Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter!
April 5, 2026: Pastel Shells
Minor Details: Games of 4/4/26
WORCESTER RED SOX (Red Sox) 5, ST. PAUL SAINTS 3 IN ST. PAUL
The Woo Sox scored all of their runs on homers. Ex-Twin Mickey Gasper hit a two-run homer in the first, Nick Sogard and Nick Eaton each hit a solo shot in the third, and Tsung-Che Cheng homered in the fourth, making it 5-0. The Saints scored three in the eighth, two on a home run by Gabriel Gonzalez, and had the tying run on base with two out, but their last four men were retired.
Multi-hit games: Orlando Arcia, 2-4, D, RBI.
Home runs: Gabriel Gonzalez (1).
Stolen bases: Emmanuel Rodriguez (2).
Decision: Zebby Matthews (0-1).
Starter: Zebby Matthews, 3.1 IP, 5R, 7H, 2W, 3K.
Relievers: Drew Smith, 0.2 IP.
Eduardo Salazar, 1 IP, 3W, 2K.
Connor Prielipp, 3.1 IP, 2 H, 2W, 4K.
Trent Baker, 0.2 IP, 1H, 1K.
.300 hitters: Ryan Kreidler, .400.
Orlando Arcia, .389.
.800 OPS: Ryan Kreidler, 1.217.
Orlando Arcia, 1.087.
Alan Roden, .833.
<3.50 ERA: Connor Prielipp, 1.23.
Drew Smith, 3.38.
Opposition stars: Tsung-Che Chung, 1-2, HR, 2W.
Jake Bennett, 5 IP, 1H, 2W, 4K.
Record: 3-3, sixth, 3.5 behind Memphis.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS NATURALS (Royals) 9, WICHITA WIND SURGE 3 IN WICHITA
Brett Squires hit a two-run homer in a three-run sixth to give the Naturals a 4-1 lead. The Wind Surge came back with two in the bottom of the sixth, but Northwest Arkansas scored three more in the seventh and added single runs in the eighth and ninth.
Multi-hit games: Ben Ross, 2-4, D, R.
Home runs: Billy Amick (1).
Stolen bases: Kyle DeBarge (1).
Kala'i Rosario (1).
Decision: Sam Armstrong (0-1).
Starter: C. J. Culpepper, 4IP, 1W, 1K.
Relievers: Sam Armstrong, 3 IP, 7R, 2ER, 4H, 2W, 2K.
Luis Quinones, 1 IP, 1R, 0ER, 3W, 2K.
Jarret Whorff, 1 IP, 2H, 1R, 1K.
.300 hitters: Ben Ross, .545.
Jose Salas, .500.
Kyle DeBarge, .364.
Hendry Mendez, .300.
.800 OPS: Ben Ross, 1.583.
Kyle DeBarge, 1.227.
Jose Salas, 1.214.
Billy Amick. 1.042.
<3.50 ERA: C. J. Culpepper, 0.00.
Luis Quinones, 0.00.
Opposition stars: Brett Squires, 2-4, HR, D, W, 2R, 3RBI.
Felix Arronde, 4 IP, 1R, 4H, 3K.
Record: 1-2, fourth, one behind Springfield.
CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS 8, PEORIA CHIEFS (Cardinals) 4 IN CEDAR RAPIDS
Jalen Flores hit a two-run double in the fourth to give the Chiefs a 3-0 lead, but the Kernels came back with six in the fifth. Brandon Winokur, and Danny DeAndrade each hit a two-run single in the inning.
Multi-hit games: Brandon Winokur, 3-5, 2SB, R, 3RBI.
Marek Houston, 2-3, T, D, 2W, 2R.
Caden Kendle, 2-4, 2D, R, RBI.
Jaime Ferrer, 2-4, R.
Danny DeAndrade, 2-5, R, 2RBI.
Jacob McCombs, 2-5.
Home runs: None.
Stolen bases: Brandon Winokur, 2 (2).
Khadim Diaw (1).
Decision: Michael Ross, 1-0.
Starter: Adrian Bohorquez, 3.2 IP, 3R, 3H, 1W, 5K.
Relievers: Nick Trabacchi, 0.1 IP, 1H, 1K.
Michael Ross, 1 IP.
Brent Francisco, 4 IP, 1R, 3H, 1W, 1K.
.300 hitters: Jaime Ferrer, .429.
Brandon Winokur, .375.
Caden Kendle, .333.
.800 OPS: Caden Kendle, 1.167.
Marek Houston, 1.025.
Jaime Ferrer, .929.
Brandon Winokur, .819.
<3.50 ERA: Nick Trabacchi, 0.00.
Michael Ross, 0.00.
Brent Francisco, 2.25.
Opposition stars: Jose Suarez, 2-4, HR (1), D,
Josh Kross, 2-4, R.
