Farm Report: Daniel Palka homers twice in first game with Red Wings

AAA: Rochester Red Wings 8, Lehigh Valley IronPigs 7

RF Daniel Palka was promoted to the Red Wings yesterday. How did he do in his first AAA game? Oh, you know, just hit two home runs, a double, and scored three times.

Seriously. What does this kid eat for breakfast?

Palka didn’t waste any time, hitting his first dong in his very first at-bat. He’s the first Red Wing to homer in his first at-bat since superstar Terry Tiffee in 2004. Palka’s second some run was what put the Red Wings ahead in the 7th inning and led to the eventual win.

Before that, the Red Wings had trailed the entire game. SP Pat Dean put the Wings in a hole, giving up seven earned runs before being yanked in the 5th. Luckily, RP D.J. Baxendale, RP Ryan O'Rourke, and RP J.T. Chargois were able to hold the IronPigs scoreless for the rest of the game.

Oh, and I’ll just leave this fun tidbit here:

[Box Score]

AA: Chattanooga Lookouts 10, Birmingham Barons 4

Who needs Daniel Palka?! Not the Lookouts!

The Barons scored quickly in the top of the 1st inning, but the Lookouts were not intimidated tied things back up with a DH Niko Goodrum solo shot in the 2nd inning.

The game was tied 1-1 going into the bottom of the 4th when the Lookouts exploded for 6 runs. CF Zack Granite hit an RBI double with the bases loaded, which was followed by RBI singles by SS Engelb Vielma, C Mitch Garver, and 1B DJ Hicks.

Just for good measure, Hicks and LF Travis Harrison hit back-to-back dongs in the 6th inning.

[Box Score]

High A: Ft. Myers Miracle 5, Bradenton Marauders 0 (Game 1)

So, this was actually a continuation of a game that was suspended by rain last week, which makes for a funny box score because CF Niko Goodrum is in it and hit a home run, even though he’s with the Lookouts now. LF Edgar Corcino and 3B T.J. White also hit dongs.

SP Randy Rosario originally started the game, pitching four shutout innings.

[Box Score]

High A: Ft. Myers Miracle 8, Bradenton Marauders 3 (Game 2)

The Miracle played a second, double-header shortened game too, also started by SP Randy Rosario. This time he gave up three earned runs over 6.1 innings pitched, which was enough for his second win in one day.

At the plate, DH LaMonte Wade and CF Daniel Kihle hit doubles. 1B T.J. White and SS Nick Gordon both went 2-for-4.

[Box Score]

Low A: Cedar Rapids Kernels 1, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 0

SP Cody Stashak had a perfect game going into the 6th inning in this total dominant start for Cedar Rapids. He pitched 8 innings total, giving up only one hit and striking out eight.

Newly promoted CF Jaylin Davis had a strong day, going 2-for-3 with a double and one run scored. DH Rainis Silva drove in the only run of the day with a dingle in the bottom of the second inning.

[Box Score]

Rookie: Bristol Pirates 7, Elizabethton Twins 4 (Game 1)

The baby Twins played two too! In Game 1, they lost, but 1B Lewin Diaz hit a home run and CF Alex Kirilloff hit a double. No errors!

[Box Score]

Rookie: Bristol Pirates 4, Elizabethton Twins 1 (Game 2)

The baby Twins lost again, but they only had one error! Congratulations, C Bryant Hayman, on that throw. You’re trying your best and having fun!

[Box Score]