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Keep reading to find out more on the night in the Twins minor league system. As always, please feel free to discuss and ask questions. TRANSACTIONS The Twins announced that they have claimed utility infielder Taylor Motter from the Mariners. He will report to Rochester. The Kernels made a series of transactions after all of the pitching that was needed in their extensive series with Clinton:First, Akil Baddoo returned to action after missing seven days with a hamstring injury. He told me that missing seven days now made more sense than trying to play through the pain and making it worse. The Kernels added right-handed pitchers Melvi Acosta and Jordan Balazovic from extended spring training. RHP Moises Gomez was returned to the Elizabethton roster (EST). Catcher David Banuelos and RHP Nick Brown were placed on the DL. [*]Following the Kernels game, we learned that OF Shane Carrier was promoted to Ft. Myers. RED WINGS REPORT Rochester 2, Buffalo 4 Box Score Zack Littell worked a quality start in this game. Unfortunately, the two runs he gave up in the sixth inning proved to be the difference. On the game, Littell gave up three runs on six hits and two walks (and a hit batter) over the first six innings. Tyler Duffey finished the final three innings. He gave up a run on two hits (and also hit a batter). He struck out two. Nick Gordon led the offense. The shortstop went 3-for-4 in the game. He is now hitting .333 (10-for-30) in his time with the Red Wings. Nick Buss went 2-for-4 with his eighth double. Jake Cave added a single and walked once. The Red Wings remain over .500 at 24-23 for the season. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Chattanooga Box Score The Lookouts got Memorial Day off and will travel to Birmingham, Alabama, to take on the White Sox affiliate. MIRACLE MATTERS Ft. Myers Box Score The Miracle haven’t been able to get too many games in over the last week due to the tropical storm that is affecting Florida and surrounding states. They had a scheduled off day on Monday and the plan is to head to Clearwater on Tuesday. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids 3, Clinton 4 (10 innings) Box Score The Kernels and LumberKings ended a four-day, six-game series in Cedar Rapids with another extra-innings game. After both ends of the Sunday doubleheader went extra frames, the Kernels called up a couple of arms just to help out. Tyler Watson made the start. He gave up two runs on three hits and three walks over 4 1/3 innings. He struck out five. Jordan Balazovic was added to the roster before the game. The Canadian was terrific. He gave up three walks over his 3 2/3 innings of work. He gave up no runs, no hits and struck out five. Carlos Suniaga came on and gave up two earned runs. One came in the ninth inning to tie the game, and the other came in the tenth inning which proved to be the losing run. Both runs were unearned. He struck out three. The Kernels got an nice game from Jose Miranda. He went 3-for-4 with his sixth double. Alex Kirilloff went 2-for-4 with a walk and his eighth home run. Shane Carrier, drove in two runs. Following the game, he was promoted to Ft. Myers. Jordan Gore added a walk and a single. Regarding Carrier, he had been slumping about a week ago. Teammate Edwar Colina offered a suggestion. He encouraged Carrier to shave his beard. Weird, right? Well, a year ago, Carrier was struggling at E-Town, and he shaved. He then went on a long hitting streak, didn’t get a hit in one game, and then went on a longer hitting streak that carried into his return to the Kernels. Carrier tried it, and almost everything he’s been hitting since has been hit very hard. The Kernels are now 23-25 on the season as they await Wisconsin for a home series. STARS OF THE DAY Twins Daily Hitter of the Day: Jose Miranda, Cedar Rapids Kernels (3-5, 2B(6)) Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day: Jordan Balazovic, Cedar Rapids Kernels (3.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 K - Midwest League debut) PROSPECT SUMMARY Here’s a look at how the Twins Daily Top 20 Twins Prospects performed: #1 - Royce Lewis (Cedar Rapids) - Scheduled Day Off. #2 - Fernando Romero (Minnesota) - Did Not Pitch #3 - Nick Gordon (Rochester) - 3-4, R #4 - Stephen Gonsalves (Rochester) - Did Not Pitch #5 - Alex Kirilloff (Cedar Rapids) - 2-4, BB, HR(8), R, RBI #6 - Wander Javier - out of for the season #7 - Brent Rooker (Chattanooga) - No Game #8 - Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) - Did Not Pitch #9 - Brusdar Graterol (Cedar Rapids) - Did Not Pitch #10 - Akil Baddoo (Cedar Rapids) - 0-5, 3 K #11 - Zack Littell (Rochester) - 6 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, HBP #12 - Lewis Thorpe (Chattanooga) - No Game #13 - Lewin Diaz (Ft. Myers) - No Game #14 - LaMonte Wade (Chattanooga) - Per Doogie Wolfson, could come off the DL as soon as Tuesday. #16 - Ben Rortvedt (Cedar Rapids) - Did Not Play #17 - Travis Blankenhorn (Ft. Myers) - No Game #18 - Yunior Severino (Extended Spring Training) #19 - Tyler Jay (Chattanooga) - No Game #20 - Felix Jorge (Chattanooga) - Disabled List, still no official timetable for return. SATURDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Rochester @ Birmingham (6:05 CST) - LHP Stephen Gonsalves (4-1, 2.39 ERA) Chattanooga @ Birmingham (7:05 CST) - TBD Ft. Myers @ Clearwater (6:00 CST) - RHP Clark Beeker (1-3, 2.93 ERA) Wisconsin @ Cedar Rapids (6:35 CST) - RHP Bailey Ober (1-1, 7.84 ERA) Please feel free to ask any questions about Monday’s games, or ask any questions you may have.

