The Twins had a much-needed day off on Thursday. Players were able to stay at home (or in their hotel room, or wherever they’re staying), and get some things done… hopefully that included getting some rest. The team will start a series against the Royals at home on Friday night. Hopefully the Twins bats can tee off against lefty Everett Teaford!

Here is a look at the Twins minor league scores and highlights from Thursday:

GAME 1 - ROCHESTER 4, SYRACUSE 5 (8 innings)

The Red Wings spent a full afternoon playing ball on Wednesday to make up for their rainout on Monday. In the first game, Cole DeVries was on the mound and he was very good. The righty went six innings and gave up two runs on eight hits and a walk. He struck out eight. Casey Fien came in and after a scoreless seventh, he gave up three runs in the top of the 8^th.

Joe Benson hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the 8^th to cut the lead to one, but it wasn’t quite enough for the Red Wings. Darin Mastroianni went 2-3 with a walk and his fourth stolen base. His triple tied the game in regulation. Joe Thurston was 2-3 in his Red Wings debut. Ray Chang was 2-4.

GAME 2 - ROCHESTER 2, SYRACUSE 3

Jeff Manship was given a spot start for the Wings and pitched quite well. Through three innings, he gave up no hits and just one walk. In the fourth, he did give up a run on two hits and a walk, but he gave the Red Wings a solid four innings. Esmerling Vasquez came in and gave up two runs on three hits and two walks in two innings. Anthony Slama struck out one in a scoreless inning.

Unfortunately, the Red Wings had little offense. Matt Carson was 2-3 with his first home run of the year. Drew Butera was 2-3 with his third double. A quick note, Butera is hitting .316 now.

NEW BRITAIN – No Game Scheduled

The Rock Cats had a day off on Wednesday. Were they able to enjoy it? No. They got to make a nine-to-hour hour trek south to Richmond, Virginia.

FT. MYERS MIRACLE 2, PALM BEACH 0

In the bottom of the second innings, Michael Gonzales knocked a single that scored Dan Rohlfing and Jairo Perez. That was about it for the offense for the Miracle. (Rohfling had singled and Perez walked). Danny Santana also hit his fourth double.

Fortunately, it was enough for the Miracle pitchers. Marty Popham threw 5.2 scoreless innings. He gave up two hits, walked three and struck out four. Ricky Bowen struck out three in 2.1 scoreless innings. Caleb Thielbar pitched 1-2-3 ninth innings to pick up his first save.

BELOIT 8, BOWLING GREEN 3

The Snappers bats were off and running right from the start. All eight runs were scored within the first four innings of the game. Wang-Wei Lin led the way. He was 3-5 with his fourth and fifth doubles. Eddie Rosario was 3-5 with his seventh double. (He also committed his sixth error at 2B) Jhonathan Goncalves was 3-4 with his seventh double, four RBI and stole his fourth base. Jairo Rodriguez was 2-4 with his fourth double. Miguel Sano was 1-2 with two walks and was also hit by a pitch.

Matt Summers was the recipient of all the run support as he picked up his first win of the season. The right-hander went 5.2 innings and gave up three runs on five hits. He walked one and struck out five. Matt Tomshaw came in and got out of the sixth inning. He went two more innings and struck out a total of three batters. Ryan O’Rourke pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

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Players of the Day for Thursday, April 26, 2012

Hitter of the Day – Wang-Wei Lin

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Pitcher of the Day – Marty Popham

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A Look Ahead – Friday, April 27, 2012 Schedule

Rochester @ Buffalo – RHP PJ Walters

New Britain @ Richmond – LHP Andrew Albers

Ft. Myers vs Palm Beach – LHP Pat Dean

Beloit vs Bowling Green – RHP Madison Boer

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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!