Friday Night Minor League Lights

The Twins lost yet again in a back-and-forth battle against the Royals. The Twins had plenty of runners on base again but didn’t get enough to score. There was the occasional good pitch, good (or umpire-assisted) defensive plays and some bad luck. Carl Pavano just didn’t have it, and the bullpen and defense were also unable to hold a lead. The Twins have now lost six in a row. The Royals have won three in a row.

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

ROCHESTER 3, BUFFALO 7

This game quickly became a bullpen game. Sam Deduno started and walked the first batter he faced. He threw another pitch but then had to leave the game with a trainer. It will be interesting to find out what happened and what it means.

Brendan Wise came in and worked the next three innings. He gave up six runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three. Tyler Robertson struck out three in two scoreless innings despite giving up two hits and walking two. Anthony Slama struck out five in two scoreless innings. Casey Fien gave up a solo home run in the final inning.

Darin Mastroianni continues to hit well. He was 3-4 in this game with a walk. Aaron Bates was 2-4 with a walk. Joe Benson hit his second double. Those were the only six hits for the Red Wings.

NEW BRITAIN 4, RICHMOND 5 (13 Innings)

This was a game with many twists and turns despite the fact that it was a 2-0 game through eight innings. The Rock Cats came to bat in the ninth behind. Aaron Hicks singled in a run, and then he scored on a Deibinson Romero double to tie the game and send it to extra innings. In the 13^th, Aaron Hicks came up with a runner on and blasted his fourth home run of the year to give the Rock Cats a 4-2 lead.

Unfortunately, the Rock Cats bullpen gave up three runs in the bottom of the 13^th, winning on a walk-off.

Andrew Albers started and gave up just two runs on eight hits in six innings. He walked one and struck out six. David Bromberg pitched a perfect seventh inning. Luis Perdomo threw two scoreless innings. Lester Oliveros then worked three scoreless innings. Blake Martin came in for the Rock Cats and gave up a hit and a walk and only got one out. Bobby Lanigan came in, still holding a one run lead, but he gave up a two-run walk off home run.

Deibinson Romero went 3-6 with his seventh double. Aaron Hicks was 2-6 with his fourth homer and three RBI. Chris Herrmann was 2-6 with his eighth double. Evan Bigley was also 2-6. James Beresford was 2-4 with a walk.

FT. MYERS MIRACLE 2, PALM BEACH 3

There wasn’t much offense in this game, but it turned into a good one. Down 3-0 heading in to the 9^th inning, Danny Santana came up with two on and knocked both in with his second triple of the year. It cut the lead to 3-2, but that was as close as it would get. Josmil Pinto added his sixth double earlier in the game.

Pat Dean got the start for the Miracle. The lefty went six innings and gave up three runs on seven hits. He walked four and struck out just one. Miguel Munoz had a very impressive outing in his second appearance of the year. He gave up no runs on two hits in three scoreless innings. He walked none and struck out one.

BELOIT 6, BOWLING GREEN 3

The bats remain on fire for the Snappers. Wang-Wei Lin was 3-4 with a walk. JD Williams was 3-4 with his second and third doubles, his first triple, two RBI and his fifth stolen base. Eddie Rosario was 1-2 with two walks and his seventh steal. Miguel Sano hit his fifth double.

Madison Boer went the first six innings. He gave up two runs on six hits. He walked three and struck out two. Bart Carter struck out three in two perfect innings. Clint Dempster gave up one run on two hits in his inning.

JD Williams was often overlooked last season in Elizabethton by the Rosario/Sano combination. He got off to a slow start with the Snappers. A week ago, he was hitting .107. However, following tonight’s performance, he has a six game hitting streak during which time he is 10-25 (.400) and has raised his average to .241.

---

Players of the Day for Friday, April 27, 2012

Hitter of the Day – JD Williams

Pitcher of the Day – Miguel Munoz

---

A Look Ahead – Saturday, April 28, 2012 Schedule

Rochester @ Buffalo – LHP Scott Diamond

New Britain @ Richmond – RHP Steve Hirschfeld

Ft. Myers vs Palm Beach – RHP Jhon Garcia

Beloit vs Bowling Green – LHP Steven Gruver

---

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!