Thursday's Minor League Round-up

The Twins lost to the Mariners this afternoon and Denard Span was placed on the disabled list. Placing Span on the DL was a curious move, since rosters expand in a couple of days, and there are rumblings that he may be shut down for the rest of the year.

If you've noticed that the "Rosters & Payroll" page hasn't been updated in a couple of days, I apologize. Hopefully by Monday it will be back up-to-date.

Let’s take a look around today’s action:

[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]ELIZABETHTON 2, DANVILLE 9 (SEMIFINAL GAME 2 – SERIES TIED)

Box score

The E-Twins jumped out early tonight against Danville, leading 2-0 heading into the top of the fourth inning. Brett Lee, who only walked 12 batters all season, walked three batters with two outs and the flood gates opened. Chris Mazza replaced Lee and allowed a double. A throwing error by Niko Goodrum allowed the seventh, and final, run of the inning to score.

Lee, who had a rough outing last Friday night as well, allowed six runs over 3 2/3 innings. Chris Mazza struck out four and allowed an unearned run (in 2 1/3 innings). Ricardo Arevalo struck out four in two scoreless frames. Goodrum’s second throwing error of the night resulted in two more unearned runs, these on Luis Nunez’s record.

The Elizabethton batters managed only five hits: a single by Byron Buxton, a home run by Max Kepler, a single by Adam Walker, a double by Travis Harrison and a single by Candido Pimentel.

Danville and Elizabethton will face-off tomorrow night for a spot in the Appy League finals.

ROCHESTER 3, BUFFALO 10

Box score

The winning streak is over. But even though the season won’t end with a playoff appearance, I think we’d all consider this season a success.

Tsuyoshi Nishioka and Ray Chang (who Denard Span may still not be able to tell apart) each had two hits. Chang had a double, as did Brian Dinkelman. Eduardo Escobar added a triple.

P.J. Walters threw 93 pitches in a five-inning rehab start. He gave up four earned runs and struck out five. Deolis Guerra allowed a run in two innings. Bobby Lanigan gave up five runs in two innings.

A few of these guys may be joining the big club soon. Matt Carson, who didn’t play today, will join the Twins tomorrow.

NEW BRITAIN 5, TRENTON 3

Box score

Aaron Hicks hit his 13^th – and final? – AA home run tonight. Will we see him in the Twins outfield on Saturday?

Oswaldo Arcia, now batting .324, had two hits and two runs. Will we get a chance to see him too?

Chris Colabello drove in his 96^th run of the year.

B.J. Hermsen (probably) cemented his spot on the 40-man roster with a six-inning, three-run performance. He’s now thrown a career-high 161 innings. That is probably the reason he won’t be a September call-up or participate in the Arizona Fall League. Hermsen, who doesn’t have great strikeout numbers, will be in the mix for a rotation spot next spring, though he will probably spend more time in the minors.

Blake Martin and Dakota Watts combined to pitch three scoreless innings.

FT. MYERS 8, CHARLOTTE 7 (10 INNINGS)

Box score

Kyle Knudson’s one-out walk-off single in the 10^th was the highlight of tonight’s high-scoring affair.

Danny Santana and Danny Rams each hit home runs. Danny Ortiz added two hits. Steven Liddle had a double.

Madison Boer pitched the first six innings and allowed seven runs on nine hits. He struck out four and didn’t walk any.

Nelvin Fuentes allowed only one hit over four scoreless innings to pick up the win. Fuentes, who seems to be injured just as often as healthy, had a very good 2012.

BELOIT 9, WISCONSIN 2

Box score

Congrats to Miguel Sano and Corey Williams who were named post-season MWL All-Stars.

Sano missed his third straight game due to what is believed to be a minor ankle injury. It sounds as though he will be back for the playoffs.

Eddie Rosario and Tyler Grimes provided plenty of offense in his absence. Rosario doubled twice and now has 30. Grimes homered and doubled. He is still batting below .200, but he does offer the occasional pop. It should also be noted that he didn’t have any errors.

Kennys Vargas and “Our Favorite” AJ Pettersen had multi-hit games.

Cole Johnson scattered seven hits over four innings, only allowing one run. Taylor Rogers picked up the win striking out six in 2 2/3 innings. DJ Baxendale and Mason Melotakis each struck out two.

This Snappers bullpen is definitely ready for the postseason!

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Players of the Day for Thursday, August 30, 2012

Pitcher of the Day – Nelvin Fuentes

Flickrhivemind.com

Hitters of the Day – Tyler Grimes

Beloitdailynews.com

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A Look Ahead – Friday, August 31, 2012 Schedule

Rochester vs Buffalo – RHP Kyle Gibson (0-1, 12.00)

New Britain vsNew Hampshire – TBA

Fort Myers vs Charlotte – TBA

Beloit at Wisconsin – LHP Jason Wheeler (14-6, 3.44)

Elizabethton vs Danville – RHP Hudson Boyd

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If you have any questions on the Twins minor league system, players, teams, etc., leave them in the Comments and we’ll try to answer them! Comments also welcome.