book reads more like a 230 page newspaper column than a regular biography. Aschburner uses more than his fair share of hokey transitions and cliches to chronicle the life of Harmon Killebrew, but that's really the only knock on the book.
    If you're a Twins fan looking to gain more insight into the life and stories that surrounded Harmon Killebrew you should definitely pick up a copy* of "Harmon Killebrew: Ultimate Slugger".
    *Knuckleballs will be running a contest during the upcoming All-Star break and giving away two copies of "Harmon Killebrew: Ultimate Slugger". Stay tuned!
  13. Eric R Pleiss
    The Twins lost their 10th straight on Sunday afternoon, wrapping up one of the worst series we've seen this year, part of one of the worst stretches of Twins baseball we've seen since losing became so popular at 1 Twins Way. In addition to losing the game, the Twins lost Danny Santana to the DL with a sprained shoulder.
     
    Transaction Report: The injury to Danny Santana led to a late scratch for Rochester's Logan Schafer as the Twins selected his contract before the Red Wings started on Sunday evening. Why the Twins decided to promote Schafer is a mystery. Let the fans get a good look at players they've never heard about, probably. Anyways, Randy LeBlanc was promoted from Fort Myers to Chattanooga, and to replace LeBlanc, the Miracle received Brian Olson from the GCL Twins (from the other side of the MiLB complex in Fort Myers).
     
    Continue reading to find out more detail about Sunday in the Twins farm system:
     
    RED WINGS REPORT
    Scranton Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
    Box Score
     
    Byron Buxton was 1-5 with four strike outs and a single. John Ryan Murphy had a nice night at the plate, 3-4 with a strike out. Adam Walker had a pair of doubles (and a pair of strike outs) as part of his 2-4 night. Despite what Murphy and Walker did for the Wings, they managed just one run, maybe it was because as a team they struck out 22 times and worked just two walks. That might have something to do with it.
     
    Jason Wheeler gave up three runs over seven innings, spreading six hits and three strike outs. He gave up one home run, but was tagged with the loss despite the quality start because of the flummoxed Red Wings hitters. D. J. Baxendale pitched 2.0 innings of scoreless relief, giving up one hit and striking out a pair of RailRiders.
     
    Final: RailRiders 3, Red Wings 1
     
    LOOKOUTS LOOK-IN
    Mississippi Braves @ Chattanooga
    Box Score
     
    With a 4-0 lead after four innings, the Lookouts were in good shape, attacking the Braves' starter Sean Newcomb. Aaron Slegers, starting for the Lookouts, went seven innings, gave up two runs on six hits. He struck out six, walked two, and left the game with a lead and an opportunity to pick up a win. But it wasn't meant to be as the Lookouts couldn't push any more runs across the board, and Zack Jones gave up a run in the eight, and two more in the ninth to blow the save, and the game. Jones' final line was 2.0 innings pitched, three hits, three runs, a walk, and three strike outs. The loss drops him to 2-2.
     
    Third baseman Ryan Walker left the game in the fourth inning after being in the hand by an errant pitch. He was replaced by Tanner Witt. Zach Granite had another great game with the bat, 3-5 with a double and two runs score, plus a stolen base (and he was caught stealing). The rest of the Lookouts had just five hits. Twins former first round pick Levi Michael was 0-2 with a walk and two strike outs and is hitting just .220/.296/.302 as a 25-year old in AA.
    Final: Braves 5, Lookouts 4
     
    MIRACLE MATTERS
    Fort Myers @ Jupiter Hammerheads
    Box Score
     
    The Miracle jumped ahead 2-1 in the seventh and then added three more in the top of the eighth for good measure, taking down the Hammerheads 5-1. Tanner English led off for the Miracle and was 2-5 with a pair of runs scored. Trey Vavra had a pair of hits as well, including a run scored, a walk, and an RBI. Brad Hartong also contributed a pair of singles from the 9th spot in the order.
     
    Keaton Steele picked up his seventh win of the year, moving to 7-11 with a 3.66 ERA. He pitched 6.0 innings of five-hit baseball. He gave up just one unearned run, walked one, and struck out four. Nick Anderson picked up a hold with 2.0 innings of hitless relief work, and John Curtiss finished things off with a 1-2-3 ninth.
     
    Final: Miracle 5, Hammerheads 1
     
    KERNELS KORNER
    Cedar Rapids @ Clinton Lumber Kings
    Box Score
     
    The Kernels won their seventh straight on Sunday afternoon and could clinch a playoff spot as early as Monday evening if things break right for them. On Sunday the Kernels were powered by their pitching staff. Brady Anderson moved to 3-0 with 6.0 innings of four-hit baseball. He walked none, gave up no runs, and struck out four. He was replaced by Logan Lombana who pitched 2.0 innings. Lombana gave up a run on three hits and struck out three. Tom Hackimer earned the save with a clean ninth inning, including a strike out.
     
    Nelson Molina was the hero of the day for the Kernels, with a 3-4 night that included a double, a solo home run, and two runs scored. Jaylin Davis added a solo home run as well, part of his 2-4 night.
    Final: Kernels 4, Lumber Kings 1
     
    E-TWINS E-NOTES
    Elizabethton @ Greenville Astros
    Box Score
     
    Quite a wild back and forth game in the Eastern League for the E-Twins and the Greeneville Astros. The E-Twins scored eight runs on nine hits and four walks. They were led by Amaury Minier, who was 2-5 with a home run and two RBIs. Alex Kiriloff was 0-3 before being replaced by Roberty Gonzalez in the bottom of the sixth. The stat sheet reads as a defensive substitution, but Kiriloff is just 4-32 and has just two hits in his last seven games, so read between the lines a bit for the 18-year old.
     
    E-Twins starter Ryan Mason lasted just 4.1 innings, giving up four runs on four hits and two walks. He struck out one, and gave up a solo home run. He was replaced by Alex Robinson, who gave up 3 runs (all unearned) over 1.2 innings. He struck out three, walked two, and gave up ZERO hits. Rough way to let three runs across the plate. Quin Grogan pitched the final three innings, picking up a blown save and the win thanks to some late inning heroics from the bats. Quin gave up two hits, walked no one, and struck out five.
     
    Final: E-Twins 8, Astros 7
     
    TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
     
    Hitter of the Day - Brady Anderson - Cedar Rapids
    Pitcher of the Day - Zach Granite - Chattanooga
     
    MONDAY'S PROBABLES
     
    Rochester - Tyler Duffey (0-0, 1.72)
     
    Chattanooga - TBD
     
    Fort Myers - Randy LeBlacn (5-7, 4.70)
     
    Cedar Rapids - Eduardo Del Rosario (5-2, 3.81)
     
    E-Twins - Clark Beeker (0-0, 1.80)
     
    GCL Twins - TBD
     
    DSL Twins - TBD
     
    Please ask questions and discuss the Sunday games.
     
    -ERolf
  14. Eric R Pleiss
    Despite four wins from affiliates on Thursday, the games didn't produce a lot of stand-out performances. A couple key hits here and there, some solid relief work, and that's sort of how things worked out across the system.
     
    Transaction Report:Alan Busenitz promoted to Rochester, Omar Bencomo demoted to Chattanooga, Todd Van Steensel promoted to Chattanooga, Mason Melotakis placed on 7-day disabled list (Chattanooga),
     
    Continue reading to find out more detail about Thursday in the Twins farm system:
     
    RED WINGS REPORT
    Buffalo Bisons @ Rochester
    Box Score
     
    The Red Wings fell behind 3-0 in the top of the second inning but got a run back in the bottom half of the inning, and then used a 3-run Reynald Rodriguez home run to pull ahead in the third. Rodriguez was 1-3 and also walked. Mitch Garver was the only Red Wings player with multiple hits, 2-4 with an RBI and a pair of strike outs.
     
    Despite giving up those three early runs, Jason Wheeler pitched well enough for the victory, moving to 10-4. He pitched 6.0 innings, gave up five hits, three runs, walked no one and struck out six. The bullpen locked things down the rest of the way, with 2.0 scoreless innings from D.J. Baxendale, and Alex Wimmers put the Bisons to bed with a scoreless ninth inning.
     
    Final: Bisons 3, Red Wings 6
     
    LOOKOUTS LOOK-IN
    Montgomery Biscuits @ Chattanooga
    Box Score
     
    The Lookouts gave up a run in the top of the first inning and were not able to come back the rest of the way. Starter Aaron Slegers dropped to 9-7 with the loss. He pitched 5.1 innings and gave up five hits, six runs (five earned), walked four and struck out just three. With Slegers out of the game, the bullpen held the Biscuits in place, with 2.2 innings of scoreless baseball from Brandon Peterson, and a clean 1-2-3 ninth for Todd Van Steensel, making his AAA debut.
     
    The Lookouts combined for five hits, but struck out ten times on the evening, failing to really get things going except for a run here and there while already behind. No Lookouts hitter had more than one hit, and if I had to pick the top performer, I'd probably give it to Zach Granite, 1-3, but he had both RBIs.
     
    Final: Biscuits 6, Lookouts 2
     
    MIRACLE MATTERS
    Fort Myers @ St. Lucie Mets
    Box Score
     
    The Miracle were out hit 6-5, and committed a pair of errors, but still came away with a 1-0 shut out victory, thanks in large part to Fernando Romero. Romero pitched 6.1 innings of 3-hit baseball, walking two and striking out eight. Romero's bullpen buddies Randy Rosario and Nick Anderson finished out the final 2.1 innings, giving up three more hits, walked one, and striking out five combined. This was the 16th shutout on the season for the Miracle staff.
     
    The Miracle's lone run was scored in a pretty unexciting fifth inning that started with a single, then a walk, a hit batsman, and another walk. Christian Ibarra and Daniel Kihle both led the way, each with a pair of hits, 2-3 with a double. Nick Gordon was 0-4 as the DH, with a strike out.
    Final: Miracle 1, Mets 0
     
    KERNELS KORNER
    Cedar Rapids @ Peoria Chiefs
    Box Score
     
    The Kernels were up 2-1 after the fourth inning and things held there until the Chiefs came up to bat in the bottom of the ninth. With Tom Hackimer on the mound, Peoria quickly put the first two men on via walks, and then a single tied the game and another single gave Peoria the victory.
     