Keep reading to find out more on the night in the Twins minor league system on Friday. As always, please feel free to discuss and ask questions. TRANSACTIONS The Red Wings announced that OF Nick Buss was reinstated from the disabled list. To make room, LH RP Mason Melotakis was released. On Saturday, Trevor May will be added to the Miracle roster on a rehab assignment. RED WINGS REPORT Game 1 - Rochester 5, Scranton/Wilkes Barre 4 (8 innings) Box Score Zack Littell was back on the mound for his second AAA start. He threw six scoreless innings in his first Red Wings game, and be started this game with three more zeroes. He gave up a solo home run in the fourth, but that was it. The right-hander gave up just one run on two hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out eight. Nick Anderson came on for the seventh inning with a two-run lead. He gave up a two-run homer to Erik Kratz that tied the game and sent it to extra innings. In the eighth inning, Wynston Sawyer was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to give the Red Wings the lead. James Ramsey added an RBI single which was important. Anderson gave up an unearned run (the runner who started the inning on second base) in the eighth, but he recorded the win. Zack Granite returned to the Red Wings lineup. He went 1-for-3 with a walk and stole a bag. Jake Cave was 1-for-3 with a walk and a two-run single that gave the Red Wings a 2-1 lead. Wynston Sawyer went 2-for-3. James Ramsey went 2-for-4. Game 2 - Rochester 0, Scranton/Wilkes Barre 7 Box Score It wasn’t a good second game for the Red Wings. Stephen Gonsalves struggled with his control and command. The lefty gave up four hit, walked three and hit a batter. He gave up six runs, the big blast being a grand slam by Brandon Drury. He left after recording just five outs. Luke Bard gave up three hits over 2 1/3 scoreless innings. He struck out one. Gabriel Moya gave up one run over the final two innings. He struck out four. The Red Wings managed just four hits in Game 2. Willians Astudillo had two of them. Nick Buss and Jake Cave each had one hit. The loss puts the Red Wings at 15-15 on the season. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Chattanooga 6, Jackson 2 Box Score The game was tied at two, with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Brent Rooker stepped to the plate and ended the game in walk-off, grand slam fashion. He noted after the game that it was the first time he’s ever hit a walk-off grand slam, though he has had walk-off home runs. His manager, Tommy Watkins, noted following the game, “It was a bomb!” https://twitter.com/ChattLookouts/status/995157104985083904 Lefty Anthony Marzi was good in his first Double-A start, and he was good again in his second. He gave up just two runs on five hits over 7 1/3 innings. He struck out four without a walk. Ryan Eades came on to get the final five outs. He gave up two hits, walked none and struck out three. The Lookouts had seven hits, but no hitter had more than one hit. Rooker’s walk-off grand slam was obviously the biggest hit of the game. Edgar Corcino added his seventh double. Nick Gordon was 1-for-3 and was hit by a pitch. The win pushes the Lookouts season record to 22-13. MIRACLE MATTERS Ft. Myers 3, Dunedin 4 Box Score Travis Blankenhorn got things going in the right direction, but it wasn’t enough on this night. Blankenhorn went 2-for-4 with his sixth home run in the top of the first. Jimmy Kerrigan went 2-for-3, was hit by a pitch and knocked his tenth double. Brady Anderson made the start. He gave up four runs on seven hits over five innings. He struck out five batters without issuing a walk. Hector Lujan threw two scoreless innings. He gave up a hit, walked two and struck out one. Tom Hackimer gave up a hit, walked one and struck one out in his scoreless inning. The Miracle fall to 16-19 on the season. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids 7, Bowling Green 5 Box Score The game was tied heading into the ninth. The Kernels got RBI singles from Ben Rortvedt and Jordan Gore to take the 7-5 lead which they were able to hang on to for the final three outs. Blayne Enlow made his fourth Kernels start. He gave up five runs (three earned) on five hits. He walked two and struck out three in 3 1/3 innings. Jovani Moran struck out four over 2 1/3 innings. He gave up just one hit and walked one. Carlos Suniaga gave up one hit and one walk over the final 3 1/3 innings. He struck out two to get the win. Shane Carrier led the offense. The powerful outfielder went 3-for-4 with a walk and his second and third doubles. Rortvedt was 2-for-4 with a walk. Jean Carlos Arias went 2-for-5 with his second home run. Akil Baddoo went 2-for-5 with a walk and his second double. Royce Lewis added this third double, and Alex Kirilloff hit his second triple to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. The win moves the Kernels back above .500 at 15-14. STARS OF THE DAY Twins Daily Hitter of the Day: Shane Carrier, Cedar Rapids Kernels (3-4, BB, 2-2B(3)) Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day: Zack Littell, Rochester Red Wings (6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K) PROSPECT SUMMARY Here’s a look at how the Twins Daily Top 20 Twins Prospects performed: #1 - Royce Lewis (Cedar Rapids) - 1-5, 2B(3), R #3 - Nick Gordon (Chattanooga) - 1-3, HBP #4 - Stephen Gonsalves (Rochester) - 1.2 IP, 4 H, 6 ER, 3 BB, 1 HBP, 2 K #5 - Alex Kirilloff (Cedar Rapids) - 1-5, 3B(2), RBI, 2 K #7 - Brent Rooker (Chattanooga) - 1-5, HR(2), 4 RBI (walkoff grand slam) #8 - Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) - 3.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K (55 pitches, 30 strikes) #10 - Akil Baddoo (Cedar Rapids) - 2-5, BB, 2B(2), 2 R, 2 K #11 - Zack Littell (Rochester) - 6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K (88 pitches, 54 strikes) #13 - Lewin Diaz (Ft. Myers) - 1-4, 3 K #14 - LaMonte Wade (Chattanooga) - 0-4, BB, R #16 - Ben Rortvedt (Cedar Rapids) - 2-4, BB, RBI, K #17 - Travis Blankenhorn (Ft. Myers) - 2-4, HR(6), 2 RBI, R SATURDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Rochester @ Scranton/Wilkes Barre (3:05 CST) - RHP Myles Jaye (1-2 5.92 ERA) Tennessee @ Chattanooga (6:15 CST) - TBD Ft. Myers @ Dunedin (5:30) - RHP Trevor May (1st rehab appearance) Cedar Rapids @ Bowling Green (6:30 CST) - LHP Bryan Sammons (0-3, 3.00 ERA) Please feel free to ask any questions about Friday’s full schedule of games, or ask any questions you may have.

The three Twins affiliates opened their seasons by playing some competitive games. Two of the games were decided by one run and the other by two. We saw a little of everything. Some good hitting. Some good pitching. Some bad hitting and pitching too. Phil Hughes made a Miracle start. Continue on to find out more. RED WINGS REPORT Red Wings Box Score The Red Wings open their 2018 season on Friday night with Aaron Slegers on the mound. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Chattanooga 4, Birmingham 5 Box Score The Lookouts made things interesting in the bottom of the ninth. With one out, Ryan Walker and Nick Gordon singled, but a game-ending double play hit into by Edgar Corcino ended the threat and the game. When the pitching staff strikes out 14 batters, you expect to win. However, when the same pitching staff walks ten, well, that just doesn’t work well. Walks definitely came back to haunt the Lookouts. Zack Littell got the Opening Day call. The right-hander left the game with one on and one out in the fifth inning with the Lookouts leading 3-1. Ryan Eades came on and finished out the inning but not before walking four batters and allowing the game to be tied. Littell ended the game having given up two runs on five hits and two walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out seven including three in the second inning. Eades did work a scoreless sixth inning. Todd Van Steensel came on and gave up two runs on three hits and three walks. He struck out two, but the walks were followed by doubles which isn’t a good combination, I mean, if you’re rooting for the pitching team. Finally, Williams Ramirez got the final five outs. He walked one, but he struck out four. Nick Gordon and Ryan Walker led the offense. Gordon got things going with a leadoff triple and a run scored in the bottom of the first. He added three more singles and went 4-5 in the game. Ryan Walker doubled in his first at-bat, and he hit his first home run of the season in his second at-bat. He went 3-4. Chris Paul was 2-4 with a double. MIRACLE MATTERS Ft. Myers 4, Charlotte 3 Box Score Phil Hughes made a rehab start for the Miracle as he prepares to make the April 11th start for the Minnesota Twins. The veteran right-hander worked the first five innings. He gave up three runs on eight hits. He walked one and struck out five. Two of the three runs came in that fifth inning. Hughes was replaced by the regularly-scheduled starter, lefty Anthony Marzi. He struck out four batters over three scoreless innings. He gave up three hits and walked one. Sean Poppen, who will likely be the sixth starter for the Miracle, came on for the ninth inning and recorded the save. It was the first save of his pro career. He gave up one hit, but he struck out two. The Miracle bats took a few innings to get going. Through three innings and ten batters, the team had just one hit. In the fourth, Mitchell Kranson and Caleb Hamilton singled. Lewin Diaz came on and knocked in both runners with a double. The next inning, Aaron Whitefield doubled Brandon Lopez to third base. Kranson followed with a two-run double of his own. That was it for the Miracle scoring. Kranson and Caleb Hamilton each went 2-4 in the game. Travis Blankenhorn added a double later in the game. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids 2, Quad Cities 0 Box Score The Kernels headed south a few hours to take on the Quad Cities River Bandits and came away with a nice shutout. Lefty Bryan Sammons was given the Opening Day start and came through. He gave up three hits over four shutout innings. He walked none and struck out six. Jovani Moran came on for the fifth inning and didn’t let anyone put the ball in play. The southpaw walked three but struck out three in a scoreless inning. Right-hander Jared Finkel came on and worked three scoreless innings. He gave up three hits, walked one and didn’t record a strikeout. Ryan Mason came on for the ninth inning to record the save. He struck out one. Unfortunately, with one out in the ninth inning, Ben Rortvedt had to leave the game. A foul tip struck his throwing hand, and he was clearly in pain. He tried to move his fingers and even played catch with first baseman Ben Rodriguez. After the second throw, which sailed over Rodriguez’s head, Rortvedt walked off the field, replaced by David Banuelos. POSTGAME UPDATE: https://twitter.com/jeje66/status/982098302249373696 The Kernels didn’t have a lot of offense, but Shane Carrier carried the offense on this night. In the first inning, Akil Baddoo and Royce Lewis walked. After a fielder’s choice, Carrier knocked in Baddoo with a sacrifice fly. In the fourth inning, Carrier launched his first home run of the season. He went 2-3 in the game. Andrew Bechtold was 2-2 with two walks, a double and a stolen base. Trey Cabbage went 1-3 with a walk. STARS OF THE DAY Twins Daily Hitter of the Day: Ryan Walker/Nick Gordon, Chattanooga Lookouts Twins Daily Pitcher of the Day: Bryan Sammons, Cedar Rapids Kernels TOP PROSPECT SUMMARY Here is a look at how the Twins Daily Top 20 Twins Prospects performed: #1 - Royce Lewis (Cedar Rapids) - 0-2, 2 BB, K, SB #3 - Nick Gordon (Chattanooga) - 4-5, 3B, RBI, K #5 - Alex Kirilloff (Cedar Rapids) - 1-4 #7 - Brent Rooker (Chattanooga) - 0-4, K #10 - Akil Baddoo (Cedar Rapids) - 0-3, 2 BB, 3 K, SB #11 - Zack Littell (Chattanooga) - 4.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K #13 - Lewin Diaz (Ft. Myers) - 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 K #14 - LaMonte Wade (Chattanooga) - 1-4 #15 - Mitch Garver (Minnesota) - 1-4, first Major League home run #16 - Ben Rortvedt (Cedar Rapids) - 0-4 #17 - Travis Blankenhorn (Ft. Myers) - 1-4, 2B, 2 K FRIDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Buffalo @ Rochester (5;05 CST) - RHP Aaron Slegers Birmingham @ Chattanooga (6:15 CST) - LHP Stephen Gonsalves Charlotte @ Ft. Myers (6:00 CST) - RHP Tyler Wells Cedar Rapids @ Quad Cities (6:35 CST) - RHP Edwar Colina Please feel free to ask any questions about Thursday’s Opening Day games, or ask any questions you may have.

