The Twins just beat the White Sox 4-1. Ben Revere had a four-hit night. Frankie Liriano found his mojo and went seven strong, striking out five. (I've officially declared on Twitter that unless the Twins are blown away by a trade offer, I want them to keep Liriano and offer him arbitration.) Glared Berkins (or do you prefer Jaren Purton?) slammed the door. Sadly, Ozzie Guillen wasn’t in the opposing dugout to enjoy watching the Twins do what the Twins do.

Yesterday, it was announced that the Twins would promote LHRP Tyler Robertson. Robertson becomes the 7^th player selected by the Twins in the 2007 to make the major leagues (in a Twins uniform). He was their third round selection following Chris Parmelee and Joe Benson. Congratulations to Tyler!

The organization felt a trickle-down effect after the promotion of Robertson and the subsequent placing of P Matt Maloney on the 7-day DL. The Red Wings press release cited Maloney’s “strained left (throwing) elbow”.

Taking one of these empty spots is P Luis Perdomo, on his way up from New Britain. While Perdomo doesn’t have a lot of starting experience (only three starts ever), he does have big league experience and did pitch five innings in relief Saturday. So Perdomo could be given a chance to start.

On his way from Fort Myers to New Britain is RP Dakota Watts. Watts has essentially split the last two years between high-A and AA, so the hard-thrower will not be a new face in the Rockcats clubhouse. He has been dominant in limited innings so far for the Miracle in 2011.

Finally, A.J. Achter will be heading to the Miracle bullpen to replace Watts. Achter was the Twins 46^th round draft pick in 2010, so the fact that he is continuing to climb the ladder exceeds the typical standard for a 46^th round (which don’t even exist anymore!) draft pick.

No word yet on who the Snappers will be getting to replace Achter (but it would be irresponsible for me not to suggest that the Twins have signed many recent draft picks who have lots of relief experience).

A spin around a busy Monday:

ROCHESTER 4, CHARLOTTE 2

Box score

Despite what you believe about the Red Wings, they completed their third season series tonight and they didn’t lose any of the three series. The Red Wings were 6-2 against Louisville, 4-4 against Gwinnett and, after tonight’s win, 5-3 against Charlotte.

Cole De Vries, in what many believe was a tune-up before a call-up, went eight solid innings. He gave up six hits, two walks, two runs and struck out four. Kyle Waldrop went 1-2-3 in the 9^th, striking out one, to pick up his second save on the year.

It was a good thing that De Vries was as good as he was, because the bats weren’t very effective tonight. Luckily, in an inning where they were able to collect two hits, they were aided by a hit by pitch, an error and a passed ball on a strike out. Those three runs in the 5^th were enough to get the win.

J.R. Towles was the lone hitter with multiple hits.

NEW BRITAIN 6, RICHMOND 2

Box score

The Rockcats snapped a seven-game losing streak last Thursday… and they haven’t lost sense. Today’s win over Richmond not only completed a four-game sweep, but also extended their winning streak to five games.

After the Rockcats made their last out in the eighth inning (the game was shortened, presumably due to weather), Andrew from TwinsFanFromAfar was overheard saying, “We’re going streaking! We’re going up the quad and to the gymnasium.” No word yet on whether he made it, or if his wife intercepted him on the way home.

Brett Jacobson started for the Rockcats and had a head-scratcher of a game. He gave up a double to start the game, but got an assist for Arcia for an out at third. He then mixed in walks and a wild pitch to fill the bases. And then he got a double play.

In the second, he walked two more and got another outfield assist for a double-play.

How about the third? Hit-by-pitch, followed by a… you guessed it: another double-play!

In the fifth inning, Jacobson walked to more and was relieved by Edgar Ibarra. Facing his first batter, Ibarra coaxed a ground-ball double play.

Jacobson’s final line: 4 1/3 IP, 3 H, 7 BB, 1 WP, 1 HBP, 1 K. 81 pitches, 32 strikes. ZERO RUNS. (As Seth would say, “This is why I love baseball. You think you’ve seen it all… and then something new happens!”)

Evan Bigley continues to be the story in New Britain. Last week’s Eastern League player of the week came out today and hit his 10^th home run of the year – a 3-run, 2-out blast. Chris “Don’t call me Pee-Wee” Herrmann, Oswaldo Arcia, Estarlin DeLosSantos and Shawn Roof all added two hits.

FT. MYERS 3, TAMPA 9

Box score

As Tropical Storm Debby continues to R. Kelly all over the state of Florida, the Miracle were (luckily) able to get only one game in today.

Tom Stuifbergen went four innings and was far from his World Cup form: 4 IP, 9 hits, 6 runs, 1 K. The positive is that he was able to make and finish his start without injury. Matt Hauser relieved Stuif and continued the run-fest, yielding 3 runs on 4 hits. He struck out four, while walking one.

Michael Tonkin struck out two (and hit one) in an inning. Miguel Munoz struck out one and allowed a hit in one inning.