Record: 1-1, tied for first with Peoria, Beloit, and Wisconsin.
CLEARWATER THRESHERS (Phillies) 7, FORT MYERS MIGHTY MUSSELS 5 IN FORT MYERS
The Threshers scored three in the second and two in the fourth to build a 5-0 lead. The Mussels never got closer than four runs until the ninth, when Jayson Bass hit a two-run double to bring the tying run to bat with one out. But the last two batters struck out to end the game.
Multi-hit games: None.
Home runs: None.
Stolen bases: Ryan Sprock (1).
Harry Genth (1).
Decision: Kendry Rojas (0-1).
Starter: Kendry Rojas, 1.1 IP, 2R, 0ER, 2H, 2W, 2K.--rehab assignment
Relievers: Mike McKenna, 0.2 IP, 1R, 0ER, 1H, 1W.
Jonathan Stevens, 2.2 IP, 3R, 2H, 3W, 4K.
Mitch Mueller, 1.1 IP, 2H, 2K.
Jake Murray, 1 IP, 1R, 1H, 1W, 1K.
Adam Falinski, 2 IP, 1H, 3K.
.300 hitters: None.
.800 OPS: Harry Genth, .900.
<3.50 ERA: Kendry Rojas, 0.00.
Mike McKenna, 0.00.
Mitch Mueller, 0.00.
Adam Falinski, 0.00.
Opposition stars: Alirio Ferrebus, 3-4, D, W, 2RBI.
Tyler Pettorini, 2-4, R, 3RBI.
Record: 1-2, tied for fourth with Dunedin, 1.5 behind Lakeland.
TODAY'S TILTS
12:37 Worcester (TBD, TBD) at St. Paul (Andrew Morris. 0-0, 2.45; John Klein, 0-0, 0.00) (2)
1:05 Peoria (Blake Aita) at Cedar Rapids (Nolan Santos)
Frank Zappa – Watermelon In Easter Hay
Twins Recap: Game 7–4/3/26
MINNESOTA TWINS 10, TAMPA BAY RAYS 4 IN MINNESOTA
The game began with a power outage and ended with a power surge. Some suggested that the Pohlads had neglected to pay the electric bill, but apparently the power outage covered more than just Target Field.
The final score does not show how close the game was most of the way. The Rays jumped on Bailey Ober for two in the first inning. He was able to right the ship somewhat after that, but a run in the fourth made it 3-0 Tampa Bay. But undaunted, the Twins put together a three-run rally in the fourth to tie it 3-3.
And there things stood for a while. The Twins loaded the bases in the sixth on a shift violation, a double, and a walk, but could do nothing with it. But then the Twins did what they have done three games in a row--score late. This time it was a seven-run seventh. Josh Bell started the scoring with an RBI single. The Twins then loaded the bases again, this time scoring two on bases-loaded walks. Then Tristan Gray hit a grand-slam, giving him eight RBIs in eleven at-bats and making the score 10-3. The Rays scored one in the eighth, but the outcome had been decided.
One wonders just how long a leash Bailey Ober has. Yes, he kept the Twins in the game, kind of. But this is consecutive games giving up three runs in four innings, and that's not exactly what you want out of your supposed number three starter. The Twins don't exactly have the next Paul Skenes waiting in the wings, so Ober will certainly be given more time, as he should be. But at some point, he's going to have to show that he's closer to the Ober of 2024 than the Ober of 2025 if he's going to stay in the rotation in 2026.
The Twins scored their ten runs on just seven hits. They did draw six walks, and got the benefit of three Rays errors.
Byron Buxton was hit by a pitch in the seventh. Reports are that he has a right forearm contusion, what we used to call a bruise. That can really hurt, of course, but he shouldn't be out of the lineup long, if he's out of the lineup at all.
We're still on track for 158-4!
Multi-hit games: Josh Bell, 2-5, D, 2R, 2RBI.
Luke Keaschall, 2-5, 2R.
Home runs: Tristan Gray (1).
Stolen bases: James Outman (2).
Luke Keaschall (1).
Decision: Kody Funderburk (1-1).
Starter: Bailey Ober, 4 IP, 3R, 4H, 2W, 4K.
Relievers: Eric Orze, 2 IP, 1H, 1W.
Justin Topa, 0.2 IP, 2H, 2K.
Kody Funderburk, 0.1 IP.
Anthony Banda, 1 IP, 1R, 1H.
Cody Laweryson, 1 IP, 1K.
.300 hitters: Trevor Larnach, .375.
Tristan Gray, 3.64.
.800 OPS: Trevor Larnach, 1.208.
Tristan Gray, 1.156.
Josh Bell, 1.052.
Royce Lewis, .891.
<3.50 ERA: Eric Orze, 0.00.
Justin Topa, 2.08.
Anthony Banda, 2.70.