Find out everything and more that happened happened in the Twins system on Saturday. Let’s start with the transactions of the day: You might have heard. Royce Lewis, the first overall pick this June, was promoted to Cedar Rapids from the GCL. Aaron Whitefield was also removed from the disabled list for the Kernels. To make room for his return, Hank Morrison was released. RED WINGS REPORT Rochester 3, Norfolk 2 Box Score Rochester got yet another strong start from Aaron Slegers, and used some power to take this win. Slegers won his ninth straight decision (10 starts). He gave up just two runs on eight hits over 7.1 innings. He struck out six. Mason Melotakis recorded his first Red Wings save by getting the final five outs, two on strikeouts. Byungho Park put the Red Wings on the scoreboard in the fifth inning with a two-run homer, his 10th of the season. In the sixth, Mitch Garver added his 17th home run to give the team a lead they’d hold on to. Garver added his 27th double later and walked once. Kennys Vargas was 2-4. Zack Granite added a single and a walk. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Chattanooga 1, Birmingham 0 Box Score The Lookouts faced White Sox pitching prospect Michael Kopech for the fourth time on Saturday night. In his three previous starts, he had struck out nine, ten and twelve batters. In this game, the flame-throwing righty struck out ten again. Fortunately, Dereck Rodriguez was up to the challenge. On a night when his dad was honored by the Texas Rangers, who retired his number, Dereck Rodriguez was fantastic. He outpitched Kopech, just without the same number of strikeouts. Rodriguez threw seven shutout innings. He gave up just two hits, walked none and struck out five. He improved to 5-2 on the season with the Lookouts. Rodriguez said that he just had things working tonight. “I was getting ahead of hitters and throwing my pitches for strikes.” That it was opposite a talent like Michael Kopech didn’t faze Rodriguez. “It could have been Nolan Ryan on the mound. Rodriguez continued with a chuckle, “It didn't matter to me... I don't have to face him.” Todd Van Steensel worked out of trouble in the eighth inning. He gave up a hit, walked one and hit a batter, but somehow did not give up a run. Nick Anderson picked up his sixth save with a scoreless ninth frame. The Lookouts scored their run in the seventh inning. Ryan Walker hit his 12th double. Nick Gordon singled, and Walker scored on an error on the play. Jonathan Rodriguez added his 26th double. MIRACLE MATTERS Ft. Myers 9, Dunedin 6 Box Score Brent Rooker stayed hot and gave the Miracle a big lead in the first inning again on Saturday night. He hit a three-run homer, his sixth with the Miracle. And when he’s hit them of late, he’s picked some big moments. https://twitter.com/SethTweets/status/896499294609559552 Eduardo Del Rosario was given run support, but he wasn’t able to fully take advantage. He gave up four runs on five hits and four walks in four innings. He struck out three before being removed. Williams Ramirez struck out four over two scoreless innings. Alex Robinson gave up a run in his inning. Michael Theofanopoulos gave up nothing over the final two innings to finish it off. Jaylin Davis went 2-4 with two RBI. Sean Miller had a single and a walk and scored twice. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids 9, Quad Cities 1 Box Score Royce Lewis was the big story in the Twins minor league system on Saturday, and he came as advertised, so let’s start with the rest. Shane Carrier continues to absolutely rake. He went 2-4 and hit his fourth home run, a two-run shot to put the Kernels on the board. Jimmy Kerrigan went 2-3 including his third home run and two RBI. Jordan Gore went 1-2 with two walks. https://twitter.com/TCAnelle/status/896525758620868608 And how good has Carrier been of late? https://twitter.com/jeje66/status/896537522133749760 Lefty Anthony Marzi started and gave up just one run on four hits over six innings. He walked three and hit two, but limited damage. Max Cordy bent but didn’t break.He gave up a hit and walked five, but somehow didn’t give up a run over his two innings. He struck out three. Hector Lujan struck out two in the final inning. OK, on to the Royce Lewis portion. Lewis led off and played shortstop for the Kernels. In his first at-bat, he lined a single to left field. Soon after, he stole second base. We won’t mention though that he was then picked off. In his second at-bat, he lined a single to right field after fouling off several tough pitches. In his third at-bat, he drove in a run with another single to right field. His fourth at-bat, he had a line-drive-in-the-book, even if it really was a pop up that landed right between the right fielder, the second baseman and the first baseman. OK, he proved human in his fifth at-bat, striking out. But 4-5 with a run, an RBI, a stolen base and no errors is pretty good, I’d say! First hit: https://twitter.com/TCAnelle/status/896524709558407168 Third hit: https://twitter.com/TCAnelle/status/896545299358994433 Fourth hit: https://twitter.com/TCAnelle/status/896554287152713730 Oh, and the Kernels had one of their theme nights. It was Beach Night and the Kernels wore special jerseys that get auctioned off by silent bid through the sixth inning. Royce Lewis’s jersey went for $900. Here’s a fun look at that jersey: https://twitter.com/Mr_Shucks/status/896511028623749120 E-TWINS E-NOTES Elizabethton 5, Johnson City 12 Box Score It was a rough night all around for the E-Twins on Saturday. Offensively, they managed just five hits. Jose Miranda hit his first triple. Ariel Montesino added his third double. JJ Robinson drove in two of the team’s runs. Ryley Widell started for the Twins. In 3.1 innings, the left-hander gave up four runs (three earned) on five hits. He walked two, hit two and struck out five. Moises Gomez gave up six runs on three hits and three walks in just one innings. Blair Lakso went two innings. He gave up two runs on three hits and three walks. Jose Martinez got the final five outs (two on strikeouts) and gave up just one hit. GCL TWINS TAKES GCL Twins 4, GCL Red Sox 5 Box Score Henry Centeno made another rehab start in the GCL. The right-hander walked one over three, no-hit innings. He struck out three. Matt Jones was next up. The left-hander gave up two unearned runs on three hits and two walks in three innings. He struck out three. Kevin Marnon gave up one run on two hits over two innings. He struck out three.Derek Molina gave up one run on one hit and one walk in his inning. Zach Featherstone came in and got two outs, but gave up an unearned run to take the loss. Victor Tademo led the offense. He went 2-4 with his fourth double. Ricky De La Torre was also 2-4 and drove in two runs. Alex Robles went 2-3. Chris Paul had a double in five at-bats. TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Dereck Rodriguez, Chattanooga Lookouts Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Royce Lewis, Cedar Rapids Kernels SUNDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Norfolk @ Rochester (12:35 CST) - RHP Tim Melville Chattanooga @ Birmingham (3:00 CST) - RHP Fernando Romero Dunedin @ Ft. Myers (5:05 CST) - RHP Brady Anderson Quad Cities @ Cedar Rapids (6:35 CST) - LHP Charlie Barnes Elizabethton @ Johnson City (6:00 CST) - RHP Melvi Acosta GCL Twins - No Game Scheduled Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss Saturday’s games.

