The Twins were off today, but there was still plenty of action.

Trevor Plouffe announced on Twitter this morning that he would be back tomorrow.

And before their afternoon (or was it morning?) game, the Red Wings activated Deolis Guerra from the DL and placed Dan Sattler on the DL.

Later this evening, the Twins announced they were placing Anthony Swarzak on the DL with a rotator cuff strain. To take his place, the Twins will purchase the contract of RP Luis Perdomo.

Since the 40-man roster is full, Carl Pavano was transferred to the 60-day DL. Pavano last pitched on June 1, so he will be eligible to come off the DL well before he’s actually ready to be activated. (He's starting his rehab in Fort Myers, so who knows how long it will take for him to get ready.)

Throughout the day, there were various trade rumors involving many current Twins. As the deadline approaches, Francisco Liriano (Orioles and Angels) appears almost certain to be moved. Denard Span (Reds) is mentioned prominently. Both Justin Morneau and Josh Willingham have had their names brandished about, though the Twins appear set (and rightfully so!) on keeping Willingham around. (Seriously, if he hits 40 HRs, stays healthy and has a decent first half next year... then let's talk about trading him.)

And now today’s round-up:

ROCHESTER 9, SYRACUSE 17

Box score

I’m not gonna lie: After reading up on newest addition, Eric Hurley, I was a little excited. Not because I thought he’d dominate AAA and be the answer for the Twins of 2013’s problems; but because he was once a highly-ranked, untouchable prospect. The Rangers wouldn’t trade him for anybody… and then he got hurt… and stayed hurt. He made a brief appearance for the Angels this year (so brief he didn’t even pitch) before eventually electing to become a free agent. The Twins/Red Wings picked him off the scrap heap and inserted him into their rotation to see if he had anything left in the tank.

His current 23.63 IL ERA makes his 5.81 PCL ERA look pretty good.

The crazy thing about today’s game was that when Hurley left in the 3^rd inning, the game was tied at 7. Obviously the Red Wings bats showed up to play.

Unfortunately, the Syracuse Chiefs were a little more ready to play.

The bullpen combined to finish the game, but not before yielding 15 more hits and 10 more earned runs. Caleb Thielbar (2 ER, 4 H, 4 outs), Kyle Waldrop (5 ER, 5 H, 5 outs) and Luke French (2 ER, 3 H, 4 outs) were all pretty brutal.

The lone pitching bright spot was the return of Deolis Guerra who allowed only one run on three hits in two innings. He struck out two.

For as bad as the pitching was today, the offense was exactly opposite. The offense contributed nine runs on nine hits.

The three guys that stood out offensively were Brian Dinkelman (2-for-5, 3 R, 2B), Chris Parmelee (3-for-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI, BB) and Tsuyoshi Nishioka (1-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI). It wasn’t enough however as the 3-6 hitters combined to go 2-for-15, including Danny Valencia’s 0-for-4 showing.

The Red Wings hit the road to continue their pursuit of a playoff berth, playing a 4-game series in Columbus starting tomorrow.

NEW BRITAIN vs READING - postponed

FT. MYERS 4, BREVARD COUNTY 3

Box score

Tom Stuifbergen pitched his best game of the season, lasting into the eighth inning. He allowed only five hits and a walk, yielding two runs and striking out a season-high seven batters.

Miguel Munoz recorded the last five outs (all groundouts) for his first save. He allowed one hit and one run.

The Miracle scored all four of their runs in the 2^nd inning. Josmil Pinto got the scoring started with a solo home run. Anderson Hidalgo knocked in a run with a sacrifice fly before Danny Santana plated two with a triple. No batter had more than one hit.

BELOIT 1, BURLINGTON 4

Box score

The Snappers bats didn’t do much damage tonight, scoring only one run on six hits. Stephen Wickens led the offensive charge with two singles. He added a stolen base (but was caught stealing once too). Kennys Vargas continues hitting the ball, knocking a double to drive in the team’s lone run. Miguel Sano went 1-for-4 with a strikeout.

David Hurlbut went five innings, allowing three runs on five hits. He walked three and struck out one.

Tim Atherton allowed a hit in one inning. Steven Gruver made his fourth bullpen appearance of the season allowing a run in one inning.

DJ Baxendale made his Snappers debut striking out one in an inning of work. Baxendale’s professional numbers are pretty sick so far: 7 G, 8 2/3 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 18 K. Next year will be a better indication for Baxendale’s prospect status, as he will more-than-likely be moved to Beloit’s starting rotation.

ELIZABETHTON 10, GREENEVILLE 2

Box score

The E-Twins did what the E-Twins do… pound the ball on offense and get great pitching from their staff.

Adam Walker continues to show off his power, hitting two home runs and driving in three runs. Walker is a legitimate power prospect.

Max Kepler hit his 6^th home run (of the season and in his last ten games). Kepler recently said he wants to bulk up to about 240 and views himself in the “Josh Hamilton” mold.

Rory Rhodes continues to hit since his demotion, going 3-for-5 with a double, two runs and an RBI. Niko Goodrum added his 7^th double of the season.

Ricardo Arevalo had another rough outing. He last 4 1/3 innings giving up two runs on four hits. He allowed two walks and struck out five. While not a terrible stat line, He’s now given up multiple earned runs in his last six starts. This is his 4^th year in rookie ball and he has a career record of 1-14… not exactly awe-inspiring numbers.

Brett Lee continued his stellar season in relief. He pitched 2 2/3 innings of one-hit ball.

Luis Nunez, who’s been hot-and-cold all year, pitched the last two innings. He allowed no hits and struck out three. When Nunez is on – which he was today – he is nearly unhittable.

GCL TWINS 7, GCL RAYS 2

Box score

The GCL affiliate was powered by a 6-run 5^th inning. Three of those runs came on one swing of Byron Buxton’s bat, a home run to left field. (Buxton improved his BA to .190.) Bryan Haar (3-for-4) also doubled in the innings.

Brian Compton, son of Twins scout Ken Compton, went 2-for-4 with a run and RBI in his professional debut. Compton was an undrafted free agent out of Cal State – L.A.

Sam Gibbons had his best outing since the beginning of the month, allowing two hits in five innings. He struck out two. Gibbons will try to continue the trend of unearthly successful players from Down Under.

Andre Martinez, of the “signed, unsigned, signed again” fame, made his pro debut by walking two and allowing a hit in 1 1/3 innings. He allowed two runs (one earned). Martinez was signed at a much-discounted rate after his physical showed some shoulder issues.

Hung Yi Chen allowed one hit in 2 2/3 innings.

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Players of the Day for Thursday, July 26, 2012

Pitcher of the Day – Tom Stuifbergen

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Hitters of the Day – Chris Parmelee

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A Look Ahead – Friday, July 27, 2012 Schedule

Rochester vs Syracuse – RHP Jeff Manship (6-1, 2.29)

New Britain at Reading – LHP Logan Darnell (8-7, 4.47)

Ft. Myers vs Brevard County – RHP Madison Boer (4-9, 6.69)

Beloit at Burlington – RHP Tyler Jones (1-3, 5.06)

Elizabethton vs Greenefield – RHP Hudson Boyd (2-3, 1.32)

GCL Twins vsGCL Red Sox – TBA

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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.