Opposition stars: Ben Williamson, 2-4, D, RBI.
Junior Caminiero, 2-5, D, R.
Record: 3-4, tied for third with Detroit, 1.5 behind Cleveland.
TODAY'S TILT
6:10 Tampa Bay (Steven Matz, 1-0, 7.20) at Minnesota (Mick Abel, 0-1, 13.50)
April 4, 2026: It’s Good Joke
Finally wrangled the whole family to see PHM. Wished we could have gotten to see it in IMAX, but I guess they had to clear it off all the screens for the Mario squequel.
Minor Details: Games of 4/3/26
WORCESTER RED SOX (Red Sox) at ST. PAUL SAINTS
Canceled due to rain.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS NATURALS (Royals) 2, WICHITA WIND SURGE 1 IN WICHITA
Brett Squires singled home a run in the first and a wild pitch brought one home in the third. The lone Wind Surge run scored in the fourth on a force out. Wichita had five hits and seven walks, but stranded ten and went 0-for-7 with men in scoring position.
Multi-hit games: None.
Home runs: None.
Stolen bases: Jose Salas 2 (2).
Decision: Ty Langenberg (0-1).
Starter: Ty Langenberg, 4 IP, 2R, 1ER, 5H, 1W, 3K.
Relievers: Ricky Castro, 2 IP, 2K.
Sam Ryan, 1 IP, 2W.
Ruddy Gomez, 1 IP, 1H, 2W, 2K.
.300 hitters: Jose Salas, 1.000.
Ben Ross, .571.
Kyle DeBarge, .375.
Hendry Mendez, .333.
.800 OPS: Jose Salas, 2.000.
Ben Ross, 1.768.
Kyle DeBarge, 1.375.
Hendry Mendez, .833.
<3.50 ERA: Ricky Castro, 0.00.
Ruddy Gomez, 0.00.
Sam Ryan, 0.00.
Ty Langenberg, 2.25.
Opposition stars: Colton Becker, 2-3, W, R.
Frank Mozzicato, 4 IP, 1R, 2H, 2W, 4K.
Record: 1-1, tied for third, a half game behind Tulsa.
PEORIA CHIEFS (Cardinals) 8, CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS 2 IN CEDAR RAPIDS
Peoria led 2-0 after three and scored six in the fourth. Five of the runs came on homers, a three-run shot by Tai Peete and a two-run blast by Rainiel Rodriguez. Eli Jones pitched very well in relief for the Kernels.
Multi-hit games: None.
Home runs: None.
Stolen bases: Caden Kendle (1).
Jay Thomason (1).
Decision: Dasan Hill (0-1).
Starter: Dasan Hill, 3.1 IP, 4R, 5H, 1W, 2K.
Relievers: Eston Stull, 0.2 IP, 4R, 3H, 1W.
Eli Jones, 5IP, 1H, 1W, 4K.
.300 hitters: Khadim Diaw, .333.
Jaime Ferrer, .333.
.800 OPS: Khadim Diaw, 1.127.
Jaime Ferrer, .833.
<3.50 ERA: Eli Jones, 0.00.
Opposition stars: Rainiel Rodriguez, 2-4, HR, 2RBI.
Nolan Sparks, 4 IP, 1H, 1W, 4K.
Record: 0-1, sixth, one game behind Peoria.
CLEARWATER THRESHERS (Phillies) 2, FORT MYERS MIGHTY MUSSELS 0 IN FORT MYERS (GAME 1)
Will Vierling doubled home a run in the first and Matthew Ferrara had an RBI single in the third. The Mussels were not very mighty, getting just one hit, a Byron Chourio two-out single in the third.
Multi-hit games: None.
Home runs: None.
Stolen bases: None.
Decision: Joel Garcia (0-1).
Starter: Joel Garcia, 4IP, 2R, 1ER, 4H, 1W, 4K.
Relievers: Kolten Smith, 3IP, 3K.
.300 hitters: Byron Chourio, .500.
.800 OPS: Byron Chourio, 1.000.
<3.50 ERA: Kolten Smith, 0.00.
Joel Garcia, 2.25.
Opposition stars: Gage Wood, 4 IP, 1H, 1W, 7K.
Sean Youngerman, 3IP, 2 K.
Record: 0-1.
FORT MYERS MIGHTY MUSSELS 2, CLEARWATER THRESHERS (Phillies) 0 IN FORT MYERS (GAME 2)
In game two the Mussels flipped the script, as the cool kids say, winning by the same score they had lost game one by. They again managed only one hit, but this time it was a first-inning RBI triple by Quentin Young, who then scored on a sacrifice fly.
Multi-hit games: None.
Home runs: None.
Stolen bases: Jayson Bass (1).
Decision: Reed Moring (1-0).
Starter: James Ellwanger, 3 IP, 2H, 1W, 4K.
