Tuesday, April, 13th

Twins Talk
Twins 5 Red Sox 2
WP: Pavano 2-0 LP: Lester Save: Rauch (5)

• Before we get into the game I thought I had to talk a little bit about Target Field and my impressions watching on television. I thought Target Field was as good as advertised as the beauty was breathtaking. The people walking around on a bright sunshine filled afternoon is something to behold. I really can't wait till this summer when I get down there and can get the sights and the sounds along with the smells and the tastes. I can't wait to try one of those Murray's Steak Sandwhiches because everything that I have heard is they are awesome. The dimensions of the park also I find very interesting as they hitter friendly to left field and right field. However, if you plan on hitting a homerun to centerfield you better pack a lunch because you have to totally crush the ball to go out especially to left center just ask Mike Cameron.

• Now onto the game as the Twins put together a very solid effort in their opener to pull out a 5-2 victory over the Red Sox at Target Field. Carl Pavano got the start for the Twins and man was he good. Pavano went 6 innings and only gave up a run on 4 hits along with one walk and four strikeouts to lower his era to a very good 1.38. Pavano kept the Red Sox off balance all game as he got ahead and stayed ahead with plenty of strikes. Brian Duensing came in and gave up a run on two hits along with two strikeouts in two innings to raise his era to 2.70. Matt Guerrier then came on and after allowing a hit got three straight outs. Jon Rauch is quickly quieting the naysayers who said he could not be an effective closer by pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning to pick up his fifth save in as many chances.

• The Twins hit Jon Lester all over the park yesterday and I was shocked it was only five runs that were scored. The main reason was even though they had 12 hits they left 11 guys on base. That is something that has been a recurring theme early in the season and something they are going to have fix quick. Jason Kubel led the attack going 3-4 with his 2nd homerun of the season and what happened to be the first homerun ever hit at Target Field. Kubel also added two rbi's to bring his total to five on the season. Joe Mauer had what you would call a Joe Mauer day going 3-5 at the plate with his forth and fifth doubles of the year. He also contributed his fifth and sixth rbi's of the year to bring his average up to .423 on the young season.

• The Twins have their first off day of the year today and will continue their series with the Red Sox tommorrow afternoon with Kevin Slowey getting the start against John Lackey for the Red Sox. Gametime is at 12:10 at Target Field.

Rochester Wrap

Scranton 6 Rochester 5 (2-3)

• The Rochester Red Wings suffered what was a norm last season and that was a heartbreaking loss. Hopefully this does not become a regular occurance because they have the talent to be players in the International League. Anthony Slama came on in the 9th with a two run lead and after a leadoff walk gave up a two run homerun to tie the score. Rob Delaney gave it up in the 11th to get the loss. Veteran Mike Maroth made his first start for the Red Wings and did fairly well. Maroth went 3.1 innings and only gave up an unearned run on two hits along with three walks and three strikeouts. Jose Lugo then came on and got hit hard but found a way to not give up any runs in 1.2 innings on 4 hits. Matt Fox then came on and was not very effective giving up two runs on two hits along with a walk and a strikeout in his inning of work. Kyle Waldrop then came on and pitched two shutout innings on only one hit along with a walk and a strikeout. Anthony Slama then came on a gave up two runs on one hit along with a walk and four strikeouts in two innings of work. Rob Delaney then came on and gave a run along with a walk in only 1/3 of an inning to move his record to 0-1 on the season.

• The Wings had plenty of hits in this one, but what is becoming a recurring problem early in the season is leaving guys on base. The Wings had 15 hits in this one, but also left 10 guys on base. Trevor Plouffe led the offense going 3-5 with his first and second doubles of the year and his third and fourth rbi's. Brian Dinkelman went 3-6 at the plate with his first double of the year and his 2nd rbi. Wilson Ramos went 2-5 at the plate with his first double of the year. Erik Lis went 2-5 at the plate. Danny Valencia and Jason Repko each contributed two hits apiece. Repko collected his first rbi and his first sb as a wing as well.

• Tonight, the Wings continue their series with Scranton as Anthony Swarzak gets the start for Rochester. Gametime is at 6:05 in Scranton.