    Cedar Rapids starter Sean Poppen pitched 5.0 innings, gave up four hits, a run, walked three and struck out five. He was replaced by Andrew Vasquez who went 2.2 innings, gave up one hit and struck out six. Vasquez was lifted with two outs in the eight and Hackimer entered and produced a strike out to get the Kernels out of a jam, before giving the game away in the ninth.
     
    Travis Blankenhorn was 1-4 but had both RBIs for the Kernels. Nelson Molina was 2-4 with a run scored and Casey Scoggins was 2-3 with a walk.
     
    Final: Kernels 2, Chiefs 3
     
    E-TWINS E-NOTES
    Elizabethton @ Burlington Royals
    Box Score
     
    The E-Twins scored a run in the top of the first and pushed their lead to 4-1 after six innings. Each two put a two-spot on the board in the eighth to end the scoring. Twins hitters racked up eight hits, one walk, and struck out ten times. Amaurys Minier hit a 3-run homer in the sixth, his only hit of th enight. Alex Kirilloff was 2-4 with an RBI and a pair of runs scored.
     
    The Twins used 5.2 innings from starter Alex Schick to get him the victory. He gave up just two hits, one run, walked two and struck out seven. Hector Lujan and Patrick McGuff did enough to keep the Twins ahead the rest of the way with 2.0 innings from Lujan and 1.1 from McGuff.
     
    Final: E-Twins 6, Royals 3
    GCL TWINS TALK
    GCL Rays @ GCL Twins (Game 1)
    Box Score
     
    In the first game of a double-header, the GCL Twins scored six runs on just four hits, enough to earn a victory. All four of the Twins' hits were single, and no batter had more than one. Starting pitcher Tyler Fox went just 4.0 innings, gave up five hits, three runs and struck out four. He was replaced by Moises Gomez who earned a win with 3.0 hitless innings. He walked one and struck out three.
    Final: GCL Rays 3, GCL Twins 6
     
    GCL Rays @ GCL Twins (Game 2)
    Box Score
     
    Again, not much for production with the bats in game two, as the Twins managed just four more hits, again all singles, and again spread out to four different players. This time they could not find a way to score. The Twins did not walk at all, and struck out six times. Twins starting pitcher Bo Hellquist was tagged with the loss, giving up two runs in 4.2 innings. He gave up five hits, walked two and struck out three. He was replaced by Zach Strecker who pitched the final 2.1 innings, giving up a pair of hits and striking out three.
     
    Final: GCL Rays 2, GCL Twins 0
     
    DSL TWINS TAKES
    DSL Twins @ DSL Rojos
    Box Score
     
    Eight hits a piece for the Twins and the Rojos, but the Twins scored their only two runs in the top of the ninth, which was too few runs to earn a victory. The Twins were led by Darling Cuesto who was 2-3 with a double, a walk, and a run scored. Twins starter Juan Mojica left in the fifth with the score still 0-0, he walked two, struck out seven, and gave up just three hits. Luis Bellorin gave up four runs in an inning to take home the loss, and Andriu Marin finished things out, giving up another run to give the Rojos five.
     
    Final: DSL Twins 2, DSL Rojos 5
    TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
     
    Hitter of the Day - Alex Kirilloff - Elizabethton
    Pitcher of the Day - Fernando Romero - Fort Myers
     
    FRIDAY'S PROBABLES
     
    Rochester - David Hurlbut (0-1, 6.00)
     
    Chattanooga - Kohl Stewart (6-6, 3.25)
    Fort Myers - Dereck Rodriguez (1-1, 1.98)
     
    Cedar Rapids - Lachlan Wells (4-3, 2.36)
     
    E-Twins - TBD
     
    GCL Twins - TBD
     
    DSL Twins - TBD
     
    Please ask questions and discuss the Thursday games.
     
     
    -ERolf
  15. Eric R Pleiss
    Transaction Report:
     
    Continue reading to find out more detail about Thursday in the Twins farm system:
     
    RED WINGS REPORT
    Rochester @ Lehigh Valley IronPigs
    Box Score
     
    Kind of a forgettable night for the Red Wings, except for Trevor Plouffe, who played first base and hit third. He was 2-4 with a home run, a double, and a pair of RBIs. Unfortunately the rest of the Red Wings went a combined 1-26 with 12 strike outs. Byung Ho Park was 0-4 with a pair of strike outs.
     
    Starter Andrew Albers was tagged with his fifth loss of the year to fall to 9-5 after 4.0 innings of five-run ball. He gave up eight hits, walked three, and didn't bother to strike anyone out. He also gave up a pair of home runs. D.J. Baxendale pitched great in relief, giving up just a pair of hits over 3.0 scoreless innings. J.T.Chargois gave up two runs (one earned) in the eighth inning to finish things up for the Red Wings staff.
    Final: Red Wings 2, IronPigs 7
     
    LOOKOUTS LOOK-IN
    Jacksonville Suns @ Chattanooga
    Box Score
     
    Chattanooga scored all of their runs in one inning, putting a 3-spot on the board in the bottom of the sixth. That sixth inning included a Levi Michael triple, a hit battsman, a sacrifice bunt that left the bunter on second base, a single, a pitching change, a stolen base, a strike out, a ground out, a walk, another stolen base, and finally ended with a strikeout of the eighth man in the inning to bat.
     
    Starter Kohl Stewart picked up the win to move to 6-5 with eight innings of solid work. Stewart struck out just two and walked four, and gave up seven hits, including a home run but gave up just two runs. Jake Reed came on for the ninth and pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his third save of the year.
     
    Final: Jacksonville 2, Lookouts 3
     
    MIRACLE MATTERS
    Fort Myers @ Charlotte Stone Crabs
    Box Score
     
    The Miracle used a 3-run first to get out in front of the Stone Crabs, but then did not score again. Their pitching staff gave up a pair of runs in the bottom half of the first, another run in the second, and fell behind after giving up another run in the third. They would give up one more run in the eighth, to give Charlotte some insurance.
     
    No Miracle hitter had more than one hit, But DH Tanner English (hitting leadoff) picked up three walks as part of an 0-2 night, and T.J. White hit a two run home run as part of that three-run first inning. Starting pitcher Fernando Romero only pitched three innings, giving up five hits, four runs, three earned, with two walks, one strike out and zero home runs (if only he managed to pitch 6 innings we'd have a lovely 6/5/4/3/2/1/0 line). Todd Van Steensel gave the Miracle 2.1 scoreless innings, Randy Rosario did the same over 1.2, and then Luke Bard gave up a run in the eighth to end the night.
     
    Final: Miracle 3, Stone Crabs 5
     
    KERNELS KORNER
    Peoria Chiefs @ Cedar Rapids
    Box Score
     
    Christian Ibarra (2-4 with a home run, a walk, and two runs scored) led the way for the Kernels in defeat, and Nelson Moline (3-4 with an RBI) helped out, but otherwise the Kernels bats were quiet, garnering just one more hit from the rest of the team.
     
    Starter Lachlan Wells earned a no-decision despite leaving down three runs when the Kernels rallied to tie the game in the eighth. Unfortunately the Chiefs got to reliever Anthony McIver in the tenth inning, giving up three runs on three hits, and a pair of hits. He struck out one.
    Final: Chiefs 7, Kernels 4
     
    E-TWINS E-NOTES
    Elizabethton @ Johnson City Cardinals
    Box Score
     
    Not much doing in Elizabethton as the Twins lost by three runs (and committed three errors), despite out hitting the Cardinals 9-6. The Twins didn't manage any extra base hits, just 9 singles. Lewin Diaz was 2-4 and Roberto Gonzalez was also 2-4, the only hitters must multiple hits. Twins starter Sean Poppen fell to 2-3 with the loss, pitching 5.0 innings giving up six hits, five runs, four earned. He struck out four, walked two, and gave up a home run. He was replaced by Austin Tribby and eventually Tribby gave way to Quin Grogan. The two relievers combined to throw 3.0 innings of no-hit baseball, but the game was already out of hand.
     
    Final: E-Twins 2, Cardinals 5
    GCL TWINS TALK
    GCL Red Sox @ GCL Twins
    Box Score
     
    10 hits for the GCL Twins, including a 3-4 night from Justin Hazard (great name), which included a double. Heiker Meneses had a nice night as well, 2-4 with a walk. Bo Hellquist had a nice start, giving up one run over 6.0 innings. He gave up five hits, walked no one, and struck out a pair. Callan Pearce was tagged with the loss giving up a run in 2.1 innings or relief. Garrett Kelly recorded the final two outs of the night, and gave up a run as well.
    Final: GCL Red Sox 3, GCL Twins 2
     
    DSL TWINS TAKES
    DSL Twins @ DSL D-backs2
    Box Score
     
    The DSL Twins pitched a one-hitter, giving up a double to the leadoff batter in the bottom of the ninth inning. I'm not sure what happened, and sometimes weird things happen in the DSL, but despite not recording any outs in the bottom half of the ninth inning, the game ended after the double. Juan Mojica pitched six innings of no hit ball, walked one, and struck out six to start the night for the Twins. Frandy Torres pitched two more hitless innings, and then Amilcar Cruz gave up the only hit of the game, that leadoff double in the bottom of the ninth.
     
    Four DSL Twins had 2-4 nights, as the Twins racked up 11 hits and two walks against just four strike outs. Darling Cuesto and Antonio Tovar each had identical 2-4 nights with a run scored, a double, and an RBI. Jore Parra was 1-3 with a double and three RBIs.
     
    Final: DSL Twins 6, DSL D-backs2 0
    TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
     
    Hitter of the Day - Trevor Plouffe, Rochester Red Wings
    Pitchers of the Day - DSL Twins Staff
     
    SUNDAY'S PROBABLES
     
    Rochester - Jason Wheeler (9-2, 2.81)
     
    Chattanooga - Omar Bencomo (3-6, 4.41)
     
    Fort Myers - Dereck Rodriguez (Fort Myers Debut)
     
    Cedar Rapids - Tyler Beardsley (Cedar Rapids Debut)
     
    E-Twins - TBD
     
    GCL Twins - OFF
     
    DSL Twins - OFF
     
    Please ask questions and discuss the Saturday games.
     
