Seth Stohs

The Red Wings had not been to the playoffs since 2006. This afternoon in Pawtucket, their season ended with a Game 5 loss in the International League playoffs. Pawtucket scored three runs on four, two-out hits in the second inning, and that was about it for the offense. Virgil Vasquez got the start in Game 5 as there was not a day off in the series. He threw a shutout inning before getting the first two batters of the second inning out. He went three innings and gave up the three runs on four hits. He didn't walk anyone and struck out three. Logan Darnell came on and threw 3.2 scoreless innings, giving up just two hits. He walked none and struck out two. Shairon Martis got the final four outs. The offense did very little, and they did not come up with a big hit in the 6th inning. Knuckleballer Charlie Haeger was still in the game after five shutout innings. However, the top of the order came up. Antoan Richardson singled. James Beresford was hit by a pitch. Eduardo Escobar had an infield single to load the bases with nobody out. Haeger was able to strike out Jeff Clement before he was replaced by Chris Martin. Chris Parmelee came off the bench to pinch hit for Deibinson Romero, and he struck out. Aaron Hicks flew out to center to end the inning. After scoring nine runs on Saturday, the Red Wings managed just four hits on Sunday afternoon. Box Score Following the game, the Twins recalled Michael Tonkin, Chris Parmelee, Cole De Vries, Scott Diamond and Eduardo Escobar. In some surprise, they also will add RHP Shairon Martis and catcher Eric Fryer to the 40 man roster for September. Martis has big league time with the Pirates and Nationals. Fryer played a handful of games with Pittsburgh last year. To make room for Martis and Fryer, the Twins announced that Wilkin Ramirez and Sam Deduno have been moved to the 60 Day Disabled List. photo by milb.com

On Sunday, the Minnesota Twins announced their Florida Instructional League roster. The Florida Instructional League is designed for younger players in the organization to get some extra time and instruction in the Twins' system. There are several 2013 draft picks on this roster, but there are also a lot of players who will be there because they missed time during the season with injury. Some are just there to get some work in before heading to the Arizona Fall League. There are games, but it is really about getting into the finer points of the game, and for those 2013 draftees, a little preview of what will happen next spring when they report for spring training. Here is a look at the Twins roster in Florida: The Pitchers: Jose (JO) Berrios, Brandon Bixler, Madison Boer, Hudson Boyd, Ryan Eades, Brian Gilbert, Stephen Gonsalves, Chih-Wei Hu, CK Irby, Felix Jorge, Yorman Landa, Austin Malinowski, Mason Melotakis, Alex Meyer, Ethan Mildren, Brandon Peterson, Fernando Romero, Randy Rosario, Aaron Slegers, Kohl Stewart, Tyler Stirewalt, Miguel Sulburan, Lewis Thorpe, Alex Wimmers Thoughts: There are some very exciting prospects on this list. The 2013 top pitching draft picks will be there. There is reason for optimism with Kohl Stewart, Stephen Gonsalves, and even Ryan Eades despite unimpressive numbers at Elizabethton. Miguel Sulburan may be invited, in part, to get to know more people in the organization. Randy Rosario ended the Elizabethton season in the DL with some shoulder discomfort, but he is fine and will join fellow E-Twins starters Yorman Landa and Felix Jorge. Alex Meyer will get more work in even before the AFL after missing so much time during the season. The Catchers: Jorge Fernandez, Mitch Garver, Brian Navarreto, Michael Quesada, Alex Swim, Stuart Turner. Thoughts: Jorge Fernandez and Brian Navarreto were both impressive in the GCL. Turner and Garver were top college catchers who got off to a good start in Elizabethton. Quesada completed his 50-game suspension before spending the final months with the Kernels. The Infielders: Niko Goodrum, Travis Harrison, Dalton Hicks, Aderlin Mejia, Levi Michael, Amaurys Minier, Javier Pimentel, Jorge Polanco, Kennys Vargas, Engelb Vielma, Ryan Walker. Thoughts: This is a little older group of prospects, but they are guys with something to work on. I would say that, particularly with infielders, any extra mechanical work will be beneficial. They will work on the hitting side of the game, but I would venture that defense will be a primary focus for this group. That said, there is some serious upside in this group. The Outfielders: Zach Granite, Zach Larson, Jeremias Pineda, Dereck Rodriguez, Adam Walker, JD Williams. Thoughts: Walker and Williams had very solid seasons, but both have some work to do defensively, and even offensively. Rodriguez has so much talent, but he keeps getting hurt, so this is an opportunity for him to get more work in. Larson was a late-round pick last year who put together a very nice 2013. There is the list of players. Although box scores and any information are difficult to get out of Ft. Myers during the instructional league, it is a good opportunity for these young players.

