Friday Night Lights

On Friday night, the Twins needed an extra inning to top the Cubs 8-7. It may not have been pretty game, but a win is a win, and the Twins have been playing much better baseball the last month. Ryan Doumit had two hits, including his sixth home run. Trevor Plouffe was 2-3 with a walk, his fifth double and his eighth home run. Ben Revere had three hits, a walk and two stolen bases. Jamey Carroll and Darin Mastroianni each had two hits. Josh Willingham had two hits including a walk-off single that scored Mastroianni with the winning run in the 10^th.

On Saturday, Joe Mauer and Denard Span return to the Twins lineup, and Scott Diamond looks to continue his 2012 success.

Here is a look at the Twins minor league scores and highlights from Friday:[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

ROCHESTER 9, NORFOLK 6

Esmerling Vasquez became the 14^th starting pitcher for the Red Wings in 2012. The hard-throwing right-hander gave up just one run on three hits and a walk in 4.2 innings. He struck out six. Brendan Wise came in and in 2.1 innings gave up one run on three hits and a walk. Carlos Gutierrez gave up three runs on three hits in one inning. Kyle Waldrop gave up a run on two hits in his inning.

Sean Burroughs led the offensive attack by going 4-5 with his fifth and sixth doubles. Rene Rivera went 2-2 with two walks, his fourth double and three RBI. Matt Carson went 2-3 with a walk, his 16^th double and his fifth stolen base. Brian Dinkelman returned to the lineup and went 2-4 with his first double. Clete Thomas hit his second home run.

NEW BRITAIN 7, ERIE 9

James Beresford continues to play well. His batting average is now up to .289 with a three-hit game on Friday night. He had a single, his third double and his second triple in this game. Chris Colabello went 2-4 with a walk and his 13^th double. He drove in three runs. Deibinson Romero hit his eighth home run. Mark Dolenc hit his first of the season.

Aaron Thompson was back on the mound for the Rock Cats. In 4.2 innings, he gave up seven runs (6 earned) on eight hits and three walks. He struck out just one. Bobby Lanigan gave up two runs (1 earned) on four hits in 1.2 innings. Blake Martin got the final five outs.

FT. MYERS, TAMPA

There was more rain in southwest Florida, and no game played. These two teams are still trying to finish a game that was started on Wednesday night. The regularly scheduled game for Friday night has been cancelled.

BELOIT 7, BURLINGTON 0

The Snappers offense showed up again in this game, but when a team gets a shutout, we have to start with the pitching. Left-hander Steven Gruver has been terrific of late and on Friday night, the story was the same. He gave up no runs on three hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out three. Corey Williams gets his seventh save by throwing three one-hit innings and striking out two.

Tyler Grimes went 2-3 with a walk. Adam Bryant and Jairo Rodriguez were each 2-4. Wang-Wei Lin was 2-5. Eddie Rosario and Miguel Sano each hit a double. It was Sano’s 14^th and Rosario’s 20^th.

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Players of the Day for Friday, June 8, 2012

Pitcher of the Day – Steve Gruver

Hitter of the Day – Sean Burroughs

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A Look Ahead – Saturday, June 9, 2012 Schedule

Rochester @ Indianapolis – RHP Liam Hendriks

New Britain @ Erie - TBD

Ft. Myers @ Palm Beach – RHP Marty Popham

Beloit @ Wisconsin – RHP Tyler Jones