Eric R Pleiss

I spent my evening at Target Field, and the guy behind me mentioned that Joe Mauer was the highest paid player on the team six different times. Once each after each Mauer at bat, and a couple times during the game when recently activated Max Keper had base hits, despite not being the highest paid player on the team. And then this dude still managed to boo the Rays when they intentionally walked Mauer. This is the same Joe Mauer that is the reigning AL Player of the Week. Sheesh. Anyways, things had to be more positive in the Minor Leagues, right? Continue reading to find out more detail about Thursday in the Twins farm system: Transaction Log: The Twins signed outfielder Logan Schafer to a MiLB deal and assigned him to the Rochester Red Wings. RED WINGS REPORT Rochester @ Indianapolis Indians Box Score The Red Wings are now six games over .500 and tied with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders for first place in the International League North, and just a half game behind the Columbus Clippers for the best record in the league. The Red Wings played to a 1-1 tie through the first three innings, but pulled ahead with a 3-run fourth, and never looked back. Former Yankee catcher John Ryan Murphy (he of the Aaron Hicks trade) had a 1-3 night out of the 9-hole with a double and an RBI, but is hitting just .162 at AAA after a super disappointing start to the year in Minnesota. The Red Wings received multi-hit games from Wilfredo Tovar (2-4, 2 RBI, BB), James Beresford (2-5), and Eddie Rosario (2-5, HR, RBI). Rosario is now hitting .317 in AAA and likely a little pissed off that the Twins brought up Max Kepler to replace the injured Miguel Sano instead of him. Good on him, get to work and we'll see you back in a Twins uniform before too long. Tommy Milone (another Twins castoff, along with nearly 1/3 of this Red Wings roster) earned his third AAA win to move to 3-0 and has a 2.08 ERA on the year. He went 6.1 innings giving up 7 hits, one earned run, one walk, and he struck out a trio of Indians. J.T. Chargois came in and gave up a run in 1.2 innings, and his ERA climbed all the way to 0.90. He also struck out 3 of the 7 batters he faced. Alex Wimmers (couldn't hit a barn because he used to have the yips) pitched a perfect ninth, retiring all three batters he faced, recording a strike out to boot. Final: Red Wings 5, Indians 2 LOOKOUTS LOOK-IN Chattanooga Lookouts @ Birmingham Braves Box Score Despite giving up a run in the bottom of the first to fall behind 0-1, the Lookouts hung tough and took the lead after scoring runs in back-to-back-to-back innings to pull ahead 3-1 after 6 and then hung on for the victory. As a team the Lookouts struck out 12 times to go along with just 2 walks, but still managed to push enough runs across to win a game. Only two Chattanooga hitters had multi-hit games, Zach Granite and Daniel Palka who hit a pair of home runs for the second night in a row! Granite was 2-5 with a double and a strike out from the leadoff position, while Palka provided a 2-4 night with a pair of solo home runs (and a pair of strike outs). Palka now leads the Southern League with 11 dingers and is sixth in slugging. Palka, if you recall, was the return on the Chris Hermann to the Diamondbacks trade, completed in November of last year. David Hurlbut earned his third win of the year to even his record at 3-3 with 6.1 innings of 7 hit, one run ball. He walked one and struck out two. He was replaced by Mason Melotakis who earned his fifth hold of the year by finishing off the fifth. Luke Westphal waned a hold as well, his first of the year, despite giving up a run in the eighth. Jake Reed earned his second save of the year, closing out the game with a two-stirkeout ninth. Final: Lookouts 4, Braves 2 MIRACLE MATTERS Game 1: St. Lucie Mets @ Fort Myers Miracle Box Score Luckily the Miracle had an opportunity to play two on Thursday night as they managed just a single hit in the first game of the double-dip, a Brian Olson single in the third innings. The rest of the squad, including first-round draftee Nick Gordon were a combined 0-20 with three strike outs and no walks. Miracle starter Keaton Steele had a forgettable outing, going just 3.0 innings and giving up five runs (all earned) in a disaster start on the front end of a double header. Brian Gilber pitched 1.2 innings of less-than-stellar baseball, giving up 2 truns on three hits, three walks, and a home run. John Curtiss gave up a run over a four-out outing, and Luke Bard finished things respectably for the Miracle with a quick, scoreless, ninth inning. Final: Mets 8, Miracle 0 Game 2: St. Lucie Mets @ Fort Myers Miracle Box Score The Miracle used a Chris Paul walk-off single to win the second game of the double header to earn a split. With one out and a runner on third, the Chris Paul singled scored Tanner Witt from third to win the game. After picking up just a single hit in the first game, the Miracle added eight hits in the second game, with a pair from Chris Paul, including the game winner, and three from Alex Real (3-3, with a double and 2 RBI). Felix Jorge pitched a complete game (7 innings) for the Miracle, saving the bullpen after the disaster start in Game 1, giving up 7 hits, 3 runs (2 earned) while walking no one and striking out four. He also gave up a home run. Jorge has a 1.83 ERA on the year to go along with a 4-3 record. Final: Mets 3, Miracle 4 KERNELS KORNER Cedar Rapids Kernels @ Beloit Snappers Box Score It is really hard to have nine hits and score just one run, while outhitting an opponent that scored seven runs on just eight hits, but the Kernels managed to do just that. LaMonte Wade remained hot with a 2-4 night, and A.J. Murray had a nice little night as well, going 2-4, including a double and a strike out. Jermaine Palacios was 3-4 out of the 8-hole with a double and a strike out, raising his average to .205. Kernels' starter Dereck Rodriguez gave up all seven Snappers runs over the first four innings, givngup up seven hits, a walk, and a home run while striking out just 2. After four, D-Rod was lifted for Anthony McIver who went 2.0 innings and gave up just a single hit while striking out three. Sam Gibbons and Michal Theofanopoulos each pitched a scoreless inning to finish the game. Theofanopoulos now sports a nifty little 1.73 ERA. Final: Kernels 1, Snappers 7 TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY Hitter of the Day - Daniel Palka - Chattanooga Lookouts Pitcher of the Day - Felix Jorge - Fort Myers Miracle FRIDAY'S PROBABLES Rochester @ Louisville Bats (6:05pm) - Andrew Albers (3-1, 3.93) vs. Cody Reed Chattanooga @ Birmingham Braves (7:05pm) - Aaron Slegers (2-4, 4.08) vs. David Holmberg Daytona Flyers @ Fort Myers (6:05pm) - Tejay Antone vs. Randy Rosario (2-4, 3.53) Peoria Chiefs @ Cedar Rapids (6:35pm) - TBD vs. Miles Nordgren (2-1, 2.58) Please ask questions and discuss the Thursday games. -ERolf