This much can be said. When the Rochester Red Wings have been in absolute need of a win, the bats have come through in big style. It has also helped to have Scott Diamond making those starts. That was again the case on Saturday night in Pawtucket. As you recall, on Labor Day, the final day of the regular season, the Red Wings needed to win and get a loss from Norfolk. Durham helped the Twins by beating the Tide in extra innings. The Red Wings scored nine first inning runs and beat Scranton/Wilkes Barre 13-3 behind a quality start from Diamond. On Friday, the Paw Sox topped the Red Wings to take a 2-1 series lead in this best of five series. That meant that the Red Wings were in a must-win situation in Game 4, and they would send Diamond to the mound. How did it go... See below! (or look at the title of this article) Diamond came through with seven shutout innings for the Red Wings. He gave up seven hits, walked none and struck out eight batters in the game. He had been 4-0 with a 2.41 ERA in the regular season with the Red Wings. After a scoreless eighth inning, AJ Achter gave up a run on two walks and a hit in the ninth for a final 9-1 score. The offense came up big again in a big game, and they were able to coast somewhat after a big fifth inning to break open the game and give them an 8-0 lead. The Anatomy of the Big Inning The Red Wings were up just 2-0 going into the fifth inning against Red Sox first-round pick Matt Barnes. Ray Olmedo and Eric Fryer led off with back-to-back singles. Following a wild pitch, Antoan Richardson walked to load the bases and end Barnes' night. In came Alex Wilson to face James Beresford. He got a ground ball back to himself, but a throwing error scored a run and kept the bases loaded. Eduardo Escobar singled to score one more run. With the bases loaded, Jeff Clement drove in two with an opposite field double. Deibinson Romero singled to score Escobar. An Aaron Hicks double scored one more. Wilson got a strikeout for the inning's first out, but his night was done. Jose de La Torres came on and got the final two outs. All nine Red Wings starters had at least one hit in the game. Clement led the way. He went 3-5 with two doubles and drove in three runs. Deibinson Romero was 3-4 with a walk and a double. Eric Farris was the only other hitter with two hits. On- base machine Antoan Richardson was back in the leadoff spot and went 1-3 with two walks. With the Jacoby Ellsbury foot issues, the Red Sox called up outfielder Jackie Bradley, Jr., following Game 3. What's Next? Game 5 will be played on Sunday afternoon at 12:05 (central time). According to play-by-play man Josh Whetzel, the Red Wings will likely send Virgil Vasquez to the mound opposite knuckleballer Charlie Haeger.

After the Ft. Myers Miracle and Cedar Rapids Kernels lost their playoff series in recent days, this Minor League Report is now basically just a Rochester Red Wings Report. It will be that way for at least one more day. The Red Wings lost 5-1 on Friday night in Pawtucket to fall behind 2-1 in the best of five series against the Red Sox affiliate. After seeing top prospect Anthony Ranaudo in Game 1 and Clay Buchholz in Game 2, the Red Wings faced knuckleballer Steven Wright in Game 3. The Red Wings got plenty of offense. They had nine hits in the game and walked five times, but unfortunately were not able to come up with a big hit and scored just one. Ray Olmedo went 2-4 with a double and drove in the lone run of the night for Rochester. Aaron Hicks was also 2-4 and had a double. Eric Farris was 2-3. James Beresford continued his hot hitting. He was 2-4 with a walk. Chris Parmelee walked twice, but went 0-3 with three strikeouts. Lefty Pat Dan made the start for the Red Wings. In five innings, he gave up four runs (3 earned). He allowed eight hits, walked one and struck one out. Then Trevor May came in to make his AAA debut, and according to Josh Whetzel, his first relief appearance since the 2010 season. In his first inning, he pitched a scoreless inning despite two errors behind him. In three total innings, he gave up one run on three hits and a walk. He struck out three. What's Next? The Red Wings and Paw Sox will play Game 4 in Pawtucket on Saturday night. Scott Diamond will oppose Matt Barnes. Diamond went 4-0 with a 2.41 ERA with the Red Wings. Matt Barnes made 24 starts for the Red Sox AA affiliate in Portland before ending his season with one start with Pawtucket. On the season, he is 48 walks and 142 strikeouts in 113.1 innings pitched. The Red Wings must win to force a Game 5 and continue their season.