Minor Rumblings Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reported on Sunday morning that Glen Perkins is scheduled to pitch on a rehab assignment for the Chattanooga Lookouts next Thursday, Sunday and Monday, with the goal of returning to the Twins shortly after. Prior to their game, the Chattanooga Lookouts placed CF LaMonte Wade on the seven-day disabled list with a right thumb sprain. Wade is batting .277 this season with six home runs in 95 games played. The 23-year old was a ninth-round draft pick for the Twins in 2015. Saturday night, GM Thad Levine told Aaron Gleeman of Baseball Prospectus that he is very impressed with Rochester OF Mitch Garver. Garver is batting .278 this season for the Red Wings with 16 home runs and 43 runs batted in. The 26-year old was a ninth-round selection of the Twins in 2013. Just after their games concluded, it was announced that LHP Stephen Gonsalves and RHP Luke Bard were transferred from Chattanooga to Rochester. Gonsalves is the Twins No. 3 prospect, and was 6-0 with a 2.36 ERA in his last nine starts. Twins Daily has learned that Edgar Corcino is heading back to the Lookouts. Another corresponding move will be needed on Monday. Red Wings Report Rochester 8, Syracuse 4 Box Score The Red Wings defeated the Syracuse Chiefs 8-4 on Sunday afternoon thanks to a four-run eighth inning that was capped off with an RBI double from J.B. Schuck. The Red Wings hit two home runs, as Zack Granite hit his fourth of the season in the first inning, and Kennys Vargas hit his eighth of the season in the third inning. On the mound, Aaron Slegers got the start and went five innings, giving up four runs and seven hits while recording six strikeouts. He ended up getting a no-decision, as Alex Wimmers threw two innings to pick up his third win of the season. Chattanooga Chatter Chattanooga 17, Jackson 5 Box Score The Lookouts absolutely thrashed the Jackson Generals on Sunday afternoon, as they put up eight runs in the first inning and four in the second inning to essentially end the game before it even got started. Despite putting up such high numbers, it was not a game filled with home runs, as the first came in the fourth inning off the bat of Andy Wilkins, and the second and final homer came in the fifth off the bat of Brian Navarreto. Navarreto was also the top hitter, going 3-5 with five runs batted in. On the mound, Zack Littell got the start, and went 5.2 innings, giving up eight hits and five runs while recording five strikeouts. The next two pitchers for the Lookouts combined to give up just one hit while locking down the huge win for the Lookouts. Miracle Matters Ft. Myers 5, Jupiter 4 (10 innings) Box Score After jumping out to a 4-1 lead after the first inning thanks to home runs from Tanner English (his seventh) and Zander Wiel (his ninth), the Miracle ended up going to extra innings against the Jupiter Hammerheads. In the bottom of the 10th, the Miracle walked-off after a single from Wiel that scored English. Sean Poppen got the start for the Miracle, and only lasted three innings, giving up three runs on six hits with three strikeouts. The win was credited to Andrew Vasquez, who pitched the 10th and gave up one hit but struck out two. It is his first win of the season for the Miracle. Kernels Nuggets Cedar Rapids 4, Wisconsin 0 Box Score The Kernels didn't have a big inning, but they used a run here and a run there to down the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Sunday afternoon. The Kernels were led by Shane Carrier, who went 3-4 with two runs scored and two home runs. On the mound, Charlie Barnes got the start, and picked up the win, his first of the season for Cedar Rapids, having just recently been promoted from Elizabethton. He went five innings, giving up just two hits and no runs while recording seven strikeouts. Logan Lombana and Ryan Mason each followed with two innings of shutout ball to end the game for the Kernels. E-Twins E-Notes Elizabethton 3, Bluefield 8 Box Score The lone loss for Twins affiliates came in the final game of the night when the Bluefield Blue Jays defeated the Elizabethton Twins 8-3. The Twins put up two runs in the top of the first, but the Blue Jays responded with two of their own in the bottom of the inning, and capped it off with a five-run fourth inning to sink the Twins. GCL Twins Takes Did not play. Twins Daily Players of the Day Pitcher - Charlie Barnes (CR) (5.1 IP, 7 strikeouts) Hitter - Shane Carrier (CR) (3-4, 2 home runs) Monday's probable starters Rochester - Tim Melville Chattanooga - TBD Fort Myers - Eduardo Del Rosario Cedar Rapids - Tyler Beardsley Elizabethton - TBD GCL Twins - TBD

Let’s take a look at the Top 6 hitters for the month of July, but first here are some players deserving of honorable mention. HONORABLE MENTION Akil Baddoo - GCL Twins/Elizabethton - 25 G, 26-94, 277/.398/.447 (.845) with four doubles, three triples, two homers, 16 RBI. Jordan Gore - Elizabethton - 15 G, 20-59, .339/.400/.441 (.841) with three doubles and a homer, 11 RBI. Matt Hague - Rochester - 29 G, 32-106, .302/.375/.453 (.828) with ten doubles, two homers, 16 RBI. Wander Javier - Elizabethton - 15 G, 18-58, .310/.412/.483 (.895) with five doubles, one triple, one homer and seven RBI. Royce Lewis - GCL Twins - 22 G, 27-84, .321/.412/.464 (.877) with four doubles, one triple, two homers and 11 RBI. Levi Michael - Chattanooga - 19 G, 22-73, .301/.370/.548 (.918) with four doubles, one triple, four homers and 12 RBI Sean Miller - Ft. Myers - 25 G, 30-94, .319/.347/.436 (.783) with five doubles, two homers and 15 RBI. Ben Rodriguez - GCL Twins - 20 G, 23-67, .343/.443/.507 (.951) with six doubles, one triple, one home run, and 20 RBI. Alex Robles - GCL Twins - 22 G, 29-88, .330/.348/.432 (.780) with three doubles, two home runs and 16 RBI. LaMonte Wade - Chattanooga - 24 G, 28-103, .272/.359/.417 (.776) with seven doubles, one triple, two home runs and 18 RBI. THE TOP SIX HITTERS Number 6 – Rochester - Byungho Park - 29 G, .292/.333/.538 (.871). 31-106 with six doubles, one triple, six home runs and 19 RBI. Park turned 31 years old in July, and he put together ae solid month. An injury slowed him in the early season, but he’s been hitting well since mid-June. In July, he started to show some of the power that made him legendary in Korea. Signed through 2019, with an option for 2020, the Twins will likely give him another shot at some point. Until then, it’s just good to see him healthy and starting to hit well again in Rochester. Number 5 – Elizabethton – 2B Jose Miranda - 24 G, .317/.360/.515 (.875). 32-101 with two doubles, six home runs and 22 RBI. In 2016, the Twins had four of the first 74 draft picks. With their first of two compensation picks (following the second round), they selected infielder Jose Miranda out of the Leadership Christian Academy in Puerto Rico. Miranda just turned 19 at the end of June. He’s been one (of several) really good hitters in the middle of the E-Town lineup. He’s shown a good approach at the plate, but he hits the ball with authority often. Of his 23 games played in the field so far this season, he’s played second base in 22 of them, with one start at third base. He’s also DHd a bit. Number 4 – Rochester - Mitch Garver - 25 G, .244/.340/.567 (.906). 