The Twins took the day off, but there was a full slate of minor league games on Thursday night. Byron Buxton hit a dinger and Felix Jorge had one of the best outings of his career. Continue reading to find out more detail about Thursday in the Twins farm system:RED WINGS REPORT Indianapolis Indians @ Rochester Box Score Despite having Jose Berrios on the bump and a 2-4 day from Byron Buxton that included a triple and a home run, the Wings could not keep up with the Indianapolis Indians. Berrios gave up a pair of runs in the top of the first inning and then another in the third, and one more in the fourth. Berrios struck out just one over 6.0 innings. He gave up seven hits, and walked two. He was lifted for Marcus Walden who pitched 1.2 innings, giving up a run in the top of the eighth, and was lifted for Ryan O'Rourke, who finished the final 1.1 innings of the game. Hitting in the top two spots in the order, Byron Buxton and Eddie Rosario (2-4, double) were pretty much the entire Red Wings offense, each picking up one of the Rochester RBIs on the evening. The Wings were ultimately 0-5 with runners in scoring position, unable to capitalize on the production at the top of the order. Adam Walker, who had hit six home runs in his previous six games, was 0-3 with two strike outs. Final: Indians 5, Red Wings 2 LOOKOUTS LOOK-IN Tennessee Smokies @ Chattanooga Box Score The Lookouts had thirteen hits and four walks, but could not put enough runs on the board to stay ahead of their in-state rivals, the Tennessee Smokies. Chattanooga was out to an early 1-0 after a Zach Granite home run to leadoff the game, and they were ahead 2-0 after the first thanks to a D.J. Hicks RBI single. Daniel Palk, Mitch Garver and Leonardo Reginatto were all 3-5, together accounting for four Lookouts RBIs. Former top draft pick (and a guy I keep hoping puts together a strong season) Levi Michael was 0-2 with a walk and a strike out and is hitting just .198/.289/.246 on the year. On the bump, Nick Greenwood had a tough outing, giving up 12 hits and five earned runs. He struck out two, walked one, and gave up a home run. Four of the runs given up by Greenwood came in big third inning, in which the Smokies sent eight batters up to the plate, and tallied three extra base hits including a two-run home run, a double, and a two-run triple. Greenwood was replaced by Luke Bard to start the eighth. Bard pitched two innings, gave up a pair of runs, walked one, struck out three, and gave up a home run. Mike Strong finished the game for the Lookouts with a 1-2-3 ninth. Final: Smokies 7, Lookouts 6 MIRACLE MATTERS Palm Beach Cardinals @ Fort Myers Box Score The Miracle received a very strong pitching performance from starter Felix Jorge. Jorge earned his third victory of the season, pitching 7.0 innings of scoreless baseball. Jorge walked two and struck out five. His ERA this year is down to 1.73, the fourth lowest ERA in the league among qualified starters. Yorman Landa pitched 1.1 innings, giving up a pair of runs in the top of the ninth before being lifted for Brandon Peterson who eared his third save of the year, who came into the game and induced a game-ending 4-6-3 double play. The Miracle received RBIs from each of the last five hitters in the order, including 2-4 nights from both Max Murphy and Tanner Witt. Centerfielder Edgar Corcino also had a nice night, he was 2-3 with a double, a walk and a pair of runs scored. Former first round pick Nick Gordon was 1-3 with a double and a pair of walks and is hitting .307/.361/.444. Final: Cardinals 2, Miracle 6 KERNELS KORNER Cedar Rapids @ Burlington Bees Box Score The Kernels just pounded the Burlington Bees on Thursday inning, scoring a run in the first, four runs in each of the second and third innings, and two more in the fourth to take an 11-0 lead. They tacked on one more run in the top of the ninth, for good measure. The twelve runs scored were more than enough for starter Fernando Romero who pitched 5.0 innings of two-hit baseball. Romero gave up one run, a pair of walks, and struck out five. Sam Gibbons pitched three innings of relief, giving up just two hits and one run, walking one and he struck out a pair. C.J. Irby finished the game, holding the Bees scoreless bottom of the ninth with a 12-2 lead. Six Kernels players had multi-hit games and with the exception of Brad Hartong (1-6 with a double and 2 strike outs) all the batters reached base safely multiple times, led by LaMonte Wade (1-3 with 3 runs scored, 2 RBI, and 3 walks). Daniel Kihle had a very nice game as well, going 3-5 with three runs scored, a double and an RBI. The Kernels had more extra-base hits (6) than the Bees had hits (5). Final: Kernels 12, Bees 2 TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY Hitter of the Day - Byron Buxton - Rochester Red Wings Pitcher of the Day - Felix Jorge - Fort Myers Miracle FRIDAY'S PROBABLES Charlotte Knights @ Rochester (6:05pm) - TBD vs. Logan Darnell (4-4, 4.47) Tennessee Smokies @ Chattanooga (6:15pm) - Paul Blackburn vs. David Hurlbut (2-3, 4.66) Fort Myers @ Charlotte Stone Crabs (5:35pm) - Kyle Gibson (Rehab Start, 0-0, 0.00) vs. TBD Wisconsin Timber Rattlers @ Cedar Rapids (6:35pm) - David Burkhalter vs. Dereck Rodriguez (1-5, 5.89) Please ask questions and discuss the Thursday games. Click here to view the article

The Twins took the day off, but there was a full slate of Minor League games on Thursday night. Byron Buxton hit a dinger and Felix Jorge had one of the best outings of his career. Continue reading to find out more detail about Thursday in the Twins farm system: RED WINGS REPORT Indianapolis Indians @ Rochester Box Score Despite having Jose Berrios on the bump and a 2-4 day from Byron Buxton that included a triple and a home run, the Wings could not keep up with the Indianapolis Indians. Berrios gave up a pair of runs in the top of the first inning and then another in the third, and one more in the fourth. Berrios struck out just one over 6.0 innings. He gave up seven hits, and walked two. He was lifted for Marcus Walden who pitched 1.2 innings, giving up a run in the top of the eighth, and was lifted for Ryan O'Rourke, who finished the final 1.1 innings of the game. Hitting in the top two spots in the order, Byron Buxton and Eddie Rosario (2-4, double) were pretty much the entire Red Wings offense, each picking up one of the Rochester RBIs on the evening. The Wings were ultimately 0-5 with runners in scoring position, unable to capitalize on the production at the top of the order. Adam Walker, who had hit six home runs in his previous six games, was 0-3 with two strike outs. Final: Indians 5, Red Wings 2 LOOKOUTS LOOK-IN Tennessee Smokies @ Chattanooga Box Score The Lookouts had thirteen hits and four walks, but could not put enough runs on the board to stay ahead of their in-state rivals, the Tennessee Smokies. Chattanooga was out to an early 1-0 after a Zach Granite home run to leadoff the game, and they were ahead 2-0 after the first thanks to a D.J. Hicks RBI single. Daniel Palk, Mitch Garver and Leonardo Reginatto were all 3-5, together accounting for four Lookouts RBIs. Former top draft pick (and a guy I keep hoping puts together a strong season) Levi Michael was 0-2 with a walk and a strike out and is hitting just .198/.289/.246 on the year. On the bump, Nick Greenwood had a tough outing, giving up 12 hits and five earned runs. HE struck out two, walked one, and gave up a home run. Four of the runs given up by Greenwood came in big third inning, in which the Smokies sent eight batters up to the plate, and tallied three extra base hits including a two-run home run, a double, and a two-run triple. Greenwood was replaced by Luke Bard to start the eighth. Bard pitched two innings, gave up a pair of runs, walked one, struck out three, and gave up a home run. Mike Strong finished the game for the Lookouts with a 1-2-3 ninth. Final: Smokies 7, Lookouts 6 MIRACLE MATTERS Palm Beach Cardinals @ Fort Myers Box Score The Miracle received a very strong pitching performance from starter Felix Jorge. Jorge earned his third victory of the season, pitching 7.0 innings of scoreless baseball. Jorge walked two and struck out five. His ERA this year is down to 1.73, the fourth lowest ERA in the league among qualified starters. Yorman Landa pitched 1.1 innings, giving up a pair of runs in the top of the ninth before being lifted for Brandon Peterson who eared his third save of the year, who came into the game and induced a game-ending 4-6-3 double play. The Miracle received RBIs from each of the last five hitters in the order, including 2-4 nights from both Max Murphy and Tanner Witt. Centerfielder Edgar Corcino also had a nice night, he was 2-3 with a double, a walk and a pair of runs scored. Former first round pick Nick Gordon was 1-3 with a double and a pair of walks and is hitting .307/.361/.444. Final: Cardinals 2, Miracle 6 KERNELS KORNER Cedar Rapids @ Burlington Bees Box Score The Kernels just pounded the Burlington Bees on Thursday inning, scoring a run in the first, four runs each in the second and third innings, and two more in the fourth to take an 11-0 lead. They'd tack on one more run in the top of the ninth, for good measure. The twelve runs scored were more than enough for starter Fernando Romero who pitched 5.0 innings of two hit baseball. Romero gave up one run, a pair of walks, and struck out five. Sam Gibbons pitched three innings of relief, giving up just two hits and one run, walking one and he struck out a pair. C.J. Irby finished the game, holding the Bees scoreless bottom of the ninth with a 12-2 lead. Six Kernels players had multi-hit games and with the exception of Brad Hartong (1-6 with a double and 2 strike outs) all the batters reached base safely multiple times, lead by LaMonte Wade (1-3 with 3 runs scored, 2 RBI, and 3 walks). Daniel Kihle had a very nice game as well, going 3-5 with three runs scored, a double and an RBI. The Kernels had more extra-base hits (6) than the Bees had hits (5). Final: Kernels 12, Bees 2 TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY Hitter of the Day - Byron Buxton - Rochester Red Wings Pitcher of the Day - Felix Jorge - Fort Myers Miracle FRIDAY'S PROBABLES Charlotte Knights @ Rochester (6:05pm) - TBD vs. Logan Darnell (4-4, 4.47) Tennessee Smokies @ Chattanooga (6:15pm) - Paul Blackburn vs. David Hurlbut (2-3, 4.66) Fort Myers @ Charlotte Stone Crabs (5:35pm) - Kyle Gibson (Rehab Start, 0-0, 0.00) vs. TBD Wisconsin Timber Rattlers @ Cedar Rapids (6:35pm) - David Burkhalter vs. Dereck Rodriguez (1-5, 5.89) Please ask questions and discuss the Thursday games. -ERolf

