Twins drop final two of regular season

GCL Twins 3 at GCL Red Sox 6

W: C. Cabral (2-5, 5.55); L: J. Mijares (0-3, 5.13); SV: A. Batista (1)
HR: None.

The GCL Red Sox have nearly a whole new roster from what they started the year with, but that's not surprising for the deep pocketed Sox. So losing to them late in the season is not surprising either.

It does mean however, the Twins lose home field advantage for the playoffs.

Aaron Hicks doubled to lead off in the first for the Twins. Juan Sanchez singled, scoring the speedy Hicks. A passed ball by Boston's Christian Vazquez moved Sanchez to 2nd, and he'd advance to 3rd on the throw from Danny Ortiz dropped pitch strike out. Andres Diaz's ground ball to short scored Sanchez to give the Twins an early two run lead.

Wilfred Pichardo and Peter Hissey both singled, then orchestrated a double steal. Twins starter Jean Mijares then got Carson Blair out on strikes. Robert Feliz ground out and Bryan Peterson doubled to plate the two runners, tying up the game. Chih-Hsiang Huang singled in Peterson and Joantoni Garcia doubled in Huang to make it 4-2 Red Sox.

Hissey would double in Pichardo in the bottom of the 2nd. With two outs on the board in the bottom of the 4th, Mijares would plunk Hissey with a pitch. Hissey then stole 2nd and advanced to 3rd on a passed ball by Twins catcher Jae-Hyung Jang. Blair then singled to scored Hissey, making it 6-2 Calcetines Rojos.

Blayne Weller, the Twins 14th round pick in the 2008 first year draft would make his professional debut, giving up 2 hits to the Red Sox in the fifth while striking out one.

For the Sox, Cesar Cabral would allow 9 hits over five innings, while striking out 8. He would allow a lead off double to Sanchez in the top of the sixth. Ortiz and Diaz hit back-to-back singles off him, which drove in one more run for the Twins before the Red Sox called for a pitching change, getting Anatanaer Batista out of the bullpen to replace Cabral. The new hurler got J.J. to strike out. Diaz would be caught stealing, and Hidalgo ground out to end the Twins brief rally.

Jay Sawatski tossed the sixth inning for the Twins, giving up 2 hits but keeping Boston off the board.

Batista would get Hyun-wook Choi and Javier Brown to ground out before giving up a single to Jakub Hajtmar. Hicks hit into a force out however, ending the contest.

Sanchez and Diaz were each 2-for-3 in the game, Sanchez with a pair of runs and a RBI. Hidalgo, Wook, Brown, and Hajtmar were all 1-for-3, sharing the love as the one hit wonders of the game. Ortiz was 1-for-3 as well, but picked up a RBI. Hicks finished off 1-for-4 with a double and a run.

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GCL Red Sox 3 at GCL Twins 2

W: M. Lennox (2-3, 3.94); L: K. Nanney (4-2, 3.12); SV: D. Mercadante (8)
HR: None.

The Twins would have home field advantage for the second game as they made up the rain out of August 21, but they could not hold off a sixth inning rally by los Calcetines Rojos, falling 3-2 at the City of Palms complex.

Frederic Hanvi, the Twins' new catcher, would make his professional debut, singling in the bottom of the 3rd. Jon Goncalves and Herbert Lara followed it up with singles of their own, scoring Hanvi. Hyeong-rok Choi reached on a fielder's choice which took Goncalves out at home. Mike Gonzales' single to center loaded the bases, and Reggie Williams brought Lara home on a sac-fly to left. Danny Rohlfing would fly out to end the inning, stranding two men.

Ian Mopas would work the first 3 innings for the Twins scattering one hit and a pair of walks while striking out 2. Mauro Schiavoni came in for the next two, also fanning a pair.

