2009 - Midwest Brick Tour

A Weekend Snapshot: Three Games, Three Levels, One Baseball Story

June 12–14, 2009

Baseball’s layered beauty—where stars shine, prospects bloom, and unknowns rise—was on full display across the Midwest during one summer weekend in 2009. From the ivy of Wrigley Field to the rookie-laden rosters of Fort Wayne and the grind of Triple-A ball in Indianapolis, three games offered a glimpse into the game’s present and future.

Friday, June 12 – Wrigley Field

Minnesota Twins 7, Chicago Cubs 4

In the only major league game of the trio, the Twins leaned on then-rising starter Kevin Slowey to carve through the Cubs’ lineup for 6 innings and 10 strikeouts. The veteran core of Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, and Michael Cuddyer powered Minnesota's offense, combining for timely hits in the middle innings. Jason Kubel added a ninth-inning home run for insurance.

Meanwhile, the Cubs' offense showed flashes—Alfonso Soriano had an RBI single, and Derrek Lee reached base multiple times—but it wasn't enough to keep up.

This was a game dominated by pros in their prime—but 150 miles southeast, future stars were just starting their climb.

Saturday, June 13 – Parkview Field (Fort Wayne, IN)

Fort Wayne TinCaps 7, Dayton Dragons 2
Class-A Midwest League

With the TinCaps sitting atop the division, they did what elite teams do—respond. After falling behind 2–0 by the 5th, Daniel Robertson delivered the turning point: a solo homer to left. It opened the floodgates. Allan Dykstra followed with a two-run single, and by the next inning, it was 7–2.

On the mound, Wynn Pelzer tossed six sharp innings, while future All-Star Brad Brach shut the door with two clean frames.

🔹 Key Performers:

• Daniel Robertson: 3-for-4, HR, 2 RBI

• Allan Dykstra: 2-for-4, 2 RBI

• Sawyer Carroll: 2B, 2 R

• Brad Brach: 2 IP, 0 H, 2 K

🛤️ MLB Futures:

• Brad Brach (2016 All-Star, Orioles)

• Allan Dykstra (Tampa Bay, 2015)

•  James Darnell (Padres, 2011–12)

This TinCaps squad would become legendary—17 players from the 2009 team reached MLB, one of the most successful groups in Padres minor league history.

Sunday, June 14 – Victory Field (Indianapolis, IN)

Norfolk Tides 4, Indianapolis Indians 2
Triple-A International League

In the shadow of downtown Indianapolis, the Norfolk Tides displayed a polished, balanced performance to close the weekend. After falling behind 2–0 in the fifth, they came alive in the 6th and 7th:

• Jolbert Cabrera tied it with a single

• Joey Gathright doubled in the go-ahead run

• Oscar Salazar added an RBI single to seal it at 4–2

On the mound, David Hernandez earned the win with 5 solid innings, and Jim Miller nailed down the save—his 14th of the season.

🔹 Key Performers:

• Joey Gathright: 3-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI

• David Hernandez: 5 IP, 2 R, 5 K

• Jim Miller: 1 IP, 1 K, Save

🛤️ MLB Futures:

• David Hernandez (10 MLB seasons, PHI/ARI)

• Joey Gathright (Royals/Rays)

•  Jim Miller (Athletics/Yankees)

• Chris Snelling (Nationals/Phillies)

• Donnie Veal (White Sox reliever)

While Neil Walker—Indianapolis native and future Pirates mainstay—didn’t appear in this game, he was a core part of the Indians roster in 2009, en route to a successful MLB career.

From seasoned veterans like Mauer to fresh prospects like Brach and Turner, the weekend of June 12–14, 2009, provided a cross-section of baseball’s developmental pyramid. Each game added its own verse to the greater baseball song—where every hit, strikeout, and dugout high-five could be a prelude to something far bigger.

Here are da links!

• Photos Album - features some of the pictures for your viewing pleasure.