The Twins lost another series to a National League foe. The news came out today that Brian Duensing will be starting against the Reds on Saturday.

Instead of dwelling on the Twins shortcomings, read 1,100 words about Thursday’s minor league action:

ROCHESTER 8, DURHAM 14

Box score

The Wings scored eight or more runs for only the third time in June; however, the 14 they allowed were the second most of their season.

Brian Dinkelman had three hits, including a double and a three-run home run. Clete Thomas added a double and a solo home run. Pedro Florimon, Sean Burroughs and Michael Hollimon all added doubles as well. J.R. Towles had two hits.

Matt Maloney, who started the season in the Twins bullpen, might soon be looking for a new place of employment. He allowed five earned runs and only recorded five outs. His stats since becoming a starter at the end of May: 6 GS, 20 IP, 45 H, 32 R (25 ER), 5 HR, 6 BB, 13 K. Opponents are batting .429 off of him. The fact that he is still starting is an indictment of the starting pitching depth in the higher levels of the organization.

Brendan Wise went 3 1/3 innings in relief and allowed three hits and only one run while striking out two. He also came into the game with the bases loaded and got the final out of the second.

Bobby Lanigan, making his AAA debut, had a forgettable game. He pitched two innings. He gave up seven hits, a walk and allowed six earned runs.

Caleb Thielbar fared much better in his AAA debut. He walked a batter, struck out a batter and allowed a hit, but didn’t allow any runs.

Deolis Guerra allowed a run and two hits. He also struck out a batter.

NEW BRITAIN 5, ALTOONA 3

Box score

The Rockcats ended their 7-game swoon with a win tonight.

Aaron Thompson – who may be called upon soon to help out in AAA – had arguably his best game as a Rockcat. He scattered eight hits, allowing only three runs. He struck out two. Daniel Turpen (1 2/3, K) and Bruce Pugh (IP, H, BB, 2 K) did a great job closing the game out.

Evan Bigley was the offensive headline. He had a home run, drove in two and scored twice. The only regular who didn’t have a hit was Aaron Hicks. Oswaldo Arcia scored and drove in a run, he also drew a walk.

While unconfirmed, Andrew from TwinsFanFromAfar will probably be celebrating this win into the early morning.

FT. MYERS 9, ST. LUCIE 5

Box score

The Miracle jumped all over the Mets with five first-inning runs. They gave back three in the second, but matched it in the third.

The offense was spread out pretty evenly. Kyle Knudson continued to hit well (three straight three-hit games) since his promotion, including a double. Levi Michael, Danny Ortiz (triple), Danny Rams (double) and Andy Leer (double) all had two hits. Ortiz and Leer each drove in two. Knudson and Leer both scored twice. Leer also stole a base.

Pat Dean made it into the sixth, but was an out short of making it out of the sixth. He struck out five. He also allowed five runs and nine hits.

Michael Tonkin made his Hi-A debut. He wasn’t as good as he has been lately – he didn’t strike out everybody he faced! But he was still solid. He got seven outs, three by strikeout. He walked two, allowed a hit and abandoned his inherited runner.

Dakota Watts finished it off with an inning that included a hit and strikeout.

BELOIT – MWL ALL-STAR GAME BREAK

ELIZABETHTON 7, DANVILLE 2

Box score

The E-town Twins won their second straight after losing their season opener.

Rory Rhodes, playing left field, had his third straight solid game, going 2-for-5 with a home run. He drove in two and scored twice. Niko Goodrum, playing third base, had his third triple in his young season. He also committed his second error. Bo Altobelli had a double. D.J. Hicks went 1-for-2 with two walks. Max Kepler, DHing, went 0-for-5, but did score a run and drive one in as well.

Corey Kimes made the start and pitched four innings. He allowed two runs on three hits (including a home run). He walked two and struck out one. He got 10 outs by groundball, only two by flyball.

Josh Burris struck out three in three perfect innings. Steven Evans struck out two in a perfect inning. Zach Jones struck out two in an inning. He allowed a hit.

GCL TWINS 8, GCL RAYS 4

Box score

The Gulf Coast League affiliate won for the third straight time tonight.

The offense was led by Bryan Santy, who had three hits (including a double) and an RBI. After an 0-for-8 start to his professional career, he’s 5-for-8 in his last two games. Kelvin Ortiz had a double and a triple and scored three runs. Jose Ramirez had two singles and two RBI. Aderlin Mejia had a three-run double and five RBI total. Joel Licon added a triple.

Sam Gibbons struck out five in three innings and allowed three hits. Gerardo Ramirez pitched 2 1/3 innings and was credited with his second win, but allowed two earned runs on four hits. He struck out one. Gonzalo Sanudo pitched 2 2/3 innings. He allowed one run on two hits. He struck out three and abandoned his inherited runner. Felix Jorge allowed two hits and a run in one inning, walking one and striking out one.

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Players of the Day for Thursday, June 21, 2012

Hitters of the Day – Kyle Knudson

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Pitcher of the Day – Josh Burris

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(photo courtesy of Burris’s Twitter account)

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A Look Ahead – Friday, June 22, 2012 Schedule

Rochester vs Charlotte – No starter announced

New Britain at Richmond – No starter announced

Ft. Myers at St. Lucis – Marty Popham (3-2, 5.31)

Beloit at Cedar Rapids – David Hurlbut (2-0, 2.48)

Elizabethton at Burlington – Angel Mata (season debut)

GCL Twins at GCL Red Sox – No starter announced

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If you have any questions on the Twins minor league system, players, teams, etc., leave them in the Comments and we’ll try to answer them! Comments also welcome.