Tuesday Twins Minor League Report

The Twins had an off day, but their minor league affiliates were all playing. There was a game-winning home run… an extra-innings walk off wild pitch, a couple of strong starts, some great bullpen work. And yes, Miguel Sano was very good again today! Find out why Brian Dozier got a day off here (and at the same time be listening to the interview with him on the SethSpeaks Weekly Minnesota Twins Podcast).

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ROCHESTER 5, BUFFALO 3

PJ Walters picked up his first win as a Red Wing and was helped by a big Brian Dinkelman blast. Walters gave up three runs in the first two innings, but that was it. He gave up eight hits in six innings, walked none and struck out four. Brendan Wise walked two batters and another runner got on via an error, but he did not allow a run. Casey Fien gave up a hit and struck out two before Tyler Robertson came in, got the final out of the 8^th inning and three outs in the ninth for his first save.

Every member of the Red Wings had at least one hit. Ray Chang was 2-3 with a walk. The big hit came off the bat of Brian Dinkleman who came up with two on and two out in the 6^th inning, down by a run. He hit a long home run that gave the Red Wings a 5-3 win.

Brian Dozier was out of the lineup on Tuesday with a sore back.

NEW BRITAIN 2, HARRISBURG 7

Luke French was terrific again. The left-hander threw six shutout, one-hit innings to start the game. He came out for the seventh but got just two outs before giving up two runs and being removed from the game. He walked one and struck out four. Luis Perdomo got him out of the 7^th, but he gave up a run in the 8^th to take the loss. David Bromberg came in for the ninth and gave up four runs on six hits and a walk in 0.2 innings. Blake Martin got the final out.

For the second straight game, Aaron Hicks hit a home run. He went 2-4 batting left-handed. Nate Hanson was 2-3 and is now hitting .385 on the season. Deibinson Romero (4^th) and James Beresford (1^st) each hit a double.

FT. MYERS MIRACLE 3, JUPITER 2 (13 innings)

It took extra innings to decide this game, but with two outs in the bottom of the 13^th, Dan Rohlfing (who had doubled) scored on a wild pitch to give the Miracle the 3-2 win.

Marty Popham, a minor league Rule 5 pick in December, made his first Miracle start. He gave up two runs on six hits and a walk in five innings. He struckout four. Jose Gonzalez struckout three over three scoreless, hitless innings. He did walk one. Caleb Thielbar threw three, one-hit innings. He struck out four. Matt Hauser threw the final two innings and struckout three.

Oswaldo Arcia went 2-5 with a walk, a double and a triple. Angel Morales was 2-5 with a triple and a walk. Lance Ray and Jairo Perez each had two hits and a walk.

BELOIT 3, KANE COUNTY 8

A five-run fifth inning was the difference in this ball game for the Snappers. Matt Summers made his first start of the year. He gave up six runs (2 earned) on six hits and two walks in 4.2 innings. He struckout the first batter he faced, and that was it. Nelvin Fuentes came in and got the final out of the fifth inning and then threw two more innings. He gave up two runs on three hits and a walk. AJ Achter struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

Miguel Sano came into the day with three hits, all of them home runs. In the fourth inning, he followed an Eddie Rosario single with a single of his own. He later hit a triple that short-hopped the wall in left centerfield. JD Williams was 0-1 with three walks and a stolen base. Danny Ortiz hit his first home run of the year.

Note – This is a great example of the beauty of Small Sample Size. On Monday afternoon, Miguel Sano got out in his first at bat. That put him at 1-11 (.091). he proceeded to hit two home runs on Monday. On Tuesday, he started by going 2-3 with the single and the triple, and after that 4-5 stretch, he was hitting .316. He got out in his final at bat to end the day 2-4 and with a .294 batting average.

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Players of the Day for Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Hitter of the Day – Aaron Hicks

Pitcher of the Day – Miracle Bullpen (Jose Gonzalez, Caleb Thielbar, Matt Hauser)

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A Look Ahead – Wednesday, April 11, 2012 Schedule

Rochester vs. Pawtucket – 6:05 (CST) – LHP Scott Diamond

New Britain vs Harrisburg – 9:35 a.m. (CST) – LHP Andrew Albers

Ft. Myers vs Jupiter – 6:05 (CST) – RHP Manuel Soliman

Beloit @ Kane County – 11:00 a.m. (CST) – RHP Madison Boer

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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!