Seth Stohs

Scott Diamond actually gave up a few runs on Friday night, but because the Twins hitters brought their big bats to Miller Park, Diamond becomes the Twins first three-game winner. Josh Willingham got the offense started in the first inning with a long two-run homer. The game was 2-2 going into the 5th inning, but Joe Mauer’s two-run double gave the Twins a 4-2 lead. They scored two the following inning on a two-run Denard Span single. They added four runs in the top of the eighth inning to put the game out of reach. Span led the offense. He went 4-5 with a double, three runs and three RBI. Joe Mauer went 3-5 with two doubles and three RBI. Justin Morneau went 2-4 with three RBI. Four Brewers errors certainly helped the Twins cause as well. Diamond gave up three runs on eight hits in 5.1 innings. Anthony Swarzak got five outs. Alex Burnett pitched a scoreless eighth innings. Francisco Liriano came in with an eight-run lead in the ninth inning. He loaded the bases but was able to hold on to the 11-3 lead. Three-game winning streak for the Twins! Here is a look at the Twins minor league scores and highlights from Friday: ROCHESTER 5, LOUISVILLE 3 The Red Wings got a four-run third inning to take the lead from the cellar-dwelling Reds affiliate. It proved to be enough. In that inning, the Red Wings got RBI singles from Pedro Florimon, Danny Valencia, Chris Parmelee and Matt Carson. Eight of nine Twins starters had one hit. The lone exception was Clete Thomas. The Red Wings also worked for six walks. Wilkin Ramirez and Rene Rivera each hit a double. Liam Hendriks made his third Red Wings start of the season and improved to 2-0. He gave up two runs on four hits in seven innings. He walked two and struck out two and now has a 1.93 ERA. Fellow Australian right-handers Brendan Wise gave up one run on two hits and a walk in his inning. Tyler Robertson pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to record his second save. The Red Wings are now 17-24 after winning this series three games out of four. NEW BRITAIN 5, READING 2 The Rock Cats got another tremendous start from BJ Hermsen, and the team brought out the power sticks in this game. However, it all starts with pitching, so let’s start there. Hermsen improved to 2-1 by allowing two runs on six hits in 7.2 innings. He walked none and struck out three. Caleb Thielbar came in and got two outs. Daniel Turpen got the final two outs, one via the strikeout. Matt Rizzotti had a terrific game against his former team. The former Phillies farmhand went 3-4 with his first home runs since his return to AA. Joe Benson did the same, connecting for his first AA home run of the year. Aaron Hicks hit his fifth home run, and Chris Colabello hit his sixth. The win puts the Rock Cats record at 24-16. They are now 0.5 games ahead of these Reading Phillies atop the Eastern League’s Eastern Division. These two teams split a four-game series earlier in the month. This is the first game of a three game series in Reading. FT. MYERS 2, BREVARD COUNTY 1 The strong starting pitching on Friday night continued as we look down to High-A Ft. Myers. Lefty Pat Dean went the first eight innings for the Miracle. He gave up just one run on seven hits and a walk. He also struck out a team, season-high eight batters. Ricky Bowen pitched a scoreless ninth frame to pick up his third save. Levi Michael went 3-4 with his second double. It was Oswaldo Arcia who provided the big hit of the game, however. The powerful Venezuelan launched a two-run homer, his third of the year to provide all of the offense needed to record this win. The Miracle improved to 16-25 on the season. BELOIT 6, QUAD CITIES 7 (11 Innings) The Snappers fell short in the final game of their home stand despite the efforts of Drew Leachman. The utility infielder/outfielder was batting third in the Snappers lineup, in place of Miguel Sano who was just getting a day off. Leachman went 4-5 in the game. His three-run homer in the fifth inning gave the Snappers a lead. Down by two runs in the bottom of the 11th, he added another RBI single, but it wasn’t enough for the Snappers. Adam Bryant was 3-5. Eddie Rosario went 2-5 with a walk. Lefty Matthew Tomshaw started and gave up four runs (3 earned) on eight hits and three walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out two and rainsed his ERA to 2.91 on the season. Michael Tonkin came in and gave up a run on four hits and two walk. Unfortunately, the game-tying run scored on a wild pitch. Clinton Dempster threw three scoreless innings and struck out four. Bart Carter threw the 11th inning and gave up two runs on two hits and a walk. The loss drops the Snappers to 26-16, yet they are still a game ahead of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers affiliate). --- Players of the Day for Friday, May 18, 2012 Pitcher of the Day – Pat Dean [ATTACH=CONFIG]988[/ATTACH] Hitter of the Day – Drew Leachman [ATTACH=CONFIG]989[/ATTACH] --- A Look Ahead – Saturday, May 19, 2012 Schedule Rochester vs Gwinnett – RHP Cole DeVries New Britain @ Reading – LHP Andrew Albers Ft. Myers @ Brevard County – RHP Miguel Munoz Beloit @ Burlington – LHP Jason Wheeler --- Reminder: Listen to Thursday’s Twins Minor League Weekly. Tim Shibuya (RHP Beloit Snappers) was a guest of the show and that was followed by answering your Twitter questions. If you have any questions or comments on the Twins minor league system, players, teams, etc., leave them in the Comments and I’ll try to answer them!

