On the Pond Daily (6/28): Sano and Colabello Play Long Ball
By Wally Fish
On Friday, June 28th the system went 4-0 from Cedar Rapids on down but 0-3 at the top. The three rookie ball teams turned in two shutouts and outscored their opponents by a 21-2 margin.
Morneau is starting to show more pop in his bat as of late. (Photo Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports)
Minnesota Twins (35-41): 9-3 loss to Kansas City (37-40)
RHP P.J. Walters (3.0 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO) got rocked serving up two home runs to a Royals team that is dead last in the majors when it comes to going deep. It really isn’t all that surprising as Walters has been by and large awful this season. His 6.03 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 19-15 SO-to-BB tell a very compelling story as does the fact he’s averaged less than 5.0 innings per start.
1B Justin Morneau and 2B Brian Dozier each went 2-4 with a 2B in the game. For Morneau it was his 21st double of the season (and third in two games) as he creeps ever closer to Joe Mauer‘s team leading 24. CF Clete Thomas went 2-5 with a home run.
Rochester Red Wings (41-42): 4-2 loss to Indianapolis (54-29)
LHP Andrew Albers (6.0 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO) allowed 3 HR in the game and in so doing ruined a four start stretch where he didn’t allow more than 2 runs. During that streak he went 27.1 IP with 19 H, 5 ER, 5 BB and 23 SO.
Both of the team’s runs came off the bat of Chris Colabello (2-4) who hit his 19th and 20th home runs of the season with the Red Wings. The rest of the lineup was 2-26 with just one walk.
New Britain Rock Cats (38-42): 6-5 loss to Reading (34-45)
RHP Trevor May (5.0 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO) gave up a pair of home runs making it four in his last 10.2 innings pitched.
3B Miguel Sano was the offense for New Britain on Friday going 3-4 with 2 runs and 5 RBI. His two HR were his 5th and 6th since reaching Double-A and his 22nd overall.
Fort Myers Miracle (48-27): Game with Jupiter (40-36) suspended in the 3rd due to rain.
Cedar Rapids Kernels (48-28): 7-1 win over Burlington (27-46)
LHP Josue Montanez (5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO) made just his second start of the season after 13 appearances out of the bullpen.
RF Adam Walker (2-3, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB) hit his 12th home run while 3B Travis Harrison (2-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, SO) hit his 13th.
Elizabethton Twins (8-1): 8-0 win over Princeton (1-7)
RHP Yorman Landa allowed just 1 hit in 5.0 innings while walking 1 and striking out 7 but didn’t pick up a win as the E-Twins offense failed to score until the 6th inning. He is now the proud owner of a 15-2 SO-to-BB in 10.0 IP this season.
As mentioned Elizabethton scored their first run in the 6th and then broke things wide open with a 7-run 8th. SS Ryan Walker‘s (2-4, 2 R, HR, RBI, SB) solo home run kicked off the scoring in the game. 3B Javier Pimentel also turned in a 2-4 day with a run, double and two driven in.
GCL Twins (4-3): 5-2 win over GCL Red Sox (4-3)
RHP Nick Blackburn (4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO) made his first appearance of the season as he tries to work his way back to the major leagues.
RF Adonis Pacheco (2-2, 2 R, 2B, BB, SB)
DSL Twins (12-10): 8-0 win over DSL Orioles1 (11-11)
RHP Elias Villasana (4.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO) has a 2.60 ERA so far this season. It’s the fourth year in the DSL for the 20-year old.
RF Francis Mateo (3-5, R, HR, 3 RBI)