    -ERolf
  16. Eric R Pleiss
    Seth Stohs had a flurry of transactions to report yesterday, and there are a few more to round up today:
    Luke Westphal placed on the 7-day DL (Fort Myers)
    Miles Nordgren demoted to Cedar Rapids (Fort Myers)
    Tyler Beardsley promoted to Cedar Rapids (Elizabethton Twins)

    Continue reading to find out more detail about Thursday in the Twins farm system:
     
    RED WINGS REPORT
    Pawtucket Red Sox at Rochester
    Box Score
     
    Adalberto Mejia mad his Minnesota Twins affiliate debut on Thursday afternoon and despite a pretty nice start, was tagged for the loss because the Red Wings could only manage four hits and one run (solo shot from Reynaldo Rodriguez (1-2, HR, 2BB, K) in the bottom of the fifth. Mejia did his part, pitching 7.0 innings of two-run ball. He gave up six hits, struck out eight, and didn't give up any free passes. Mejia was lifted for Neil Ramirez who gave up a run in one inning on a hit and a walk. Sean Burnett pitched to six batters in the ninth but managed to keep runs off the board, to finish out the game.
     
    Aside from Reynaldo's big day, not much doing for the Rochester Red Wings with the sticks. Wilfredo Tovar had a couple of empty singles (2-4). Trevor Plouffe, in the midst of what should be about a week long rehab stint, was 1-4 with a pair of strike outs as the designated hitter. Byung Ho Park was 0-4 with two strike outs of his own.
     
    Final: Red Sox 3, Red Wings 1
     
    LOOKOUTS LOOK-IN
    Chattanooga @ Mobile BayBears
    Box Score
     
    I want you to know that Billy Buckner started for the Mobile BayBears on Thursday night, which is a fun thing to read in a box score. I also want you to know that his Twitter handle is @NotThatBB, which is even more fun than reading his name in a box score.
     
    Behind 1-0 headed to the eighth inning, the Lookouts put a couple of men on base, and then tied the game, on what turned out to be a sacrifice double play, as Travis Harrison was thrown out at second base, attempting to take second as Edgar Corcino raced home. The game stayed knotted at 1-1 after the ninth inning thanks to an outfield assist from Zach Granite to catch Todd Galesmann at the plate, ending the inning. Alas, the Lookouts could not plate a run in the top of the tenth and a bizzarro-world ending to the game in the bottom half of the inning resulted in a Lookouts loss. With two outs, and a man on first, reliever Mason Melotakis induced a grounder to shortstop Niko Goodrum, who made an error, allowing the runner to advance to third, putting runners at the corner. Melotakis then struck out the next batter, but the wild pitch got away, and a run scored from third, ending the night for the Lookouts.
     
    Chattanooga starter Stephen Gonsalves gave up a run on three hits, he struck out eight and walked two. Lowering his ERA to 2.62, and increasing his K:BB ratio to 55:24. Ryan Eades gave up a hit in the seventh, but struck out the other three batters he faced, so we'll give him a pass on that hit. Alan Busenitz provided two innings of shutout relief, giving up three hits. Mason Melotakis gets credit for the loss over 0.2 innings, 0 hits, 1 run (unearned), a walk, and a strike out.
     
    Final: Lookouts 1, BayBears 2
     
    MIRACLE MATTERS
    Fort Myers @ Bradenton Marauders
    Box Score
     
    The top of the Miracle order stuck it to the Bradenton pitching staff, with T.J White, Nick Gordon, and Chris Paul, hitting 1-2-3, all collected multiple hits, all had an RBI, and all scored at least one run (White scored two). Gordon added a stolen base (his 13th), just for fun! Not to be left out of two-hit club, Brian Navarreto (hitting eighth) had a 2-4 night with a double (but not run scored, and no RBI for him.
     
    The Miracle starter, Sam Clay, was staked to a 4-0 lead heading into the bottom of the thir dinning, but gave up a pair of runs to cut his lead in half. He would pitch into the sixth inning, but gave up a run and left with another man on base before recording an out (that man would eventually score to close the book on Clay's night 5.0+ IP, 6H, 4R, 3BB, 4K). Luke Bard was charged with a blown save and the win with two innings of scoreless middle relief. John Curiss pitched a scoreless eighth, and Nick Anderson earned his third save to close out the game, preserving the win..
    Final: Miracle 5, Marauders 4
     
    KERNELS KORNER
    Clinton LumberKings @ Cedar Rapids
    Box Score
     
    Both starters gave up a pair of runs in the first inning, and rain put a stop to things in the fourth inning with Clinton up by a run, 3-2, with one out in the bottom half of the inning. The Kernels' two runs came courtesy of a Zander Wiel two-run homer run. The game will be resumed at 5:35pm on Friday.
    Suspended: LumberKings 3, Kernels 2
     
    E-TWINS E-NOTES
    Elizabethton @ Johnson City Cardinals
    Box Score
     
    First rounder Alex Kirilloff put the E-Twins on the board in the top of the first inning with a solo home run. He finished the game 2-4, adding a double before he was finished for the evening. Ben Rortvedt had a pair of RBIs as part off a 1-3 night, the other big contributor to the E-Twins on Thursday evening.
     
    Twins starter Ryan Mason gave up an unearned run in the bottom of the fourth inning, but otherwise kept the Cardinals off of the scoreboard with five innings of solid pitching. Mason walked one, struck out six, and gave up six hits. Hecto Lujan and Patrick McGuff combined four 4.0 innings of scoreless relief to hold on to the victory.
     
    Final: E-Twins 5, Cardinals 1
    GCL TWINS TALK
    Postponed - Rain
     
    DSL TWINS TAKES
    DSL Cubs2 @ DSL Twins
    Box Score
     
    The Twins scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to rally to a 7-4 win. The Twins used four doubles, from four different hitters, to take down the Cubs2. Agustin Marte (2-4), Yelstin Encarnacion (2-5), Jorge Parra (2-4) and Yeremi De La Cruz (2-3) all hit doubles.
     
    On the bump, Melvi Acosta struck out five in 5.0 innings, but also gave up three runs on six hits. Fredderi Soto pitched two innings in middle relief, giving up a run on a pair of hits and two walks. Andriu Marin vultured a win with those late runs, finishing the game by striking out the side in the eighth and ninth innings.
     
    Final: DSL Cubs 4, DSL Twins 7
    TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
     
    Hitter of the Day - Nick Gordon - Fort Myers Miracle
    Pitcher of the Day -
     
    FRIDAY'S PROBABLES
     
    Rochester - Nick Greenwood (2-2, 3.96)
     
    Chattanooga - Aaron Slegers (8-5, 3.76)
     
    Fort Myers - Cody Stashak (Miracle Debut)
    Cedar Rapids - Miled Nordgren (3-5, 3.01)
     
    E-Twins - Alex Schick (2-1, 7.97)
     
    GCL Twins - TBD
     
    DSL Twins - TBD
     
    Please ask questions and discuss the Thursday games.
     
     
    -ERolf
  17. Eric R Pleiss
    The All-Star festivities are all over and the big boys start playing baseball again on Friday night, but things are still busy in the Minor Leagues, with all of the affiliates in action on Thursday night.
     
    Continue reading to find out more detail about Thursday in the Twins farm system:
     
    RED WINGS REPORT
    Norfolk Tide @ Rochester Red Wings
    Box Score
     
    Byung Ho Park had his first multi-hit night since Independence Day, going 2-4 with a home run, and 3 RBIs. He's still hitting just .241 in AAA, but the recent All-Star break hopefully gave his ailing hand some additional time to heal. The Red Wings also received multi-hit games from Darin Mastroianni (2-4 with a run scored), Jorge Polanco (2-4 with a double, run scored and an RBI), and Wilfredo Tovar (2-4 with a pair of doubles). As a team, the Red Wings struck out 11 times, including three each from Daniel Palka (0-4) and John Ryan Murphy (0-4). Murphy has continued to struggle, and as Pioneer Press beat reporter Mike Berardino shared, it looks pretty dismal for the once heir-apparent catcher over the past month.
     
    Pat Dean picked up his third win of the year to move to 3-5, with 5.0+ innings of two-run ball. He struck out seven, walked none, and gave up a home run and was lifted for D.J. Baxendale after he gave up a leadoff single in the sixth. Baxendale gave up a single to the first batter he faced, then struck out the next batter before giving up a run scoring single. He was lifted for Ryan O'Rourke who induced a Mike Yastrzemski pop out to foul territory to end the inning. The Frenchman J.T. Chargois pitched two scoreless innings, striking out two and giving up just one lone hit. Marcus Walden pitched a scoreless ninth to preserve the victory for the Wings.
     
    Final: Tide 2, Red Wings 6
     
    LOOKOUTS LOOK-IN
    Mobile BayBears @ Chattanooga Lookouts
    Box Score
     
    In front of 3,049 fans at AT&T Field in Chattanooga, the Lookouts pulled off a come-from-behind victory to defeat the visiting BayBears. Down 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh, the Lookouts used a leadoff double from Leonardo Regginato and a run scoring single from Engelb Vielma to get one run back. In the bottom of the eighth, a Ryan Walker one-out walk led to the game winning run on a bases loaded walk from D.J. Hicks. The Lookouts had chances to break the game open, but managed just six hits on the night, with three coming from Leonardo Reginatto, 3-4 with a double, run scored, and an RBI. Left fielder Travis Harrison left the game in the eighth after being hit on the hand by a pitch.
     
    David Hurlbut pitched 6.0 innings of two-run ball. He struck out six, walked one, and gave up six hits but left the game behind 2-1 and did not factor in the decision. Pitching two innings of scoreless baseball, Raul Fernandez picked up his first win of the year (1-0). He struck out two and gave up two hits. Trevor Hildenberger earned his 14th save of the year with a scoreless ninth. He struck out two and gave up one hit.
    Final: BayBears 2, Lookouts 3
     
    MIRACLE MATTERS
    Fort Myers Miracle @ Tampa Yankees
    Box Score
     
    Sometimes you just get your butts kicked, right? After building a 3-run lead in the top of the first, miracle starter Randy Rosario gave up a four-spot in the bottom half of the inning, and things got worse for Rosario after that. All told, Rosario gave up 8 runs, 5 earned, on 9 hits in 3.0+ innings. He walked two and struck out one and was charged with the loss, falling to 5-6. Reliever Brandon Peterson entered the game in the fourth with runners on first and second with no one out. Both inherited runners, plus another one of his own would score, but with the Miracle now down 10-3, he was allowed to come back out for the fifth, and gave up another run. Todd Van Steensel pitched a scoreless sixth, but did give up a pair of hits and a walk to make things interesting. Luke Bard gave up a pair of runs on a hit and two walks in the seventh, and Yorman Landa gave up a hit but stranded the runner in the bottom of the eighth to put an end to the Miracle pitching woes.
     
