PJ Walters was terrific in his Twins debut, but the Twins lost by a score of 2-1. He gave up a single run in the fifth inning. In the sixth inning, Walters hung a 3-2 curveball to Jose Bautista who hit a line drive barely over the fence in left field for his tenth Target Field home run in ten Target Field games. The unfortunate thing is that Walters made a 2-2 pitch on the outside corner at the knees, a pitch that had been called a strike all game, but it was called a ball, extending the Bautista at bat. The Twins bullpen was also terrific. Brian Duensing threw two perfect innings, and Jeff Gray pitched a scoreless ninth frame.

Unfortunately, the Twins left a lot of base runners on again in this game. In the sixth inning, Brian Dozier led off the inning with a double, but was stranded at third base. In the eighth inning, Joe Mauer led off with a double off the top of the wall just left of center field. He never even got to third base. Drew Hutchinson, the Jays starter, pitched well, and got a lot of good bounces.

On Sunday, Scott Diamond will take the mound for the Twins, attempting to help the Twins split this four-game series against the Blue Jays.

On Saturday, the Twins minor league affiliates won tree out of four games. Here is a look at the Twins minor league scores and highlights from the day:

ROCHESTER 0, SYRACUSE 11

The Red Wings played as if they were awaiting a night game. Unfortunately, they played an afternoon game and it didn’t go so well. Daryl Thompson made the start. The right-hander gave up seven run (6 earned) on seven hits and four walks in just 3.2 innings. Tyler Robertson struck out two over the next 1.1 innings. Anthony Slama threw two innings, allowing just a walk. Casey Fien gave up four runs on five hits in the eighth inning.

The Red Wings managed just five hits in the game. Clete Thomas was 2-3 with a walk. He hit his third double and first triple. Danny Valencia was 0-4 in his return to the Red Wings. Rene Tosoni and Ben Revere were a combined 0-7 as well.

NEW BRITAIN 8, READING 4

If Twins fans have learned anything early this season, it is that it all comes down to starting pitching. In this game, BJ Hermsen was terrific again. The right-hander from Iowa threw seven innings and gave up just two runs on seven hits. He walked none and struck out three. In doing so, he picked up his first AA win. Blake Martin threw a scoreless eighth frame. Luis Perdomo gave up two runs on three hits in the ninth.

Wilkin Ramirez has been really good since coming up to the Rock Cats. On his night, he was 3-4 with a walk, his second and third triples and his fourth home run. He has played just 11 games with the Rock Cats and is hitting .388 with three doubles, three triples and four home runs. That is pretty strong production for the talented, 26-year-old outfielder.

It was also a very productive night for Aaron Hicks. He was 3-4 with a walk and his fifth and sixth doubles. He also stole his eighth and ninth bases. Nate Hanson was 2-4 in the game. Evan Bigley’s eighth double drove in the Rock Cats first run of the game.

Joe Benson is still struggling. He is now 2-21 (.095) in his first five games with the Rock Cats.

FT. MYERS 3, CHARLOTTE 1

Dan Rohlfing drilled a two-out, two-run double in the first inning. It was his fourth double and proved to be all the offense that the Miracle would need. Andy Leer was 2-4. Lance Ray added his tenth double and stole his second base.

Pat Dean made the start and gave up just one run on eight hits in five innings. He walked one and struck out two. Kyle Waldrop made his first rehab appearance and pitched a scoreless sixth inning. He gave up a hit, got two flyouts and a strikeout. Nelvin Fuentes came in and threw two scoreless innings. Ricky Bowen recorded his second save with a scoreless ninth inning.

Oswaldo Arcia helped the pitchers. He threw out a runner at home.

BELOIT 3, CLINTON 1

Matt Summers got off to a slow start for the Snappers, but he has been much better of late. On Saturday afternoon, the right-hander from UC-Irvine gave up one run on seven hits in seven innings. He walked two and struck out five. AJ Achter continued his domination of the Midwest League with a scoreless eighth inning. Corey Williams gave up a hit and two walks, but no runs, in the ninth inning to record his sixth save of the season.

Tyler Grimes hit a two-run home run in the 5^th inning to give the Snappers a 2-0 lead and enough run support for Summers. It was his second homer of the year. Jhonathan Goncalves was 2-4 with his ninth double. Adam Bryant and Drew Leachman were each 2-4. Eddie Rosario added his 12^th double of the year.

In his last three starts, Summers has given up just three earned runs in 20 innings.

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Players of the Day for Saturday, May 12, 2012

Pitcher of the Day – Matt Summers (photo courtesy of Justin Rinaldi, Rinaldi Photos)

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Hitter of the Day – Wilkin Ramirez

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A Look Ahead – Sunday, May 13, 2012 Schedule

Rochester @ Syracuse – RHP Liam Hendriks

New Britain vs Reading – LHP Andrew Albers

Ft. Myers – No Game Schedule

Beloit @ Clinton – LHP Matt Tomshaw

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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!