Seth Stohs

The Twins had a rough going in the early innings on Tuesday night. In the minor leagues, the Red Wings got a big, late-inning home run that led to a win. The Rock Cats scored nine runs for the second straight game yet they played a game that was close until the ninth. The Miracle won a 1-0 game thanks to great pitching and a big home run from a big prospect. Cedar Rapids’ game was postponed due to rain, but be sure to check out the rest of the Organizational Report. The Twins fell 7-4 to the Royals on Tuesday night, their first two-game losing streak of the season. Mike Pelfrey could only get through two innings for the Twins, but Anthony Swarzak saved the bullpen with four solid innings in relief. Ryan Pressly then pitched two scoreless innings. Eduardo Escobar, batting ninth, led the offense by going 3-4 including his first Major League home run. Josh Willingham was 2-3 with his second homer. Joe Mauer hit his first homer of the season in the first inning. Rochester Red Wings 2, Scranton/WB RailRiders 1 Box Score A day after being named the first International League Player of the Week of 2013, Chris Colabello gave the Twins a 2-1 lead in the top of the ninth with a home run against Mark Montgomery. Anthony Slama came on and needed just nine pitches to close out his first save of the season, the 101st of his minor league career. PJ Walters made his second start of the early season. In this game, he gave up just one run on three hits in 5.1 innings. He walked four and struckout seven. He left the game with a runner on second and one out. Caleb Thielbar came on and struckout the next two batters. In the 7th, Thielbar gave up a hit, but he faced just three batters. With the score still tied, Bruce Pugh got the first two outs of the eighth inning before giving up two singles. Tyler Robertson came on and struckout the batter he faced to end that threat. Slama struckout one in his perfect ninth frame. There was not much offense from either side, but the Red Wings managed just five hits. Brandon Boggs had two of them, including his first double and a sixth-inning home run that tied the game at the time. Kyle Gibson will take the mound for the Red Wings on Wednesday to face right-hander Dellin Betances in a 5:35 central time start. New Britain Rock Cats 9, Harrisburg Senators 7 Box Score The score was tied 5-5 heading into the ninth inning. With two outs and one runner on base, the Rock Cats got singles from Josmil Pinto and Danny Ortiz. They were followed by a two-run triple from Evan Bigley. Bigley then scored the fourth run of the inning on a bunt single by Harold Garcia. It’s fortunate the got some insurance that inning because Harrisburg scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth, but Michael Tonkin was able to end the game before the lead was lost. Logan Darnell started and the lefty gave up just one run in five innings. He gave up five hits and three walks, but he found a way to limit the runs despite zero strikeouts. AJ Achter came in and threw a scoreless innings. He got the first two batters of the 7th inning out, but then a walk was followed by two singles. Jose Gonzalez came in and walked the bases loaded before giving up a bases-clearing triple to Destin Hood. He walked another before getting the final out, but the game was now tied. Bobby Lanigan struckout two in a perfect eighth frame. Michael Tonkin gave up two runs on three hits and two walks in the ninth before getting the third out. There were many contributors on the offensive side of the game as the team scored nine runs for the second straight game. Josmil Pinto went 3-5 with his second double. Danny Santana was 3-5 with a triple. Dan Rohlfing was 2-4 with a double. Nate Hanson and Danny Ortiz each had two hits. Evan Bigley contributed with a big three-run triple. Trevor May will take the mound for the Rock Cats at Harrisburg on Wednesday. Ft. Myers Miracle 1, Jupiter Hammerheads 0 Box Score D.J. Baxendale made his first professional start on Tuesday night and pitched well. The 2012 tenth round pick who pitched in last year's College World Series threw 5.1 scoreless innings. He gave up two hits, walked one and struckout eight. Cole Johnson came on and struckout two and walked one in 1.2 scoreless innings. Zack Jones came in and threw 99 for two scoreless innings for his second save. The Miracle improve to 5-0 on the season for manager Doug Mientkiewicz despite just four hits. Fortunately, one of those hits was a blast off the bat of Miguel Sano for his first home run of the year. [ATTACH=CONFIG]3712[/ATTACH] Tom Stuifbergen will start for the Miracle on Wednesday, at home against Jupiter. The game will begin at 6:05 central time. Cedar Rapids Kernels, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Rained out on Tuesday night. Doubleheader on Wednesday, starting at 5:05. Brett Lee will start the first game before the six-man rotation rolls over and Taylor Rogers gets his second start. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