Kohl Nanney would take over the mound for the Twins in the sixth, giving up a lead off single to Wilfred Pichardo, who then stole 2nd. Peter Hissey would ground out but Carson Blair, Bryan Peterson, and Andrew Frezza all singled off the tall reliever. Pichardo would score, but the Twins were able to save a run when they took Blair out at home. Chih-Hsiang Huang took a walk, once again loading the bases, before Maykol Sanchez doubled to drive in two, giving the Sox the lead.

Michael Lennox would give up a single to Wang-Wei Lin in the bottom of the sixth, but ground outs to Rohlfing, Tyler Ladendorf and Hanvi would not help the Twins cause.

Goncalves took a single off closer Dustin Mercadante in the bottom of the seventh, but Lara ground into a force out. He'd then try to steal 2nd and would be caught. Rok's ground out ended the game.

Goncalves and Gonzales were both 2-for-3 in the contest, Goncalves with a walk. Rohlfing, Ladendorf and Lin, all were all 1-for-3 one hit wonders, while Hanvi went 1-for-2 with a run. Lara finished up 1-for-4 with a run and a RBI.

The Twins face the Nationals on the Thursday - they can not play the Pirates in the elimination round because the two teams are from the same division - so it's away to Brevard County our boys in blue. Game time is Noon, weather permitting.

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Tuesday's game between the DSL Twins and the DSL Mariners was postponed due to rain, and will be played on Wednesday at 10:30 AM Dominican Time.

Games of August 26, 2008

GCL Twins blank GCL Reds

GCL Twins 3 at GCL Reds 0

W: A. Sanchez (3-3, 3.26); L: L. Machuca (1-2, 4.15); SV: K. Mota (11)
HR: None.

Angelo Sanchez and three relievers held the GCL Reds to a total of 4 hits and a pair of walks over nine innings as the Twins blanked the Reds 3-0 at the City of Sarasota Complex.

All three Twins runs came in the top of the 3rd inning, which started with a Herbert Lara ground out. Aaron Hicks and Juan Sanchez hit back-to-back singles. A walk to Danny Ortiz loaded the bags. Mike Gonzales would sacrifice in Hicks before Hyeong-rok Choi singled to drive in the remaining two runners. Tyler Ladendorf's fly out ended the inning.

Three of the Reds for hits were for extra bases with Mauricio Pimentel tripling the bottom of the 3rd, but the Reds could not convert on any of their chances.

Jean Mijares, Mike Tonkin and Kelvin Mota combined to hold the Reds hitless over the last three. It was Sanchez's 3rd win of the season; Mota earned his 11th save.

The Twins had 10 hits in the game, but the tight Reds defense kept them at bay. A double to Juan Sanchez and a walk to Gonzales had runners at 2nd and 3rd in the top of the 1st, but with 2 outs on the board, Red's starter Luis Machuca would get Rok to strike out.

A walk to Danny Ortiz would be followed by Gonzales getting plunked by a pitch in the top of the 5th. Sanchez had stuck out to start the inning and Rok would strike out before Tyler Ladendorf drew a walk, but Bryan Gardner finish by getting Danny Rohlfing out on strikes.

Ladendorf would single off Efrain Rodriguez in the top of the 8th, and advance to 3rd on a Lara single. The speedy Venezuelan would then steal 2nd but Aaron Hicks would hit into a ground out, again getting the Reds out of a jam.

Ladendorf had another strong day at the plate going 2-for-3 with a walk, despite not figuring into the scoring. Hicks and Sanchez both finished up 2-for-5 with a run each, Sanchez with a double as well. Ortiz, Rok, Jakub Hajtmar, and Lara were all 1-for-4, Ortiz with a walk and a run, and Rok with a pair of RBIs.

The Pirates defeated the Red Sox 4-1, so the the win did not pick up any points in the standings for the Fort Myers squad, as they continue to trail the Bucs by one game. The other three teams in the division have been eliminated from the play picture. In the North Division, with seven (six) games left to play, the GCL Phillies lead the GCL Braves by 4.5 games.

In the East Division, the Dodgers and the Nationals are duking it out for the title with identical records. The deciding game between the two was postponed by afternoon showers at Dodgertown.

