The Twins conclude their 3 game series against the Angels tonight. Here's the link to the TwinsDaily game thread. Hopefully Liam Hendriks can right the ship for Minnesota, without Justin Morneau (who hopefully will be back for Friday's game against Seattle) and Danny Valencia (back stiffness). It would be good not to be swept by the Angels. It would also be good to keep Albert Pujols from doing any damage. It's not looking good so far (6-0 Angels in the 4th, and the Twins have no hits), but perhaps this team can turn it around.

In any event, I'll be asleep by the time the Twins game concludes, so here's a recap of Wednesday's minor league action:

ROCHESTER 1, SCRANTON-WILKES BARRE 2

This was a defensive struggle. The Red Wings only managed 5 hits all night. Ben Revere, Matt Carson, Rene Tosoni and Ray Chang (who stole his second base of the season) all had singles, and Brian Dozier hit his 7th double of the season. Dozier, whose hit scored Revere, accumulated Rochester's only RBI tonight (11th of the season for him). Dozier is now batting .283 on the season, for those keeping close tabs.

Pitching was a bright spot for Rochester tonight. Cole DeVries was charged with the loss (0-2) but was effective tonight, going 6 and 1/3 innings and allowing 6 hits and 2 runs, but striking out 4 and and walking none. Deolis Guerra, suddenly one of the brightest pitching prospects in the entire Twins farm system, pitched 1 and 1/3 innings in relief, allowing 2 hits, but striking out 3. He's allowed no runs at AAA. Tyler Robertson accounted for the other 1/3 of an inning, and struck out the only batter he faced. Although it was a tough loss for Rochester, the pitching performances were encouraging.

NEW BRITAIN 5, HARRISBURG 4

New Britain has been involved in many close contests lately. Tonight, they eeked out a victory against the Harrisburg Senators. Chris Colabello, an 8-year independent league baseball player until 2012 (primarily with the Worcester, MA Tornadoes), had a great night offensively. He went 2-for-5 for New Britain, with his 5th home run of the year, a 3 run shot in the third inning with two outs. Wilkin Ramirez and Pedro Florimon each had two hits, including a double, Estarlin De Los Santos picked up 2 singles, Evan Bigley had a run-scoring single and a walk, and Nathan Hanson had a sacrifice fly. Definitely a team effort on offense. De Los Santos stole his 5th base of the season. Aaron Hicks was 0-for-3 with a walk, was caught stealing, and is batting .268 on the year.

Andrew Albers got the start for New Britain tonight. The bad: he gave up 3 home runs and 4 runs on 7 hits. The good: he lasted 6 innings, issued 0 walks, and struck out 5. The bullpen was better, though. Bobby Lanigan pitched 2 and 1/3 innings, gave up 0 runs, allowing 3 hits and striking out 1. Luis Perdomo picked up the win tonight (2-2), tossing 1 and 2/3 innings, allowing 1 hit and striking out 1. New Britain is now 17-9.

FT. MYERS 2, PALM BEACH 1

In another defensive contest, the Miracle edged out the Palm Beach Cardinals in a pitchers' contest that went 11 innings. First, the offense. The Miracle only accumulated 5 hits all night, but it was just enough to get the win. Daniel Rohlfing was 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI (his 10th of the season), top prospect Oswaldo Arcia, playing right field today, was 1-for-5, and drove in Ft. Myers' other run. Arcia is batting .263 on the season, and has driven in 5 runs. Andy Leer (a double), Michael Gonzales and Josmil Pinto had the other Ft. Myers hits.

The pitching was excellent tonight. Pat Dean got the start, and went 7 full innings, allowing 1 run on 7 hits. He struck out 3 and walked 2, and his ERA stands at a respectable 3.68. Bruce Pugh went 3 innings and picked up the win (1-2) in relief for the Miracle. He allowed 2 hits and 2 walks, but kept the Cardinals off the board when it mattered. Lefty -- and Minnesota native -- Cole Nelson earned the save tonight, allowing 1 hit and 1 walk, but striking out 1 in a scoreless 11th inning.

BELOIT 6, CEDAR RAPIDS 5

It was a see-saw night in Cedar Rapids, but the Snappers prevailed. There were some very good offensive performances tonight. Miguel Sano led the way, going 3-for-5 with a double (6th of the year) and 2 RBIs (23 on the year). Adam Bryant was 2-for-5 with a double (3rd of the year) and 2 RBIs (12 on the year). Weng-Wei Lin was 2-for-4 with a walk, and first baseman Rory Rhodes was 2-for-4 with his first home run of the season. Matthew Koch and Adam Pettersen also contributed hits for Ft. Myers.

Matthew Summers go the start for Beloit, going 5 innings and allowing 3 runs -- only 1 earned -- on 6 hits; he struck out 2 and walked 3. In relief, Ryan O'Rourke got both a blown save and the win, pitching 2 innings, allowing 2 runs -- only 1 earned; he struck out 2 and walked none. Corey Williams picked up the save (his 4th of the season), tossing 2 scoreless innings, striking out 2 and walking 1.

One big issue tonight for Ft. Myers was defense. As you can see from the pitching lines above, only 2 of the 5 runs allowed were earned. The Miracle committed 4 errors tonight. Sano had 2 -- one throwing and one fielding (7 on the season); Summers had an error on a pickoff (2nd of the season); and Rosario had a fielding error (8th of the season). Clearly, the team could use a little work on fielding. But that's what the lower levels of the minor leagues are for -- player development.

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Players of the day for Wednesday, May 2

Hitter of the day: Chris Colabello

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Pitcher of the day: Pat Dean

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A look ahead: Thursday, May 3 schedule

Rochester @ Scranton Wilkes-Barre -- LHP Lucas French

New Britain @ Harrisburg -- RHP Steve Hirschfeld

Ft. Myers @ Palm Beach -- RHP Madison Boer

Beloit @ Cedar Rapids -- LHP Matthew Tomshaw

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If you have any questions or comments, leave them here, and I'm sure Seth will answer them.