PS - Photo credit to the amazing Jim Crikket (Steve Buhr). I don't have the editing skills or knowledge to know how to put that up at the top of the page.

It has been more than 24 hours since the last time the Twins lost, which is a pretty big deal here in Twins territory. The Twins MiLB affiliates went 1-3 on the day but they had a couple of nice performances to make up for the poor results. Continue reading to find out more detail about Thursday in the Twins farm system:RED WINGS REPORT Gwinnett Braves @ Rochester Box Score Byron Buxton, heard of him? He hit leadoff for the Wings and was 2-5 with a run scored and a strikeout. He also stole a base. Speed kills, you guys. James Beresford had himself a day, 3-4, with a double and a run scored. Buck Britton, who, I assume, is hoping to capitalize on the excellent alliteration that he shares with Byron Buxton, was 2-4 with a double and a run scored, the only other Rochester hitter with multiple hits. As a squad, the Red Wings struck out six times and walked three times. Rochester starter David Martinez (who?! 2005 international free agent signee by the Astros, bounced to the Texas Rangers MiLB system in 2015 before joining the Twins in 2016) fell behind early, giving up a pair of runs in the first, another in the third, and a fourth in the fifth (which proved to be the game winner) before being lifted. Martinez finished with four runs, all earned, on nine hits, a walk, a dinger, and he struck out five. The bullpen was dominant behind Martinez, giving up just one hit over the next four innings, with 1.1 innings from Dan Runzler, 1.2 from Alex Wimmers, and a scoreless ninth from Buddy Boshers. Boshers, who now owns a 1.15 ERA and could be the next man up if the Twins bullpen continues to struggle. Final: Braves 4, Red Wings 3 LOOKOUTS LOOK-IN Pensacola Blue Wahoos @ Chattanooga Box Score The Lookouts dealt with a mid-game rain delay in the sixth inning, then turned in a strong bullpen performance and nearly put the game into extra innings, making the final out with the game-tying run in scoring position. 'Nooga took an early lead in the bottom of the first on a Ryan Walker RBI single that scored Zach Granite, but they fell behind the Blue Wahoos after surrendering a run each in the second and third innings and they never regained the lead. Chattanooga managed eight hits and five walks, but just didn't have enough to overcome that early deficit. Zach Granite (2-5, with a run scored) and Stuart Turner (3-4 with a solo home run) were the only Lookouts hitters with multiple hits. Shannon Wilkerson had a solo home run of his own as well, hitting in the nine-spot. Aaron Slegers was the pitcher of record for the Lookouts, he started and went 4.1 innings with four earned runs off of six hits. He also walked four and struck out three. In the middle of the fifth, Mike Strong took over for Slegers and induced a double play to get the Lookouts out of a jam, but then gave up a run in the sixth, to put Chattanooga down 5-3. Luke Westphal then pitched three scoreless innings of one-hit baseball, giving up a walk and striking out four. Westphal now owns a 1.80 ERA. Final: Blue Wahoos 5, Lookouts 4 MIRACLE MATTERS Bradenton Marauders @ Fort Myers Box Score The Miracle used a three-run seventh inning to secure a victory, despite being outhit 14-10. Of the 10 Miracle hits, five were clustered between just two hiiters, Edgar Corcino (2-4 with a double and a run scored) and Max Murphy (3-3 with a double and a walk). No other Miracle hitter had multple hits. As a team, Fort Myers struck out twelve times and walked just twice, so they're clearly learning from the Big League club! Miracle Starter Keaton Steele pitched six innings of two-run baseball but left without a decision, despite earning a quality start. Brandon Peterson vultured a W to move to 2-0 thanks to that big seventh inning. Brian Gilbert came on to start the eighth and laid an egg, giving up a run and two hits, and walking a pair without recording a single out. Todd Van Steensel came in to save the day with a two inning save, his third of the year. Van Steensel gave up just one hit and struck out three, facing the minimum thanks to a pitcher-friendly double play. Final: Marauders 3, Miracle 4 KERNELS KORNER Cedar Rapids @ Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Box Score It does not seem fair to say that a team of young men working as hard as they can to win a game don't deserve a victory, but it sure felt like the Kernels tried their best to give this game away. Up 5-4 in the bottom of the ninth, the Kernels gave up a leadoff home run to the Rattlers' cleanup hitter and then gave up the game winner an inning later to lose in walk-off fashion. The Kernels tallied 12 hits on Thursday evening, two each from Luis Arraez and Sean Miller, and three from J.J. Fernandez, who had the best night in the system (3-4, two doubles, two runs scored, a walk and a strike out). On the bump, the Kernels went with a bullpen game, giving two innings to "starter" Andro Cutura, who walked three and struck out three but kept Wisconsin off the board. Kuo Hua Lo gave up three runs, all UNEARNED, over 2.2 innings, but he walked four along with the four strikeouts he recorded. Sam Gibbons was then charged with a blown save (his first of the year) giving up a run before turning the game over to C.K. Irby. Irby, ever the competitor, made sure to outdo Gibbons, and Irby picked up both a blown save and the loss, giving up a run in the ninth and tenth innings to lose the game. Irby struck out five, walked one and gave up three hits. Final: Kernels 5, TimberRattlers 6 (10 innings) TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY Hitter of the Day - J.J. Fernandez - Cedar Rapids Kernels Pitcher of the Day - Todd Van Steensel - Fort Myers Miracle FRIDAY'S PROBABLES Syracuse Chiefs @ Rochester (6:05pm) - A.J. Cole vs. Jason Wheeler (1-1, 1.80) Pensacola Blue Wahoos @ Chattanooga (6:15pm) - Amir Garrett vs. Ryan Eades (1-2 5.70) Fort Myers @ St. Lucie Mets (5:30pm) - Felix Jorge (2-2, 1.38) vs. Scarlyn Reyes Cedar Rapids @ Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (6:35pm) - Sam Clay (2-1, 0.95) vs. Miguel Diaz Please ask questions and discuss the Thursday games. Click here to view the article