Prediction segment: With Mauer catching Diamond (instead of Butera), I expect Diamond to give up more than 4 runs in less than 4 innings.

Twins Lineup: Denard Span CF Brian Dozier SS Joe Mauer C Josh Willingham LF Justin Morneau 1B Trevor Plouffe RF Alexi Casilla 2B Jamey Carroll 3B Scott Diamond P

I know he's quirky and is the subject of several jokes at this point, but he's an interesting and fun part of the Twins story of success last decade.

Yeah, name misspelling bugs me too... but... as for Burnett... he's part of the future, probably with Guerra and Oliveros. the team does need 7 relievers. Remember, if Burnett doesn't get optioned this year, he'll still have the option for next year.

I'd fire Rick Anderson first... we keep hearing that saying "So-n-So can work under Rick Anderson." Honestly, the last time that I think Anderson helped turn someone's career around was LaTroy Hawkins... in 2002. That said, I don't know what he's been given to work with this year. Perkins and Burton have certainly been good. I really think Vavra is a good hitting coach. The Twins have been horrible situational hitters this season, but I think that's more of an organizational philosophy that's gone downhill since TK left. Tom Brunansky is the big name right now... and I can't help but wonder why. That New Britain team had some guys who give him a lot of credit... but what has he shown in AAA this year. the Red Wings offense is weak. Benson has been demoted. Dozier was hitting under .200 over his past 19 games when the Twins called him up. So, is he really the answer? Some want Molitor, but he's been a failed hitting coach. Rod Carew? Hall of Fame hitter, but failed hitting coach. I think some don't like Vavra because he isn't a former player, a name... And that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Thank you all... the best thing is that is's a way to let people know what's going on in the Twins system, starting learning some of the names, etc.

I think I'd give Mauer the Friday game off for several reasons. 1.) He's struggling really bad, 2.) he needs it, 3.) give credit to Butera for a good day yesterday, and 4.) let Diamond and Butera work together until proven then shouldn't. I'd give Morneau a day off either Saturday or Sunday as well. I get that we want these guys to play every day, but have to be smart with both of them. Playing Morneau every day early in the season is likely what affected the wrist.

One thing to consider, Bark and others, is that we all have full-time jobs, families and other obligations beyond writing here. If people write a blog and feel it's really good and you want people to check it out, you should consider linking to it in the Forum as well. That will push people to the link, to the blog, and hopefully to more and more comments. To be honest, I see very little 'rosy' comments on the 2012 Twins roster here, or anywhere, and rightfully so. If I look at the front page, the forum and the blogs, it's hard to find much positive.

This is indeed very interesting and something worth noting. I think the TWins should get out of New Britain. It might be best for all involved.

This is indeed very interesting and something worth noting. I think the TWins should get out of New Britain. It might be best for all involved.