New Britain Business

Portland 8 New Britain 2 (0-4)

• The Rockcats continued their rough start to the season with their fourth consecutive loss this one to Portland as their record dropped to 0-4 on the season. Deolis Guerra made his season debut and if you take away his first inning it was a pretty solid start, but you can't do it so his line doesn't look so good. Guerra went 5 innings and gave up four earned runs all in the first inning on six hits along with two strikeouts to drop his record on the year to 0-1. Chris Province then came in and got drilled giving up three runs on two hits along with three walks and three strikeouts in 1.2 innings. Spencer Steedley then came on and pitched 1.1 scoreless innings on one hit along with a walk and two strikeouts. Steve Hirschfeld then came on and pitched a perfect inning along with a strikeout.

• Offensively, the Rockcats continued their struggles swinging the bat as they were only able to put up seven hits in the game and only score two runs. Joe Benson led the attack going 2-3 at the plate along with a walk. Steve Singleton went 2-4 at the plate to raise his average on the year to .231. Chris Parmelee added his second homerun of the year and drove in his third rbi of the year.

• Tonight, the Rockcats continue their series with Portland as David Bromberg makes his 2010 debut for New Britain. Gametime is at 5:35pm in New Britian

Fort Myers Minutes

Bradenton 6 Fort Myers 2 (0-4)

• The Miracle continued their season long struggles as they lost their fourth straight game to Bradenton to complete the four game sweep over the Miracle. Bruce Pugh got the start for the Miracle and did ok. Pugh went three innings and gave up two runs on five hits along with three walks and also three strikeouts. Blake Martin then came on and went two innings and gave up a run on two hits along with two strikeouts to raise his era on the year to 5.40. Ron Mahey then came on and pitched a perfect inning of relief along with a strikeout. Henry Arias finished the game and to be all honest he really struggled. Arias worked two innings and gave up three unearned runs on two hits along with a walk and two strikeouts to lower his era on the year to 21.00.

• The Miracle's offense was again offensive as they were only able to put up two runs on eight hits and against that offense it wasn't nearly enough. Michael Harrington led the attack going 2-4 at the plate with his third rbi of the year to raise his batting average to .333 on the young season. Yangervis Solarte also went 2-4 at the plate to increase his average to .500 on the year. Chris Hermann drove in his second run of the young season for the Miracle. A bright spot early on has been Paul Kelly after missing two years because of injuries went 1-5 at the plate to bring his average to .462 on the young season.

• Tonight, the Miracle begin a series in Port Charlotte as Kyle Gibson makes his second minor league start as he tries to rebound from a rough opening start for the Miracle. Gametime is at 6:05 in Port Charlotte.

Beloit Beat

Beloit 3 Peoria 0

• The Snappers broke out of a three game losing streak with a nice and clean 3-0 victory over Peoria last night. After making an appearance out of the bullpen on opening day Tom Stuifbergen got his first start of the year for the Snappers. Stuifbergen showed the form that we got used to seeing out of him last year in Elizabethton. Stuifbergen went six innings without giving up a run on only four hits along with five strikeouts in the excellent outing for the Snappers. Peter Kennelly then came on for the Snappers and worked 1.2 scoreless innings on only one hit along with a walk and three strikeouts to lower his era on the year to 2.25. Edgar Ibarra then came on and got one out along with a hit to lower his era to 21.60. Steve Blevins worked the ninth to pick up his first save of the year. In his inning of work he gave up two hits and no runs along with a strikeout to lower his era on the year to 3.00.

• The Snappers continued their season long slump offensively as they only were able to score three runs even though they had 11 hits. The main reason they were unable to score more runs is they left seven guys on base. Anderson Hidalgo led the attack going 2-3 with his first and second doubles of the year. Steve Liddle went 2-4 at the plate with his first homerun of the year. Brian Dozier also went 2-4 at the plate to bring his average up to .308 on the year. Derek Mccallum went 1-3 at the plate with his second double and first rbi of the year. Aaron Hicks continued his struggles going 0-3 and is now 1-17 on the young season.

• Tonight, the Snappers continue their series with Peoria as Liam Hendriks will try to build on his very good start he had on opening day where he threw five shutout innings. Gametime is at 6:30 in Beloit.

• Join Seth Stohs and myself for the second edition of the Twins Minor League Weekly podcast tonight at 10pm. We will be joined by Fort Myers catcher Dan Rohlfing and we will talk about all the affiliates.