The Twins lost 4-3 to Baltimore to split a series with the Orioles. Tonight, they start a weekend series in Kansas City against the Royals. The Territory Train is packed full and heading to KC. I’m certain many other Twins fans will be following the team, watching some baseball, visiting the Negro League Baseball Museum and likely eating some really good BBQ. Yes, I’m jealous and need to get down to KC some day!

Anyway, it was an interesting night in the Twins farm system. Rochester remains absolutely on fire thanks to a big come-from-behind win. New Britain and E-Town weren’t able to finish what they started, so they’l do that today. The Miracle were one hit away from a nice win. And, it was a great day for Beloit where they doubled their pleasure and fans got to witness Miguel Sano. What did he do on this night?

Well, you’ll just have to continue reading to find that out and take a look at the Twins minor league scores and highlights from the Thursday games in the minor leagues.

ROCHESTER 14, NORFOLK 8

Shairon Martis was promoted to Rochester to make this start. He gave up seven runs on eight hits and four walks in 3.2 innings. When he left the game, the Red Wings were behind 7-2. Fair to say, it was all Rochester at that point. Bobby Lanigan relieved Martis and gave up just one run on two hits and a walk over the next 2.2 innings. Dan Sattler gave up just one hit in 1.2 scoreless frames. Brendan Wise then struck out two in a perfect ninth.

Brian Dinkelman led the offense. He went 3-4 with his fifth double and third triple. Evan Bigley went 3-4 with his second double and three RBI. He also stole his first base. Pedro Florimon was 3-4 with a wakl and his 12^th double. Ray Chang was 2-5. Danny Lehmann went 2-3 with two walks and his first two AAA doubles of the season.

Martis and Lehmann are the 49^th and 50^th players to play for the Red Wings this season. Martis is the 15^th pitcher to make a start. The Red Wings are now 50-49 and above .500 for the first time since they were 9-8 early this season. The team is now 13-4 in July.

NEW BRITAIN, NEW HAMPSHIRE (suspended in Top 3)

After two scoreless innings, the Rock Cats scored four runs in the top of the third inning. Oswaldo Arcia hit a double and Joe Benson hit a two-run triple. Blake Martin threw two scoreless innings and dropped his season ERA below 4 (3.98). However, the game was suspended by rain during the third inning.

FT. MYERS 3, LAKELAND 4

Matt Summers made his first start for the Miracle. He gave up four runs (3 earned) on eight hits in five innings. He walked one and struck out five. Jose Gonzalez struck out two in two scoreless innings. Michael Tonkin struck out two in his inning.

Levi Michael went 1-2 with a walk and was also hit by pitch twice. He came to bat in the bottom of the 9^th with Danny Santana in scoring position. However, he grounded out to first base to end the game.

GAME 1 – BELOIT 2, LANSING 1

Jason Wheeler won for the 11^th time this season. He gave up just one run on five hits in six innings. He walked three and struck out six. Corey Williams recorded his 14^th save of the year by striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

Drew Leachman went 2-2 with a walk. Stephen Wickens went 2-3. He drove in both of the team’s runs with a two-run single in the 2^nd inning.

GAME 2 – BELOIT 7, LANSING 1

Miguel Sano led the offense in game two. He went 3-4 with his 20^th home run of the season and drove in four runs. In his last eight games, he is 9-23 (.391) with a double, a triple, two home runs and eight RBI. He has also walked nine times and struck out just four times.

Drew Leachman went 2-3 in game two. Steve Liddle went 2-3 with a walk and his 11^th and 12^th doubles.

Cole Johnson made his first start for the Snappers. He struckout six (and walked one) in three no-hit innings. Mason Melotakis came in and threw two scoreless innings to record his first MWL win. Dallas Gallant gave up a run on no hits in his inning. He walked three and struck out two. Ryan O’Rourke struckout two in the final inning.

ELIZABETHTON, JOHNSON CITY (suspended in 2^nd innings)

This game was suspended due to rain in the second inning.

GCL TWINS 2, GCL RAYS 1

The Twins didn’t get much offense, but it was enough for the win. Joel Licon went 1-2 with two walks and his fourth stolen base.

Sam Gibbons started. The Aussie went the first three innings and gave up two runs on three hits and two walks. Chris Mazza came in and struck out two over three one-hit innings. Melciades de la Cruz walked two and struck out two in two scoreless innings. Gonzalo Sanudo pitched the ninth and didn’t allow a run.

---

Players of the Day for Thursday, July 19, 2012

Hitter of the Day – Brian Dinkelman

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1602[/ATTACH]

Pitcher of the Day – Jason Wheeler

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1603[/ATTACH]

---

A Look Ahead – Tuesday, July 17, 2012 Schedule

Rochester @ Durham – RHP Liam Hendriks

New Britain @ Harrisburg – Two Games

Ft. Myers @ Lakeland – RHP Matt Hauser

Beloit vs Lansing – LHP David Hurlbut

Elizabethton @ Johnson City – TBD

GCL Twins @ GCL Red Sox – TBD

---

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