On the Pond Daily (7/4): Felix Jorge and Josue Montanez Toss Shutouts

On Thursday, July 4th the Twins organization went 3-5 as the parent club lost yet again to the Yankees. As happy as I am that the four game series is in our rear view, the schedule has Minnesota in New York for three games in about a week.

Hicks flashed the leather against the Yankees but the Twins were swept at home. (Photo Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports)

Minnesota Twins (36-46): 9-5 loss to New York (46-39)

RHP Kyle Gibson (5.1 IP, 11 H, 8 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO) gave up runs early and often as they Yankees jumped out to a 5-0 lead after the 3rd inning. He’s no doubt going to have several starts along these lines as he adapts to life as a major league pitcher. He struggled but in fairness Minnesota was beaten and swept in the four game series because New York was generally better in all phases.

The loss dropped the team into a 2-8 funk but Justin Morneau‘s 2-3 game with 2 solo home runs, his 5th and 6th on the season, provided the team with a small glimmer of hope. Another positive sign to take away was the 2-4 night turned in by Aaron Hicks that pushed him to 4-14 in three games since he returned from the DL.

Rochester Red Wings (44-45): 6-2 win over Pawtucket (52-34)

LHP Pedro Hernandez (6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 HR, 3 BB, 3 SO) was solid yet again and is turning into a rather reliable asset for Rochester.

LF Eric Farris went 0-2 but every other member of the Red Wings lineup had a hit. For his part, Farris wasn’t completely left out of the party as he coaxed two walks, stole his 15th base of the year and scored a run.

1B Chris Colabello (1-2, R, RBI, BB) hit his 22nd double of the season but the game of the night belonged to Drew Butera who went 2-4 with a 2-run home run in the 3rd inning. The Red Wings catcher has quietly hit in nine of his last ten games with a 0.343/.361/.457 slash line in his latest 35 at bats.

New Britain Rock Cats (41-44): 6-4 win over Portland (44-39)

RHP Trevor May (6.0 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO) has given up 11 runs and 19 hits in his last 16.2 innings pitched. However, Thursdays start was the fourth straight time he’s walked only one batter and has struck out at least as many batters as innings pitched for seven starts in a row.

DH Josmil Pinto (1-4, R, RBI, BB) hit his 12th HR of the season and CF Jordan Parraz (1-3, R, 3 RBI, 2 SO) added his 5th. Miguel Sano hit a pinch hit double (3) and Eddie Rosario (2-5, RBI, SO) hit a triple (2).

Fort Myers Miracle (52-27): Scheduled off day

Cedar Rapids Kernels (52-30): 3-1 win over Wisconsin (34-45)

LHP Josue Montanez (5.2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO) made his third consecutive start of the season after 13 appearances out of the bullpen. He hasn’t allowed a run in two of those starts and has a 1.98 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 10-3 SO-to-BB since being added to the Kernels rotation.

3B Travis Harrison went 2-4 while 1B Dalton Hicks (2-4, R, RBI, SO) and RF Adam Walker (1-3, R, 2 RBI, SO) each hit their 13th home runs of the season.

Elizabethton Twins (10-3): 6-5 loss to Bluefield (10-3)

RHP Felix Jorge (5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO) has been nothing short of astounding. It’s still early in the Appy League season but he’s certainly the frontrunner in the race for Twins Minor League Pitcher of the Year, at least as far as this site is concerned. In 12.1 innings he’s allowed two hits, one run and has 13 strikeouts to offset four walks.

2B Logan Wade went 2-3 with 2 R, 3 RBI. He also hit his first triple and home run since joining the E-Twins at the end of June.

GCL Twins (6-6): 4-3 loss to the GCL Rays (4-6)

2013 1st round pick, RHP Kohl Stewart (2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO) made his professional debut. RHP Fernando Romero finished the game off with 3.o hitless, shutout innings with 5 strikeouts and 1 walk.

RF Evan Bigley (2-4, R, 2B)

DSL Twins (14-14): 6-3 loss and 3-1 loss to the DSL Reds (18-9)

Game 1: RHP Eduardo Del Rosario (3.0 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO) and CF Dubal Baez (3-4, 2 R, 2B)

Game 2 (6/15 makeup): RHP Elias Villasana (4.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO) and 1B Jorge Parra (1-3, R, 2B)

Transactions:

Released by New Britain – 1B Curt Smith: originally drafted in the 39th round of the 2008 draft by St. Louis, he’s bounced around for a few seasons now. After playing for Springfield (STL-AA) in 2010 he spent 2011 with the Lincoln Saltdogs (Independent) and 2012 with Jacksonville (MIA-AA) before landing with New Britain this year. He hit 0.231/.301/.367 in 45 games for the Rock Cats – numbers well below his career and Double-A averages.