Twins Minor League Report (4/26): Walker Powers Kernels

On Friday night, the Minnesota Twins fell 4-3 to the Texas Rangers. A three-run home run off the bat of Oswaldo Arcia with two out in the bottom of the ninth accounted for all the Twins' scoring. Scott Diamond was immensely hittable and the defense failed to make a couple of plays.

However, for the second straight night, all four Twins full-season minor league affiliates were winners. One power-hitting prospect homered for the third time in four games. An equally powerful young man drilled two home runs on Friday night and drove in seven runs. One prospect had two extra base hits and is attempting to reclaim his status in the organization. There are hitting streaks worth following and big offensive displays. RHP Josh Burris will be joining the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Saturday as a busy week of transactions continues. Here is Friday night’s update.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

Rochester Red Wings 4, Syracuse Chiefs 2

Box Score

PJ Walters was a winner for the second straight start. The right-hander gave up one run on three hits and two walks in 6.2 innings. He struck out four. Michael O’Connor came in and gave up one run on three hits in 1.2 innings. Bobby Lanigan made his 2013 Red Wings debut and got the final two outs for his first save.

Joe Benson fought his way back to a .200 average. In this game, he was 2-4 with his second triple and his first home run. Eric Farris went 2-5 with his second double. Chris Herrmann was 2-5. Doug Bernier followed his 5-hit game on Thursday night by going 0-1 and walking three times on Friday night.

New Britain Rock Cats 7, Richmond Flying Squirrels 4

Box Score

Logan Darnell was on the mound for the Rock Cats. He earned the win and gave up three runs on eight hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out five. Bruce Pugh gave up one run despite giving up no hits in 1.2 innings. He walked three. Blake Martin came on and gave up two walks and a hit (which scored an inherited runner), but no runs were charged to him before he got one out to end the inning. AJ Achter came on for the ninth and struck out the side to record his first AA save.

Josmil Pinto went 3-4. Dan Rohlfing went 2-3 with a walk. James Beresford and Mark Sobolewski each had two hits. Antoan Richardson went 1-3 with two walks; he also scored three run and stole his 8^th, 9^th and 10^th bases of the season. Jhon Goncalves homered for the second time this season.

Ft. Myers Miracle 10, Charlotte Stone Crabs 4

Box Score

On Friday night, the Miracle won for the third straight time. Josh Wheeler was the recipient of all the run support. The lefty went 6.2 innings and gave up three runs on four hits and a walk. He struck out two. Nelvin Fuentes came on and got the next four batters out. Miguel Munoz gave up one run on two hits in the ninth.

AJ Pettersen went 2-5 to extend his hitting streak to ten games. He is hitting .370 during that stretch. Eddie Rosario was 2-5 with a triple. Kennys Vargas was 2-4 with his first triple. He later scored on an RBI single from Drew Leachman, who was 2-4. Andy Leer went 2-4 with his second home run. Miguel Sano launched his ninth home run of the month, his third in four games.

Cedar Rapids Kernels 13, Great Lakes Loons 8

Box Score

We’ll try to ignore the fact that Kernels pitchers have given up 15 runs over the past two games. The reason we might be able to successfully do that is because the Kernels offense has put up 29 runs in those two games.

On this night, Adam Walker was the star of the show. The powerful right-handed batter hit a three-run homer in the first inning. In the fourth inning, he came up with the bases loaded and hit a grand slam. Two home runs and seven RBI equates to a fairly productive game. His five home runs and 22 RBI lead the Midwest League.

JD Williams added a home run in the fourth inning, his third. Jorge Polanco went 3-4 with a walk and his fifth double. Travis Harrison and Jhonathan Arias were each 2-5. Candido Pimentel was 2-4 with a walk. Byron Buxton was hitless, walked three times and stole his eighth base. He also had no unsuccessful stolen base attempts.

Hudson Boyd got the start for the Kernels. The right hander gave up four runs on five hits in four innings. He walked four and struck out just one. Steven Gruver earned the win after coming on to give up one run on three hits in 2.2 innings. He walked one and struck out six. Chris Mazza gave up three runs on three hits in 1.1 inning. He struck out two. David Hurlbut came in and struck out two in a scoreless ninth.

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