It has been more than 24 hours since the last time the Twins lost, which is a pretty big deal here in Twins territory. The Twins MiLB affiliates went 1-3 on the day but they had a couple of nice performances to make up for the poor results. Continue reading to find out more detail about Thursday in the Twins farm system: RED WINGS REPORT Gwinnett Braves @ Rochester Box Score Byron Buxton, heard of him? He hit leadoff for the Wings and was 2-5 with a run scored and a strike out. He also stole a base. Speed kills, you guys. James Beresford had himself a day, 3-4 with a double and a run scored. Buck Britton, who, I assume, is hoping to capitalize on the excellent alliteration that he shares with Byron Buxton, was 2-4 with a double and a run scored, the only other Rochester hitter with multiple hits. As a squad, the Red Wings struck out six times and walked three times. Rochester starter David Martinez (who?! 2005 international free agent signee by the Astros, bounced to the Texas Rangers MiLB system in 2015 before joining the Twins in 2016) fell behind early, giving up a pair of runs in the first, another in the third, and a fourth in the fifth (which proved to be the game winner) before being lifted. Martinez finished with four runs, all earned, on nine hits, a walk, a dinger, and he struck out five. The bullpen was dominant behind Martinez, giving up just one hit over the next four innings, with 1.1 innings from Dan Runzler, 1.2 from Alex Wimmers, and a scoreless ninth from Buddy Boshers. Boshers now owns a 1.15 ERA and could be the next man up if the Twins bullpen continues to struggle. Final: Braves 4, Red Wings 3 LOOKOUTS LOOK-IN Pensacola Blue Wahoos @ Chattanooga Box Score The Lookouts dealt with a mid-game rain delay in the sixth inning, then turned in a strong bullpen performance and nearly put the game into extra innings, making the final out with the game-tying run in scoring position. 'Nooga took an early lead in the bottom of the first on a Ryan Walker RBI single that scored Zach Granite, but they fell behind the Blue Wahoos after surrendering a run each in the second and third innings and they never regained the lead. Chattanooga managed eight hits and five walks, but just didn't have enough to overcome that early deficit. Zach Granite (2-5, with a run scored) and Stuart Turner (3-4 with a solo home run) were the only Lookouts hitters with multiple hits. Shannona Wilkerson had a solo home run of his own as well, hitting in the nine-spot. Aaron Slegers was the pitcher of record for the Lookouts, he started and went 4.1 innings with four earned runs off of six hits. He also walked four and struck out three. In the middle of the fifth, Mike Strong took over for Slegers and induced a double play to get the Lookouts out of a jam, but then gave up a run in the sixth, to put Chattanooga down 5-3. Luke Westphal then pitched three scoreless innings of one-hit baseball, giving up a walk and striking out four. Westphal now owns a 1.80 ERA. Final: Blue Wahoos 5, Lookouts 4 MIRACLE MATTERS Bradenton Marauders @ Fort Myers Box Score The Miracle used a three-run seventh inning to secure a victory, despite being outhit 14-10. Of the 10 Miracle hits, 5 were clustered between just two hiiters, Edgar Corcino (2-4 with a double and a run scored) and Max Murphy (3-3 with a double and a walk). No other Miracle hitter had multple hits. As a team, Fort Myers struck out twelve times and walked just twice, so they're clearly learning from the Big League club! Miracle Starter Keaton Steele pitched six innings of two-run baseball but left without a decision, despite earning a quality start. Brandon Peterson vultured a W to move to 2-0 thanks to that big seventh inning. Brian Gilbert came on to start the eighth and laid an egg, giving up a run and two hits, and walking a pair without recording a single out. Todd Van Steensel came in to save the day with a two inning save, his third of the year. Van Steensel gave up just one hit and struck out three, facing the minimum thanks to a pitcher-friendly double play. Final: Marauders 3, Miracle 4 KERNELS KORNER Cedar Rapids @ Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Box Score It does not seem fair to say that a team of young men working as hard as they can to win a game don't deserve a victory, but it sure felt like the Kernels tried their best to give this game away. Up 5-4 in the bottom of the ninth, the Kernels gave up a leadoff home run to the Rattlers' cleanup hiiter and then gave up the game winner an inning later to lose in walk-off fashion. The Kernels tallied 12 hits on Thursday evening, two each from Luis Arraez and Sean Miller, and three from J.J. Fernandez, who had the best night in the system (3-4, two doubles, two runs scored, a walk and a strike out). On the bump, the Kernels went with a bullpen game, giving two innings to "starter" Andro Cutura, who walked three and struck out three but kept Wisconsin off the board. Kuo Hua Lo gave up three runs, all UNEARNED, over 2.2 innings, but he walked four along with the four strike outs he recorded. Sam Gibbons was then charged with a blown save (his first of the year) giving up a run before turning the game over to C.K. Irby. Irby, ever the competitor, made sure to outdo Gibbons, and Irby picked up both a blown save and the loss, giving up a run in the ninth and tenth innings to lose the game. Irby struke out five, walked one and gave up three hits. Final: Kernels TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY Hitter of the Day - J.J. Fernandez - Cedar Rapids Kernels Pitcher of the Day - Todd Van Steensel - Fort Myers Miracle FRIDAY'S PROBABLES Syracuse Chiefs @ Rochester (6:05pm) - A.J. Cole vs. Jason Wheeler (1-1, 1.80) Pensacola Blue Wahoos @ Chattanooga (6:15pm) - Amir Garrett vs. Ryan Eades (1-2 5.70) Fort Myers @ St. Lucie Mets (5:30pm) - Felix Jorge (2-2, 1.38) vs. Scarlyn Reyes Cedar Rapids @ Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (6:35pm) - Sam Clay (2-1, 0.95) vs. Miguel Diaz Please ask questions and discuss the Thursday games. -ERolf

