Sunday Game Notes and Highlights

The Twins lost 6-2 on Sunday afternoon to the Rays meaning they were 3-4 on the road trip. Francisco Liriano had his fourth straight Lirianic start. It wasn’t pretty. Josh Willingham’s hitting streak came to an end. All-in-all, it appears that it would be a great time for the team to head back to home, to Target Field, for a series against the scuffling Boston Red Sox. Of course, they will get to face Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz, so it isn’t as though it gets easy.

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

ROCHESTER 3, LEHIGH VALLEY 2

The teams decided beforehand to just play one game on Sunday. They will make up for Saturday’s rainout with a double header in July.

The story for the Red Wings all spring so far has been the performance of lefty Scott Diamond, and that story did not change today. On the game, Diamond went seven innings and gave up two unearned runs on four hits. He walked none and struck out four. On the season, he is now 4-0 with a 1.07 ERA. In 25.1 innings, he has given up 21 hits, walked five and struck out 18. As Francisco Liriano continues to struggle, the Twins have a guy in Rochester, pitching on the same schedule, who is earning another opportunity.

Casey Fien recorded his fourth save with two scoreless innings. He gave up just one hit.

Matt Carson led the offense. He was 2-3 with his seventh double and two RBI. He also stole his second base. Ben Revere went 2-4.

It was a nice two-game series win over the IronPigs, the top team in the league.

NEW BRITAIN, NEW HAMPSHIRE

The Rock Cats, like most of the teams in the northeast, had their game postponed.

FT. MYERS MIRACLE 8, ST. LUCIE 9

It was a crazy game in St. Lucie. Playing on the east side of the state, the Miracle grabbed an early lead in the 2^nd with a single run when Jairo Perez singled in Anderson Hidalgo (who had tripled). Then in the top of the 4^th frame, they busted out for five runs. Jairo Perez, Michael Gonzales and Andy Leer hit consecutive RBI doubles. Later Oswaldo Arcia singled in the fifth run. However, starter Pat Dean gave up five runs in the bottom of the fifth to cut the Miracle lead to one, but Arcia launched his first home run of the year to give the Miracle a 7-5 lead in the 6^th inning. The Mets reclaimed the lead in the 7th with three unearned runs. In the eighth, Arcia tripled to tie the game. But the Mets won the game in the bottom of the 9th.

Pat Dean started and gave up those five runs on six hits in six innings. He walked one and struck out five. Bruce Pugh gave up three unearned runs in the seventh, courtesy of his own throwing error. Jose Gonzalez pitched a scoreless eighth, but he gave up the winning run with one out in the 9th.

Arcia led the hitting attack. He was 4-5 with a triple and home run. It was his first homer and second triple. Jairo Perez was 3-5 with his fifth and sixth doubles.

BELOIT 3, WEST MICHIGAN 6

Madison Boer made a very strong start, but West Michigan came up with a big eighth inning and took the win. Boer gave up two runs on three hits in 6.2 innings. He struck out two. Ryan O’Rourke came in and after getting out of the 7^th. He then gave up four runs on five hits and a walk in the 8^th frame.

Eddie Rosario led the offense. He was 3-4 with his fifth double and two RBI. Rory Rhodes went 2-4 with his second double. Jhonathan Goncalves was 2-4 with his sixth double.

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Players of the Day for Sunday, April 22, 2012

Hitter of the Day – Oswaldo Arcia

Pitcher of the Day – Scott Diamond

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A Look Ahead – Monday, April 23, 2012 Schedule

Rochester – No Game Scheduled

New Britain vs New Hampshire – RHP Steve Hirschfeld

Ft. Myers @ St. Lucie – RHP Miguel Munoz

Beloit @ West Michigan – LHP Steve Gruver

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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!