    The Miracle bats were lead by Nick Gordon, 3-4 with a walk and 3 runs scored. LaMonte Wade also had a pair of his, 2-3 with 3 RBIs. Trey Vavra (1-3) had the lone extra base hit for the Miracle, a double.
    Final: Miracle 6, Yankees 13
     
    KERNELS KORNER
    Cedar Rapids Kernels @ Lake County Captains
    Box Score
     
    Cedar Rapids received strong performances from their whole squad against a tough Lake County team. Kernels' starter Lachlan Wells picked up his second win of the year for the Kernels (2-1) with six scoreless innings. Wells gave up four hits, walked none, and struck out eight. His ERA in A-ball is just 1.27. Wells was lifted for Max Cordy, who pitched three innings in relief, giving up one run on three hits, striking out four. He was rewarded with his first save of the year for his efforts.
     
    Meanwhile, the Kernels' bats put up a five spot in the third inning to give Cedar Rapids all the run support it would need, but then tacked on an additional run in the sixth, and two more in the top of the ninth for good measure. A balanced attack saw every Kernels hitter but one with a base hit, including a 3-5 night from Luis Arrez that included a double, an RBI and a run scored. Zander Wiel and Jaylin Davis each added a home run, a 3-run dinger for Wiel, and a solo homer for Davis.
    Final: Kernels 8, Captains 1
     
    E-TWINS E-NOTES
    Elizabethton Twins @ Danville Braves
    Box Score
     
    Elizabethton took a slim 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth, but couldn't hold off the Braves in the bottom half of the inning and ultimately lost a winnable game. The Twins were 1-3 with runners in scoring position, but stranded a total of six runners. Andre Jernigan was the only Elizabethton hitter with multiple hits, a 2-4 night with a double. Starter Domenick Carlini dropped his third game of the year to fall to 1-3. He gave up six hits and three runs, walked none, and struck out three. Reliever Patrick McGuff managed the uncommon feat of striking out four batters in a single inning. McGuff struck out the first batter he faced on a wild pitch, putting a runner on first. A bunt single put a pair of runners on, and then a fielding error on a sacrifice bunt loaded the bases with no outs. McGuff struck out the next two hitters he faced, gave up a run-scoring walk, and then struck out his fourth batter of the inning to close things out. Griffin Jax pitched the final two innings of the game, gave up a pair of hits, a walk, and struck out one.
     
    Final: E-Twins 2, Braves 4
    GCL TWINS TALK
    GCL Twins @ GCL Orioles
    Box Score
     
    The GCL Twins used a strong pitching performance from Miguel De Jesus to capture a 2-1 victory over the Orioles. De Jesus pitched 6.0 innings, giving up just a pair of hits. He struck out five and walked two, improving to 3-1 on the season. Matz Schutte pitched two innings of 1-run baseball, giving up 3 hits, walking no one and striking out one. Zach Strecker pitched a scoreless ninth to earn the save. GCL Twins thirdbaseman Joe Cronin was the only hitter with multiple hits, 2-3 with a run scored. The Twins had no walks and nine strike outs on the day.
     
    Final: GCL Twins 2, GCL Orioles 1
     
    DSL TWINS TAKES
    DSL Twins @ DSL Rojos
    Box Score
     
    A sixth inning 3-2 lead didn't hold for the Twins as the Rojos put up a 3-spot in the bottom of the inning to take the lead for good. Starter Edwar Colina was lifted after five, with the lead, but saw the victory slip away when reliever Fredderi Soto gave up four runs over the next two innings. Colina gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks, and he struck out six. Soto gave up four runs (three earned) on four hits, including a home run. The game was called with the DSL Rojos up 6-3 after seven and a half innings due to rain.
     
    Final: DSL Twins 3. DSL Rojos 6
    TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
     
    Hitter of the Day - Byung Ho Park, Rochester Red Wings
    Pitcher of the Day - Lachlan Wells, Cedar Rapids Kernels
     
    FRIDAY'S PROBABLES
     
    Norfolk @ Rochester (5:05pm) - Logan Darnell (8-8, 3.31)
     
    Mobile @ Chattanooga (6:15pm) - David Hurlbut (7-4, 3.26)
     
    Fort Myers @ Tampa (6:00pm) - Randy LeBlanc (2-3, 3.71)
     
    Cedar Rapids @ Lake County (6:00pm) - Dereck Rodriguez (1-10, 6.27)
     
    E-Twins @ Danville (6:00pm) - TBD
     
    GCL Red Sox @ GCL Twins (11:00am) - TBD
     
    DSL Rojos @ DSL Twins (9:30am) - TBD
     
    Please ask questions and discuss the Thursday games.
     
    -ERolf
  18. Eric R Pleiss
    With nearly a full compliment of Twins Minor League affiliates in action (GCL Twins start their season on Friday), there was a lot happening down on the Farm. Including the first game of the year for the Elizabethton Twins (E-Twins).
     
    Lots happening today in the Transaction Report as teams finalize their second half rosters and the Gulf Coast League and Appalachian League kick off play: Niko Goodrum assigned to Fort Myers from Chattanooga, LaMonte Wade (Fort Myers) placed on DL, Tom Hackimer assigned to Cedar Rapids, Ranis Silva assigned to Cedar Rapids Kernels from Elizabethton Twins, Kevin Garcia (Cedar Rapids) placed on DL, Trey Cabbage and Lachlan Wells both assigned to Elizabethton from the GCL Twins.
     
    Continue reading to find out more detail about Thursday in the Twins farm system:
     
     
    RED WINGS REPORT
    Rochester @ Columbus Clippers
    Box Score
     
    Jose Berrios ripped off another spectacular start for the Red Wings, making it hard for the Twins to keep him in AAA. Berrios pitched eight innings, gave up just three hits (all singles), walked two, and struck out nine. Berrios turned things over to Marcus Walden for the ninth, who picked up his fourth save of the year, with a 1-2-3 ninth.
     
    The Wings had eight hits but scored just two runs, both in the second inning, to pick up the win. Leadoff man James Beresford was 2-5 with a pair of singles, and Adam Walker was 2-3 with a walk and a strike out. Eddio Rosario had another hit, an RBI, and a run scored. Catcher John Ryan Murphy (who is struggling with a .214/.285/.301 line in AAA) had the other RBI for Rochester as part of a 1-4 nigh.
     
    Final: Red Wings 2, Clippers 0
     
    LOOKOUTS LOOK-IN
    Jackson Generals @ Chattanooga
    Box Score
     
    Lookouts starter David Hurlbut left the game after six strong innings, with a 5-2 lead. Hurlbut gave up two runs (one earned) on six hits, a walk, and six strike outs. He also gave up a home run. Jake Reed came in and pitched a uneventful seventh inning, but had to be lifted with two outs in the eighth with the bases loaded. Trevor Hildenberger plunked the next batter to score the game tying run before picking up a strike out to end the inning. He then pitched a clean ninth inning.
     
    Tied 5-5 headed to the bottom of the eighth, the Lookouts used a hit-by-pitch to score the winning run. After a one-out walk to Zach Granite, Engelb Vielma bunted him over to second. Daniel Palka and Travis Harrison both walked to load the bases. After a pitching change Mitch Garver took one for the team, scoring Granite from third. On the night, the Lookouts had 14 hits, including a 3-3 night from Travis Harrison that included a pair of doubles, a pair of runs scored, and a pair of walks. Chattanooga was powered by the long ball on Thursday, with home runs from Zach Granite, Mitch Garver and Leonardo Reginatto.
     
    Final: Generals 5, Lookouts 6
     
    MIRACLE MATTERS
    Fort Myers @ Jupiter Hammerheads
    Box Score
     
    Tyler Jay had a clinker of a start thanks to some defensive miscues, pitching five innings, giving up only four hits, but three runs (two earned), two walks, and struck out five of the 23 hitters he faced. Luke Bard pitched two very good innings, holding the Hammerheads to just one hit. In the bottom of the eight, with the game tied 3-3, Nick Anderson struggled to get outs, giving up a triple, a home run, and a single to the first three batters he faced. Anderson gave up one more run before being lifted for Michael Theofanopoulos who promptly induced an inning-ending grounder.
     
    Jupiter sent Miami Marlins reliever Nefi Ogando to the mound to start for the Hammerheads, and the Miracle showed themselves up to the challenge, scoring a pair of runs. Leadoff man T.J. White doubled, and two batters later Nick Gordon added a double of his own, to score White. Chris Paul added a two-out RBI single to score Gordon. After that first inning, the Miracle had just four hits the rest of the way, two in the eighth to tie the game up at three. T.J. White was the only hitter with more than one hit, he finished the night 2-4 with that double and a pair of runs scored. First Basement Chris Paul was just 1-2 but addd a pair of walks. Former first round draftee Nick Gordon was 1-4 with a double, RBI, run scored and a strike out.
    Final: Miracle 3, Hammerheads 6
     
    KERNELS KORNER
    Beloit Snappers @ Cedar Rapids
    Box Score
     
    The Kernels scored five runs early and let their pitching staff carry them the rest of the way. The Kernels sent 11 men to the plate in the second and scored all five of their runs via singles, an error, and a sacrifice fly. The Kernels struck out just once on Thursday night, leadoff man Sean Miller. Austin Diemer was 2-3 with a run scored and a walk, and Brad Harton was 2-3 with a double, run scored, and an RBI.
     
    Miles Nordgren picked up his third win of the year to move to 3-3 with six innings of one-run baseball. Nordgren gave up just three hits, and struck out five, but he also walked three. He was lifted for Michael Cederoth who held the Snappers hitless for a pair of innings before Kuo Hua Lo finished the game with a perfect ninth inning.
    Final: Snappers 1, Kernels 5
     
    E-TWINS E-NOTES
    Elizabethton @ Kingsport Mets
    Box Score
     
    Despite (and perhaps in part thanks to) a late game rain storm that ended the game with two-out and one on in the top of the ninth inning, the Twins held on for a 4-3 victory in their first game of the year. The E-Twins were lead by leadoff man Ariel Montesino who was 3-5 with a run scored. Centerfielder Jaylin Davis added a pair of hits on a 2-4 night that included a solo home run.
     