22-90 with five doubles, eight home runs and 16 RBI. These are things I’ve written several times throughout the season and particularly the last couple of weeks. “It is inexcusable that Mitch Garver is not in the big leagues.” “Mitch Garver is the best all-around catcher in the Twins organization, including the two catchers with the Twins.” Overall this season, he is hitting .267/.370/.509 (.879) with 22 doubles and 15 home runs. He’s also thrown out 30% of would-be base stealers. He turned 26 in January. My assumption is that Chris Gimenez will either be traded or DFAd sometime in August to get Mitch Garver to the big leagues. If not, he should be up on September 1st. It just shouldn’t have taken that long. Number 3 - Elizabethton – 3B Andrew Bechtold - .387/.467/.629 (1.096) 24-62 with seven doubles, one triple, two homers and 11 RBI. He was drafted by the Rangers out of high school in 2014. He went to Maryland where he red-shirted before playing one season there. He transferred to Chipola College where he was part of a tremendous junior college team. The Twins took him in the fifth round. After signing (above slot), he went to Elizabethton. He went 0-7 his first two games. Since then, he has hit .403/.481/.627 (1.108). Number 2 - Elizabethton Twins – OF Shane Carrier - 23 G, .390/.402/.630 (1.032), 39-100 with nine doubles, five homers and 30 RBI. Carrier was the Twins 8th round pick in 2016 out of Fullerton College. He signed, forgoing a scholarship offer at Cal St. Fullerton. He spent last summer in Elizabethton. He began this season in Cedar Rapids, but through 30 games, he was hitting just .215/.243/.299 (.542), so he went down to extended spring training. It’s paid off. He has been destroying the ball in the Appy League to the tune of a .341/.353/.535 (.888) rate with ten doubles and five home runs. Carrier is strong and has a ton of power potential that he is just tapping into. And the Twins Minor League Hitter of the Month is: Chattanooga Lookouts – 1B Jonathan Rodriguez - .383/.455/.652 (1.107), 44-115 with 13 doubles, six homers and 22 RBI. The Twins signed Jonathan Rodriguez as a six-year minor league free agent this past offseason. The Puerto Rico native went to the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota and was the 17th round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2009. Rodriguez gradually worked his way up the Cardinals system. He got to AA in 2014, but he stayed there until 2016 when he played in 39 AAA games. The Twins were quick to sign him and he’s been a mainstay in the Chattanooga lineup all season. With the Cardinals organization, he mostly played corner outfield positions. With the Lookouts, he’s only played first base and DH so far. That makes sense for the 27-year-old who stands 6-2 and weighs in at 250 pounds. He will turn 28 in just a couple of weeks. In 94 games with the Lookouts this year, he has hit .317/.413/.516 (.928) with 24 doubles and 15 home runs. His July was tremendous. He had two four-hit games, four three-hit games and eight two-hit games during the month. He was an extra-base hit machine, with 13 doubles and six home runs. He was named the Southern League Player of the Month as well. With Byungho Park and Kennys Vargas, along with Matt Hague, at AAA, Rodriguez is likely to spend the full season with the Lookouts. Congratulations to the July Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Month for 2017, Chattanooga Lookouts Jonathan Rodriguez.

Find out everything and more that happened happened in the Twins system on Wednesday. RED WINGS REPORT Rochester 1, Lehigh Valley 2 (11) Box Score David Hurlbut continued the terrific start to his season. The left-hander went six innings and gave up just one run on seven hits. He walked one and struck out three to drop his season ERA to 1.59 on the season. Trevor Hildenberger struck out one in a perfect seventh inning. Nik Turley then threw two shutout innings. He gave up two hits, walked one and struck out two. Alex Wimmers pitched a scoreless tenth inning. However, he went back out for the 11th inning and gave up a game-winning, walkoff homer. Despite extra innings, the Red Wings managed just six hits. Their lone run came off rehabbing Aaron Nola when Ben Paulsen drove in a run with a single. Daniel Palka went 2-3 with a walk and his fourth double. Tommy Field added a double. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Chattanooga 3, Montgomery 4 (12 innings) Box Score The Lookouts also needed extra innings to decide their Wednesday game. And unfortunately, they too came up short. Randy LeBlanc made the start. He gave up two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out two. Raul Fernandez, just sent down from Rochester, threw 2.2 scoreless innings. He gave up two hits, walked two and struck out two. Mason Melotakis finally gave up a run. The left-hander came into the game with 12.1 scoreless innings. He surpassed 13 innings before giving up a run on a wild pitch, which tied the game at three in the 11th. Todd Van Steensel came in for the 12th frame. He recorded two outs, but he gave up a run on two hits to take the loss. LaMonte Wade went 3-6. Nick Gordon went 2-6 with his seventh double. Engelb Vielma went 2-5 with two RBI. Levi Michael went 2-4 with a walk and his third double. Jon Rodriguez went 2-5 with a walk. LaMonte Wade’s season has been very interesting. In his first ten games, he hit .103/.229/.103 (.332). In his next 20 games, he hit .421/.557/.667 (1.224). And that was before the 3-6 on Wednesday. MIRACLE MATTERS Ft. Myers 0, Palm Beach 5 Box Score The Miracle played a morning education game with lots of kids at the stadium. Keaton Steele was on the mound to start for Ft. Myers. He gave up two runs in the first inning and three more in the second despite leaving with two outs. In 1.2 innings, he gave up five runs on eight hits. Jonny Drozd came on and provided 3.1 shutout innings. He gave up just two hits and struck out one. Williams Ramirez walked two and gave up one hit over two scoreless innings. He struck out two. Sam Clay and Nick Anderson each pitched a scoreless inning. That puts Anderson at 13.1 scoreless innings to start the season. Sam Clay has a streak of 17.2 scoreless innings. https://twitter.com/SethTweets/status/862359756220108801 Sean Miller provided much of the Miracle offense. He went 3-4 with his seventh double. Zander Wiel went 1-3 with a walk and his 12th double. Max Murphy went 1-3 with a walk. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids 6, Dayton 5 (10 innings) Box Score Apparently the theme of the night is extra innings, and the Kernels needed to go one extra frame before settling their game. Tyler Wells made the start. The right-hander gave up three runs on four hits (including two homers) in five innings. He walked two and struck out six. Hector Lujan gave up four hits over two scoreless innings. Alex Robinson struck out two in his scoreless inning. Colton Davis came in for the ninth inning to protect a two-run lead. However, he gave up a two-run homer which sent the game to extra innings. Lewin Diaz went 3-5 with his 13th double. Ariel Montesino was 2-3 with his fourth double and two sacrifice flies. He also stole his first base. Shane Carrier went 3-4 and was hit by a pitch. He also singled in the game-winning run in the top of the tenth. Colton Davis went back out for the bottom of the tenth inning. He got the first two outs and left with the tying run on third base. Tom Hackimer came on and struck out the one batter he faced to end the game and record his third save. Lewin Diaz hit .224/.264/.358 (.622) in his first 18 games with the Kernels this year. In his past 13 games (including Wednesday night), he has hit .346/.370/.635 (1.005). TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Randy LeBlanc, Chattanooga Lookouts Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Shane Carrier, Cedar Rapids Kernels THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Rochester @ Pawtucket (5:05 CST) - LHP Adalberto Mejia Chattanooga @ Montgomery (7:05 CST) - LHP Matt Tracy Ft. Myers @ Charlotte (5:35 CST) - LHP Lachlan Wells Cedar Rapids @ Bowling Green (2:05 CST) - RHP Sean Poppen Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss Wednesday’s games.