I don't blame some fans for being outraged. Some fans get outraged over a lot of little stuff. I think the concept is weird, but other teams do it, so I have no problem with the Twins considering it, or looking into it. I think that theTwins likely used social media to gauge fan interest, and the response they heard was quite clear. I'd have to do some research (and won't) but I'm pretty sure that all MLB teams go by pretty much the same pre-game schedule. I wouldn't pay extra for it. I'd love to see them open the gates earlier. But I certainly don't blame them for looking into options and things that other organizaitons are doing.

Benson had some tendonitus early and they weren't playing him every day, and Herrmann is a catcher.

I'd be shocked if Dereck Rodriguez plays in CR this year. He's a raw, toolsy type. He'll spend the year at E-Town. There are several other OF who will likely go to CR before him, like Murphy and Proctor at least. (but i do like Rodriguez's potential) From what I saw, JD Williams looked good, and looked much more confident.

The Twins have not changed the amount of time before games that they allow fans into the stadium. It's been 90 minutes before weeknight games and 2 hours before weekend games. Because of the fan outrage, won't be able to see Twins batting practice. So, I guess, good job!

Guys, I can vouch for the great job that the Territory Train does. Scott's a huge Twins fan, and he really takes care of everything. It's a fun bus ride. I've been on Territory Train trips to Detroit and last year's Prospect Tour (to Quad Cities and Beloit) and it's just a great opportunity. I've said before, it's something where a lot of individuals or small groups get on a bus in the cities, but by the time you get back, you have a big group. It's worth it, so take a look at his link and consider it.

What a strange direction these comments sections take sometimes. $1 million is a ton of money, and I think a high school kid who turned that down to go to college would be pretty rich already, or just a little silly, no matter how much is taken out in taxes. $550,000... that would take me like 18-20 years to make if we account for taxes. The other piece that isn't mentioned here, and I don't know if it's the same for all picks (I assume it is), but typically the signing bonus will also include college tuition. I know a guy who the Twins drafted way back when in the first five rounds. At the time, the signing bonus was still pretty nice. He played in the organization for about 3 years and didn't get out of the rookie leagues yet the Twins still paid for his college education.

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=1538-Supplemental-Draft-Picks-have-great-talent-made-tough-decisions