You can view the page at http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php?557-Thursday-Night-Lights

Drew Butera is hitting .350 and the Twins just swept the Tigers!! All is good in Twins Territory now, right? Well, maybe not, but there are starting to be some signs of positive. Justin Morneau went opposite field for a home run, one of his two hits. Trevor Plouffe homered for the second straight game. Brian Dozier is inching up on .300. PJ Walters was terrific through four scoreless innings, but between the fifth and sixth innings, he gave up three solo home runs to cut the Twins lead to 4-3. But Francisco Liriano, Glen Perkins and Matt Capps got the final eight outs to secure back-to-back wins! Listen to Thursday’s Twins Minor League Weekly. Tim Shibuya (RHP Beloit Snappers) was a guest of the show and that was followed by answering your Twitter questions. Here is a look at the Twins minor league scores and highlights from Thursday: ROCHESTER 2, LOUISVILLE 4 (11 innings) Not much offense for the Red Wings in this game. Danny Valencia had two hits including his first home run. He drove in both of the team’s runs. Chris Parmelee made his Red Wings debut. He was 0-2, but he walked three times. Daryl Thompson started and gave up two runs on six hits. In five innings pitched, he walked two and struck out six. Deolis Guerra worked three perfect innings. Anthony Slama gave up two hits and a walk, but struck out three, in 1.1 scoreless innings. Tyler Robertson issued a walk and got one out. Casey Fien ends up with the loss. He got out of the tenth, but gave up two runs in the 11th inning. NEW BRITAIN 1, NEW HAMPSHIRE 3 David Bromberg’s 20 inning consecutive scoreless innings streak came to an end in this game. The right-hander has been pitching very well of late. In this game, he went a season-long 6.2 innings. He gave up three runs on nine hits and two walks. Luis Perdomo got the next four ours. Brad Thompson made his Twins organization debut, working a scoreless inning and striking out two batters in his return from Tommy John surgery a year ago. Joe Benson was in the lead-off spot and went 2-3 with a walk and the lone RBI. Estarlin de Los Santos had a single and a walk. FT. MYERS 4, BREVARD COUNTY 5 (10 innings) Marty Popham got the start and gave up four runs on eight hits and two walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out two. Nelvin Fuentes was perfect through two innings. Bruce Pugh was perfect for 1.2 innings, but he then gave up three straight hits and a run in the 10th to take the loss. Oswaldo Arcia went 3-5 with his ninth double. Danny Ortiz hit his first FSL double. Twins Daily learned on Thursday that RHP Adrian Salcedo is going to have (or has had) an MRI on his elbow. Hopefully we get good news on this situation. BELOIT 7, QUAD CITIES 3 Matt Summers continues to pitch well. He improved to 4-2 with six solid innings on Thursday. He gave up two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three. Corey Williams gave up a run (solo home run) on three hits in two innings. AJ Achter pitched a scoreless ninth frame. Jhonathan Goncalves went 3-4 with his first home run. Matt Koch went 3-4 with his seventh double and his second home run (in back-to-back games). Kyle Knudson was 2-4. Adam Bryant was 2-4 with his fifth double. Wang-Wei Lin got the Snappers on the scoreboard with his first home run of the season. --- Players of the Day for Thursday, May 17, 2012 Pitcher of the Day – Deolis Guerra [ATTACH=CONFIG]984[/ATTACH] Hitter of the Day – Matt Koch [ATTACH=CONFIG]985[/ATTACH] --- A Look Ahead – Friday, May 18, 2012 Schedule Rochester vs Syracuse – RHP Liam Hendriks New Britain @ Reading – RHP BJ Hermsen Ft. Myers @ Brevard County – LHP Pat Dean Beloit vs Quad Cities – LHP Matt Tomshaw --- If you have any questions or comments on the Twins minor league system, players, teams, etc., leave them in the Comments and I’ll try to answer them!

Go ahead. That's fine.

Thank you!!

Twins Lineup: Ben Revere CF Brian Dozier SS Joe Mauer 1B Josh Willingham LF Justin Morneau DH Trevor Plouffe RF Alexi Casilla 2B Drew Butera C Jamey Carroll 3B SP: PJ Walters Tigers SP: Doug Fister

Still hope for Doumit!!! Hopefully just a stretched out the calf and won't be more than a couple of days.