With the day off as they traveled to Chicago, the Minnesota Twins used the free time to make a series of roster moves. Mike Berardino reported that they had placed Tommy Milone and Casey Fien on waivers. With Ervin Santana set to return on Saturday, and Kyle Gibson making good progress on the DL and set to return as early as next week, the Twins have a chance to make a couple of short-term call ups to fill the roster. It hasn't been officially announced yet, but there are reports indicating that catcher Juan Centeno will be called up from Rochester and that John Ryan Murphy will be sent down in his place. Continue reading to find out more detail about Thursday in the Twins farm system:RED WINGS REPORT Rochester @ Pawtucket PawSox Rained out. Will be played as part of a doubleheader on Saturday. LOOKOUTS LOOK-IN Chattanooga @ Mobile Bay Bears Box Score Chattanooga rallied from a 5-1 deficit to tie the game at five in the top of the eighth inning, but ultimately lost the game on a ninth inning walk-off home run from Ronnie Freeman. Freeman was a Lookouts killer all night, he was 2-4 with a pair of home runs and three RBIs. Starter David Hurlbut pitched three effective innings for Chattanooga before giving up a run in the fourth and then four more in the fifth. Hurlbut left the game down 5-1, having surrendered nine hits and a pair of home runs. Mike Strong and Mason Melotakis made quick work of the Bay Bears in the sixth and seventh innings, sending them down in order. In the eighth, with the Lookouts back in the game, Luke Westphal gave up back to back line drive singles and was lifted for Trevor Hildenberger before he recorded an out. Hildenberger sent the next three Loons back to the dugout and the Lookouts escaped without allowing another run. Hildenberger fared less well when he headed out for the ninth and gave up the game winner. Daniel Palka had another big night, 2-4 with a home run and and an RBI. Travis Harrison was 2-4 as well, and Joe Maloney was 2-4 with a double. Final: Lookouts 5, Bay Bears 6 MIRACLE MATTERS St. Lucie Mets @ Fort Myers Box Score The Miracle had 10 hits but were just 3-12 with runners in scoring position, stranded seven, and fell to the St. Lucie Mets who feasted on Miracle pitching, scoring eight runs. Starter Keaton Steele gave up most of the damage, going just four innings. He gave up seven hits, seven runs (six earned), four walks, struck out three and was charged with a throwing error. He was lifted for Brian Gilbert who pitched a pair of innings and gave up just a single run. Todd Van Steensel pitched two scoreless innings to lower his ERA to 1.38, and Raul Fernandez pitched a scoreless ninth to lower his ERA to 1.23. There were those 10 hits for the Miracle, but just one of the extra-base variety, and no walks. Despite the 10 knocks, only Logan Wade had multiple hits, going 3-4 with the lone extra-base hit, a double, and two RBIs. Final: Mets 8, Miracle 3 KERNELS KORNER Cedar Rapids @ Great Lakes Loons Box Score The Kernels could not manage a hit off of the Great Lakes Loons until midway through the sixth inning, and could not scrape together any runs, falling in a three-hit shutout. Alexander Hermeling, the Loons' starting pitcher, was making his first career start and carried the no-hitter through four scoreless innings before being lifted for a replacement. The Kernels' Jermaine Palacios broke up the no-hitter in the sixth inning with a single off of Great Lakes' reliever Philip Pfeifer. Zander Wiel and Rafael Valera both managed a double, but the Kernels were 0-10 with runners in scoring position, stranding all six of their base-runners. As a team, the Kernels struck out 12 times and walked just once. Starter Sam Gibbons took his third loss of the year, falling to 1-3 with 4.1 innings of three-run baseball. Gibbons gave up just two hits, and struck out eight, but he walked five Loons. Gibbons was replaced by Michael Theofanopoulos when down 2-0; the reliever threw a wild pitch to the first batter he saw to extend the Great Lakes lead to 3-0. Theofanopoulos, Kuo Hua Lo and C.K. Irby held the Loons scoreless the rest of the way. C.K. Irby had another scoreless outing and retains a 0.00 ERA through his first 12.2 innings of the season, spread over eight games. I put Irby's image up at the top of the page, how handsome is this guy? SWOON! Final: Kernels 0, Loons 3 TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY Hitter of the Day - Logan Wade - Fort Myers Miracle Pitcher of the Day - C.K. Irby - Cedar Rapids Kernels FRIDAY'S PROBABLES Rochester @ Pawtucket (6:05pm) - Andrew Albers (0-0, 8.44) vs. Roenis Elias Chattanooga @ Mobile (7:05pm) - Omar Bencomo (0-1, 5.40) vs. Anthony Banda St. Lucie @ Fort Myers (6:05pm) - Ricky Knapp vs. Felix Jorge (1-2, 1.40) Cedar Rapids @ Great Lakes (6:05pm) - Sam Clay (2-0, 0.79) vs. TBD Please ask questions and discuss the Thursday games. -ERolf Click here to view the article

With the day off of baseball as they traveled to Chicago, the Minnesota Twins used the free time to make a series of roster moves. They waived Tommy Milone and Casey Fien before Thursday's game. With Ervin Santana set to return on Saturday, and Kyle Gibson making good progress on the DL and set to return as early as next week, the Twins have a chance to make a couple of short-term call ups to fill the roster. It hasn't been officially announced yet, but there are reports indicating that catcher Juan Centeno will be called up from Rochester and that John Ryan Murphy will be sent down in his place. Continue reading to find out more detail about Thursday in the Twins farm system: RED WINGS REPORT Rochester @ Pawtucket PawSox Rained out. Will be played as part of a doubleheader on Saturday. LOOKOUTS LOOK-IN Chattanooga @ Mobile Bay Bears Box Score Chattanooga rallied from a 5-1 deficit to tie the game at five in the top of the eighth inning, but ultimately lost the game on a ninth inning walk-off home run from Ronnie Freeman. Freeman was a Lookouts killer all night, he was 2-4 with a pair of home runs and three RBI. Starter David Hurlbut pitched three effective innings for Chattanooga before giving up a run in the fourth and then four more in the fifth. Hurlbut left the game down 5-1, having surrendered nine hits, and a pair of home runs. Mike Strong and Mason Melotakis made quick work of the Bay Bears in the sixth and seventh innings, sending them down in order. In the eighth, with the Lookouts back in the game, Luke Westphal gave up back to back line drive singles and was lifted for Trevor Hildenberger before he recorded an out. Hildenberger sent the next three Loons back to the dugout and the Lookouts escaped without allowing another run. Hildenberger fared less well when he headed out for the ninth and gave up the game winner. Daniel Palka had another big night, 2-4 with a home run and and RBI. Travis Harrison was 2-4 as well, and Joe Maloney was 2-4 with a double. Final: Lookouts 5, Bay Bears 6 MIRACLE MATTERS St. Lucie Mets @ Fort Myers Box Score The Miracle had 10 hits but were just 3-12 with runners in scoring position, stranding seven runners, and fell to the St. Lucie Mets who feasted on Miracle pitching, scoring eight runs. Starter Keaton Steele gave up most of the damage, going just four innings. He gave up seven hits, seven runs (six earned), four walks, struck out three and was charged with a throwing error. He was lifted for Brian Gilbert who pitched a pair of innings and gave up just a single run. Todd Van Steensel pitched two scoreless innings to lower his ERA to 1.38, and Raul Fernandez pitched a scoreless ninth to lower his ERA to 1.23. There were those 10 hits for the miracle, but just one extra base hit, and no walks to give the Miracle extra base runners. Despite the 10 hits, only Logan Wade had multiple hits, with a 3-4 night with the lone extra base hit, a double, and two RBIs. Final: Mets 8, Miracle 3 KERNELS KORNER Cedar Rapids @ Great Lakes Loons Box Score The Kernels could not manage a hit off of the Great Lakes Loons until midway through the sixth inning, and could not scrape together any runs, falling in a three-hit shutout. Alexander Hermeling, the Loons' starting pitcher, was making his first career start and carried the no-hitter through four scoreless innings before being lifted for a replacement. The Kernels' Jermaine Palacios broke up the no-hitter in the sixth inning with a single off of Great Lakes' reliever Philip Pfeifer. Zander Wiel and Rafael Valera both managed a double, but the Kernels were 0-10 with runners in scoring position, stranding all six of their base runners. As a team, the Kernels struck out 12 times and walked just once. Starter Sam Gibbons took his third loss of the year, falling to 1-3 with 4.1 innings of 3-run baseball. Gibbons gave up just two hits, and struck out eight, but he walked five Loons. Gibbons was replaced down 2-0 by Michael Theofanopoulos who threw a wild pitch to the first batter he saw to extend the Great Lakes lead to 3-0. Theofanopoulos, Kuo Hua Lo and C.K. Irby held the Loons scoreless the rest of the way. C.K. Irby had another scoreless outing and retains a 0.00 ERA through his first 12.2 innings of the season, spread over eight games. I put Irby's image up at the top of the page, how handsome is this guy? SWOON! Final: Kernels 0, Loons 3 TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY Hitter of the Day - Logan Wade - Fort Myers Miracle Pitcher of the Day - C.K. Irby - Cedar Rapids Kernels FRIDAY'S PROBABLES Rochester @ Pawtucket (6:05pm) - Andrew Albers (0-0, 8.44) vs. Roenis Elias Chattanooga @ Mobile (7:05pm) - Omar Bencomo (0-1, 5.40) vs. Anthony Banda St. Lucie @ Fort Myers (6:05pm) - Ricky Knapp vs. Felix Jorge (1-2, 1.40) Cedar Rapids @ Great Lakes (6:05pm) - Sam Clay (2-0, 0.79) vs. TBD Please ask questions and discuss the Thursday games. -ERolf