    The Twins used four pitchers to get through eight innings as starter Jose Martinez lasted just just 1.1 innings, charged with 3 runs on three hits and a walk. Andrew Vasquez came in and pitched 2.2 scoreless innings, walking two and striking out four. He was lifted for Johan Quezada who was credited with the win with three innings of hitless baseball, that included three walks and three strikeouts. Hector Lujan pitched a scoreless eighth, but was not without trouble as he walked the bases loaded before inducing an inning-ending grounder to first base.
     
    Final: E-Twins 4, Mets 3
     
    DSL TWINS TAKES
    DSL Giants @ DSL Twins
    Box Score
     
    Edgar Herrera was 2-4 with a double and a run scored, the only Twins hitter with more than one hit. Jorge Parra picked up the Twins' lone RBI, an RBI groundout in the seventh. The Twins used three pitchers, with solid outings from Melvi Acosta and Amicar Crus sandwiching a poor game from Elivas Rivas. Acosta went 5.0 and gave up four hits and one run. Cruz pitched three scoreless innings to finish the game. Inbetween Elivas Rivas pitched one clunker of an inning, giving up three three run homer after putting two men on via walks.
    Final: DSL Giants 4, DSL Twins 3
    TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
     
    Hitter of the Day - Travis Harrison, Chattanooga
    Pitcher of the Day - Jose Berrios, Rochester
     
    FRIDAY'S PROBABLES
     
    Louisville Bats @ Rochester (6:05pm) - Sampson v. Darnell (8-5, 3.09)
     
    Jackson Generals @ Chattanooga (6:15pm) - Moore v. TBD
     
    Fort Myers @ Jupiter Hammerheads (5:30pm) - Jorge (6-3, 1.59) v. Peters
     
    Beloit Snappers @ Cedar Rapids (6:35pm) - Murray v. Del Rosario, E (0-1, 5.65)
     
    E-Twins @ Kingsport Mets (6:00pm) - TBD v. TBD
     
    GCL Twins @ GCL Red Sox (11:00am) - TBD v. TBD
     
    DSL Twins @ DSL Giants (9:30am) - TBD v. TBD
     
    Please ask questions and discuss the Thursday games.
     
     
    -ERolf
  19. Eric R Pleiss
    The Twins were way out on the left coast, and now that they are back at home, they lost to a bad Yankees team. Yuck-o. After the game the Twins activated Danny Santana from the Disable List and to make room for him the Twins decided that they could not solve the riddle of Oswaldo Arcia and designated him for assignment. Seth Stohs has more on that.
    Continue reading to find out more detail about Thursday in the Twins farm system:
     
    RED WINGS REPORT
    Columbus Clippers @ Rochester
    Box Score
     
    The Redwings held the Clippers scoreless fir the first seven innings while building a 4-0, before trading two runs in the top of the eight for two runs in the bottom. Danna Santana, making his final rehab start, was 2-4 with a strike out and two runs scored. Wilfredo Tovar (I just love that name, Wilfredo) was 2-3 with a walk and a run scored, the only other Wings player with multiple hits. Jorge Polanco hit a three-run dinger in the fifth as part of a 1-4 night, and Tommy Field hit a two-run shot in the bottom of the eighth, also as part of a 1-4 night.
     
    Rochester Starter Jason Wheeler went 7.2 innings, giving up just those two late runs, giving up four hits, and two walks. Wheeler struck out seven. He was replaced by J.T. Chargois, giving up a hit and recording two strike outs to finish the game.
     
    Final: Clippers 2, Red Wings 6
     
    LOOKOUTS LOOK-IN
    Chattanooga @ Montgomery Biscuits
    Box Score
     
    Lots of Lookouts news on Thursday before the game even started, ASG starters were announced and Daniel Palka will start at DH, and Mitch Garver will be behind the plate (Trevor Hildenberger, D.J. Baxendale, Travis Harrison will be subs). Also Thursday morning Daniel Palka was named the Southern League hitter of the week.
     
    Engelb Vielma came in to Thursday's game riding a 10-game hitting streak but stumbed to an 0-3 evening. Daniel Palka didn't hit any home runs, so that's weird. He was 1-4 with two strike outs. The afore mentioned All-Star starter Mitch Garver was held without a hit, 0-3 with a walk and a K. The Lookouts were held to just four hits, but scored an unearned run in the second inning, which was enough for the victory, thanks to great pitching performances from Eades, Reed and Hildenberger.
     
    Starter Ryan Eades went 7.0 innings, giving up just three hits, walking a batter, and striking out three. His ERA is now down to 3.66 and he's giving up just one earned run in three starts since coming off of the Disabled List on June 6. Jake Reed replaced Eades for the eighth and walked one and struck out one. Trevor Hildenberger picked up his tenth save of the season, with a perfect 1-2-3 inning with a pair of strike outs.
    Final: Lookouts 1, Biscuits 0
     
    MIRACLE MATTERS
    Fort Myers @ Bradenton Marauders
    Box Score
     
    The Miracle lost the last game of the first half of their seasons, and the last game of a nine-game road trip, falling behind in the fourth inning and staying there. The Miracle had seven hits on the night, with two coming from lead-off man T.J. White, 2-4 with a double, and RBI, a walk and a strike out. No other Fort Myers hitter had multiple hits, but both Edgar Corcino and Nick Gordon picked up doubles.
     
    Miracle Starter Keaton Steele gave up five runs (two earned) over 6.0 innings. He struck out five, walked one, and gave up a home run. Steele falls to 2-6 on the year with the loss. John Curtiss pitched the seventh, giving up a trip of hits, but managing to strike out three as well and only gave up one run. Yorman Landa pitched a bumpy ninth, but kept the Marauders off the board, giving up a pair of walks, and picking up a pair of strike outs.
     
    Not a great way to head into the All-Star break.
    Final: Miracle 2, Marauders 6
     
    KERNELS KORNER
    Cedar Rapids @ Quad Cities River Bandits
    Box Score
     
    Cody Stashak with a career high 6.2 shutout innings, taking a perfect game into the fourth inning, putting down the first ten batters of the game. Stashak earned the win to move to 4-4 on the year and lowered his ERA to 2.73. Stashak was replaced by Juo Hua Lo who went 2.1 innings earning his first save of the year. He gave up a run on two hits, struck a batter out, and gave up a home run.
     
    The Kernels had just five hits on the night, but put them together when it counted, scoring three runs in the second, and three more in the top of the ninth. Right fielder J.J. Fernandez was 1-3 with a walk, two runs scored, a home run, and four RBIs, leading the way for Cedar Rapids. The other four Kernels hits were all singles, spread among Luis Arraez, Sean Miler, Nelson Molina and Daniel Kihle.
     
    Final: Kernels 6, River Bandits 1
     
    DSL Twins Takes
    DSL Twins @ DSL D-backs2
    Box Score
     
    Nothing remarkable to report from the DSL Twins batters, but starter Pedro Garcia had a very nice game. He pitched 6.0 innings of one-hit baseball. He walked two and struck out four and left the game with a lead that was promptly squandered by Fredderi Soto in the seventh. The game slogged on into the 12th inning when the DSL Twins loaded the bases via a walk, a sacrifice bunt that resulted in a reached on error, and a hit battsmen to load the basest with no outs. Antonio Tovar singled home a run in the next at bat and Darling Cuesto singled home another run immediately after. The DSL Twins held on in the bottom of the 12th to take home the victory.
    Final: DSL Twins 3, DSL D-backs2 1
    TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
     
    Hitter of the Day - J.J. Fernandez, Cedar Rapids Kernels
    Pitcher of the Day - Ryan Eades, Chattanooga Lookouts
     
    FRIDAY'S PROBABLES
     
    Rochester @ Toledo Mud Hens (6:05pm) - TBD vs. Daniel Norris
     
    Chattanooga @ Montgomery Biscuits (7:05pm) - David Hurlbut (4-3, 4.09) vs. Hunter Wood
    Fort Myers - OFF - All-Star Break - All-Star Game at Fort Myers on Saturday
     
    Cedar Rapids @ Quad Cities River Bandits (7:00pm) - Eduardo Del Rosario (0-1, 8.64) vs. Franklin Perez
     
    DSL D-backs2 @ DSL Twins (9:30am) - TBD vs. TBD
     
    Please ask questions and discuss the Thursday games.
     
     
    -ERolf
  20. Eric R Pleiss
    Transaction Report: The big move of the day, reported in full by Jeremy Nygaard, was the MLB draft. The Twins selected OF Alex Kirilloff with the 15th overall pick, a toolsy outfielder from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Twins used their next pick, 56th overall, to select C Ben Rortvedt, a high schooler from the Badger State. With back-to-back picks at 73 & 74 in the competitive balance round, the Twins selected SS Jose Miranda from the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy, and OF Akil Baddoo out of Salem High School in Georga.
     
    In lesser news, the Twins signed infielder Christian Ibarra from the independent Lincoln Saltdogs and assigned him to the Cedar Rapids Kernels.
     
    Continue reading to find out more detail about Thursday in the Twins farm system:
     
    RED WINGS REPORT
    Red Wings @ Buffalo Bisons
    Box Score
     
    The Red Wings were down 4-0 after three innings, used a 3-run fifth to pull within one, and tied things in the top of the eighth at 6-6 before things fell apart in the bottom half of the inning. The Wings committed three errors, one each from James Beresford (3, throwing), Adam Walker (3, throwing), and Logan Schafer (1, fielding).
     
    The Red Wings had just six hits on the night (four for extra bases, all doubles), but benefitted from seven free baserunners via the walk to help score six runs. No Rochester hitter had multiple hits, but Logan Schafer and Kennys Vargas were both 1-4 with a walk, and Vargas added three RBIs. Tommy Field was 0-2 as the DH, but had a pair of walks and scored a run. If you're wondering who Tommy Field is, he's a MiLB veteran who has had a cup of coffee in parts of four different seasons, never making more than 51 plate appearances. He was released by the Detroit Tigers (AAA Toledo) on May 6th, and the Twins (Red Wings) snatched him up a week later on May 14th. He's hitting .195/.250/.366 for Rochester, but owns a .265/.347/.429 AAA slash over five seasons.
     