Read on to see how all the affiliates fared on Tuesday night! TRANSACTIONS Before we get to the games, there were a few transactions on Tuesday. Byungho Park was reinstated from the disabled list to the Red Wings, but did not play in their game. To make room, Quintin Berry was released. At Fort Myers, Casey Scoggins traded places with Bradley Strong from extended spring training. RED WINGS REPORT Rochester 1, Lehigh Valley 4 Box Score Kyle Gibson made his first non-rehab assignment start in AAA since the 2013 after his demotion late last week and while it was of the quality start variety, he also took the loss. Three singles and two RBI groundouts against him in the first put the Iron Pigs up 2-0, and that would prove to be enough for them as the Red Wings managed just six hits and were only 1-3 with runners in scoring position on the game. They made it 2-1 in the third after Ben Paulsen led off the inning with a double, moved to third on a Bengie Gonzalez single, and came home on a Zack Granite double-play grounder. That was it for Rochester as they went down one-two-three in each of the sixth, seventh and ninth innings thereafter. Gibson left after six innings and down 3-1. He allowed six hits and walked one, but also struck out eight (for what it’s worth, Gibson owns nearly an 8K’s/9IP rate at AAA in his career, a full 2 K’s higher than his MLB rate). Buddy Boshers allowed one run on three hits and a walk in 1.1 innings. He struck out one. D.J. Baxendale finished the game for the Red Wings by retiring both hitters he faced. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Chattanooga 6, Montgomery 5 Box Score After his offense left the bases loaded in the top of the first, starter Paul Clemens ran into early trouble of his own that led to two runs in the bottom half, and a 4-0 lead for Montgomery by the time he exited after the fifth inning. The four runs came courtesy of five walks and six hits, including two home runs allowed. He struck out three. Luke Bard came on for the sixth and had his own troubles, as the Biscuits extended their lead to 5-0 before he escaped a jam with runners on second and third. He came back out for the seventh and was able to get two outs, but two walks and his own throwing error ended his appearance with the bases loaded. Fireballer Nick Burdi was summoned and got his man on a swinging strikeout to end the threat. Putting out that fire with some of his own would prove to be one of the biggest moments of the game. The Lookouts finally got on the board in the eighth when Edgar Corcino led off the inning with a single that was followed by an RBI double from Jonathan Rodriguez. That would not be the last time Montgomery heard from him. Burdi went one-two-three in the eighth including another strikeout to get his team back up to the plate down four going into the ninth. A single, two walks, and a hit batter scored one and left the bases loaded for the Lookouts before the Biscuits were able to record an out. Unfortunately for them, Rodriguez was stepping in the box again next. His grand slam put them out front for the first time at 6-5, and the tables were turned. With his big night, he also extended his hitting streak to thirteen games. John Curtiss came on for the ninth and sent the demoralized Biscuits down in order, striking out the last two hitters of the game to pick up his fifth save. MIRACLE MATTERS Palm Beach 7, Fort Myers 1 Box score The Miracle had trouble with Cardinals starter Junior Fernandez the entire game, as his big velocity gave them fits. In the complete game effort, he held them to five hits and one walk while striking out six. Fort Myers’ lone run came in the fourth to cut the Palm Beach lead to 5-1, as Max Murphy led off with a triple and was driven in by a Nelson Molina single. Kevin Garcia had two singles in three at-bats, and Murphy added a single in the sixth to account for all five of their hits. David Fischer took the hill for the Miracle and went five innings. He allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out four. Four of those runs came in the third due to Fischer’s own throwing error on a bunt play, a wild pitch, and a two-run home run. Michael Theofanopoulus and Alex Muren each allowed a run in their inning of work, combining to allow three hits and a walk in the sixth and seventh, before Anthony McIver was able to stop the bleeding for the final two innings. He allowed just one hit and struck out all three hitters in the ninth to finish the game for Fort Myers. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids 3, Dayton 5 Box Score The Kernels fell behind early in this one and weren’t able to claw their way back in. Starter Tyler Beardsley gave up single runs in the first and second innings as they fell behind 2-1. An RBI triple in the first and groundout in the second accounted for those runs. Cedar Rapids made it 2-1 in the fifth thanks to an RBI single from Shane Carrier to bring in Caleb Hamilton, who had doubled. To that point Beardsley had settled in, but the sixth inning would put an end to his night. Five of the first six hitters reached base, and by the time he got a 7-2 double play on a tag attempt the Kernels were down 5-1. The offense added single runs in the seventh and ninth thanks to Jaylin Davis’ fourth home run of the year and an RBI single from Carrier, but they weren’t able to close any further. Reliever Andrew Vasquez pitched the final two innings for Cedar Rapids, allowing just one hit and striking out two. Hamilton (3-4, 2B, R) and Carrier (2-4, 2 RBI) had multiple hit efforts to lead the offense. Jermaine Palacios added his seventh double. TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY Pitcher of the Day – Nick Burdi (W) and John Curtiss (S), Chattanooga Lookouts (2.1IP, 4 K’s) Hitter of the Day – Jonathan Rodriguez, Chattanooga Lookouts (2-5, R, 2B, Game Winning GS-HR, 5 RBI) WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Rochester @ Lehigh Valley (6:05PM CST) – LHP David Hurlbut (2-2, 1.61 ERA) Chattanooga @ Montgomery (7:05PM CST) – TBD Palm Beach @ Fort Myers (10:05AM CST) – RHP Keaton Steele (1-4, 7.96 ERA) Cedar Rapids @ Dayton (6:00PM CST) – RHP Tyler Wells (2-0, 2.17 ERA) Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss Tuesday’s games!