Jeremy - can I have a hug? I'm lonely. And sad. The Twins are bad. So bad.

Sure, he struggled in the first inning, and didn't have all of his stuff, but for a guy that was pitching an inning at a time a year ago, throwing gas after 90 pitches is a good sign. Maybe this guy won't be the disaster pick so many feared on draft day.

Last year the Twins selected Tyler Jay, a college closer from the University of Illinois, with their first selection in the draft. Jay spent the rest of 2015 in the bullpen, but has been stretched out and is starting games for the Fort Myers Miracle. You will find more about his start below, but I wanted to lead with this gem from Seth Stohs, Sounds like Jay is having no problems maintaining his velocity late into his start. Transaction Report: The Chattanooga Lookouts activated shortstop Engelb Vielma from the disabled list and to make room for him on the roster catcher Carlos Paulino was promoted to the Rochester Red Wings. Continue reading to find out more detail about Thursday in the Twins farm system: RED WINGS REPORT Pawtucket Paw Sox @ Rochester Box Score Jose Berrios had his best start of the season and helped the Red Wings snap a five-game losing streak. Berrios pitched 7.0 innings, gave up just two hits, walked only one and struck out seven. Berrios' ERA on the year is now just 1.06. Pitching like this, it cannot be much longer before Twins fans see Berrios in the Big Leagues. Berrios was finished after the seventh and Brandon Kintzler pitched 1.1 innings of shutout ball before handing things over to Taylor Rogers to finish off the game and preserve the shutout. Neither Kintzler or Rogers struck out a batter, or walked one. The Red Wings only needed one run with the way the pitching staff shut down the Paw Sox, but the Wings put up five runs (three earned), for good measure. The Red Wings used a fairly balanced attack as every hitter had either or a hit or a walk, and seven of the nine hitters had either a run scored or an RBI. Kennys Vargas , who was 1-4 on the night with an RBI and a strike out, hit a double. Vargas has a 16/4 stirkeout-to-walk ratio right now, and is hitting just .184 with four extra base hits all year, all doubles. John Hicks was 2-3 and scored a run on a solo home run. And Heiker Meneses was 1-4 with four strike outs but also recorded a triple. Final: Paw Sox 0, Red Wings 5 LOOKOUTS LOOK-IN Chattanooga @ Mississippi Braves Box Score Not to be totally out done by Jose Berrios and Tyler Jay, Ryan Eades had a nice evening on Thursday night as well. Eades pitched five innings of one run ball, struck out five, and gave up just four hits and one run. Despite giving up just one run, Eades was tagged with the loss as the Lookouts bats were unable to make sense of Braves starter Brandon Barker. After Eades left the game down 1-0, Reliever Brett Lee gave up three runs in the sixth to put Chattanooga in a 4-0 hole with just nine outs left to play with. Brandon Peterson pitched the final two innings for the Lookouts, striking out one and facing the minimum in both the seventh and eighth innings. Two Lookouts hitters had multi-hit nights, Daniel Palka who was 2-3 with a walk, and Levi Michael, 2-3 with run scored. The freshly activated Engelb Vielma was 0-4 hitting in the ninth spot. None of the Lookouts seven hits were for extra bases and they managed just three walks against eleven strikeouts. Final: Lookouts 2, Braves 4 MIRACLE MATTERS Jupiter Hammerheads @ Fort Myers Box Score Despite throwing gas deep into his start against the Hammerheads, the Miracle's Tyler Jay's first inning sunk Fort Myers on Thursday night, losing the series in the process. Jay was tagged for three runs in the top of the first after a walk to the leadoff hitter and three straight singles to begin the game. Tyler Jay finished the game with 5.0 innings pitched, giving up five hits, three runs, three walks and he struck out six. Raul Fernandez pitched 2.0 innings of scoreless relief before turning things over to Luke Bard for the eighth striking out two of the three hitters he faced. Todd Van Steensel pitched the ninth and gave up a leadoff walk and eventually balked in a run. The Miracle actually outhit the Hammerheads 9-7, but were just 1-9 with runners in scoring position, leaving nine men on base. Chris Paul was 3-5 with two doubles and an RBI to lead the Miracle attack. Trey Vavra, 2-4 with a run scored was the only other Miracle hitter with multiple hits. Final: Hammerheads 4, Miracle 2 KERNELS KORNER Cedar Rapids @ Clinton LumberKings Postponed due to rain, the game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Saturday. TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY Hitter of the Day - Chris Paul - Fort Myers Miracle Pitcher of the Day - Jose Berrios - Rochester Red Wings FRIDAY'S PROBABLES Buffalo @ Rochester (5:35pm, MiLB.tv) - Chris Leroux vs. Logan Darnell (0-2, 6.17) Birmingham @ Chattanooga (6:15pm) - Tyler Danish vs. Jason Wheeler (0-1, 2.65) Charlotte @ Fort Myers (6:05pm) - Brent Honeywell vs. Keaton Steele (0-1, 2.53) Cedar Rapids @ Clinton (6:30pm) - Sam Gibbons (1-1, 4.66) vs. Nick Wells Please ask questions and discuss the Thursday games. -ERolf

Thanks!

That's the scouting report, but I can't confirm how WELL he does those things.

He has as recently as Spring Training, with some hot lines buzzed into his temples, not sure if it is still his look. Couldn't immediately find images from this start.

We'll see what happens when he's regularly facing more advanced hurlers, but for now, really great to see those contact skills.

