Monday in the Minors

The Twins had a rough weekend series with the A’s, so on Monday night they picked on another vowel, the O’s. The Twins scored seven runs in the first inning and kept on adding on their way to a 19-7 win over Baltimore. Scott Diamond wasn’t in finest form after a ten day break since his last start, but he did go six innings for the Win. Justin Morneau had four hits, extending his hit streak to 14 games. That is the same hit streak that Trevor Plouffe has as well after he had two hits. Ben Revere had four hits and another highlight reel catch in right field. Denard Span had three hits and after a misplay, he made two terrific catches in center field. Joe Mauer had two hits including his sixth home run. Jamey Carroll added two hits. Ryan Doumit was the only starter without a hit, yet he had two RBI. Josh Willingham, the team’s RBI leader, was the only Twins player without an RBI. 19 runs on 20 hits and five walks. They added a homer and six doubles. It was a long game, but those are just fine when the right team is winning!

Here is a look at the Twins minor league scores and highlights from the Monday games in the minor leagues. [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

ROCHESTER 4, NORFOLK 11

The Red Wings have Liam Hendriks and Nick Blackburn, but someone has to pitch after they do. That pitcher is Luke French who has really struggled since his promotion from New Britain. On this night, he went four innings and gave up seven runs on nine hits and a walk without a strikeout. Caleb Thielbar came in and gave up two runs on three hits and a walk in his inning. Kyle Waldrop gave up two runs on four hits in his innings. Bobby Lanigan came in and threw two scoreless frames.

Tsuyoshi Nishioka led the offense again. He went 3-4 with his 10^th double. Chris Parmelee was 2-4 with a walk. Wilkin Ramirez went 2-5 with his eighth home run for the Red Wings. Evan Bigley played in his first AAA game and went 0-3 but drove in two runs.

GAME 1 – NEW BRITAIN 8, NEW HAMPSHIRE 5 (9 innings)

It took Oswaldo Arcia a couple of games to figure out AA pitching, but he’s been hitting very well for a month now. On Monday night, he went 2-4 with a walk and a walk-off. He came to the plate in the bottom of the 9^th inning with two runners on and a tie game. He proceeded to end it. He was part of a top of the order that provided most of the offense. Aaron Hicks led off and went 2-5 with his 11^th double and his 20^th stolen base. Chris Herrmann batted second and was 2-4 with a walk. Those top three hitters were 6-13 with 7 runs scored. Joe Benson made his return to New Britain, batting fifth, and he was 2-3 with a walk. By the way, Hicks and Arcia each threw a base runner out at third base in this game as well.

Logan Darnell started. The lefty gave up four runs (2 earned) on ten hits. He walked none and struck out two. Daniel Turpen went the next two innings and gave up one run on three hits and an intentional walk. He struck out three. Dakota Watts recorded his second win. He struck out two in two scoreless innings.

GAME 2 – NEW BRITAIN 4, NEW HAMPSHIRE 0

The Rock Cats completed a very nice doubleheader sweep against the other “New” team in the Eastern League. This game was about the pitching of Steve Hirschfeld, just returned from Rochester. The righty improved to 6-4 with seven shutout innings. He gave up six hits, walked none and struck out six.

The offense remained at the top of the order. Aaron Hicks knocked his 12^th double. Chris Herrmann went 2-3 and scored two runs. Oswaldo Arcia went 2-3 with his fifth double and drove in two runs. Deibinson Romero hit his 13^th home run.

FT. MYERS, DUNEDIN

The Miracle game against the Blue Jays affiliate was postponed by rain. The teams are scheduled to play a doubleheader on Tuesday.

BELOIT 8, LAKE COUNTY 9

Miguel Sano gave the Snappers a 1-0 lead with his 19^th home run in the top of the 1^st inning. However, Lake County scored three runs in the first inning and two runs in the third inning. The Snappers tied the game at five in the top of the fifth, but they then gave up three runs in the bottom of the fifth. In the top of the sixth inning, Drew Leachman cleared the bases with a double to tie the game at eight. That was all the scoring until there were two outs in the bottom of the ninth.

Eight Snappers hitters tallied one hit each. Sano was 1-3 with two walks and the home run. Steve Liddle hit his second home run. Wang Wei-Lin hit his fourth triple.

Tyler Jones started for the Snappers. He gave up five runs (4 earned) on four hits and three walks in four innings. He struck out four. Steve Evans then gave up three runs on three hits and three walks in 1.1 innings. Tim Atherton walked three and struck out one in 1.2 scoreless innings. Corey Williams pitched a scoreless eighth inning. However, the ninth inning began with an error on the left-hander. He walked a batter. Then with two outs, he issued another walk and on it threw a wild pitch that allowed the game-winning run to score.

GAME 2 - ELIZABETHTON 8, BLUEFIELD 0

In the first of two on Tuesday, the E-Twins played a very well-rounded game. Max Kepler provided the big blow with a second innings grand slam. Niko Goodrum added his third home run of the season in the 5^th inning. This was a team offensive win because no player had more than one hit.

Hudson Boyd was back on the mound, but he was only able to complete four innings before reaching his pitch count. He gave up just two hits, walked three and struck out two. Lefty Brett Lee came in and gave up just one hit and one walk in two innings. Tyler Duffey struck out three in the final inning.

Boyd’s season ERA is now 1.24. Lee’s is 1.06.

GAME 2 - ELIZABETHTON 7, BLUEFIELD 13

After beating Bluefield bad the first two games of this series, the E-Twins were beaten badly in this one. Ricardo Arevalo started and gave up seven runs on two hits and six walks in just 1.2 innings. He struck out three. Luis Nunez got two outs, but he gave up four runs on one hit, two walks and a hit batter. Tyler Herr went the next 2.2 innings and gave up two runs on four hits. He walked one and struck out five. Josh Burris raised his season ERA to 0.95 as he gave up one run on three hits and two walks in two innings. He struck out three.

Josh Hendricks went 3-4 with his second double. Jorge Polanco went 2-4 with his eighth double. DJ Hicks walked twice.

GCL TWINS, GCL ORIOLES

Game postponed by rain.

---

Players of the Day for Monday, July 16, 2012

Hitter of the Day – Oswaldo Arcia

Pitcher of the Day – Steve Hirschfeld

---

A Look Ahead – Tuesday, July 17, 2012 Schedule

Rochester vs Norfolk – RHP Jeff Manship

New Britain vs New Hampshire – LHP Aaron Thompson

Ft. Myers vs Dunedin (2) – LHP Cole Nelson

Beloit – No Game Scheduled

Elizabethton vs Johnson City – TBD

GCL Twins @ GCL Orioles (2) – TBD

---

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!