So let’s get to know a little more about Domenick Carlini. After reading this, feel free to ask questions and leave comments below. Enjoy the Q&A. Seth Stohs (SS): Growing up in Mississippi, which was your favorite team to follow? Who were some of your favorite players? Domenick Carlini (DC): Growing up, I loved the Braves. Chipper, Smoltz, Glavine and Maddux were some of my favorites. SS: What were some of the better memories of your high school baseball career? Did you play other sports or were you involved in other activities? DC: My junior year was a year for me to step into a role as sort of the last starter in the rotation, so I had a chip on my shoulder because of that. I ended up having one of my best statistical seasons during that year. I wasn’t really involved in any other sports or activities. I was a late bloomer and my athleticism didn’t really mature until after high school. SS: What was the recruitment process like for you out of high school, and what was it about Southeastern Louisiana U. that made you want to pitch there? DC: Out of high school I only received offers from JUCOs and a couple of D2s. JUCO seemed like the best decision for me then. Out of Northwest Mississippi CC the recruiting process picked up fast, but Southeastern was my best option, all-around. I think the reason they stuck out so much is their style of play. I like playing baseball at its purest form (sac bunts, giving your best effort, hustle, etc.) and that’s how we played. Also, I wanted to pitch there because Coach Daniel Latham is one of the best college closers of all time. SS: What was the experience for you at Southeastern Louisiana? What were some of your highlights and favorite moments in your years there? DC: The relationships I made off the field will be life-long. Two players stood in my wedding and countless others made the 5+ hour drive. That shows the friendships made. On the field, I think making the first at-large regional bid in program history my senior year was the thing I take most pride in, and pitching in the regional is a memory I can never forget. SS: Did you have the chance to speak with many scouts before the draft? Where did you think that you might be drafted? What was your interaction with Twins scouts before the draft? DC: I talked to a few teams. I had a good idea of the range I would get taken in. Honestly, I didn’t really talk with the Twins. He contacted me in the morning of the third day and simply asked if I was ready and if I was still willing to go if I was selected. But the first time I talked to my scout was when I got the call a few seconds after the pick was announced. SS: When you did hear your name in the 21st round, where were you? What was your reaction and the reaction of those close to you? DC: I was sitting on my couch with my mother, step-father, and fiancé nearby. I had gotten texts in the rounds prior and just waiting to see when I would go. After a team that had texted me decided to go with another player we all sat back in the couch. I was in my head, so I wasn’t 100% focused, but I remember the guy saying my name. Everyone jumped up. It was an amazing moment for my family and me. We almost didn’t get through hugging when my scout was calling. What a moment. SS: What has the adjustment like for you, from the amateur/college game to the professional game, both on and off the field? DC: In college, I was a contact pitcher. I lived off of the batter hitting the ball to my teammates and them getting the outs. Well, in pro ball the hitter’s a little better and those ground balls I was getting in college seem to find a way through the infield for a hit more often. Learning hitters more and finding a way to strike them out more than in college has been the biggest adjustment for me so far. SS: To what do you attribute your success in the Elizabethton? DC: Coaching. SS: What pitches do you throw, and what would you consider your out pitch? DC: Fastball (two seam and four seam), changeup, curve, slider, cutter. My out pitch would be fastball or changeup. SS: At this very early stage in your career, what would you say are your biggest strengths? DC: I compete. Plain and simple. I don’t throw 100 mph, but I want to help my team win. That means always being focused on the next pitch and always bouncing back from anything negative that may occur in the game. SS: What are the areas of your game that you have been working on improving in the offseason and going forward? DC: Strikeouts. Like I said I am used to just getting a quick ground ball or pop up, but now there are situations where I don’t want the hitter to hit the ball at all. SS: Did you go back to school in the offseason? What is your major in school? DC: I did not go back to school. I graduated last May. SS: What are some of the things you enjoy doing away from the game of baseball? DC: Being with my family or playing basketball with my brother. Ping pong too. SS: Who are some of the people who have helped you get to this point in your career? DC: All of my coaches along the way have done something to help me get where I am now. I also have a great family that supports me. SS: Favorite baseball movie? DC: For the Love of the Game Thank you very much Domenick for taking time to answer our questions. Please feel free to leave comments or ask questions in the forum below.

Please continue to learn more about Twins outfield prospect Shane Carrier. Seth Stohs (SS): Growing up in Southern California, which was your favorite team and who were some of your favorite players? Shane Carrier (SC): I was actually a Diamondbacks fan growing up. The first baseball moment that I remember was the walk-off hit against the Yankees in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series. I always love watching certain players hit. Some of my favorites are Matt Holliday, Giancarlo Stanton, Paul Goldschmidt, and Justin Upton. SS: Drafted by the Twins in the eighth round... is that about where you thought you might be selected before the draft? SC: I honestly did not know what to expect. Before the season started I was just a Juco player fighting to continue his baseball career. I just did my best to put in the work and I figured the rest would take care of itself. SS: How difficult was the decision for you to sign, knowing you had other options in front of you too? SC: Playing professional baseball is something I have worked for my entire baseball career. It was a dream come true and it was an opportunity that I couldn't pass up. SS: What was the biggest adjustment you had to make, going from college to the pro game? On or off the field? SC: I would say the biggest adjustment is taking care of your body. In college we only played about three times a week. Making the adjustment from that to playing almost every day was a challenge. SS: In these early stages of your career, what would you say are your biggest strengths as a player? SC: I love to hit, so I would like to say offense is my biggest strength. SS: What were some of your focuses at Instructs? What are the things that you feel you need to improve over the offseason and going forward? SC: At Instructs I was trying to develop every part of my game. I tried to take in as much information as possible and challenge myself to apply everything that I learned. This offseason I'm also trying to develop every part of my game. Speed and agility is a major part of my game that I am focusing on this offseason. SS: What were some of the highlights of your high school and amateur career? (What other sports or activities did you participate in?) SC: Living in SoCal we play baseball year round, so I really didn't have the opportunity to play any other sports in high school. SS: How did you feel about your first professional baseball season? How did you enjoy your time in Elizabethton? SC: I had an awesome experience this season. Elizabethton was a blast and it was a nice change of pace compared to where I live. SS: What are some of your plans for the offseason? Baseball training, but also what do you enjoy doing away from the game of baseball? SC: During the offseason I spend a lot of time training. I love being in the weight room and in the cages. Besides baseball I love to fish and golf. I am also a huge hockey fan so I plan on going to a lot of Ducks games this offseason. SS: Who are some of the coaches and others who have helped you get to this point in your career? SC: I would say the coach that taught me how to grind and challenge myself was my high school coach, Joe Hoggatt. His passion for the game impacts his players in a way that can't be described. The coaching staff at Fullerton College probably impacted me the most. The head coach, Nick Fuscardo, welcomed me with open arms when I decided to come play at Fullerton after being out in Texas for my first semester of college. One of our assistants, Jason Smith, taught us all how to be students of the game and play loose. He always preached about handling adversity and to always find a way to keep moving forward. I'd say our hitting coach, Mitch Levier, had the biggest impact on my physical game. Most college coaches force their hitters to hit one way, but Mitch let us all have the freedom to be who we are. He worked with what we had and taught us a professional approach to hitting. SS: Favorite baseball movie? SC: Without a doubt, Bull Durham. Thank you to Shane Carrier for taking time to answer our questions. Please feel free to ask questions in the comments section below.