Couldn't agree more on these three observations. Love the talent the Twins have in the system, lots of quality arms, plenty that could come up and work in the bullpen with a little bit of work on command and secondary stuff. And with the current state of the bullpen, have to think they'll start trying sooner rather than later.

Taylor Rogers, an eleventh round pick in 2012 out of the University of Kentucky, made his MLB debut this afternoon against the Chicago White Sox. Rogers pitched 0.2 innings and gave up just one hit. Rogers spent all of 2015 with the Red Wings as a starter, compiling an 11-12 record with a 3.98 ERA. Finished off the 2015 season with 25 innings in the Arizona Fall League, going 2-2 with a 2.88 ERA but struggled with command walking 11 hitters. Rogers made just one appearance (out of the bullpen) for the Red Wings in 2016, pitching two scoreless innings. Transaction Report: As Seth wrote earlier today, the Twins signed MLB veteran outfielder David Murphy to a Minor League deal, and he'll be reporting to Rochester on Friday. Rochester also activated Stephen Wickens from the DL. Chattanooga added infielder TJ White from Fort Myers to replace shortstop Engelb Vielma, who went to the DL with a hamstring strain. The TJ White promotion resulted in a chain of moves with Chris Paul being promoted to Fort Myers from Cedar Rapids, and Manuel Guzman joining Cedar Rapids from extended Spring Training. Continue reading to find out more detail about Thursday in the Twins farm system: RED WINGS REPORT Rochester @ Buffalo Bisons Box Score Rochester was in Buffalo on Thursday afternoon facing the Buffalo Bisons and former Minnesota Twins pitcher Scott Diamond. Scott Diamond gave the Bisons a workman like 7.0 innings of 6 hit, 1 run ball to go along with six strikeouts, really keeping the Red Wings' bats at bay. Only Buck Britton (on of my favorite names in the Twins farm system) managed more than one hit. He had two, one was the Red Wings' only extra base hit of the day, a run scoring double in the top of the 6th inning to give Rochester a short-lived lead. Britton was a one man machine for the Red Wings. Big bopper, Kennys Vargas, was 0-3 with a walk and no strike outs. Also a one man show - Pat Dean. Pat Dean pitched 8.0 innings of 5 hit, 2 run ball (1 earned) and was charged with the loss to fall to 0-2 despite a shiny 2.08 ERA. Dean induced 14 ground ball outs, but did not record a single strike out. Dean was cruising through five before a Dalton Pompey double followed by an Andy Burns RBI single knotted the game at 1-1. An inning later, Jesus Montero (yes, that Jesus Montero) reached on a throwing error by third basement Heiker Meneses and was eventually doubled in by Junior Lake, giving the Bisons the lead, and ultimately the ball game. Final: Red Wings 1, Bisons 2 Alex Meyer will make his first start of the 2016 season on Friday. Meyer previously pitched 4.0 scoreless innings of relief on April 10th against Scranton. LOOKOUTS LOOK-IN Jackson Generals @ Chattanooga Box Score After his first game back at third base since 2014 last night, Travis Harrison was back in the outfield on Thursday night. He finished the evening just 1-5 and is hitting just .214 on the year. Dan Palka came into Thursday's game with a team leading four-game hitting streak and extended his streak to five games with an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth. Mitch Garver was the big offensive force for the Lookouts, their only multi-hit player of the evening, 2-3 with two walks, an RBI and a strike out. The real story of this game isn't just these individual performances, but the way the team rallied, down six runs. The Lookouts got a big crooked number in the sixth with five runs, and four more in the seventh to come from behind and take the game 11-8. With just one hitter with multiple hits, this was a big team effort. David Hurlbut, the only Lookouts starter to record a decision in every game he started last year, left Thursday's game without a decision. Hurlbut pitched just 4.0 innings, surrendering five runs (just two earned), on six hits, two walks, a home run and three strike outs. In addition to 17 starts for Chattanooga in 2015, Hurlbut also threw briefly for the Miracle after starting the season on the DL, and made a spot start for the Rochester Red Wings. Hurlbut throws a 90+ mph fastball and will mix in a cutter, change and slider. Hurlbut gave way to Mike Strong in the top of the fifth with Chattanooga down 5-2. Strong gave up a double and then walked the next two batters he faced before being lifted for Corey Williams. All three of Strong's runners would eventually come around to score before the inning was over. With the Lookouts down down 8-2, the pitching staff shut down the Generals for the next four innings. Corey Williams would pitch two scoreles innings, Jake Reed earned the W with two scoreless innings of his own, and J.T. Chargois picked up his first save of the year with a scoreless ninth inning. Final: Generals 8, Lookouts 11 MIRACLE MATTERS Brevard County Manatees @ Fort Myers Box Score Tanner English led off the bottom of the first inning with a solo home run to left center field. The Miracle would add on two more runs in the bottom of the first to go out in front 3-0 and held the lead the rest of the way. As a team, Fort Myers racked up 13 hits and 5 walks to counter seven strike outs. Tanner English was 2-4 with that home run, a single, and a walk. Logan Wade had a multi-hit night as well, 2-5 with an RBI. Chad Christensen and Austin Diemer also had a pair of hits. Diemer also added a stolen base. Defensively, the Miracle had a poor night, kicking things off with a fielding error by third basement Chris Paul on the first hitter of the night. The Miracle would commit three more errors in the first six innings. Kohl Stewart, starting his second game of the year, was unfazed by the poor defense behind him, going 6.0 innings with 6 strikeouts and just one walk. Stewart allowed just one hit and moved his record to 1-0 while lowering his ERA to 1.50. Raul Fernandez replaced Stewart and covered the seventh and eighth innings without allowing an earned run, but not without some trouble, walking three batters, allowing a pair of hits and being charged with an unearned run. Brian Gilbert allowed another run in the ninth, walking one, giving up one hit, and he stuck out one. Final: Manatees 2, Miracle 7 KERNELS KORNER Clinton Lumber Kings @ Cedar Rapids Box Score The Lumber Kings put a run on the board in the top of the first inning to put the Kernels down 1-0, but they rallied in the bottom half of the inning with three runs of their own. Kernels starting pitcher Andro Cutura would allow one more run in the top of the third, but otherwise pitched a very solid 6.0 innings. Cutura gave up just two hits, walked two, struck out six and was charged with two runs (one earned). Cutura is now 2-0 for the Kernels with a 2.45 ERA. Cutura was replaced by C. K. Iby who pitched two scoreless innings of relief and Nick Anderson finished the game for Cedar Rapids to seal the victory. The Kernels leadoff man Luis Arraez put on a show with a home run and a pair of singles as part of a 3-4 night with two runs scored and two RBIs. Rafael Valera and LaMonte Wade, hitting second and third, were each 2-4, giving the Kernels seven hits from the top of their order. Sean Miller, the number eight hitter, also picked up a pair of hits, 2-3 with two runs scored. All told the Kernels had 11 hits, 4 for extra bases. Final: Lumber Kings 3, Kernels 7 TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY Hitter of the Day - Luis Arraez - Cedar Rapids Kernels Pitcher of the Day - Kohl Stewart - Fort Myers Miracle FRIDAY'S PROBABLES Rochester @ Buffalo (5:05pm, MiLB.tv) - Alex Meyer (0-0, 0.00) vs. Wade LeBlanc Jackson @ Chattanooga (6:15pm) - Sam Gaviglio vs. Aaron Slegers (0-0, 3.00) Fort Myers @ Daytona (6:05pm) - Tyler Jay (1-0, 1.80) vs. TBD Clinton @ Cedar Rapids (6:35pm) - Kyle Wilcox vs. Sam Gibbons (1-0, 1.80) Please ask questions and discuss the Thursday games. -ERolf