Can you imagine the difficult decision that highly-drafted high school kids have to make? Do they sign a signing bonus for seven (or at least upper six) figures, or do they go to a college whose coaches have recruited them and clearly want him to play for their school? For a couple of Twins prospects, that decision was all too real. The Twins had two supplemental first round draft picks in 2011 thanks to losing free agents Michael Cuddyer and Matt Capps. As a result of having one of the best records in the game in 2010, the Twins had the 30th overall pick. They drafted infielder Levi Michael and signed him for $1.175 million. With their two supplemental first round picks, the Twins went the high school route, selecting third baseman Travis Harrison and right-handed pitcher Hudson Boyd. TRAVIS HARRISON [ATTACH=CONFIG]3699[/ATTACH] Harrison has started all five games at third base this year for Cedar Rapids while Boyd was the starting pitcher in their second game. This weekend in Cedar Rapids, I asked these two top talents just how hard the decision was for them to sign with the Twins and forego their college scholarships. Harrison said that the decision for him was very hard. “It was because I fell in love with USC. I did. That place is awesome. It’s close enough to my house where there are a lot of people who would support it. But then I got picked by the Twins which is exciting. They didn’t even give me a first offering until two days before the deadline. So, it wasn’t like we were trying to wait. That happened like that, and I think it was a good decision overall.” When the Twins did make an offer and it was negotiated, the finally agreed upon a signing bonus of $1.05 million. “My family was supportive of what I wanted to do. In the end, realizing that I really wanted to go pro, I really wanted to do it. With that said, I was ready to go to USC. You really have to balance what you want. I feel like baseball is my thing, so I wanted to go that way. Fortunately the Twins provided that offer so I could.” He made his debut in 2012 with Elizabethton. He hit .301/.383/.461 with 12 doubles, four triples and five home runs. Manager Jake Mauer believes that his power will come. “He’s strong. He’s strong in his hands for a young man. (When) he starts recognizing pitches and tendencies, and not only that but what he can really lock in to, you’ll see him start knocking the ball out of the park. It’s learning yourself. Learning what pitches you can take a chance on, per se. Understanding points of the game and counts, when to do it.” Harrison had three doubles in his first four games with the Kernels this season and last night, he hit his first home run of the season. The biggest question with Harrison seems to be his glove. Can he stay at third base? At E-Town last year he committed 24 errors in 59 games. He said he worked hard on the defense in the offseason. He was at the ballpark and on the first four hours before game time getting extra groundballs from Mauer. Tommy Watkins said he works hard and has already shown great improvement this spring. “I played outfield in high school. I played 3B for my high school team, but that’s only 15-20 games a year. I’m still fairly new to the position. Last year I was mostly learning it. This year, I put a lot of work in the offseason, so it feels like night and day different. I make it a priority to get out there with Jake every day, and just keep getting better.” HUDSON BOYD For Boyd, the decision was just as difficult. The Ft. Myers native could sign with the Twins, or go to the University of Florida. He was the 55th overall pick in the draft, and he had a certain number in mind. When the Twins made that offer, he agreed to sign. It was not an easy decision, but it was one that he is very happy with. “It was a tough decision, mostly because I really wanted to go to Florida just because I was a big Gator fan growing up. My brother went there. He graduated from there. Me and Coach O’Sullivan had a pretty good relationship.” Like Harrison, Boyd signed just minutes before the deadline that August. The Twins had to go slightly over slot to sign him for $1 million. “I think I made the right decision. I mean, you don’t really get to the big leagues by going to college.” At Elizabethton a year ago, he went 2-5 with a 2.95 ERA. In 58 innings, he walked 23 and struckout 36. He was a large man, but he made the effort in the offseason to lose some weight and get in better shape. He is still not the skinniest guy on the team, but he now looks like a pitcher. His velocity in his first outing was good. He sat 89-91 but he hit 93 mph a few times. He also showed a very good changeup and a tremendous curveball. He has a ways to go, but he will work and will improve. The Twins got a couple of extra picks in the 2011 draft, and they used the strategy of taking a couple of big, strong, powerful high school kids with high ceilings. So far, so good for both as they enter their first full seasons in 2013. Harrison will turn 21 on October 17. Boyd will turn 21 on October 18. Both will develop slowly, but each has the potential to be an impact player for the Twins for years to come.

He's very patient at the plate. Tommy Watkins said that he's one of those guys that is comfortable with 2 strikes. Means he'll strikeout a lot, but patience is huge.

Most of the prospects are still in Ft. Myers and Cedar Rapids, but there are some individual talents at the upper levels too, and that's what's important.

Benson may, or may not... have some tendinitus...

Jeremy Nygaard has the report for Saturday games. I'm about to start my trek back home! It's been an amazing experience the last four days in Cedar Rapids. I will be writing some stories in the coming weeks on Cedar Rapids players. I also had the chance to go one-on-one with Jake Mauer for 30 minutes before today's game. What a tremendous person and it's clear he is a great manager at this level. Lots coming, but now lots of driving!