I'd be against Duensing starting, but I'm fine with Swarzak if they then go with Manship or Slama in the bullpen. I'd be fine with Manship starting. Bromberg could be moved up to Rochester anytime to start. Honestly, I don't care who gets a start if it's in place of Nick Blackburn. We have seen enough of him. (or at least I have)

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?552-Factors-for-Frustration

When spring training opened up in late February, I posted an article called Twins Two-Way Planning in which I said that the Twins 2011 roster was probably built perfectly to go one of two directions. In essence, if things went poorly, they had enough one-year, veteran contracts of guys that other teams might have interest in at the trade deadline. The Twins could get prospects to help push forward the rebuilding process. However, the other scenario was, “IF seven or eight of the factors listed above are going positively, AND the Twins are getting positive performances from their minor leaguers and these new players, AND the team is in contention in mid-July, THEN they will have plenty of payroll flexibility to add a significant piece or two at the deadline, if they choose.” So, what were the “factors listed above” and how are the Twins doing in those categories… you know, since they barely have double-digit wins on the season. FACTORS The health of Joe Mauer The health of Justin Morneau The health of Denard Span The elbow of Scott Baker The durability of Carl Pavano The mindset and performance of Francisco Liriano The improvements of Danny Valencia, Ben Revere and other young players Matt Capps ability to get outs in the 9th 2-5 bullpen arms need to step up and contribute consistently well. Minor Leaguers coming up and contributing when needed throughout the season (Hendriks, Diamond, Gutierrez, Guerra, Waldrop, Oliveros, Benson, Parmelee, Dozier, etc.) Each one of those ten Factors was a factor whether or not the Twins brought in any free agents. If seven or eight of those factors wind up positive for the Twins, they have a chance to compete. Let’s review: Joe Mauer has been healthy, or at least he has been in the lineup all but one game this year. (1) Justin Morneau just came off of the 15 day disabled list. If there are positives from this, they are that 1.) he just missed the 15 days, and 2.) it was for wrist pain, not concussion symptoms. The health of Denard Span has been good all season, until the last couple of days when he has been out of the lineup with a hamstring injury. Hopefully this is just another day at most, and he’ll be back at the top of the lineup where he has been quite good. (2) The elbow of Scott Baker certainly was a big story in spring as Baker tried so hard to get back while also trying so hard to make people understand that he really was in pain. He went in for elbow surgery that turned into Tommy John surgery too. The durability of Carl Pavano probably can’t be questioned yet as he has not yet missed a start. However, concerns about his velocity have led to an MRI. He will make his next start this weekend, but this factor certainly is in flux at this point. (2.5) The mindset of Francisco Liriano is always a question, and despite very good performance throughout spring training, his performance since Opening Day has been nothing short of immensely disappointing. He was finally moved to the bullpen a week ago. The improvements of Danny Valencia, Ben Revere and otbher young players. I would assume that I meant players like Trevor Plouffe, Alexi Casilla and Luke Hughes in the “other” players grouping. Well, Valencia is in Rochester after a really horrible start to his season. Revere has spent most of the season in AAA as well. Plouffe is hitting below .150. Hughes was lost to the A’s when he was Designated for Assignment, and Casilla has a sub-.600 OPS. Matt Capps is 7-7 save opportunities and despite two losses, he has been pitching fairly well. (3.5) Two to five bullpen arms needed to step up. I would say that Glen Perkins, Matt Capps, Brian Duensing and Jared Burton have been really good in their roles this season. Anthony Swarzak has played multiple roles, but he has been solid for the most part. Jeff Gray has walked too many, but he has been better than expected. The bullpen was a huge concern coming into the season, and to this point, they have been alright. (4.5) It’s always good to get help from the minor league roster, and this will or can happen throughout the season. Scott Diamond and PJ Walters have come up from Rochester and been very good in limited duty so far. Brian Dozier made his much-anticipated 2012 debut and has been very solid defensively and with the bat in his ten days with the club. Hendriks and Parmelee struggled after making the Opening Day roster and are back in Rochester but likely will contribute later in the. Waldrop should be healthy soon. Deolis Guerra is doing very well. (5) As for the new guys, Willingham has carried the offense most of the season. Carroll has been a stabilizing force in the infield. Doumit started slow, but he has been great with the bat the last three weeks. (and now he may be hurt) However, Marquis has been quite bad, and Zumaya didn’t throw even twenty bullpen pitches before needing Tommy John surgery. (6) Add to these factors that the Twins starting pitchers’ have all performed to a nightmarish, worst-case-scenario, and although no one could have predicted 11-25, it shouldn’t be surprising that this team is struggling already in the season.