Friday Night Game Notes (Twins Win and Sano Shines!)

The Twins improved to 5-9 with a 5-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Denard Span, Jamey Carroll and Joe Mauer each had two hits, but it was again Josh Willingham who played hero in this game. With the Twins down 4-2 in the 7^th, the bases were loaded with two outs and Willingham came to the plate. With two strikes, Willingham drilled a opposite-field doubles to drive in three and give the Twins the lead. It extended his hitting streak to 14 games. Matt Maloney, Jared Burton, Brian Duensing and then Matt Capps finished out the game very well. Liam Hendriks started and gave up just one run through five innings. However, in the 6^th inning, he gave up three runs, culminated by an Evan Longoria home run. The Twins are playing some exciting baseball, and the excitement is trickling down to the minor leagues.

Here is a look at the Twins minor league scores and highlights from Friday. Let's just say Miguel Sano had a pretty solid game![PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

ROCHESTER 5, LEHIGH VALLEY 2

The Red Wings got a big win against the International League’s top team on Friday night. PJ Walters improved to 2-1 with a decent start. In 5.1 innings, he gave up two runs on six hits. (He gave up back to back home runs in the 3^rd inning to Derrick Mitchell and Tuffy Gosewisch.) He walked two and struck out three. Then the bullpen took over. Tyler Robertson got the two outs of the sixth inning. Jeff Manship pitched two scoreless innings. Casey Fien recorded his third save with a scoreless ninth.

The Red Wings tied a season-high with 11 hits in this game. Michael Hollimon was 3-4. Drew Butera was 2-3 with a double and two RBI (in the three-run fifth inning). The RBI were his first since Opening Day. Darin Mastroianni was 2-4. Matt Rozzotti was 2-4. It was his third multi-hit game in his past three games.

The Red Wings win pushes them back to .500, at 8-8.

NEW BRITAIN 7, NEW HAMPSHIRE 3

This Friday afternoon ball game was tied 3-3 when the Rock Cats came to bat in the bottom of the eighth. With an out, Evan Bigley and Chris Colabello hit back-to-back doubles that gave the team the lead. One out later, Deibinson Romero walked and Pedro Florimon hit a three-run homer that broke that game open. Earlier in the game, it was Romero that supplied the offense. He also knocked a three-run homer. It was Romero’s third homer of the year while Florimon hit his second in as many games. James Beresford went 2-3.

Luke French made the start for the Rock Cats. He gave up three runs (2 earned) on three hits in five innings. He struck out three, but he walked an uncharacteristic six batters. Deolis Guerra struck out two in two scoreless innings. Daniel Turpen got the win as he struck out two in two innings.

The Rock Cats improve to 11-5.

FT. MYERS MIRACLE 3, BRADENTON 4

Adrian Salcedo and Gerrit Cole were matched up against each other in consecutive starts. Josmil Pinto hit a home run against Cole, and the Miracle scored all three of their runs against the talented right-hander who went the first five innings. Salcedo also went five innings. He gave up three runs (2 earned) on six hits and three walks. He struck out four. Jhon Garcia gave up one run over the next two innings, a solo home to Drew Maggi. Matt Hauser gave up a hit and two walks but no runs in the 8^th inning.

The Miracle bats continue to struggle. In this game, they had just six hits. Pinto hit his first homer. Jairo Perez and Anderson Hidalgo each hit a double. Lance Ray was 1-2 with a walk and a stolen base.

The loss is the fourth in a row for the Miracle, who drop to 6-8.

BELOIT 13, SOUTH BEND 3

Big innings are always helpful for a baseball team. The Snappers scored four runs in the 4^th

inning, the 7^th inning and the 9^th inning and pulled away in this game. The Snappers scored their 13 runs on 15 hits and eight walks, but let’s start with the pitching. Lefty Jason Wheeler got the start. He gave up two runs (1 earned) on four hits and three walks. He struck out four. AJ Achter was good again, throwing two scoreless innings. Clinton Dempster threw the ninth. He gave up a run on one hit and three walks in the inning.

OK, to the offense. Miguel Sano came into the game with six homers and a triple, but no doubles. In this game, he went 4-5 with a walk and his first three doubles of the season. JD Williams was 3-6. Eddie Rosario went 2-5 with a walk. (Side Note – He also committed his fifth error.) Danny Ortiz had two hits. AJ Pettersen and Rory Rhodes each hit a double. Jhonathan Goncalves hit a triple.

The Snappers jump back over .500 at 8-7.

---

Players of the Day for Friday, April 20, 2012

Hitter of the Day – Miguel Sano

Pitcher of the Day – Jason Wheeler

---

A Look Ahead – Saturday, April 21, 2012 Schedule

Rochester vs. Lehigh Valley – LHP Scott Diamond

New Britain vs New Hampshire – LHP Andrew Albers

Ft. Myers @ Bradenton – RHP Marty Popham

Beloit @ South Bend – RHP Matt Summers

---

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!