The bats played like they didn’t expect to have to show up at the ballpark today. Danny Ortiz was the sole Miracle hitter with more than one hit. (He had two singles.) Daniel Santana had a double. Angel Morales had a three-run home run, which is a promising sign for the once highly-rated prospect. He is in the midst of a bad season, and an even worse month of June.

BELOIT 4, KANE COUNTY 2

Box score

The Snappers are now 3-1 on the 2^nd-half-opening-road-trip. Tonight’s win (again) should be credited to a stellar pitching performance.

Jason Wheeler didn’t turn in his best performance of the year judging by his line: 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K. But looking closer, after laboring through the first inning – where he walked the first two batters he faced, had an error behind him and hit a batter – resulting in two unearned runs, he came back and did a solid job getting through five innings before turning it over to the bullpen.

Tim Atherton, who’s ERA is now 0.51, made it through 2 1/3 innings, allowing only one hit, but walked three while striking out three. Corey Williams picked up a five-out save, striking out three.

The bats did just enough to get the team a win. J.D. Williams can become a significant offensive catalyst. He stole two bases tonight, including home. His problem is his inability to get on base. He hasn’t taken a walk in his last ten games. And his OBP is currently .311. I would love to see the Twins take an even-slower-than-normally-slow approach with Williams. He could be huge for this organization someday.

Miguel Sano hit his 15^th double tonight, but also committed his 27^th error. He is on a four-game hitting streak and has hits in six of his last seven games, but is only batting .188 in his last ten games. I expect Sano to turn it around offensively and also settle down defensively over the next couple of weeks, now that people aren’t calling for his promotion every day. (Yeah, I get that he doesn’t understand English all that well, but I’m sure he was hearing the talk.)

Drew Leachman added two hits and Tyler Grimes had a double.

ELIZABETHTON 9, BRISTOL 1

Box score

My first impression after looking at the box score: No triples! In fact, all 12 of the E-Twins hits were singles.

But the bats – particularly at the bottom of the order – did get it done. Travis Harrison had three hits and a walk. Michael Quesada had two hits and four RBI. Jhonathan Arias, Romy Jimenez and Rory Rhodes all had two hits. Max Kepler had a hit and a walk. Niko Goodrum struck out three times. Goodrum (5) and Harrison (6) both committed errors.

Ricardo Arevalo made his second start of the year and still has a 0.00 ERA. After 9 1/3 IP, he has an 11/3 K/BB ratio. Today’s start lasted 4 1/3 IP, allowing five hits and two walks. He struck out seven and surrendered an unearned run. He did have two wild pitches.

Tyler Herr struck out four in 2 2/3 innings, allowing two hits, but abandoned both inherited runners. Zach Jones (BB, K) and Dallas Gallant (2 K) both pitched an inning. Gallant, who is coming off Tommy John surgery, is a prospect to watch.

ELIZABETHTON 9, BRISTOL 1

Box score

My first impression after looking at the box score: No triples! In fact, all 12 of the E-Twins hits were singles.

But the bats – particularly at the bottom of the order – did get it done. Travis Harrison had three hits and a walk. Michael Quesada had two hits and four RBI. Jhonathan Arias, Romy Jimenez and Rory Rhodes all had two hits. Max Kepler had a hit and a walk. Niko Goodrum struck out three times. Goodrum (5) and Harrison (6) both committed errors.

Ricardo Arevalo made his second start of the year and still has a 0.00 ERA. After 9 1/3 IP, he has an 11/3 K/BB ratio. Today’s start lasted 4 1/3 IP, allowing five hits and two walks. He struck out seven and surrendered an unearned run. He did have two wild pitches.

Tyler Herr struck out four in 2 2/3 innings, allowing two hits, but abandoned both inherited runners. Zach Jones (BB, K) and Dallas Gallant (2 K) both pitched an inning. Gallant, who is coming off Tommy John surgery, is a prospect to watch.

GCL TWINS, GCL ORIOLES postponed due to weather.

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Players of the Day for Monday, June 25, 2012

Pitcher of the Day – Cole DeVries

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Hitters of the Day – Michael Quesada

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(arizonawildcats.com)

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A Look Ahead – Tuesday, June 26, 2012 Schedule

Rochester at Lehigh Valley – RHP Brendan Wise (is replacing Maloney in the rotation. He hasn’t made a start since May 27. Wise is 2-1 with a 4.43 ERA. Of his 42 2/3 innings pitched, 36 2/3 have come in relief.)

New Britain vs Trenton – LHP Aaron Thompson (1-2, 5.57) *based on current rotation

Ft. Myers vs Tampa – RHP Madison Boer (3-6, 8.41)

Beloit at Kane County – RHP Matt Summers (6-4, 4.09)

Elizabethton vs Bristol – LHP Corey Kimes (0-0, 4.50) *based on current rotation

GCL Twins at GCL Orioles (two games scheduled) – NO STARTERS 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.

Thing about Sano is that he has a good arm, so f If they decide that 3rd isn't the spot for him I think they have to move him to Right Field and see if he could manage RF every day before considering to move him to 1st.