    The Red Wings sent Andrew Albers out for the start, and he gave up 6 runs (4 earned) over 5.2 innings. He struck out 5 and walked no one. He left with a loss hanging over him, but lucked into a no-decision after the Red Wings scored several runs late in the game. Albers was replaced by Nick Greenwood who pitched 1.1 innings of scoreless 1-hit baseball in his Red Wings debut. Greenwood made 20 appearances for the St. Louis Cardinals between the 2014 and 2015 seasons, with 19 coming in 2014. Greenwood started 2016 with the independent New Britain Bees before signing a MiLB deal with the Twins on May 6th. Greenwood was replaced by Dan Runzier who gave up three earned runs on two hits and a walk before being replaced by Marcus Walden who came into the game with two runners on base, allowing both the score before recording the final out of the eighth inning. The winning run was scored by old friend Alexi Casilla.
    Final: Red Wings 6, Bisons 9
     
    LOOKOUTS LOOK-IN
    Jacksonville Suns @ Lookouts
    Box Score
     
    Great hitting and great pitching both came together for the Lookouts who won a laugher against the Suns. Seven Lookouts hitters had multi-hit nights, led by a pair of 3-5 nights from Leonardo Reginatto and Engelb Vielma. Reginatto had a two-run homer in the fifth, and Vielmad had a double and a run scored. Daniel Palka had ANOTHER two-home run game, 2-3 with two home runs, 4 RBI, 2 walks, and three runs scored. Zach Granite, Travis Harrison, and Mitch Garver also added home runs, because apparently everyone was hitting them on Thursday night.
     
    Kohl Stewart picked up his first AA victory with six innings of 3-hit baseball. Stewart gave up no runs, no walks, and he struck out five. Corey Williams pitched the seventh and gave up the only run of the night, on two hits. Mason Melotakis sent the Suns down in order in the eighth, including a strike out. Mike Strong finished the game with a scoreless ninth, giving up a walk and picking up a strike out.
     
    Final: Suns 1, Lookouts 15
     
    MIRACLE MATTERS
    Fort Myers Miracle @ Brevard County Manatees
    Postponed due to rain
     
    The Miracle and the Manatees will play a doubleheader on Friday, two seven-inning games. Game one starts at 4:05pm.
     
    KERNELS KORNER
    Kane County Cougars @ Kernels
    Box Score
     
    The Kernels burned a quality start from Miles Nordgren and a couple of web-gems from J.J. Fernandez and LaMonte Wade, falling two-zip to the Cougars in front of 4,004 fans at Perfect Game Field in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Fernandez robbed the Cougars of a home run, and Wade threw out a runner at home.
     
    Nordgren pitched six innings, gave up two hits, two runs (both unearned), walked two and struck out three. Nordgren gave way to Kuo Hua Lo who gave the twins 2.0 innings of 1-hit ball. He struck out two, walked one, and gave up zero runs. Cam Booser pitched the ninth for the Kernels, striking out the side.
     
    Four of the five Kernels hits came from the top two hitters in the order, Luis Arraez and Sean Miller. Arraez was 2-4 with a pair of doubles and a pair of strike outs. Miller was 2-4, also with a pair of strike outs. The only other Kernels hit of the night was a double from A.J. Murray.
     
    Final: Cougars 2, Kernels 0
     
    DSL TWINS TAKES
    DSL Twins @ DSL Mariners1
    Box Score
     
    Not much doing in the Dominican for the DSL Twins on Thursday morning, except for a big game from Edgar Herrera who was 3-4 with a double. Herrera has eight hits over the first four games of the year for the DSL Twins, including a pair of 3-4 nights. The DSL Twins received 4.0 innings from both of their pitchers on Thursday. Edwar Colina gave up a hit, 3 runs (1 earned), stuck out five and gave up a home run. Carlos Suniaga picked up the loss with 4 hits, two runs (both earned) and he struck out 4.
     
    Final: DSL Twins 3, DSL Mariners1 5
     
    TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
     
    Hitter of the Day - Daniel Palka - Chattanooga Lookouts
    Pitcher of the Day - Kohl Stewart - Chattanooga Lookouts
     
    FRIDAY'S PROBABLES
     
    Toledo Mud Hens @ Rochester (6:05pm) - Buck Farmer vs. Jason Wheeler (4-1, 2.05)
     
    Chattanooga @ Tennessee Smokies (6:05pm) - D.J. Baxendale (5-6, 3.38) vs. Brad Markey
     
    Fort Myers @ Brevard County Manatees (Game 1, 4:05pm) - Keaton Steele (1-5, 4.72) vs. Eric Hanhold
    Fort Myers @ Brevard County Manatees (Game 2, 30 minutes after conclusion of Game 1) - TBD vs. TBD
     
    Cedar Rapids @ Peoria Chiefs (7:00pm) - Cody Stashak (3-3, 2.90) vs. Sandy Alcantara
     
    DSL Mariners1 @ DSL Twins (9:30am) - TBD vs. TBD
     
    Please ask questions and discuss the Thursday games.
     
     
    -ERolf
  21. Eric R Pleiss
    I spent my evening at Target Field, and the guy behind me mentioned that Joe Mauer was the highest paid player on the team six different times. Once each after each Mauer at bat, and a couple times during the game when recently activated Max Keper had base hits, despite not being the highest paid player on the team. And then this dude still managed to boo the Rays when they intentionally walked Mauer. This is the same Joe Mauer that is the reigning AL Player of the Week. Sheesh. Anyways, things had to be more positive in the Minor Leagues, right?
    Continue reading to find out more detail about Thursday in the Twins farm system:
     
    Transaction Log: The Twins signed outfielder Logan Schafer to a MiLB deal and assigned him to the Rochester Red Wings.
     
    RED WINGS REPORT
    Rochester @ Indianapolis Indians
    Box Score
     
    The Red Wings are now six games over .500 and tied with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders for first place in the International League North, and just a half game behind the Columbus Clippers for the best record in the league. The Red Wings played to a 1-1 tie through the first three innings, but pulled ahead with a 3-run fourth, and never looked back.
     
    Former Yankee catcher John Ryan Murphy (he of the Aaron Hicks trade) had a 1-3 night out of the 9-hole with a double and an RBI, but is hitting just .162 at AAA after a super disappointing start to the year in Minnesota. The Red Wings received multi-hit games from Wilfredo Tovar (2-4, 2 RBI, BB), James Beresford (2-5), and Eddie Rosario (2-5, HR, RBI). Rosario is now hitting .317 in AAA and likely a little pissed off that the Twins brought up Max Kepler to replace the injured Miguel Sano instead of him. Good on him, get to work and we'll see you back in a Twins uniform before too long.
     
    Tommy Milone (another Twins castoff, along with nearly 1/3 of this Red Wings roster) earned his third AAA win to move to 3-0 and has a 2.08 ERA on the year. He went 6.1 innings giving up 7 hits, one earned run, one walk, and he struck out a trio of Indians. J.T. Chargois came in and gave up a run in 1.2 innings, and his ERA climbed all the way to 0.90. He also struck out 3 of the 7 batters he faced. Alex Wimmers (couldn't hit a barn because he used to have the yips) pitched a perfect ninth, retiring all three batters he faced, recording a strike out to boot.
     
    Final: Red Wings 5, Indians 2
     
    LOOKOUTS LOOK-IN
    Chattanooga Lookouts @ Birmingham Braves
    Box Score
     
    Despite giving up a run in the bottom of the first to fall behind 0-1, the Lookouts hung tough and took the lead after scoring runs in back-to-back-to-back innings to pull ahead 3-1 after 6 and then hung on for the victory.
     
    As a team the Lookouts struck out 12 times to go along with just 2 walks, but still managed to push enough runs across to win a game. Only two Chattanooga hitters had multi-hit games, Zach Granite and Daniel Palka who hit a pair of home runs for the second night in a row! Granite was 2-5 with a double and a strike out from the leadoff position, while Palka provided a 2-4 night with a pair of solo home runs (and a pair of strike outs). Palka now leads the Southern League with 11 dingers and is sixth in slugging. Palka, if you recall, was the return on the Chris Hermann to the Diamondbacks trade, completed in November of last year.
     
    David Hurlbut earned his third win of the year to even his record at 3-3 with 6.1 innings of 7 hit, one run ball. He walked one and struck out two. He was replaced by Mason Melotakis who earned his fifth hold of the year by finishing off the fifth. Luke Westphal waned a hold as well, his first of the year, despite giving up a run in the eighth. Jake Reed earned his second save of the year, closing out the game with a two-stirkeout ninth.
    Final: Lookouts 4, Braves 2
    MIRACLE MATTERS
    Game 1: St. Lucie Mets @ Fort Myers Miracle
    Box Score
     
    Luckily the Miracle had an opportunity to play two on Thursday night as they managed just a single hit in the first game of the double-dip, a Brian Olson single in the third innings. The rest of the squad, including first-round draftee Nick Gordon were a combined 0-20 with three strike outs and no walks.
     
    Miracle starter Keaton Steele had a forgettable outing, going just 3.0 innings and giving up five runs (all earned) in a disaster start on the front end of a double header. Brian Gilber pitched 1.2 innings of less-than-stellar baseball, giving up 2 truns on three hits, three walks, and a home run. John Curtiss gave up a run over a four-out outing, and Luke Bard finished things respectably for the Miracle with a quick, scoreless, ninth inning.
     
    Final: Mets 8, Miracle 0
     
    Game 2: St. Lucie Mets @ Fort Myers Miracle
    Box Score
     
    The Miracle used a Chris Paul walk-off single to win the second game of the double header to earn a split. With one out and a runner on third, the Chris Paul singled scored Tanner Witt from third to win the game.
     
    After picking up just a single hit in the first game, the Miracle added eight hits in the second game, with a pair from Chris Paul, including the game winner, and three from Alex Real (3-3, with a double and 2 RBI).
     
    Felix Jorge pitched a complete game (7 innings) for the Miracle, saving the bullpen after the disaster start in Game 1, giving up 7 hits, 3 runs (2 earned) while walking no one and striking out four. He also gave up a home run. Jorge has a 1.83 ERA on the year to go along with a 4-3 record.
    Final: Mets 3, Miracle 4
    KERNELS KORNER
    Cedar Rapids Kernels @ Beloit Snappers
    Box Score
     
    It is really hard to have nine hits and score just one run, while outhitting an opponent that scored seven runs on just eight hits, but the Kernels managed to do just that.
     