Kernels are going with a 6-man rotation. Lee is definitely intriguing. Good and left handed. He was drafted about 2-3 times because of his talent and finally signed. Definitely worth watching.

I really like Vargas. He's got incredible power. Seeing him last year, the comparisons to David Ortiz are easy. He will need to continue to watch his weight, and he'll need more bat speed to catch up with good fastballs. However, he can hit a mistake a long ways!

I would normally disagree that Buxton would get promoted, and it still would be atypical for the Twins to promote him. Remember, Sano a year ago had a strong month of April last year, then cooled off for an extended period before heating up again. So, it's still likely that Buxton stays. However, after seeing him now (in admittedly just two good games), he's amazing talent-wise, and I will not be surprised if he does move up after the MWL All-Star game at all. And, 10 more steals than anyone else? I might argue 25-30 more steals than anyone else. He gets on 1st, he goes. Antoan Richardson will steal a bunch, but I really don't see others that will come close to Buxton. AND, that includes Niko Goodrum, whose goal is to steal 40 bases this year. I think Buxton could legitimately steal 80 bags this year.

I'll try to find out who is promoted to the Kernels this morning and text you, Jeremy, to tweet and put here as well.

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=1530-Friday-Night-Twins-Minor-League-Report-Kernels-win-with-Walk-Off

