The Twins, looking to continue a pretty good stretch of baseball, started off rough. Starter P.J. Walters lasted only into the first inning, and his velocity was reportedly way down. Walters (or the coaching staff) put the Twins in a hole, and I'm curious what the post-game reports are going to indicate regarding Walters' health to start the game in the first place. Jim Thome hit another mammoth home run at Target Field, an estimated 466 feet. Even at 41 years of age, he still has something left in the tank! If you like offense, this ended up being a very good game, and the Twins proved that they have some comeback in them. As I write this, the Twins have almost come all the way back, trailing 9-8 after being down 6-0 after the top of the first.

Let's take a look at how the Future Twins did tonight.

ROCHESTER -- day off.

NEW BRITAIN 3, AKRON 1 (Game 1 -- 7 innings)

This game started and ended with pitching. Starter Steve Hirschfeld had an excellent outing. In 6 innings of work, Hirschfeld allowed only 3 hits and 1 run, and struck out 8 and walked 1. Caleb Thielbar earned the save, his 4th of the season, striking out 2. Thielbar's AA ERA is a tidy 1.96.

There wasn't a whole lot of offense in this game. The Rock Cats had 6 hits on the night. Minnesota's own Nathan Hanson had 2 hits and a sacrifice fly, and had 2 RBIs on the day. Deibinson Romero also had 2 hits. Matt Rizzotti and Chris Colabello each had singles for the Rock Cats. Rene Tosoni had an RBI ground out.

Here's the link to the box score.

NEW BRITAIN 1, AKRON 4 (Game 2 -- 7 innings)

Although he gave up a first inning solo home run and took the loss, starter Logan Darnell pitched pretty well. In 4 and 2/3 innings of work, Darnell gave up just that 1 run on 2 hits. Control was a problem, though: Darnell walked 4 and struck out 5. Daniel Turpen wasn't effective out of the bullpen, allowing 3 runs and 3 walks in 2 innings of work. He only gave up 1 hit. Blake Martin gave up a double, allowing 2 inherited runs to score, but secured the final out of the 7th for New Britain.

There was very little offense in this game, as well. Daniel Rohlfing, recently called up (in place of injured Danny Lehmann) had a double in 2 at-bats, Mark Dolenc, Evan Bigley and Chris Colabello singled, and Chris Herrmann had a pinch-hit single. The lone run scored on Bigley's single. That was it.

Here's the link to the box score.

The teams play again tomorrow night, and I'll be in attendance at New Britain Stadium. Be sure to check back Friday morning at Twins Fan From Afar for a "beyond the box score" post and some pictures.

FT. MYERS 8, BRADENTON 4

This was a "staff day" for the Miracle. Matthew Hauser, normally a reliever, got the start, and went 3 innings, giving up only 1 hit and striking out 3. Nelvin Fuentes tossed 2 innings and gave up 2 runs, allowing 3 hits and striking out 3. Edgar Ibarra also threw 2 innings, allowing 3 hits and 2 runs, also striking out 3. Daniel Sattler threw 2 scoreless innings, striking out 2 and walking 2.

The Miracle racked up 12 hits tonight, and it was a team effort, with 8 of the 9 starters getting at least 1 hit. Third baseman Anderson Hidalgo was 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI, second baseman Andy Leer had 2 singles and an RBI, first baseman Lance Ray had 2 hits, including a double, and an RBI. Daniel Ortiz, Josmil Pinto, Oswaldo Arica and Michael Gonzales each had hits, as well. The big hit of the night came off the bat of Angel Morales -- a 3-run home run.

Here's the link to the box score.

BELOIT 1, PEORIA 7

Steven Gruver started for the Snappers tonight, and went 3 and 2/3 innings. He allowed 10 hits and 6 runs (4 earned) , striking out 3 and walking 2. Tim Shibuya was better out of the bullpen, tossing 2 and 1/3 scoreless innings and striking out 2 along the way. Ryan O'Rourke threw 2 innings and gave up 1 run on 2 hits, including a solo home run. He struck out 1 and walked 1. Miguel Sano had his 22nd error of the season tonight.

There was only 1 extra-base hit for the Snappers tonight, a double by right fielder JaDamion Williams. Wang-Wei Lin, Sano, Matthew Koch, and TwinsDaily's own Adam Pettersen all singled. Pettersen and Sano also walked.

Here's the link to the box score.

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Wednesday's TwinsDaily Pitcher and Hitter of the Day

Pitcher of the Day: Steve Hirschfeld

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Hitter of the Day: Anderson Hidalgo

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Schedule for Thursday, June 14, 2012

Rochester @ Louisville --- ???

New Britain vs. Akron --- RHP Brett Jacobson

Ft. Myers vs. Bradenton --- LHP Pat Dean

Beloit vs. Peoria --- ???

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Please leave any questions or comments here, and either Seth or I will try to answer.

Any chance that hauser will get stretched into a starter? I know that wasn't the plan going into today but just a thought. And is it obvious that hirshfeld is getting called up with Hendriks almost a lock to join the twins this weekend?