    LaMonte Wade remained hot with a 2-4 night, and A.J. Murray had a nice little night as well, going 2-4, including a double and a strike out. Jermaine Palacios was 3-4 out of the 8-hole with a double and a strike out, raising his average to .205.
     
    Kernels' starter Dereck Rodriguez gave up all seven Snappers runs over the first four innings, givngup up seven hits, a walk, and a home run while striking out just 2. After four, D-Rod was lifted for Anthony McIver who went 2.0 innings and gave up just a single hit while striking out three. Sam Gibbons and Michal Theofanopoulos each pitched a scoreless inning to finish the game. Theofanopoulos now sports a nifty little 1.73 ERA.
    Final: Kernels 1, Snappers 7
     
    TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
     
    Hitter of the Day - Daniel Palka - Chattanooga Lookouts
    Pitcher of the Day - Felix Jorge - Fort Myers Miracle
     
    FRIDAY'S PROBABLES
     
    Rochester @ Louisville Bats (6:05pm) - Andrew Albers (3-1, 3.93) vs. Cody Reed
     
    Chattanooga @ Birmingham Braves (7:05pm) - Aaron Slegers (2-4, 4.08) vs. David Holmberg
    Daytona Flyers @ Fort Myers (6:05pm) - Tejay Antone vs. Randy Rosario (2-4, 3.53)
     
    Peoria Chiefs @ Cedar Rapids (6:35pm) - TBD vs. Miles Nordgren (2-1, 2.58)
     
    Please ask questions and discuss the Thursday games.
     
    -ERolf
  22. Eric R Pleiss
    It has been more than 24 hours since the last time the Twins lost, which is a pretty big deal here in Twins territory. The Twins MiLB affiliates went 1-3 on the day but they had a couple of nice performances to make up for the poor results.
    Continue reading to find out more detail about Thursday in the Twins farm system:
     
    RED WINGS REPORT
    Gwinnett Braves @ Rochester
    Box Score
     
    Byron Buxton, heard of him? He hit leadoff for the Wings and was 2-5 with a run scored and a strike out. He also stole a base. Speed kills, you guys. James Beresford had himself a day, 3-4 with a double and a run scored. Buck Britton, who, I assume, is hoping to capitalize on the excellent alliteration that he shares with Byron Buxton, was 2-4 with a double and a run scored, the only other Rochester hitter with multiple hits. As a squad, the Red Wings struck out six times and walked three times.
     
    Rochester starter David Martinez (who?! 2005 international free agent signee by the Astros, bounced to the Texas Rangers MiLB system in 2015 before joining the Twins in 2016) fell behind early, giving up a pair of runs in the first, another in the third, and a fourth in the fifth (which proved to be the game winner) before being lifted. Martinez finished with four runs, all earned, on nine hits, a walk, a dinger, and he struck out five. The bullpen was dominant behind Martinez, giving up just one hit over the next four innings, with 1.1 innings from Dan Runzler, 1.2 from Alex Wimmers, and a scoreless ninth from Buddy Boshers. Boshers now owns a 1.15 ERA and could be the next man up if the Twins bullpen continues to struggle.
     
    Final: Braves 4, Red Wings 3
     
    LOOKOUTS LOOK-IN
    Pensacola Blue Wahoos @ Chattanooga
    Box Score
     
    The Lookouts dealt with a mid-game rain delay in the sixth inning, then turned in a strong bullpen performance and nearly put the game into extra innings, making the final out with the game-tying run in scoring position.
     
    'Nooga took an early lead in the bottom of the first on a Ryan Walker RBI single that scored Zach Granite, but they fell behind the Blue Wahoos after surrendering a run each in the second and third innings and they never regained the lead. Chattanooga managed eight hits and five walks, but just didn't have enough to overcome that early deficit. Zach Granite (2-5, with a run scored) and Stuart Turner (3-4 with a solo home run) were the only Lookouts hitters with multiple hits. Shannona Wilkerson had a solo home run of his own as well, hitting in the nine-spot.
     
    Aaron Slegers was the pitcher of record for the Lookouts, he started and went 4.1 innings with four earned runs off of six hits. He also walked four and struck out three. In the middle of the fifth, Mike Strong took over for Slegers and induced a double play to get the Lookouts out of a jam, but then gave up a run in the sixth, to put Chattanooga down 5-3. Luke Westphal then pitched three scoreless innings of one-hit baseball, giving up a walk and striking out four. Westphal now owns a 1.80 ERA.
     
    Final: Blue Wahoos 5, Lookouts 4
     
    MIRACLE MATTERS
    Bradenton Marauders @ Fort Myers
    Box Score
     
    The Miracle used a three-run seventh inning to secure a victory, despite being outhit 14-10. Of the 10 Miracle hits, 5 were clustered between just two hiiters, Edgar Corcino (2-4 with a double and a run scored) and Max Murphy (3-3 with a double and a walk). No other Miracle hitter had multple hits. As a team, Fort Myers struck out twelve times and walked just twice, so they're clearly learning from the Big League club!
     
    Miracle Starter Keaton Steele pitched six innings of two-run baseball but left without a decision, despite earning a quality start. Brandon Peterson vultured a W to move to 2-0 thanks to that big seventh inning. Brian Gilbert came on to start the eighth and laid an egg, giving up a run and two hits, and walking a pair without recording a single out. Todd Van Steensel came in to save the day with a two inning save, his third of the year. Van Steensel gave up just one hit and struck out three, facing the minimum thanks to a pitcher-friendly double play.
    Final: Marauders 3, Miracle 4
     
    KERNELS KORNER
    Cedar Rapids @ Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
    Box Score
     
    It does not seem fair to say that a team of young men working as hard as they can to win a game don't deserve a victory, but it sure felt like the Kernels tried their best to give this game away. Up 5-4 in the bottom of the ninth, the Kernels gave up a leadoff home run to the Rattlers' cleanup hiiter and then gave up the game winner an inning later to lose in walk-off fashion.
     
    The Kernels tallied 12 hits on Thursday evening, two each from Luis Arraez and Sean Miller, and three from J.J. Fernandez, who had the best night in the system (3-4, two doubles, two runs scored, a walk and a strike out).
     
    On the bump, the Kernels went with a bullpen game, giving two innings to "starter" Andro Cutura, who walked three and struck out three but kept Wisconsin off the board. Kuo Hua Lo gave up three runs, all UNEARNED, over 2.2 innings, but he walked four along with the four strike outs he recorded. Sam Gibbons was then charged with a blown save (his first of the year) giving up a run before turning the game over to C.K. Irby. Irby, ever the competitor, made sure to outdo Gibbons, and Irby picked up both a blown save and the loss, giving up a run in the ninth and tenth innings to lose the game. Irby struke out five, walked one and gave up three hits.
     
    Final: Kernels
     
    TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
     
    Hitter of the Day - J.J. Fernandez - Cedar Rapids Kernels
    Pitcher of the Day - Todd Van Steensel - Fort Myers Miracle
     
    FRIDAY'S PROBABLES
     
    Syracuse Chiefs @ Rochester (6:05pm) - A.J. Cole vs. Jason Wheeler (1-1, 1.80)
    Pensacola Blue Wahoos @ Chattanooga (6:15pm) - Amir Garrett vs. Ryan Eades (1-2 5.70)
     
    Fort Myers @ St. Lucie Mets (5:30pm) - Felix Jorge (2-2, 1.38) vs. Scarlyn Reyes
     
    Cedar Rapids @ Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (6:35pm) - Sam Clay (2-1, 0.95) vs. Miguel Diaz
     
    Please ask questions and discuss the Thursday games.
     
     
    -ERolf
  23. Eric R Pleiss
    With the day off of baseball as they traveled to Chicago, the Minnesota Twins used the free time to make a series of roster moves. They waived Tommy Milone and Casey Fien before Thursday's game. With Ervin Santana set to return on Saturday, and Kyle Gibson making good progress on the DL and set to return as early as next week, the Twins have a chance to make a couple of short-term call ups to fill the roster. It hasn't been officially announced yet, but there are reports indicating that catcher Juan Centeno will be called up from Rochester and that John Ryan Murphy will be sent down in his place.
    Continue reading to find out more detail about Thursday in the Twins farm system:
     
    RED WINGS REPORT
    Rochester @ Pawtucket PawSox
     
    Rained out. Will be played as part of a doubleheader on Saturday.
     
    LOOKOUTS LOOK-IN
    Chattanooga @ Mobile Bay Bears
    Box Score
     
    Chattanooga rallied from a 5-1 deficit to tie the game at five in the top of the eighth inning, but ultimately lost the game on a ninth inning walk-off home run from Ronnie Freeman. Freeman was a Lookouts killer all night, he was 2-4 with a pair of home runs and three RBI.
     
    Starter David Hurlbut pitched three effective innings for Chattanooga before giving up a run in the fourth and then four more in the fifth. Hurlbut left the game down 5-1, having surrendered nine hits, and a pair of home runs. Mike Strong and Mason Melotakis made quick work of the Bay Bears in the sixth and seventh innings, sending them down in order. In the eighth, with the Lookouts back in the game, Luke Westphal gave up back to back line drive singles and was lifted for Trevor Hildenberger before he recorded an out. Hildenberger sent the next three Loons back to the dugout and the Lookouts escaped without allowing another run. Hildenberger fared less well when he headed out for the ninth and gave up the game winner.
     
    Daniel Palka had another big night, 2-4 with a home run and and RBI. Travis Harrison was 2-4 as well, and Joe Maloney was 2-4 with a double.
     
    Final: Lookouts 5, Bay Bears 6
     
    MIRACLE MATTERS
    St. Lucie Mets @ Fort Myers
    Box Score
     
    The Miracle had 10 hits but were just 3-12 with runners in scoring position, stranding seven runners, and fell to the St. Lucie Mets who feasted on Miracle pitching, scoring eight runs.
     
    Starter Keaton Steele gave up most of the damage, going just four innings. He gave up seven hits, seven runs (six earned), four walks, struck out three and was charged with a throwing error. He was lifted for Brian Gilbert who pitched a pair of innings and gave up just a single run. Todd Van Steensel pitched two scoreless innings to lower his ERA to 1.38, and Raul Fernandez pitched a scoreless ninth to lower his ERA to 1.23.
     
    There were those 10 hits for the miracle, but just one extra base hit, and no walks to give the Miracle extra base runners. Despite the 10 hits, only Logan Wade had multiple hits, with a 3-4 night with the lone extra base hit, a double, and two RBIs.
     