I have to say, I have been pretty lucky down here in Cedar Rapids. On Opening Night, I saw Twins pitchers strikeout 16 batters, Byron Buxton get a couple of hits and a steal and a couple of home runs. On Friday night, I got to see more individual performances that are exciting for Twins fans, and I got to see a come-from-behind, bottom-of-the-ninth, walk-off win. One of the first observations that I have seen with this Cedar Rapids team is that they are very close, and that they have a lot of fun playing baseball. JD Williams is kind of the leader in the have-fun category, but what he starts, seemingly most of the players follow along. It’s also clear that manager Jake Mauer, and his coaches Gary Lucas (pitching) and Tommy Watkins (hitting) have the ears and the utmost respect of the players. I had a chance to meet Tim Goodrum (Niko’s dad) the other night, and he introduced me to Adam Walker (Adam’s dad). The Twins do talk about character being important a lot. You meet these fathers, and I’ve interacted with several parents and players in the past as well, and you get a better sense for why the players (still young kids) have such a high level of character. [ATTACH=CONFIG]3679[/ATTACH] I’ll be sure to write more notes and observations from my trip to Cedar Rapids in the coming days, but let’s briefly discuss what happened in the Kernels/Snappers game last night, as well as let you in on how the other Twins affiliates did. Cedar Rapids Kernels 9, Beloit Snappers 7 Following Opening Night’s 16 run game (9-7 Kernels win) which also included 16 strikeouts by Kernels pitchers, Friday night’s game was much more crisp. The Kernels cleaned up their defense with a strong showing, and the pitching was very good for both teams. Because of that, the game was finished much quicker. However, though there were less runs, there was a lot of drama, and any time the home team wins in walk-off fashion, it’s a great night. Down 2-1 going into the bottom of the ninth, Dalton Hicks led off with a solid single to right field. He was pinch run for by Candido Pimentel. Adam Walker flew out to center for the first out, but Travis Harrison came through with a big double to right centerfield. Pimentel was able to score easily to tie the game, making the decision to pinch-run him pay off right away. Harrison, a throw-back who doesn’t wear batting glove, said after the game of the at bat, “I was looking middle-out because I figure he wouldn’t want to come in and lose it on one pitch if I took a chance and hit a home run, and he gave it to me right there, a middle-away fastball and I couldn’t have hit it any better.” That brought Niko Goodrum to the plate with Harrison on second base and one out. He lined a hard single down the right field line. Mauer waved Harrison around third base, and when the right fielder bobbled the ball, there was no play on the plate. There was, however, a rush toward second base to mob Goodrum. Goodrum said, “I was moved up on the plate looking for a fastball so I could drive him in, and that’s what I got. I knew right away that he was going to score.” “Run faster! I knew where the right fielder was playing before the ball was hit. I got a pretty good jump on it, so I knew I could probably score. I just had to make sure I could stay on my feet and get in there.” Goodrum acknowledged that it was his first walk-off hit in professional baseball. How did he feel about the hit and being piled on after the game, “Pretty exciting!” The story of the game up to that point was another solid night of pitching from the Kernels pitcher. Hudson Boyd made the start and gave up just one run on three hits. He did walk three and struckout three. With two outs in the top of the 5th, he hit a batter, and that was the end of his night. It was clear that pitching Coach Gary Lucas wanted Boyd to get that final batter, but Boyd was removed. “It’s more protecting his career, to be honest for you. It was his first time out. You’d like to get him a win and that will look nice and everything, but most importantly, I was hoping he’d go out on a positive note.” Mauer added, “Boyd got better as the game went on, which is very encouraging. The young man’s first start. He’s never pitched in cold weather before. I thought that was encouraging his last couple of innings there. With him I think the biggest thing, and a lot of young guys can do that, where they don’t trust their stuff, and he’s got pretty good stuff. I thought he got a little finesse, tried to be a little too fine when he walked a couple of men, but then he got a little aggressive again, which is good.” Boyd was also happy with his game. “The second inning was rough, but I came out in the third and made some adjustments. I didn’t want to let one bad inning to become two. I tried to put it behind me. My changeup was really good tonight. In the fourth and fifth inning, my curveball was working. It had some bite. In that second inning, I couldn’t get my fastball over, so I walked a couple of people.” Boyd seemed legitimately concerned about pitching in the cold weather on Wednesday, but he said it wasn’t a big issue for him on Friday night. “Actually, I didn’t even notice it. I actually didn’t think I even needed my sleeves. Once I got out there, it was natural.” Left-hander Steven Gruver came in and got the final out of the fifth inning. He then worked three more innings. He gave up just an unearned run on one hit and