Twins Minor League Report (9/7): Rochester Lives Another Day

This much can be said. When the Rochester Red Wings have been in absolute need of a win, the bats have come through in big style. It has also helped to have Scott Diamond making those starts. That was again the case on Saturday night in Pawtucket.

As you recall, on Labor Day, the final day of the regular season, the Red Wings needed to win and get a loss from Norfolk. Durham helped the Twins by beating the Tide in extra innings. The Red Wings scored nine first inning runs and beat Scranton/Wilkes Barre 13-3 behind a quality start from Diamond.

On Friday, the Paw Sox topped the Red Wings to take a 2-1 series lead in this best of five series. That meant that the Red Wings were in a must-win situation in Game 4, and they would send Diamond to the mound. How did it go... See below! (or look at the title of this article)

Diamond came through with seven shutout innings for the Red Wings. He gave up seven hits, walked none and struck out eight batters in the game. He had been 4-0 with a 2.41 ERA in the regular season with the Red Wings. After a scoreless eighth inning, AJ Achter gave up a run on two walks and a hit in the ninth for a final 9-1 score.

The offense came up big again in a big game, and they were able to coast somewhat after a big fifth inning to break open the game and give them an 8-0 lead.

The Anatomy of the Big Inning

The Red Wings were up just 2-0 going into the fifth inning against Red Sox first-round pick Matt Barnes. Ray Olmedo and Eric Fryer led off with back-to-back singles. Following a wild pitch, Antoan Richardson walked to load the bases and end Barnes' night. In came Alex Wilson to face James Beresford. He got a ground ball back to himself, but a throwing error scored a run and kept the bases loaded. Eduardo Escobar singled to score one more run. With the bases loaded, Jeff Clement drove in two with an opposite field double. Deibinson Romero singled to score Escobar. An Aaron Hicks double scored one more. Wilson got a strikeout for the inning's first out, but his night was done. Jose de La Torres came on and got the final two outs.

All nine Red Wings starters had at least one hit in the game. Clement led the way. He went 3-5 with two doubles and drove in three runs. Deibinson Romero was 3-4 with a walk and a double. Eric Farris was the only other hitter with two hits. On- base machine Antoan Richardson was back in the leadoff spot and went 1-3 with two walks.

With the Jacoby Ellsbury foot issues, the Red Sox called up outfielder Jackie Bradley, Jr., following Game 3.

What's Next?

Game 5 will be played on Sunday afternoon at 12:05 (central time). According to play-by-play man Josh Whetzel, the Red Wings will likely send Virgil Vasquez to the mound opposite knuckleballer Charlie Haeger.