Relievers: Reed Moring, 4 IP, 2H, 7K.
.300 hitters: Byron Chourio, .333.
.800 OPS: Byron Chourio, .833.
<3.50 ERA: James Ellwanger, 0.00.
Reed Moring, 0.00.
Opposition stars: Manolfi Jimenez, 2-2, W.
Zuher Yousuf, 2 IP, 1W, 3K.
Record: 1-1, tied for third with Clearwater, a half game behind Bradenton and Lakeland.
TODAY'S TILTS
1:05 Peoria (Leonel Sequera) at Cedar Rapids (Adrian Bohorquez)
2:07 Worcester (TBD) at St. Paul (Zebby Matthews, 0-0, 11.25)
4:05 Northwest Arkansas (Felix Arronde) at Wichita (TBD)
5:05 Clearwater at Fort Myers--no starters listed
Telehealth – Unsafe Feeling
Happy Birthday–April 4
Bill Hinchman (1883)
John Hummel (1883)
Tris Speaker (1888)
Joe Vosmik (1910)
Mickey Owen (1916)
Gil Hodges (1924)
Gary Geiger (1937)
Bart Giamatti (1938)
Eddie Watt (1941)
Jim Fregosi (1942)
Mike Epstein (1943)
Nick Bremigan (1945)
Ray Fosse (1947)
Herm Schneider (1952)
Tom Herr (1956)
Brad Komminsk (1961)
Scott Rolen (1975)
Casey Daigle (1981)
Cameron Maybin (1987)
Martin Perez (1991)
Chase Petty (2003)
Bart Giamatti was commissioner of baseball from April 1, 1989 until his death on September 1, 1989.
Nick Bremigan was an American League umpire from 1974-1988.
Herm Schneider was a trainer in major league baseball for forty years.
We would also like to wish a happy birthday to CarterHayes’ brother.
April 3, 2026: Hey, I know that guy!
One of my brothers started a fantasy baseball keeper league this year. I joined, as did my brother in law, Matt Trueblood.
So I was reading an article about players to add last night and as I'm going they suggest adding Taj Bradley, citing the writing of, get this, Matt Trueblood. Who, by the way, happened to have dropped Bradley as soon as yesterday's game was done. Heh.
Anyway, this is your reminder that Matt is working to make Twins Daily a better destination for baseball writing, even if the subject matter is depressing this year.
Minor Details: Games of 4/2/26
WORCESTER RED SOX (Red Sox) AT ST. PAUL SAINTS
Postponed due to inclement weather. Garrett Acton will be joining the team, acquired in a trade for Logan Whitaker.
WICHITA WIND SURGE 10, NORTHWEST ARKANSAS NATURALS (Royals) 6 IN WICHITA
The Naturals led 6-3 going to the bottom of the sixth, but Wichita took the lead with a four-run inning. Three of the runs came on a Billy Amick double-plus-error. Kyle DeBarge added a homer in the seventh and Ben Ross hit a two-run shot in the eighth.
Multi-hit games: Ben Ross, 3-4, HR, D, SB 2R, 4RBI.
Kyle DeBarge, 2-4, HR, D, W, 2R, 2RBI.
Maddux Houghton, 2-4, T, SB, R.
Home runs: Kyle DeBarge (1).
Ben Ross (1).
Stolen bases: Ben Ross (1).
Maddux Houghton (1).
Decision: Mike Paredes (1-0).
Starter: Ryan Gallagher, 4.1 IP, 4R, 2ER, 3H, 2W, 4K.
Relievers: Mike Paredes, 3.2 IP, 2R, 4H, 5K.
Alejandro Hidalgo, 1 IP, 1H, 1W, 2K.
.300 hitters: Ben Ross, .750.
Kyle DeBarge, .500.
Maddux Houghton, .500.
Hendry Mendez, .333.
Ricardo Olivar, .333.
.800 OPS: Ben Ross, 2.500.
Kyle DeBarge, 2.100.
Maddux Houghton, 1.500.
Ricardo Olivar, .917.
Hendry Mendez, .833.
<3.50 ERA: Alejandro Hidalgo, 0.00.
Opposition stars: Dustin Dickerson, 1-4, HR, 2R.
Sam Kulasingam, 2-4, RBI.
Record: 1-0, tied for first with Tulsa.
CLEARWATER THRESHERS (Phillies) AT FORT MYERS MIGHTY MUSSELS
Rained out. Will be made up as part of a doubleheader today.
TODAY'S TILTS
3:30 Clearwater (Cody Bowker and TBD) at Fort Myers (TBD and TBD) (2)
6:05 Peoria (Tanner Franklin) at Cedar Rapids (Dasan Hill)
6:35 Northwest Arkansas (Frank Mozzicato) at Wichita (TBD)
6:37 Worcester (TBD) at St. Paul (Connor Prielipp, 0-0, 2.25)