two walks, and he struckout two. Unfortunately, he gave up one run in the top of the 8th frame that gave the Snappers a 2-1 lead. Mauer said, “Gruver had the hiccup with the lead-off walk, but other than that, he was phenomenal.” Lefty Brett Lee came on for the top of the 9th. He is scheduled to start for the Kernels on Tuesday, but he came in and struckout the side on his bullpen day. And then came the bottom of the ninth, walk-off heroics! There’s a lot of excitement in Cedar Rapids for the Kernels this year. I want to encourage people to check out Metro Sports Report and the Cedar Rapids Gazette. Both provide some great information on the Kernels. You’ll also want to follow the Kernels website for a lot of information on the team as well as the ability to listen to the games live online. Buxton Update Byron Buxton went 2-3 with a walk, a first inning leadoff blast and his second stolen base. I noted on Twitter during his first at bat versus the Snappers (A’s) starter Michael Ynoa that there was over $10 million in signing bonuses during that plate appearance. Ynoa received $4.25 million dollars as a 16-year-old from the Dominican. He has pitched very little because he had Tommy John surgery a couple of years ago. Last year, he pitched a combined 30 innings between rookie ball and the A’s Low A team, yet the A’s chose to put him on their 40 man roster. In the first inning, it’s fair to say that the Twins $6 million man, Buxton, won that battle. He got a pitch on the inner half of the plate and launched a long, towering home run over the left field fence, out of the ballpark and onto the street behind. It is already being said that it bounced off the street and hit the second floor of a house. Just as impressive as Buxton’s power is his speed. He stole his second base of the season last night. However, in one at bat, he hit a routine, three-bounce ground ball to third base. The third baseman fielded it cleanly and made a strong, accurate throw to first base. Buxton beat the throw by a half-step. There is no question that Buxton has a bit of developing to do, but first, he is quite advanced for his age, and second, he has the potential to be a 40-40 type of player. Mauer said after the game of Buxton, “He’s a very talented individual. There is no doubt about it. He stayed back. He got a hanging breaking ball in that first at bat, and he unloaded on it. That was a big time swing. In talking to him, he’s going to affect the game a lot of ways, even if he’s not swing that bat very well, with his speed and the pressure he can put on. He made a nice play, a ball hit to right center with nobody out, caught the ball, turned, Boom, right to the cutoff man. It was fantastic. Not only the wherewithal and the athleticism to catch it, but to keep the ball down, right to the cutoff man. That guy had no chance in advancing. Stuff like that, you want to see especially with young outfielders. Some may get excited and think the guy’s going to go, but he was calm, collected. He is a pretty special talent, no doubt about it. It’s a matter of him doing it every day. He’s going to be in there, without a doubt. Drew Leachman was put on the 7-Day Disabled List. In the opening game, he had a stolen base. His left (non-throwing) shoulder caught the base and jammed. Following the game (after having two more at bats in the game), he was icing his shoulder. On Friday, he could not raise his right arm at all. Mauer said of Leachman, “Young man’s trying to play, gut it out. He’s a guy with experience, put up pretty good numbers here. We’ll miss that presence here in the middle of the lineup. It’ll give somebody an opportunity to step up too. Who will replace him? As of post-game, Mauer did not know. I asked if it could be an arm, and Mauer said, “I would like it to be an arm. You know, there’s a few guys down at Extended that are pretty good pitchers that we thought had a chance to break with us when everything shook out. That’s usually how it happens. There’s three or four boys down there that are getting close. I don’t think it’ll be a starter. I think it’ll be a bullpen guy. We’ll know tomorrow.” Tyler Grimes caught his first game as a professional player and really did a nice job. “He’s caught in spring training and in Instructional League, so that was a whole learning experience for him too.” I was at the ballpark early, and when I was there, Grimes out stretching in his knee pads. Soon after, backup catcher Jhonatan Arias was with him, coaching and instructing him on various catching techniques. Then Jairo Rodriguez, the Opening Day catcher, was out there a well, helping Grimes through drills. I have to say that those two catchers being willing to help their teammate (yet also a “competitor” in the sense that they all want to advance). I found that to be pretty classy. Niko Goodrum acknowledged two goals for the season. First, “I want to steal 40 bases real bad!” Second, “I hit 200 pounds, and I hope I can stay up there!” The Kernels will send 2012 2nd round pick Mason Melotakis to the mound at 2:05 today to face the Snappers. At the game last night, no less than three people stopped me in the concourse to introduce themselves and say Hi. They had all made the trip down from the Twin Cities that afternoon. One was heading back following the game, while a couple of others were spending a night to go to Saturday’s game as well. In two days, I’ve seen two tremendous