Monday Night in the Minors

The Twins got a very nice 7-6 win over the Chicago White Sox on Monday night. But the offense and defense of Denard Span and some great ninth inning work from the bottom of the order gave the Twins a walk-off win. Danny Valencia led off the ninth with a line drive single. Alexi Casilla pinch ran for him. Brian Dozier laid down a perfect bunt that AJ Pierzynski threw into right field, allowing both runners to advance. Jamey Carroll stepped up and flew out to right field, deep enough for Casilla to score the game-winning run. The next 24 hours will be interesting as the trade deadline will pass in the middle of the afternoon (3:00 central time) and then the Twins will take on Francisco Liriano in his first White Sox start. Should be an interesting day, to say the least.

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

ROCHESTER 7, COLUMBUS 2

Esmerling Vasquez made the start for the Red Wings and was very good. The right-hander threw six innings and gave up two runs on four hits. He walked one and struck out six. Kyle Waldrop came in and recorded his third save with three perfect innings.

The big hit for the Red Wings came off the bat of Rene Rivera whose eighth homer of the season was a grand slam. Chris Parmelee went 3-5 and drove in two runs. Pedro Florimon was 3-5. Tsuyoshi Nishioka and Matt Carson were each 2-5. Brian Dinkelman went 2-4. Eduardo Escobar made his Red Wings debut and was 1-4 with an RBI.

NEW BRITAIN ROCK CATS

No Game Scheduled

FT. MYERS 4, DAYTONA 8

It was a rough start for Cole Nelson and the Miracle in this one. They came on late, but it wasn’t enough. Nelson gave up seven runs (5 earned) on ten hits and two walks in three innings. Miguel Munoz struckout four over three scoreless innings. Clinton Dempster gave up a run on two hits and two walks in two innings. He struck out three.

The Miracle scored four runs in the 9^th, but that only cut the lead in half. Levi Michael was 2-5. Anderson Hidalgo hit a three-run double in that ninth inning.

BELOIT 5, PEORIA 3

Jason Wheeler started and gave up one run on six hits and two walks in five innings. He struckout four. Dallas Gallant gave up two runs (1 earned) on three hits in two innings. He struckout three. Corey Williams recorded his 15^th save with two scoreless innings. He gave up just one hit and struckout two.

Stephen Wickens hit his first Midwest League home run and walked. AJ Pettersen went 2-3 with his ninth double. Miguel Sano went 2-4. Kennys Vargas went 1-3 with a walk and his second double.

ELIZABETHTON 5, BRISTOL 3

Corey Kimes made the start in this game. The lefty gave up three hits and a walk over five shutout innings. Brett Lee improved to 3-0 despite blowing a save. He gave up three runs on four hits in two innings. Luke Bard made his Elizabethton debut. He gave up one hit, walked one and struck out two in an inning. Travis Huber picked up his first save with a 1-2-3 inning.

Jorge Polanco led the offense in this game. He went 3-4 with his first home run and fourth stolen base. Candido Pimentel went 2-5 with his fifth double.

GCL TWINS 3, GCL RAYS 1

Yorman Landa pitched very well again. He threw four shutout innings. He gave up three hits, walked one and struck out three. Kuo Hua Lo gave up one run on five hits over the next 3.2 innings. Melciades de la Cruz struckout two in 1.1 innings.

Zach Larson went 2-3 with his second stolen base. Byron Buxton was 1-3 with a walk and his fourth double. Joel Licon drove in two runs. Aderlin Mejia was 1-3 and stole three bases, including a steal of home.

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Players of the Day for Monday, July 30, 2012

Hitter of the Day – Jorge Polanco

Pitcher of the Day – Corey Kimes

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A Look Ahead – Tuesday, July 31, 2012 Schedule

Rochester @ Columbus – RHP Eric Hurley

New Britain @ Bowie – LHP Blake Martin

Ft. Myers @ Daytona – RHP Tom Stuifbergen

Beloit vs Kane County – David Hurlbut (vs Royals #1 pick, RHP Kyle Zimmer)

Elizabethton @ Bristol – Ricardo Arevalo

GCL Twins vs GCL Rays – TBD

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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!