    Final: Mets 8, Miracle 3
     
    KERNELS KORNER
    Cedar Rapids @ Great Lakes Loons
    Box Score
     
    The Kernels could not manage a hit off of the Great Lakes Loons until midway through the sixth inning, and could not scrape together any runs, falling in a three-hit shutout. Alexander Hermeling, the Loons' starting pitcher, was making his first career start and carried the no-hitter through four scoreless innings before being lifted for a replacement. The Kernels' Jermaine Palacios broke up the no-hitter in the sixth inning with a single off of Great Lakes' reliever Philip Pfeifer. Zander Wiel and Rafael Valera both managed a double, but the Kernels were 0-10 with runners in scoring position, stranding all six of their base runners. As a team, the Kernels struck out 12 times and walked just once.
     
    Starter Sam Gibbons took his third loss of the year, falling to 1-3 with 4.1 innings of 3-run baseball. Gibbons gave up just two hits, and struck out eight, but he walked five Loons. Gibbons was replaced down 2-0 by Michael Theofanopoulos who threw a wild pitch to the first batter he saw to extend the Great Lakes lead to 3-0. Theofanopoulos, Kuo Hua Lo and C.K. Irby held the Loons scoreless the rest of the way. C.K. Irby had another scoreless outing and retains a 0.00 ERA through his first 12.2 innings of the season, spread over eight games. I put Irby's image up at the top of the page, how handsome is this guy? SWOON!
     
    Final: Kernels 0, Loons 3
     
    TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
     
    Hitter of the Day - Logan Wade - Fort Myers Miracle
    Pitcher of the Day - C.K. Irby - Cedar Rapids Kernels
     
    FRIDAY'S PROBABLES
     
    Rochester @ Pawtucket (6:05pm) - Andrew Albers (0-0, 8.44) vs. Roenis Elias
     
    Chattanooga @ Mobile (7:05pm) - Omar Bencomo (0-1, 5.40) vs. Anthony Banda
     
    St. Lucie @ Fort Myers (6:05pm) - Ricky Knapp vs. Felix Jorge (1-2, 1.40)
     
    Cedar Rapids @ Great Lakes (6:05pm) - Sam Clay (2-0, 0.79) vs. TBD
     
    Please ask questions and discuss the Thursday games.
     
    -ERolf
  24. Eric R Pleiss
    The Twins lost both ends of a split double header and find themselves two and a half games behind the Astros for the second wild card spot. Now losers of five straight, the Twins are also a game behind the Angels and just a game and a half ahead of the Indians, all fighting for that final postseason spot.
     
    In the Minor Leagues, both the Cedar Rapids Kernels and the Chattanooga Lookouts returned home for the third game of their Championship Series. Let's see how things went.
     
    Biloxi Shuckers @ Chattanooga Lookouts
    Tyler Wagner vs. Greg Peavey
    Final: Shuckers 2, Lookouts 0
    Box
     
    In the top of the first inning, Greg Peavey gave up a single and a double to the first two batters of the game to put runners at second and third with no outs. Peavey managed to limit the damage, with only one run scoring on a sacrifice fly, sandwiched between a pair of infield popups. Greg Peavey made it through the next three innings without giving up an additional run, but not without drama as he put the leadoff batter on base in every inning. In the fifth, Peavey again put the leadoff man on base, via a double. After a sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk to Orlando Arcia, Manager Doug Mientkiewicz decided he had seen enough and lifted Peavey in favor of D. J. Johnson. Johnson walked the first batter he faced to load the bases. The next batter hit into a fielder's choice, but the Lookouts couldn't turn two, only grabbing the out at second base, allowing a run to score. D.J. Johnson managed to keep more runs off the board, despite throwing a wild pitch and walking the next batter before striking out Biloxi's centerfielder, Brett Phillips. Johnson recorded one out in the seventh before being lifted for Brett Lee. Brett Lee and Jake Reed finished things up, allowing just two hits the rest of the way.
     
    Two runs were plenty for the Shuckers as the Lookouts were 0-8 with runners in scoring position, stranding ten runners in the process. Shuckers pitchers Tyler Wagner and Yhonathan Barrios combined to strike out ten and walked just two, giving up eight total hits. The first three hitters in the Lookouts lineup, Stephen Wickens, Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler, went a combined 0-12. Cleanup hitter Travis Harrison had a great night, 3-3 with a walk and a double, but without anyone on base ahead of him, he didn't have any chances to drive in runs. Centerfielder and number nine hitter Shannon Wilkerson also had a pair of hits, 2-4 and a strike out.
     
    The Shuckers and the Lookouts are back on the field Sunday at 1:15pm. The Lookouts need a win to stay alive.
     
     
    West Michigan Whitecaps @ Cedar Rapids Kernels
    Artie Lewicki vs. Keaton Steele
    Final: Whitecaps 1, Kernels 2
    Box
     
    The Kernels took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning on a Rafael P. Valera sacrifice fly, but then gave a run back to the Whitecaps in the top of the fourth to knot things at one-one. The game continued on, deadlocked, until the top of the ninth. Pitching his second inning of relief, Luke Bard walked the leadoff hitter and then found himself with a runner on second and one out after a sacrifice bunt. A single to centerfield scored the go-ahead run, and Wade capped the inning on back-to-back strike outs, with the Kernels now down 2-1, down to their last three outs.
     
    Edgar Corcino doubled to start things off for the Kernels in the bottom of the ninth, and then T.J. White came up with a double of his own, off of the left fielder's glove. Because the ball was nearly caught, Corcino was holding up and only advanced to third. With runners on second and third with no outs, the Whitecaps brought in their closer Joe Jimenez was was 5-1 with a 1.47 ERA in the regular season, converting on 17-20 save opportunities and racking up 61 strike outs against just 11 walks in 43 innings. Jimenez proceeded to walk the first batter he faced, LaMonte Wade, loading up the bases for Chris Paul. Paul struck out swinging. Max Murphy came up to bat with the bases still loaded and delivered a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Edgar Corcino and tying the game at 2-2, putting runners at the corner for Brian Navarreto. Navarreto worked deep into the count, with LaMonte Wade advancing to second on defensive indifference midway through the at bat. Navarreto fouled off a couple of pitches before hitting something close to a Baltimore Chop, a high bouncer that came down midway between the pitchers mound and third base. With T.J. White running home on contact, the only play for Whitecaps third basemen Francisco Contreras was at first. Navarreto beat the throw and the Kernels walk-off winners and are just one win away from winning the Midwest League Championship!
     
    Kernels pitching held the Whitecaps to just five hits all night, led by Keaton Steele who pitched seven innings, struck out five, walked one and gave up four hits. Luke Bard picked up the win thanks to those ninth inning heroics, giving up a hit, a run, striking out two and walking two. Kernels hitters struggled a bit, recording just seven hits, but three of them came in the ninth when they needed them most. Navarreto's infield single was his only hit of the night 1-4, and T.J. White, who scored the winning run, was the only Kernel with multiple hits, 2-4 with a double.
     
    The Kernels will play for the Midwest League Championship at 2:05pm on Sunday.
  25. Eric R Pleiss
    The Twins squandered an early 5-0 lead and eventually fell 8-11 to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Despite the loss the Twins remain just a game and a half behind the Houston Astros for the second Wild Card spot in the American League.
     
    In the Minor League playoffs, both the Chattanooga Lookouts and the Cedar Rapids Kernels played game two of their respective league championship series. Let's take a look at how they did.
     
    Lookouts Look In
    Chattanooga Lookouts @ Biloxi Shuckers
    Jason Wheeler vs. Adrian Houser
    Final Score: Lookouts 6, Shuckers 1
    Box
     
    The Lookouts took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a Max Kepler solo-home run. They extended their lead to 5-0 in the fifth after another Max Kepler homer, this time a grand slam! In the seventh the Shuckers had the good sense to intentionally walk Max Kepler only to see the next batter, Travis Harrison hit an RBI single to put the Lookouts up 6-1.
     
    Max Kepler was the hero of the evening for the Lookouts, finishing the game 2-4 with a pair of runs scored, five RBIs and a walk. Kepker's two home runs were the Lookouts only extra base hits of the evening. Shortstop Heiker Meneses was 203 with a walk and number nine hitter, Shannon Wilkerson, was 2-4.
     
    Jason Wheeler pitched seven innings of three hit baseball, surrendering just a single run and taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning. All three of of hits Wheeler gave up came in quick succession in the bottom of the sixth as the first three hitters singled. Wheeler struck out five and walked three. Nick Burdi gave up a hit and a walk in the eighth inning but recorded a pair of strike outs and help the Shuckers scoreless. J.T. Chargois walked the first hitter in the bottom of the ninth to give Biloxi some hope, but mad quick work of the next three hitters to send the Shuckers home.
     
    Game three is on Saturday in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
     
     
    Kernels Korner
    Cedar Rapids Kernels @ West Michigan Whitecaps
    Sam GIbbons vs. A.J. Ladwig
    Final Score: Kernels 1, Whitecaps 4
    Box
     
    The Kernels led the Whitecaps 1-0 going into the bottom of the seventh inning before allowing four runs to lose the game. Sam Gibbons was cruising through six, but gave up a walk and a double to start the inning, putting runners at second and third. The next batter singled home a pair of runs. The lead runner scored easily, but the second runner was ruled safe a home despite never touching the plate as the home plate umpire ruled that Kernels' catcher Brian Navarreto was blocking the plate without the baseball. Kernels manager Jake Mauer came out to argue the call and was relieved of his managing duties for the remainder of the evening as he was subsequently ejected. With Gibbons still in the game and now down 2-1, the next batter laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runner over and a throwing error by Gibbons allowed the runner to reach putting runners at the corner with no outs, ending Gibbons' evening. The Whitecaps would score two more runs in the seventh to extend their lead to 4-1.
     
    Gibbsons' final line on the night was 6+ innings pitched, five hits, four runs (two earned), a walk and four strike outs. Yorman Landa pitched the final two innings. Landa gave up one hit, one walk, and struck out three.
     
    The Kernels offense managed just six hits, with a pair of them coming from designated hitter Max Murphy, who tripled home the only run of the night in the second inning. Chris Paul was 1-4 with a double and came around to score on the Max Murphy triple. On the evening the Kernels sent 34 men to the plate and did not earn a single walk.
     
    Game three is on Saturday in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
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