RED WINGS REPORT Rochester 6, Pawtucket 3 Box Score With Monday's trade deadline passing, there were a flurry of roster moves that impacted the Rochester roster. Newly acquired pitchers Adalberto Mejia and Pat Light were both assigned to the Red Wings. Trevor Plouffe also joined Rochester as part of his rehab assignment. On Tuesday, Jason Wheeler didn't have his best stuff but he was still able to put the Red Wings in position to come out on top. While pitching into the sixth frame, he gave up three runs on nine hits with two strikeouts and a walk. DJ Baxendale, Sean Burnett and JT Chargois put up zeros the rest of the way to close out the win. Chargois allowed two base runners in the ninth but still earned his ninth save. Trevor Plouffe helped get things started for Rochester as he singled to start the second frame. Adam Brett Walker followed with his 21st home run. Things kept moving with Logan Schafer singling before stealing second base. Wilfredo Tovar doubled in Schafer and John Ryan Murphy capped the four-run inning with an RBI single. Schafer had a three-hit night, reaching base in all four plate appearances. He also threw out a runner for his fourth outfield assist. Plouffe finished 2-for-4 with a run scored. Daniel Palka and Byung Ho Park each added a double as part of the Triple-P (Palka, Park, Plouffe) middle of the line-up. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Chattanooga --, Mobile -- (Postponed- Rain) After being rained out on Tuesday, the Lookouts sit at 56-51 on the season and 20-17 in the second half. Kohl Stewart was a tough luck loser as he threw six innings and allowed one earned run but still took the loss. Monday's trade deadline impacted the Chattanooga roster as Alan Busenitz, the minor league player included with Hector Santiago, was assigned to the Lookouts. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids 5, Burlington 11 Box Score The Kernels tied things up in the top of the seventh inning at 5-5 but the bullpen imploded in the bottom half of the frame. Kuo Hua Lo allowed nine runs, six earned, on eight hits including two home runs. Sam Gibbons started and scattered six hits while limiting the Bees to two earned runs. He struck out two and walked three. Tom Hackimer pitched 1.1 scoreless innings to end the game. Even in victory, the Bees couldn't get Luiz Arraez out in this game. Arraez finished with a career-high five hits along with two RBIs. He is hitting .335 with the Kernels this year. JJ Fernandez collected his 22nd double as part of a two-hit effort. Chris Ibarra also had a double and those were the only extra-base hits for Cedar Rapids. E-TOWN E-NOTES Elizabethton 6, Princeton 12 Box Score The E-Twins offense had plenty of opportunities with runners in scoring position but the club went 2-for-16 in those situations and left nine runners on base. Shane Carrier led the way offensively by going 3-for-5 with a home run, a double and two RBIs. Alex Kirilloff, Amaurys Minier and Travis Blankenhorn all went 2-for-5 with each player adding a double. It was Kirilloff's eighth double and he's up to 21 RBIs. Blankenhorn had a very rough night in the field as he was charged with three errors, one fielding and two throwing. Add an Ariel Montesino throwing error and there were seven unearned runs scored against the E-Twins pitching staff. Tyler Wells couldn't make it through four innings and allowed six earned runs on eight hits. Alex Robinson pitched 2.1 innings and limited the Rays to one run on a solo home run. Austin Tribby was asked to get a few extra outs as four unearned runs were scored with him on the mound. Quin Grogan finished the game with a pair of strikeouts in 1.1 innings of work. GCL TWINS TAKES GCL Twins 6, GCL Orioles 1 Box Score Huascar Ynoa put the GCL Twins in a great position to win after hurling five shutout frames. He limited the Rays to one hit with five strikeouts and one walk. Onas Fanfar kept the shutout going with three scoreless frames while striking out three. Moises Gomez ran into a little trouble in the ninth by giving up a run on two hits and two walks. Garrett Kelly finished off the final frame for his second save. Every Twins hitter reached base at least once but the club didn't manage a single extra-base hit. Gorge Munoz drove in two runs as part of a two-hit effort. He also stole his fifth base. Aaron Whitefield scored three runs out of the the lead-off spot. The win moves the GCL Twins to two games over .500 and the team is in the midst of a three game winning streak. TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY Pitcher of the Day – Huascar Ynoa, GCL Twins Hitter of the Day – Shane Carrier, Elizabethton Twins WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Rochester vs Pawtucket (6:05 CST) - LHP Pat Dean (4-6, 5.29 ERA) Chattanooga @ Mobile (5:05 CST) - TBD (Rain delay could alter rotation) Chattanooga @ Mobile (Game 2) - TBD Fort Myers @ Bradenton (5:30 CST) -LHP Randy Rosario (6-6, 3.60 ERA) Cedar Rapids vs Clinton (6:35 CST) - TBD GCL Twins vs GCL Rays (11:00AM CST) - TBD Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss Tuesday’s games.

RED WINGS REPORT Rochester 6, Syracuse 1 Box Score The Twins could have used Andrew Albers in Boston tonight. Going the distance, Albers allowed only one run on six hits. He struck out five and improves to 9-3 on the season. Albers could very easily fill a rotation spot with the Twins during August and September. Daniel Palka got three hits… but no home runs! He did double and is now batting .319. Adam Brett Walker did hit a home run, his 19th, a 423-foot blast. Byung Ho Park had his 3rd AAA ParkBang as well. Thursday’s was a 3-run shot. John Ryan Murphy got a hit and drove in a run. But he’s only batting .203 and is hitting in the 9-hole. The Red Wings are 58-42 and a game and a half back in the wild card standings. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Chattanooga 0, Jackson 6 Box Score Not a lot to say about the Lookouts game. David Hurlbut allowed six runs on nine hits and three walks in six innings. He struck out one. Hurlbut was relieved by Brandon Peterson, who struck out two in a perfect frame. Ryan Eades finished the game with a strikeout in a perfect inning of his own. D.J. Hicks singled twice. The first baseman accounted for all of the team’s hits. The Lookouts are 52-45. If you’re in the Chattanooga area, they’ll be giving away a Byron Buxton lunch box next Friday and a Buxton bobblehead on Saturday. MIRACLE MATTERS Fort Myers 2, Clearwater 3 Box Score Another affiliate with only two hits, but these were more productive. The newly-reinstated Reynaldo Rodriguez provided a solo home run in the seventh to break up the no-hitter. Chris Paul added the second hit, a single that scored Alex Perez, who had walked. The hit almost tied the game as pinch-runner Daniel Kihle, who was running for A.J. Murray, who also had walked, was thrown out at home. Randy LeBlanc struck out six over six innings, allowing six hits and three walks. Three runs scored and LeBlanc lost his fourth game as a member of the Miracle rotation. Todd Van Steensel relieved LeBlanc and pitched two shutout innings. He struck out one. The Miracle are 15-13 in the second half, a game and a half being the FSL South-leading St. Lucie Mets. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids 1, Bowling Green 3 Box Score Dereck Rodriguez lost his perfect game in the fifth. He lost his no-hitter in the sixth. He gave up his second run - enough to get hung with the loss - in the seventh. He handed the ball over in the eighth. Despite a good start, Rodriguez dropped to 2-11 on the season, allowing three runs in 7.1 innings. Kuo Hua Lo gave up a hit and struck out a batter in 1.2 innings. Chris Ibarra got two hits. Nelson Molina tripled and singled. Zander Wiel, featured earlier in the day on milb.com, hit his 21st double and walked. The Kernels dropped to 15-12 in the second half of the season. E-TOWN E-NOTES Elizabethton 17, Kingsport 3 Box Score There was a lot of offense for the home team in Elizabethton on Thursday night. Of the nine players in the lineup, all scored and got a hit. The first eight batters all scored twice. Seven of the nine batters had multi-hit games. Four batters drove in multiple runs. Shane Carrier led the charge. An eighth-rounder from Fullerton, Carrier doubled twice and hit a home run. He drove in four runs and scored twice. Alex Kirilloff singled three times to raise his batting average to .346. Andre Jernigan got three hits, including a double. Lewin Diaz also doubled among his two hits while driving in four. Brandon Lopez, Caleb Hamilton and Robert Molina each singled twice. Tyler Wells made the start and pitched five innings. He struck out six while allowing eight hits and a walk. Three runs scored, but Wells picked up his first professional win. Ryan Mason came in and finished the last four innings, picking up the ultra-rare save in a 14-run game. He allowed three hits, pitching a shutout. Elizabethton is 11-16. GCL TWINS TAKES GCL Twins 3, GCL Rays 4 (12 innings) Box Score One day after winning a 15-inning affair, the GCL affiliate dropped a one-run game in 12 innings. Despite getting outhit 10 to 4, the Twins were able to push the game to extra innings. Tyree Davis led the offense with two walks and a double. Jean Carlos Arias, Zach Featherstone and Juan Gamez provided the rest of the hits. Featherstone and Gamez drove in runs. Joe Cronin stole his fifth base of the year. Huascar Ynoa struck out three in four innings. He allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk. Zack Strecker pitched four shutout innings, striking out five. Tyler Fox gave up a run and struck out two in one inning. Garrett Kelly picked up the loss, but struck out five in 2.1innings. He allowed the runner that scored the winning run. Callan Pearce came into the game with the bases loaded but walked a batter before ending the inning with a double play. The GCL Twins are 11-11 TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY Pitcher of the Day – Andrew Albers, Rochester Hitter of the Day – Shane Carrier, Elizabethton FRIDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Rochester vs Syracuse (6:05 CST) - RHP Jose Berrios (9-4, 2.42 ERA) Chattanooga at Jackson (7:05 CST) - RHP Omar Bencomo (2-5, 4.50 ERA) Fort Myers at Clearwater (5:15 CST) - TBD Bowling Green at Cedar Rapids (6:35 CST) - LHP Sam Gibbons (3-3, 6.09 ERA) Elizabethton vs Johnson City (6:00 CST) - TBD GCL Twins at GCL Red Sox (11:00AM CST) - TBD Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss Monday’s games.