Fort Myers continues to lead the wild card race.

The Twins return home now to face the Red Sox at the Lee County Sportsplex. Thursday's game begins at Noon. Tuesday game against the Orioles will be made up on Sunday as part of a double header the Lee County Sportsplex, starting at 11:00 AM.

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Elizabethton's Angel Morales, an alumni of 2007 GCL Squad, was named the Appalachian Leagues' Offensive Player of the Week. The Puerto Rican center fielder started his week in lackluster fashion going 0-for-7 in the first two games. However, in his next four games, Morales would be dynamic as he has so often been with the E-Twins this season. Morales would club an extra-base hit in each of the team's final four games on the week and at least one homer in the final three games. His best outing came on Sunday, during which he hit a pair of shots giving him seven runs scored for the week. Minnesota's 3rd pick, 122nd over all in the 2007 first year players draft, Morales has done an admirable job crossing the plate with the Twins, especially in August, during which he has scored in all but one game.

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DSL Twins 5 at DSL Diamondbacks 1

W: R. Reverol (4-2, 3.21); L: F. Santana (0-2, 6.65); SV: L. Vargas (2)
HR: DSL TWI: O. Arcia (4).

The DSL Twins scored early and put in some great defensive work against the DSL Diamondbacks to pick up another road win, this time 5-1.

Jair Perez lead off with a double in the top of the 2nd, and moved to 3rd on Eliel Sierra's single. A throwing error on a pickoff attempt saw Perez score and Sierra advance to 3rd. Manuel Soliman would pop out, but Lesther Galvan reached on a fielding error, which also allowed Sierra to score. Randy Pina and Carlos Vasquez would both ground out, letting the Diamondbacks have a turn at bat.

Wifly Gil singled in the top of the 3rd, then stole 2nd. A catching error by the Diamondbacks' Adonys Canelo at short advanced Gil to 3rd. Diamondbacks' starter Frank Santana then unleashed a wild pitch, scoring Gil. Yancarlos Franco pop out before Oswaldo Arcia hit a solo shot home run over the center field fence, making it 4-0 Twins. Perez doubled, then stole 3rd. Sierra would draw a walk, and Santana would take a walk to the dugout, being replaced on the Diamondbacks' mound by Eury De La Rosa. Soliman ground into a force out that took Sierra out at 2nd and scored Perez. Soliman would then caught stealing in a pitch off attempt by De La Rosa to retire the Twins.

Eliencer Cardenas worked the first three for the Twins before giving way to Renzo Revorol for the next trio of innings. Lesmir Vargas would take over in the bottom of the 7th and would allow the only Diamondbacks run in the bottom of the 8th. A fielding error in left by Arcia contributed to the run, making it unearned.

It was Reverol's 4th win of the season, and Vargas' 2nd save.

Arcia would finish up 2-for-3 at the plate with the yard ball. Perez was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs. Jhonatan Arias was 1-for-2 at the plate but did not factor into the scoring. Sierra was 1-for-3 with a walk and a run. Gil batted 1-for-4 with a run.

The DSL Twins move into 2nd place in the B.C. North Division, one game behind the DSL Yankees2. I don't know the playoff format for the league, but given the explosion of participants in both the North and South Divisions which left the Venezuelan League nearly bereft of teams, thre is most likely a wild card slot available.

With 3 games left to play, perhaps we shall find out. The Twins host the DSL Orioles on Thursday for a 10:30 AM Dominican time game.

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Twins beat storm, Pirates in Bradenton

GCL Pirates 2 at GCL Twins 8

W: J. Mijares (1-2, 3.93); L: G. Alvarado (4-2, 3.43); SV: M. Mopas (1)
HR: TWI: A. Hicks (4), D. Ortiz (2), H. Lara (1).

The GCL Twins used home field advantage at the Pirates complex and 10 hits to win 8-2 against their South Division rival. The game was moved to Bradenton due to the stormy conditions in Fort Myers as the Lee County Sportsplex and the surrounding area prepared for the arrival of Tropical Storm Fay.

