It was a quiet day in Twins World. No roster moves. Minimal injury (recover) news. But, as it is, no news is better than bad news.

The Red Wings activated Anthony Slama before their game and intentionally didn’t pitch him, just to irritate the #FreeAnthonySlama crowd.

If you're interested in checking out the organizational rosters and contracts, Brock and I have been working on a place where you can view it all. He calls it a "monster", for me it's more of an obsession... hopefully we can continue to tweak it for your viewing pleasure.

And now, the news from a pretty successful Thursday:

ROCHESTER 5, EMPIRE STATE 2

Box score

The Red Wings ended their 3-game losing streak to get back to over .500. (60-59)

The rehab start of P.J. Walters didn’t go real well. He lasted only 2/3 of an inning and allowed two runs on four hits and a walk. He did strike out one. He left with the bases loaded.

Esmerling Vasquez came in and recorded the third out before recording the next 22 outs! He was a little wild - walking four - but only allowed two hits and struck out seven. Vasquez would have been the scheduled starter, so he will stay on typical rest… and gave the Red Wings bullpen a much-needed rest.

Daniel Turpen came in to record the save by getting the last two outs. He gave up a hit and struck out one.

Eduardo Escobar led the offense with three hits, including a double. He scored twice and drove in a run.

Rene Rivera had a double. Brian Dinkelman, Clete Thomas, Evan Bigley, Ray Chang and Pedro Florimon chipped in singles. Florimon, who missed the last seven games with a wrist injury, also drove in two runs. Earlier in the week, Florimon was named by Baseball America as having the best infield arm in the International League.

Chris Parmelee went 0-for-4. Over the last four games, he is 2-for-14.

NEW BRITAIN 4 , BINGHAMTON 6

Box score

Logan Darnell had his longest outing in a month. That’s the positive. His 5 2/3 innings, though, weren’t spectacular. He allowed 11 hits and five runs. He walked three and only struck out one. Since his 8K performance on July 21^st, he’s only struck out three in three starts (13 2/3 innings).

Jose Gonzalez allowed a run in an inning and Dakota Watts pitched a scoreless 1 1/3 inning. Both struck out two.

The Rock Cats offense collected ten hits. Unfortunately, nine of those were singles. Estarlin De Los Santos led the way with three. Rene Tosoni had two. Aaron Hicks, Chris Herrmann, Dan Rohlfing and Nate Hanson each had one single. Oswaldo Arcia had the lone double, but after taking a walk and have having a sac fly, raised his average to .320 by going 1-for-2.

FT. MYERS 4, JUPITER 1

Box score

Daniel Santana had three singles and a stolen base to lead the Miracle.

Andy Leer and Angel Morales added two singles each. Danny Ortiz had a double. Danny Rams drove in two.

Levi Michael was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the second inning. He had a hit and a stolen base in the first.

Matt Summers cruised through Beloit, but has struggled a little bit since his promotion. His first three starts were pretty good, before struggling in his fourth start. His fifth start, today, he last 4 2/3 innings. He allowed seven hits and only one run. His peripherals were not as good: four walks (a high since his promotion) and one strikeout (tied his low since his promotion).

A.J. Achter went 2 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out three.

Michael Tonkin earned the save by recording the final five outs. He struck out three and gave up one hit.

BELOIT 8, QUAD CITIES 3

Box score

The Snappers scored eight runs on eight hits (all singles), thanks mostly to Quad Cities starter Dail Villenueva, who didn’t make it out of the first, walking four batters.

Eddie Rosario can flat out hit. Though he hit 21 home runs last year, he doesn’t have great power. What he does have is extremely quick and powerful wrists. He’ll let the ball get deep into the zone (a la Denard Span) before swinging. Tonight, he added two more hits to his season total.

Drew Leachman had two hits. Kennys Vargas and Stephen Wickens both drove in two runs.

Miguel Sano was 1-for-3 with two walks.

Jason Wheeler continues to impress. He completed five innings, allowing one run on six hits and two walks. He struck out two.

He turned the game over to Tim Atherton, who pitched two innings. He gave up three walks and struck out two.

Mason Melotakis only got two outs. He allowed a home run (two hits total) and walk. He struck out one.

D.J. Baxendale came in with two on and two out and retired the batter he faced. He came back out in the ninth and allowed a run on two hits. He struck out one.

ELIZABETHTON 4, JOHNSON CITY 3

Box score

The E-Twins held on to win their second straight after dropping three consecutive (over six games).

Byron Buxton’s second night under the lights wasn’t nearing as good as his first. He went 0-for-4 with a strikeout.

Bo Altobelli was 4-for-4 with a run. Travis Harrison had two hits (one triple). Adam Walker hit his 12^th home run. Candido Pimentel and Max Kepler also added two hits each. Harrison committed his 20^th error.

Elizabethton got strong outings from their pitchers. Hudson Boyd went four strong, allowing four hits and an unearned run. He struck out two. Josh Burris pitched two perfect innings in relief. Andrew Ferreira allowed a walk and struck out two in two innings.

Tyler Herr picked up the save, but not before allowing three hits and a walk in an inning. He entered with a three-run lead and needed every one of them.

GCL TWINS 4, GCL ORIOLES 6

Box score

The Twins got one early, but even with a 7^th-inning rally, one bad inning was too much to come back from.

Joel Licon has had a very solid pro debut. Batting leadoff, he had two hits.

Will Hurt has slowly started to rebound from a very slow start. He added two hits today, but is still looking for his first extra-base hit.

Dereck Rodriguez, Logan Wade and B.K. Santy all added singles.

Andre Martinez walked five and allowed five hits over six innings. The six runs earned him his first decision – a loss. He struck out two.

Markus Solbach pitched a scoreless final two frames. He allowed three hits and struck out two.

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Players of the Day for Thursday, August 9, 2012

Hitters of the Day – Eduardo Escobar

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Pitcher of the Day – Esmerling Vasquez

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A Look Ahead – Friday, August 10, 2012 Schedule

Rochester vs Pawtucket – RHP Eric Hurley (0-0, 11.25)

New Britain vs Reading – LHP Blake Martin (3-5, 4.68)

St. Lucie at Fort Myers – LHP Cole Nelson (5-4, 5.43)

Beloit at Quad Cities – LHP David Hurlbut (5-5, 2.69)

Elizabethton at Bristol – RHP Angel Mata (3-2, 2.70)

GCL Twins vs GCL 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.