Well, Desmond Jennings didn’t get a double on the first pitch in Sunday’s game as he had Friday and Saturday nights. However, on a 1-2 pitch, he hit a home run off of Scott Diamond. Diamond threw yet another Quality Start, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough and the Twins lost 6-3 thanks to a late rally by the Rays.

In the minor leagues, there is a lot going on. Monday will be the final off day for New Britain. Not big news by itself, but it does mean that the seasons are wrapping up quickly. The Rock Cats find themselves fighting for a playoff spot. If the season ended today, they would have the final Eastern League playoff position. The Beloit Snappers earned their playoff berth in the first half, and they are putting together a strong roster. Elizabethton is again a force in the Appalachian League. It will be fun to watch these final weeks. If you missed it on Sunday, I posted the current Minor League Hitting Leaders and Pitching Leaders in many categories. Check those out.

There were many more terrific performances on Sunday. Here is a look at the Twins minor league scores and highlights:

ROCHESTER 10, LEHIGH VALLEY 0

The Red Wings continue to get great performances from a couple of guys who started the season with the Twins and were sent down for more seasoning. In this game, Liam Hendriks started and threw seven shutout innings. He gave up just four hits, walked one and struck out four to drop his ERA to 1.99 with the Red Wings. Caleb Thielbar came in and gave up just two hits over the final two innings. He struck out two.

Chris Parmelee led the offense in this one. The first baseman went 3-4 with a walk, his 14^th double, his 14^th and 15^th home runs and four RBI. Matt Carson went 2-5 with his 22^nd double and 13^th home run. Clete Thomas went 2-4 with a walk, his 12^th home run and his 10^th stolen base.

NEW BRITAIN 3, READING 8

The Rock Cats and Reading split their four game set, leaving the Rock Cats ½ game ahead for the final playoff spot with three weeks to go. The Rock Cats fell behind early. They were down 4-0 heading into the 7^th inning stretch, but over the next two innings, they pulled back to within one, 4-3. Unfortunately, they allowed four runs in the top of the 9^th and fell 8-3.

Steve Hirschfeld started and gave up four runs (3 earned) on eight hits over five innings. He falls to 7-7. Aaron Thompson came in and gave up just one hit over two scoreless innings. Jose Gonzalez struckout one in his inning. Dakota Watts came in for the 9^th frame and gave up four runs (2 earned) on two hits and a walk.

Dan Rohlfing led the offense. He went 3-4 with his 12^th double. Deibinson Romero went 2-4. Chris Colabello was 1-2 with two walks. Oswaldo Arcia went 1-3 with a walk and his 15^th double.

FT. MYERS, ST. LUCIE

Carl Pavano was supposed to start, and Kyle Gibson was supposed to come in second for the Miracle. Unfortunately, the game was postponed due to rain.

BELOIT 6, PEORIA 5

Kennys Vargas drilled a three-run home run in the first, and the Snappers hung on for a one-run lead. Vargas led the way on this day. The burly first baseman went 2-3, was hit by a pitch, hit his fourth double and the homer was his eighth. Steven Wickens went 2-3 with a walk. Nate Roberts had a walk, his 12^th double and stole his 20^th base.

Tyler Jones got the start and struggled through 3.2 innings. He gave up four runs on four hits and six walks. Corey Kimes came in and gave up just one run on three hits over the next 3.1 innings. Cole Johnson returned from the DL and worked a scoreless eighth frame. Corey Williams picked up his 16^th save with a scoreless ninth.

It was a short day for 3B Miguel Sano. After walking in the first inning, he was called out on strikes in the third. A brief glance turned into his first ejection of the year.

The Snappers wore special “Tuxedo” uniforms as seen below. (Thank you to Rinaldi Photos for the below picture of infielder Steven Wickens in his tuxedo uniform!)

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ELIZABETHTON 3, BRISTOL 1

The E-Twins are known for having a big offense, but on this day, it was an all-around great game for the team. There was some offense. Niko Goodrum was 3-5. Adam Walker was 3-5 with his first stolen base. Max Kepler was 2-5. Those were the team’s 2, 3 and 4 hitters. The other six hitters combined to go 2-22 in the game.

There was some good pitching as well. Hein Robb, a young lefty from South Africa, started and gave up just one hit in five scoreless innings. He walked none and struck out five. Josh Burris improved to 6-0. He gave up no runs and no hits, but he walked two and struck out two. Andrew Ferreira walked one and struck out one in a scoreless inning. JT Chargois pitched the final two innings to record his third save. He gave up one run on one hit and two walks. He struck out five.

GCL TWINS

There are no games scheduled in the GCL on Sundays.

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Players of the Day for Sunday, August 12, 2012

Hitter of the Day – Chris Parmelee

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Pitcher of the Day – Liam Hendriks

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A Look Ahead – Monday, August 13, 2012 Schedule

Rochester @ Lehigh Valley – RHP Shairon Martis

New Britain – No Game Scheduled

Ft. Myers – No Game Scheduled

Beloit vs Peoria - LHP Matt Tomshaw

Elizabethton – No Game Scheduled

GCL Twins @ GCL Orioles – TBD

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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!