The Twins lost for the second straight game to the Texas Rangers on Saturday. The story of the game was all of the runners stranded on bases, but it was a day full of stories for the Twins. The Yu Darvish Show made its first appearance at Target Field, and the right-hander from Japan didn’t disappoint. He showed all seven of his pitches and did a nice job of working out of some tough situations. Just before the game started, it came out that the Twins had claimed Clete Thomas, an outfielder who was DFAd by the Tigers. They made the easy 40 man roster choice by putting Scott Baker on the 60 Day Disabled List. However, following the game, they made the not-quite-so easy decision to option Ben Revere to Rochester. It actually wasn’t a difficult decision. It will allow Revere to play five or six games each week instead of two or three. Thomas is a backup and it’s no problem having him sit on the bench. Nick Blackburn actually pitched quite well, but he left early after experiencing some discomfort in his right shoulder. An MRI was conducted on Saturday afternoon, and according to 1500espn.com, it showed no serious shoulder damage. Liam Hendriks will take the mound for the Twins on Sunday to try to keep the talented Rangers from sweeping the Twins on their own field.

There was a lot going on in the minor leagues as well. A hitting streak continues. A slump was broken. Each of the four games was decided in the 8^th inning or later. One affiliate lost in extra innings, and there was a two out, Miracle walk-off win. For much more on the Twins affiliates and players, keep reading… it gets good! Like, Hunger Games good!!

ROCHESTER 2, LEHIGH VALLEY 5

This was a close game until late when Esmerling Vasquez served up a three-run, bases-clearing triple to Dominic Brown that gave the IronPigs a 5-2 lead. Sam Deduno started and gave up two runs on six hits. In six innings, he walked two and struck out five.

Brian Dozier went 2-5 and extended his hitting streak to nine games. Joe Benson and Drew Butera were each 2-4. Aaron Bates went 1-3 with a walk and an RBI.

The Red Wings are now 5-5 on the season, despite losing three consecutive games now.

ROSTER NOTES – With Rene Tosoni on the DL, Darin Mastroianni was promoted from New Britain in time for Saturday’s game. However, with the Twins’ claim of OF Clete Thomas on Saturday, Ben Revere was optioned to Rochester following the Twins game. It is possible that Mastroianni could be sent back to New Britain right away, but it is also possible that Brian Dinkelman and/or Ray Chang could be put on the Disabled List.

NEW BRITAIN 7, NEW HAMPSHIRE 6

The Rock Cats got some early offense, terrific pitching most of the game and then held on to hold off a later furious attempt by New Hampshire to tie the game.

Chris Colabello went 3-5 with his second and third doubles. Aaron Hicks went 2-4 with a walk, his fourth double and second stolen base. Deibinson Romero was 2-5 with his fifth double and three RBI.

Logan Darnell improved to 2-0 with five strong innings. He gave up no runs on just three hits and two walks. Bobby Lanigan gave up one run on three hits in two innings. He struckout two. Blake Martin struckout two in his scoreless inning. David Bromberg came in for the ninth and recorded one out. However, he gave up three hits, walked on and hit another batter. Daniel Turpen came in and gave up a hit, but was able to get the final two outs and preserve the one-run win for the Rock Cats.

The win gives the Rock Cats a 7-3 record.

FT. MYERS MIRACLE 8 BRADENTON 7

Danny Santana actually got a day off. Or, he was supposed to. Suddenly, with two outs in the bottom of the 9^th inning, game tied and a runner on third base, Jake Mauer looked at Santana and called on him to pinch hit. Santana came through with a game-winning single to score Lance Ray, who had doubled to lead off the 9^th inning.

Four Miracle hitters carried the team to the first seven runs of the day. Angel Morales went 4-5 with his first double, first homer and three RBI. Dan Rohlfing was 2-3 with two walks and his first homer. Morales and Rohlfing each homered against last year’s #1 overall pick Gerrit Cole. Levi Michael was 2-4 with a walk. Josmil Pinto was 2-5 with his third double and first home run.

Adrian Salcedo got the start and gave up three runs (2 earned) on seven hits. In five innings, he walked two and struckout three. Jose Gonzalez walked one in two otherwise perfect innings. Bruce Pugh pitched a scoreless eighth inning, but Pinto’s home run in the 8^th gave the Miracle a 7-3 lead. Pugh came out and gave up four hits in the ninth. With two outs, Tony Davis entered the game clinging to a one-run lead. He got a ground ball, but Michael committed an error allowing the game to be tied. Davis got the final out.

Santana came through in the 9^th inning for the Miracle and pushed their record back over .500 at 5-4.

BELOIT 3, CLINTON 4 (11 innings)

Down 3-1 in the 8^th inning, Eddie Rosario doubled in two Snappers runners to tie the game and send it to extra innings, but the team fell in 11 innings and fall to 4-5 on the season.

Rosario was 2-5 in the game. His single earlier in the game ended a 0-15 stretch that saw his batting average fall from .429 to .200. Jhonathan Goncalves was 2-5 with his second double. Miguel Sano was also 2-5 and drove in the Snappers other run.

Jason Wheeler started and gave up three runs (2 earned) on five hits and a walk in five innings. He struckout three. Nelvin Fuentes came in and struckout four in two perfect innings. Ryan O’Rourke struckout two over the next two scoreless innings. Clinton Dempster threw a scoreless 10^th frame, but gave up the game-winning run in the 11^th.

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Players of the Day for Saturday, April 14, 2012

Hitter of the Day – Angel Morales

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Pitcher of the Day – Logan Darnell

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A Look Ahead – Sunday, April 15, 2012 Schedule

Rochester @ Lehigh Valley – RHP PJ Walters

New Britain @ New Hampshire – LHP Luke French

Ft. Myers vs. Bradenton – RHP Marty Popham

Beloit @ Clinton – RHP Matt Summers

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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!