Friday Night Lights

The Twins two-game winning streak came to an end on Friday night with a 4-1 loss at the hands of lefty Matt Harrison and the Texas Rangers. Anthony Swarzak gave up four runs in seven innings. He was seeing-eye-singled to death in the 4^th when the Rangers started swinging at Swarzak’s first pitch and scored three times. Ian Kinsler added a little insurance with a solo home in the 7^th. For the first time this season, the Twins scored first in this game. Josh Willingham scored on a screaming liner to left off the bat of Danny Valencia. Ryan Doumit had two hits in the game. Josh Willingham had a single, a walk and was hit by a pitch. Jared Burton and Matt Maloney each threw a strong inning in relief.

The Twins will get to see Yu Darvish on Saturday at noon. Nick Blackburn will be making his second start of the homestand. Liam Hendriks will pitch on Sunday.

There were plenty of highlights in the Twins minor league system on Friday night despite going just 2-2 on the night. Here is a look at the night in the minors.

ROCHESTER 3, PAWTUCKET 4

Cole DeVries was terrific in his second start of the season. The right-hander from Eden Prairie gave up only an unearned run over the first five innings. He gave up just one hit, walked two and struckout four. Carlos Gutierrez came in and walked the first batter he faced and then hit the second batter. After a line out, a passed ball and a wild pitch, he gave up a three-run homer to mega-prospect Will Middlebrooks. Gutierrez then left the game alongside a trainer.

Casey Fien came in and gave up just one hit in 2.1 scoreless innings. In the ninth, Brendan Wise gave up three hits and got two outs. Tyler Robertson came in with the bases loaded and struckout the next two batters to leave the score 4-3 going to the bottom of the 9^th. Unfortunately, the Red Wings were unable to score.

Michael Hollimon led the offense. He went 2-4 with his first double and his first home run of the young season. When Brian Dozier hit a double in his first at bat, it extended his hit streak to eight games.

INJURY NOTES – Rene Tosoni was put on the 7-day Disabled List on Friday night. Another transaction is expected on Saturday (my guess is that Wilkin Ramirez will come off the DL). I will update this place when I learn more about Carlos Gutierrez.

NEW BRITAIN 6, NEW HAMPSHIRE 1

The Rock Cats got a good start, good bullpen work and plenty of offense to beat New Hampshire on Friday night. Steve Hirschfeld made his second start of the young season. He threw five shutout innings and gave up just four hits and two walks. He struckout four. Luis Perdomo gave up one run on four hits over the next two innings. He struckout two. Lester Oliveros struckout two in his scoreless frame, and Daniel Turpen pitched a 1-2-3 ninth.

Chris Herrmann went 3-5 with his second and third doubles. Chris Colabello was 2-3 with his first double, first homer and four RBI. Aaron Hicks was 1-3 with a walk. Pedro Florimon was 2-4.

FT. MYERS MIRACLE 2, BRADENTON 3 (10 innings)

For the third time in just over a week, the Miracle went to extra innings. In this game, they were on the losing end. This game was about the pitching matchup. The Miracle sent BJ Hermsen to the mound against the Pirates’ Jameson Taillon. Taillon gave up just one run in five innings. Hermsen was even better. He threw six shutout innings, allowing just two hits. He walked three and struckout three. He left with a one run lead. Matt Hauser came in and pitched a scoreless seventh. Unfortunately, he gave up a two-run homer in the 8^th that put the Miracle down a run. Caleb Thielbar got out of the eighth and pitched a scoreless ninth.

Offensively, the Miracle had just four hits. Angel Morales was 2-4 and drove in the first run of the game. Jairo Perez hit his second double. Lance Ray’s second home run gave the Miracle a 2-1 lead.

It was 2-2 going to the tenth. Thielbar remained in the game. He gave up a double. The next batter bunted, but Thielbar threw the ball away for an error which ended the game.

Fun Note – Hermsen has now thrown 11 innings this season without allowing a run.

BELOIT 5, CLINTON 2

The Snappers made their fair share of errors, but they used some Clinton walks and poor defense to take a lead in the 8^th and held on.

Tim Shibuya was very good in his second start as well. He gave up two unearned runs on three hits in five innings. He walked two and struckout four. Matthew Tomshaw struckout two in two scoreless innings. Then Corey Williams duplicated Tomshaw with two strikeouts in two scoreless innings.

Danny Ortiz led the offense going 3-5. Jairo Rodriguez went 1-3 with a walk, a double and two RBI. Jhonathan Goncalves was 1-3 with two walks and a stolen base. Tyler Grimes hit his fourth double.

Not-So-Fun Note - The uber-talented Beloit infield of the Snappers (Rhodes, Rosario, Grimes and Sano) each committed an error in this game.

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Players of the Day for Friday, April 13, 2012

Hitter of the Day – Chris Herrmann


Pitcher of the Day – BJ Hermsen


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A Look Ahead – Saturday, April 14, 2012 Schedule

Rochester @ Lehigh Valley – RHP Sam Deduno
New Britain @ New Hampshire – LHP Logan Darnell
Ft. Myers vs. Bradenton – RHP Adrian Salcedo (vs Gerrit Cole)
Beloit @ Clinton – LHP Jason Wheeler

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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!