The Scottsdale Scorpions, who host Twins prospects this season in the Arizona Fall League, had a strong week, going 4-1 before Saturday's Fall Stars Game, which featured Twins Adam Brett Walker and Mitch Garver for the East Fall Stars. The East Fall Stars fell 8-3 against the West despite an early 2-0 lead. Read on to check out how each prospect did in week four of the 2015 Arizona Fall League season!Adam Brett Walker - 3 games, 4/11, 3R, 2B, 3B, HR, 6 RBI, BB, 5K, SB (Fall Stars Game - 0/2, 2K) Walker struggled on Monday night, 0-3 with a pair of strike outs, his worst performance of the week. On Wednesday, after a day off, Walker made up for his dreadful Monday performance by going 2-5 with a pair of RBIs on a triple and a home run, as part of an 8-2 Scottsdale drubbing of Peoria. He also collected another pair of strikeouts. Walker led the Scorpions to victory on Friday night with four RBI on a 2-3 night that included a three-run double in the bottom of the sixth. Stuart Turner - 2 games, 1/5, 2R, RBI, 3 BB, 2K, 1 CS Turner was 0-3 on Monday night, with a pair of strike outs, but did work a walk and eventually came around to score as part of a five run fourth for the Scorpions. On Thursday evening, Turner was 1-2 with a pair of walks, a run scored, and an RBI. Mitch Garver - 3 games, 2/7, 1R, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 5 BB, 2K, 2SB (Fall Stars Game - 0/1, K) Garver was 1-2 with a double and two walks on Tuesday evening, but it wasn't enough as the Saguaros held the Scorpions scoreless. Garver backed up his Tuesday performances with another strong game on Wednesday, 1-2 with THREE walks, a double, and an RBI. Garver also picked up a stolen base. Garver came back down to earth on Friday evening, with a non-eventful 0-3. Nick Burdi - 2 games, 2.0 IP, 1H, 3K, 0BB, 0R In his first game of the week, Burdi entered in the bottom of the eighth looking to preserve a shutout of the Scorpions. Burdi failed to strike anyone out, but a couple of grounders and a fly ball into fall territory made quick work for Burdi, who needed just 14 pitches, eight strikes, to get out of the inning, despite a ground ball single. Back on the mound on Thursday night, Burdi had another strong performance, striking out the side in the eighth on just twelve pitches. Burdi has yet to give up a run in the Fall League. Trevor Hildenberger - 1 game, 1.0 IP, 2H, 1R (earned), 0K, 0BB, HR On Tuesday, Hildenberger struggled in an inning of relief. He entered the game in the fourth with the Scorpions already down 3-0, and gave up a solo home run to left field before retiring the side. Jake Reed - 2 games, 2.0 IP, 1 SV, 2K, 0H, 0R, 0BB Jake Reed needed just six pitches to deal with the Saguaros in the top of the eighth, sending the 2-3-4 hitters down in order. On Thursday night, Jake Reed picked up his second save of the Fall League with a 1-2-3 ninth that included two strike outs and 10 of his 11 pitches went for strikes. Like Burdi, Reed has yet to allow a run this fall. Taylor Rogers - 1 game, W, 4.0 IP, 1H, 1 BB, 2K Rogers pitched four scoreless innings as the starter for the Scorpions this past Monday, sending down the opponents in order in three of his four innings. Rogers got into a little trouble in the third inning, with runners on first and second with just one out, but a strike out and a groundball to short, kept runs off the board. The Scottsdale bullpen preserved the lead and Rogers picked up his second win of the fall. Please feel free to ask questions and discuss the performances during the week! Click here to view the article

The Scottsdale Scorpions, who host Twins prospects this season in the Arizona Fall League, had a strong week, going 4-1 before Saturday's Fall Stars Game, which featured Twins Adam Brett Walker and Mitch Garver for the East Fall Stars. The East Fall Stars fell 8-3 against the West despite an early 2-0 lead. Read on to check out how each prospect did in week four of the 2015 Arizona Fall League season! Adam Brett Walker - 3 games, 4/11, 3R, 2B, 3B, HR, 6 RBI, BB, 5K, SB (Fall Stars Game - 0/2, 2K) Walker struggled on Monday night, 0-3 with a pair of strike outs, his worst performance of the week. On Wednesday, after a day off, Walker made up for his dreadful Monday performance by going 2-5 with a pair of RBIs on a triple and a home run, as part of an 8-2 Scottsdale drubbing of Peoria. He also collected another pair of strikeouts. Walker led the Scorpions to victory on Friday night with four RBI on a 2-3 night that included a three-run double in the bottom of the sixth. Stuart Turner - 2 games, 1/5, 2R, RBI, 3 BB, 2K, 1 CS Turner was 0-3 on Monday night, with a pair of strike outs, but did work a walk and eventually came around to score as part of a five run fourth for the Scorpions. On Thursday evening, Turner was 1-2 with a pair of walks, a run scored, and an RBI. Mitch Garver - 3 games, 2/7, 1R, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 5 BB, 2K, 2SB (Fall Stars Game - 0/1, K) Garver was 1-2 with a double and two walks on Tuesday evening, but it wasn't enough as the Saguaros held the Scorpions scoreless. Garver backed up his Tuesday performances with another strong game on Wednesday, 1-2 with THREE walks, a double, and an RBI. Garver also picked up a stolen base. Garver came back down to earth on Friday evening, with a non-eventful 0-3. Nick Burdi - 2 games, 2.0 IP, 1H, 3K, 0BB, 0R In his first game of the week, Burdi entered in the bottom of the eighth looking to preserve a shutout of the Scorpions. Burdi failed to strike anyone out, but a couple of grounders and a fly ball into fall territory made quick work for Burdi, who needed just 14 pitches, eight strikes, to get out of the inning, despite a ground ball single. Back on the mound on Thursday night, Burdi had another strong performance, striking out the side in the eighth on just twelve pitches. Burdi has yet to give up a run in the Fall League. Trevor Hildenberger - 1 game, 1.0 IP, 2H, 1R (earned), 0K, 0BB, HR On Tuesday, Hildenberger struggled in an inning of relief. He entered the game in the fourth with the Scorpions already down 3-0, and gave up a solo home run to left field before retiring the side. Jake Reed - 2 games, 2.0 IP, 1 SV, 2K, 0H, 0R, 0BB Jake Reed needed just six pitches to deal with the Saguaros in the top of the eighth, sending the 2-3-4 hitters down in order. On Thursday night, Jake Reed picked up his second save of the Fall League with a 1-2-3 ninth that included two strike outs and 10 of his 11 pitches went for strikes. Like Burdi, Reed has yet to allow a run this fall. Taylor Rogers - 1 game, W, 4.0 IP, 1H, 1 BB, 2K Rogers pitched four scoreless innings as the starter for the Scorpions this past Monday, sending down the opponents in order in three of his four innings. Rogers got into a little trouble in the third inning, with runners on first and second with just one out, but a strike out and a groundball to short, kept runs off the board. The Scottsdale bullpen preserved the lead and Rogers picked up his second win of the fall. Please feel free to ask questions and discuss the performances during the week!