games, and it has been a lot of fun. In my mind, it is worth the trip, and from those I have talked to, they would agree. Rochester Red Wings 2, Buffalo Bisons 3 The Red Wings came up short for the second straight game in Buffalo with a 3-2 loss on Friday afternoon. Kyle Gibson started and was very good. The lanky, right-hander worked the first five innings. He gave up one run on four hits. He walked none and struckout four, including a big one to end the fifth inning with a couple of runners on in a 1-1 game. Michael O’Connor came in and gave up one run on three hits in two innings. Anthony Slama pitched the eighth inning and takes the loss. He gave up a solo home run to Luis Jimenez. The Red Wings had just five hits in the game. Brian Dinkelman hit his first home run of the season. Oswaldo Arcia hit his second home run in as many games. Former Twins starter Ramon Ortiz started for the Bisons. He hit three batters, including hitting Chris Colabello and Drew Butera back to back. Butera was hit in the hand by a pitch and had to leave the game. After the game, he was put on the Disabled List and infielder Eric Farris was promoted to Rochester. On Saturday, righty Shairon Martis will start opposite Claudio Vargas. Both have pitched in the big leagues. New Britain Rock Cats 1, Richmond Flying Squirrels 0 (Conclusion of suspended game) The weather isn’t warm, and the bats certainly are not either. Logan Darnell had started this game on Thursday night. He went 3.2 scoreless innings and gave up four hits and walked two before the rains came. When play resumed on Friday night, Blake Martin took the mound. He went 2.1 innings without allowing a hit. He did walk one, but he struckout three. Bobby Lanigan came on and gave up one hit in a scoreless frame. Jose Gonzalez pitched a perfect inning as well. Michael Tonkin came in and threw a clean ninth inning to record his first save of the season. The Rock Cats managed just six hits. Danny Santana had three of the hits including a single that scored Eric Farris with the lone run of the game. Antoan Richardson went 1-2 with a walk and a double. Josmil Pinto also doubled. New Britain Rock Cats 0, Richmond Flying Squirrels 1 (regularly scheduled game) The bats remained pretty cold for both teams in the regularly scheduled matchup. Trevor May started for the Rock Cats. He gave up one run on three hits and three walks. He struckout four. Edgar Ibarra pitched a scoreless inning despite loading the bases with two hits and an intentional walk. The Rock Cats gave up just one run, but it was more than enough as Richmond pitchers Jack Snodgrass and Daryl Maday no-hit New Britain. They each walked one batter, but those were quickly erased by two Flyin Squirrel double plays. Connecticut native Pat Dean will make the Saturday start for the Rock Cats. He had made one late-season start for the team in 2011. As mentioned above, second baseman Eric Farris was promoted to AAA Rochester to replace Drew Butera on the roster. Farris spent the past three years playing AAA ball in the Brewers organization. Farris spent some time with the Brewers each of the past two years. The Brewers decided to put him on their AA roster, and the Mariners selected him in the AAA Rule 5 draft. Seattle decided to release him just before opening day and the Twins signed him quickly. To fill Farris’s roster spot, corner infielder and outfielder Curt Smith was activated. He was signed by the Twins after playing for Team Netherlands in the WBC. Ft. Myers Miracle 4, Bradenton Marauders 1 For the second straight night, the Miracle got some good pitching and enough offense to win a very crisp game. Jason Wheeler began the 2013 season as he pitched most of the 2012 season in Beloit. The tall lefty threw five shutout innings for his first win of the season. He gave up four hits, walked one and struckout three. Miguel Munoz came on and gave up just one hit in two shutout innings. Cole Johnson gave up an eighth inning run on one hit and one walk. Corey Williams came on in the ninth for a 1-2-3 save. The Miracle had just five hits in the game. Fortunately, catcher Kyle Knudson, who is fully healthy for the first time since signing with the Twins from the University of Minnesota, hit his first home run of the year, a line drive over the left field fence. Then Kennys Vargas launched a towering blast over the wall in right field. Angel Morales provided a double for the Miracle as well. Eddie Rosario got his first hit of the season. Feel free to leave any questions or comments.

I had written this early this morning. Had the quotes all set up and ready to print. Went to lunch. Then went to the ballpark. Got the picture ready to add, then went down to the field to watch early groundballs, to watch infield, batting practice and a couple of bullpens. Talked to some people. Went upstairs and was about to hit post when the Cedar Rapids Gazette reporter there told me that someone had given up a grand slam and now the Twins were down by four. I asked who, partially knowing who he would say. Yup, I was right. But, the article was written and ready to go. I just updated the end a little bit, and it's all still true. He'll be fine. When Jim Crikket and I just went out to grab some food after tonight's Cedar Rapids game, I saw the pitch, and it was a fastball just off the outside corner. Chris Davis just happens to be the hottest hitter in baseball through four games. No worries.