Sunday Game Notes

The Twins had arguably their most exciting game of the season. In many ways, it was the 2012 positives that got it done. Trevor Plouffe hit a home run. Scott Diamond pitched great. And then the big blast off the bat of Josh Willingham that proved to be the game-winner. Of course, you can add to that an incredible plate appearance by Joe Mauer off of flame-throwing Aroldis Chapman to set up the Willingham homer. Jared Burton made it interesting but pitched out of a jam for the save. And now the Twins have a home series against the Chicago White Sox who are hoping that Kevin Youklis still has something left.

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Here is a look at the Twins minor league scores and highlights from Sunday:

ROCHESTER 0, CHARLOTTE 6

The Red Wings were shutout for the seventh time this season and fell to just 2-8 on Sundays. Zach Stewart was supposed to start for Charlotte, but he was traded later in the day for Kevin Youklis, so it was a bullpen game for Charlotte. The Red Wings only managed two hits in the game, one a piece by Tsuyoshi Nishioka and Michael Hollimon.

Luke French started and gave up five runs on ten hits, three walks and a hit batter in just 4.2 innings. He struck out three. Deolis Guerra walked two and struck out three in 1.1 scoreless innings. Caleb Thielbar gave up one run on two hits, two walks and a hit batter in two innings. Bobby Lanigan pitched a perfect frame.

Tsuyoshi Nishioka has hit safely in ten of his last eleven games, and is hitting .302 during that stretch (13-43).

NEW BRITAIN 7, RICHMOND 3

Evan Bigley was named the Twins minor league player of the week after a fantastic showing. He started the new week well too. The outfielder went 3-4, was hit by a pitch, doubled for the 16^th time and drove in two runs. Chris Colabello went 3-5 with his 12^th home run. Matt Rizzotti went 2-3.

Logan Darnell evened his record at 6-6 by pitching six solid innings. He gave up three runs on seven hits (2 HR). He walked two and struck out three. Daniel Turpen recorded his fifth save by throwing three shutout innings. He gave up two hits and struck out two batters.

FT. MYERS, TAMPA

As the Miracle announced on Sunday morning when the game was called, it was being posted due to “excessive moisture.”

BELOIT 1, CEDAR RAPIDS 9

It was a rough one in Cedar Rapids for the Snappers on Sunday. Steve Gruver started and gave up three runs on five hits in five innings. He walked two and struck out five. Cole Johnson made his Snappers debut and went one scoreless inning. He gave up one hit, walked one and struck one out. Bart Carter came in and gave up four runs (3 earned) on three hits in an inning. Ryan O’Rourke then gave up two runs on a hit and three walks in one inning.

JD Williams led the offense by going 2-4. Nate Roberts was 1-3 with a walk. Miguel Sano went 1-4. He’s hitting .239. He also committed his 26^th error of the season.

ELIZABETHTON 2, BURLINGTON 5

Hudson Boyd made his second E-Town start. The young right-hander gave up four runs (3 earned) on five hits, two walks and a hit batter. Josh Burris came in and gave up one run on three hits (solo HR) in 2.2 innings. He struck out three, walked one and hit one.

Romy Jimenez and Stephen Wickens each went 2-4. Niko Goodrum hit his first home run of the year, and Rory Rhodes hit his second with the E-Twins. Jorge Polanco hit his first double. Travis Harrison hit his second double. He also committed two errors and have five in five games played.

GCL TWINS -

Typically there are no Gulf Coast League games on Sundays.

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Players of the Day for Sunday, June 24, 2012

Pitcher of the Day – Daniel Turpen

Hitter of the Day – Chris Colabello

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A Look Ahead – Monday, June 25, 2012 Schedule

Rochester vs Charlotte – RHP Cole De Vries

New Britain @ Richmond – RHP Brett Jacobson

Ft. Myers vs Tampa (2 games) – RHP Tom Stuifbergen

Beloit @ Kane County – LHP Jason Wheeler

Elizabethton vs Bristol – RHP Ricardo Arevalo

GCL Twins/GCL Orioles – Game Postponed by Rain

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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!