The Twins lost again, this time to the Tigers. They scored six runs on ten hits which should be enough most of the time. Unfortunately, Anthony Swarzak wasn’t feeling well and it showed. He gave up six runs and didn’t get through the fourth inning. Francisco Liriano gave up four more runs without completing three innings. Denard Span had three hits including two doubles, but it just wasn’t enough.

Ron Gardenhire was ejected moments after Jamey Carroll was ejected for the first time in his career. Gardy wasn’t the only manager in the Twins organization to be ejected, and Carroll wasn’t the only player. Here is a look at the Twins minor league scores and highlights from Friday:

ROCHESTER 8, GWINNETT 13

Matt Maloney made his first start of the season, and it wasn’t what he would have wanted. The lefty gave up five runs on six hits in three innings. He had no walks and no strikeouts. Esmerling Vasquez tossed the next two innings and gave up three runs on three hits and a walk. He struckout four. Lester Oliveros took the loss. He gave up two runs on three hits in 1.2 innings. Tyler Robertson gave up a hit but got the final out of the 7^th inning. Brendan Wise pitched the eighth and gave up three runs (2 earned) on two hits and two walks.

The Red Wings offense got off to a fast start. They scored five runs in the first frame and two in the second to take a 7-2 lead, but that would be about it. Sean Burroughs had two doubles and drove in four early runs. Tsuyoshi Nishioka was 2-5 with a walk and his fourth steal. Pedro Florimon and Matt Carson each had two hits. Danny Valencia had a two-run double. Unfortunately, he didn’t play after being ejected in the 4^th inning for arguing balls and strikes.

NEW BRITAIN 1, PORTLAND 0 (Game Suspended after 4 innings)

It’s not every day that it happens, but the game in Maine was postponed by fog. Andrew Albers started and threw the four shutout innings. He had given up two hits, walked two and struck out six before the game was suspended. The Rock Cats bats managed only a single from Matt Rizzotti in their four innings. The game will be continued on Saturday, followed by the regularly-scheduled game (Which will be just 7 innings).

FT. MYERS 2, CLEARWATER 6

The bats didn’t hit, and the arms didn’t pitch. Overall, this was just not a good game for the Miracle. The team managed just two hits. Josmil Pinto was 1-3 with a walk. In the fifth inning, he hit his fourth home run of the year. Levi Michael started the game by going 0-3 and dropped his batting average to .200. In his fourth at bat, he got a single to raise it to .205.

Miguel Munoz got another start. The right-hander went the first five frames and gave up three runs on six hits. He walked two and struck out two. Cole Nelson gave up one run on two hits and two walks in his three innings. Nelvin Fuentes then gave up two unearned runs on two hits in the final inning.

BELOIT 4, CEDAR RAPIDS 5 (12 innings)

It took extra innings and a play at the plate, but the Snappers fell 5-4 to Cedar Rapids at home. Tim Shibuya got the starting nod. He gave up three runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out three. Ryan O’Rourke came in and gave up a run on three hits in two innings. He struck out three. Michael Tonkin struck out two and walked two in two scoreless innings. Clint Dempster threw two scoreless innings before giving up a single run in the top of the 12^th to take the loss.

Kyle Knudson led the offense. The former Gopher went 2-5 with a walk and his first double. Eddie Rosario was 2-5 with a walk. Drew Leachman had two hits. Adam Bryant was 1-3 with two walks and his sixth double. Bryant led off the bottom of the 12^th inning with a double and advanced to third on a bunt. Leachman came up and grounded toward shortstop. In a close play at the plate, Bryant was called out and at that point, Snappers manager Nelson Prada was ejected. One batter later, the game was over.

Miguel Sano Update – Sano led off the top of the 10^th inning with a single. It was his first hit since Thursday, May 17, when he hit a single in the 7^th inning. It was an 0-24 stretch. Sano’s struggles of late have been well documented. Since getting the day off on his birthday (May 11), Sano has played 13 games and gone 4-45 (.089). In his last ten games, he is 2-36 (.056). I mention these numbers not to downgrade Sano. He is no less of a prospect because of a bad streak. Most prospects, especially 19-year-old prospects, have these types of stretches. My point is that if he had started the season on a bad streak like this, would fans be clamoring for him to be promoted to Ft. Myers?

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Players of the Day for Friday, May 25, 2012

Pitcher of the Day – Andrew Albers

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Hitter of the Day – Sean Burroughs

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A Look Ahead – Saturday, May 26, 2012 Schedule

Rochester @ Gwinnett – LHP Luke French

New Britain @ Portland – RHP Steve Hirschfeld

Ft. Myers vs Palm Beach – RHP Jhon Garcia

Beloit @ Kane County – LHP Steven Gruver

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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!