Sunday Minor League Daily

The Twins actually won a game today. It's tough to complain about too much from today's Twins performance. Jason Marquis earned the win, and picked up the 4th Twins quality start along the way. The Twins scored 4 runs in the first, 2 runs in the third and 1 in the seventh, on their way to a 7-4 victory. Josh Willingham (a home run short of the cycle, go figure) and Danny Valencia (3 hits including a triple) led the way on offense, and the only Twins starters without a hit were Trevor Plouffe and Alexi Casilla. Matt Capps, as he is want to do, made it a little interesting in the 9th. But a win is a win!

Here's a look at the Twins minor league scores and highlights from Sunday:[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

ROCHESTER 2, BUFFALO 8

Red Wings starter Scott Diamond, on many fans' short lists for a spot in the Twins' rotation, didn't have his best stuff Sunday, picking up his first loss on the season (4-1). In 6 and 1/3 innings, Diamond allowed 11 hits and 7 runs, striking out 6 and issuing 0 free passes. Diamond's ERA, even after this subpar outing, is 2.84. Jeff Manship pitched the rest of the game, 1 and 2/3 innings, giving up 3 hits and 1 run, striking out 1 and walking 2.

The Red Wings didn't accumulate much offense today, scattering 6 hits. Joe Benson hit is second triple of the year, and Ben Revere was 1-for-4. Top prospect Brian Dozier was also 1-for-4 with a 2-out RBI single to score Drew Butera. Dozier is batting .274 on the season. Aaron Bates picked up the other RBI for Rochester with a 2-out line drive single to drive in Benson.

NEW BRITAIN 5, RICHMOND 2

After losing the first 2 games of the series against the Richmond Flying Squirrels (love the nickname), the Rock Cats had a better effort today. Starter Logan Darnell picked up the win (3-0). He pitched 6 and 2/3 innings, gave up 7 hits and 2 runs, and struck out 8 while walking 1 along the way. His ERA stands at 4.56. He has been the recipient of some solid Rock Cats offense when he has pitched this season. Reliever Daniel Turpen pitched the rest of the game, 2 and 1/3 innings, and earned the save, his second of the season. He was very effective, giving up no hits and no walks, while striking out 2. This effort improved his ERA to 4.5.

On offense, the team had 9 hits. Every starter except for Estarlin De Los Santos and Evan Bigley tallied at least one hit. Chris Herrmann was 2-for-3 with a walk, and also reached base on an error in his other plate appearance. He scored 3 runs. Nathan Hanson also had a good game, going 2-for-4 with a double and accumulating 2 RBIs. Aaron Hicks was 1-for-4 with a single and a stolen base (his 3rd of the season), and is batting .265 on the season. Deibinson Romero hit a triple, and shortstop Pedro Florimon had a double.

If you haven't heard, reliever Deolis Guerra was promoted to AAA Rochester, and starter Alex Wimmers, on the disabled list with an elbow strain, is now in Ft. Myers rehabilitating that injury.

FT. MYERS MIRACLE 1, ST. LUCIE 5

The Miracle lost their third game in a row today. Starter Jose Gonzalez picked up the loss, lasting 3 innings. He was responsible for 4 runs, walked 2 and struck out 2, and gave up a home run. The Miracle bullpen was solid, though. Righty Ricky Bowen picked up the slack, tossing 4 innings. He gave up just 1 run (on a solo home run), struck out 2 and walked 1. After this outing, Bowen's ERA is 1.96. Bruce Pugh pitched the 8th and 9th innings, giving up 3 hits and striking out 1.

As you could guess from the score, the Miracle's offense struggled today. Only 4 players tallied hits. Shortstop Daniel Santana was 2-for-4, as was second baseman and first round draft pick Levi Michael. Oswaldo Arcia and Wilkin Ramirez each had one hit. There were no extra-base hits for Ft. Myers today. The Miracle's lone run came on a Lance Ray sacrifice fly that scored Arcia.

It was also announced today that pitchers BJ Hermsen and Caleb Thielbar were promoted to New Britain. So, congratulations to them!

BELOIT 4, DAYTON 3

On the mound, Snappers starter Tim Shibuya had a good effort. He threw 6 and 1/3 innings and gave up 3 runs on 5 hits, for a quality start, but struck out 11 batters, including 6 of his first 7. After this outing, his ERA stands at an even 3.00. Reliever Michael Tonkin tossed 1 and 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits, striking out 2 and walking 1. Corey Williams pitched a scoreless 9th inning, allowing 1 hit and striking out 1. He earned the win in relief.

Beloit's offense tallied 12 hits today. Right fielder Daniel Ortiz had a great day, going 2-for-4 with a home run (his fourth) and a double (his second), and knocked in 3 runs. He's batting .299 on the season. Center fielder Jonathan Goncalves and DH Adam Pettersen were each 2-for-3 with doubles, and Eddie Rosario, playing second base, was 1-for-4 with a double (but was thrown out at home trying to score following an error on the play). Adam Bryant was 2-for-5, and Miguel Sano was 1-for-4 with a single.

The Snappers won in dramatic fashion. The teams entered the bottom of the 9th tied at 3-3. Jairo Rodriguez led off with a single, and JaDamion Williams came in as a pinch runner. Adam Pettersen walked, sending Williams to second. Wang-Wei Lin sacrifice bunted Williams to third. Then, with 2 outs, Adam Bryant drove in Williams with a ground ball single to center field, giving the Snappers a 4-3 victory.

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Players of the day for Sunday, April 29

Hitter of the Day: Daniel Ortiz

Pitcher of the Day: Tim Shibuya

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A Look Ahead: Monday, April 30 Schedule

Rochester @ Buffalo--RHP Cole DeVries

New Britain @ Harrisburg-- RHP David Bromberg

Ft. Myers vs. St. Lucie--RHP Adrian Salcedo

Beloit vs. Dayton--LHP Jason Wheeler

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