The Pirates came out of the gate like a baby hurricane with Adenson Chourio singling off starter Jean Mijares. Ben Gonzalez would strike out, but Chourio stole 2nd and Jarek Cunningham doubled him in. Edward Garcia's ground out advanced the runner and Carlos Silva's ground ball single to center brought him in.

Aaron Hicks homered in the bottom of the inning to cut the Pirates lead in half. Danny Ortiz would follow suite in the bottom of the 4th, to tie up the game. Both balls went over the right field fence, helped by storm brought winds.

Josmir Pinto singled and then moved ot 2nd on Jakub Hajtmar's sac bunt. Juan Sanchez doubled him in. Herbert Lara made use to the wind to put his first home run of the year over the right field fence, scoring two. The Pirates were starting to hate that fence. Following a bunt out to Hicks and a single to Anderson Hidalgo, the Pirates would switch pitchers bringing in Ivan Herrera-Rusova to temporarily quell the Twins' fun.

The top of the seventh would see Sanchez double and Lara reach on Cunningham's throwing error. Hicks would take a walk, loading the bags. Hidalgo flew out and Ortiz struck out, but Mike Gonazales tripled to clean off the bases making it 8-2 Twins.

Mijares would work six inning allowing 2 runs, earned on five hits and a walk. Ian Mopas finished off, allowing just one hit and a pair of walks while fanning two over three innings.

Sanchez would finish off 2-for-3 with a walk, a pair of doubles, two runs and a RBI. Ortiz and Gonzales went 2-for-4 at th plate, Ortiz with a run and a RBI as one of the game's three yard birds, and Gonzales with a triple and 3 RBIs. Hicks was 1-for-3 with a walk, a pair of runs, and a RBI. Hidalgo, Pinto and Lara were each 1-for-4, Pinto with a run, Lara with 2 runs and 2 RBI, leaving Hidalgo to be the one hit wonder of the game.

Tuesday's game against the GCL Orioles has been postponed due to Tropical Storm Fay. Wednesday's game again the Reds will be a game day decision based on the condition of the fields following the storm.

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DSL Twins 5 at DSL Yankees2

W: J. Garcia (3-0, 2.79); L: J. Arias (5-4, 3.12); SV: E. Alvarez (13)
HR: None.

After three days off, the DSL Twins were a little slow coming out the gate, but finished up strong, pulling out a 5-3 win over the DSL Yankees2 on the road.

Orlando Villaroel took the start for the Twins and saw Eduardo Sosa reach on a fielding error by shortstop Carlos Vasquez. Jhorge Liccien then singled to advance Sosa to 3rd. Kelvin De Leon would fly out before Reymond Nunez reached on a fielder's choice that took Sosa out at home. Henry Pena followed that up with a double however, that plated Liccien, giving the Yankees2 one run. Villaroel would then take Jose Toussen down on strikes to end the innings.

Liccien doubled in the bottom of the 3rd and came home on De Leon's follow up single, which game the home team a two run lead.

Villaroel worked five, allowing the 2 runs, only one earned on 7 hits while striking out 3. Johnny Garcia would take over the mound in the sixth inning.

In the bottom of the 7th Juan Rijo singled then moved to 2nd on Keny Rodriguez's ground out. A wild pitch by Garcia put him on 3rd. Sosa would strike out, but Liccien doubled to drive him in, giving the Yankees2 a 3-0 lead.

Elvin Orozco would take over the mound for the Yankees2 in the top of the 8th. With two outs on the board, Felix Caro and Jhonatan Arias hit back-to-back singles for the Twins. Wilfy Gil's fly ball single then plated Caro, to give the Twins 1 and spoil the Yankees2 shut out bid.

It would be spoiled even further in the top of the 9th, when Oswaldo Arcia doubled and advanced to 3rd on a fielding error by Sosa in center. Jairo Perez would go down on strikes but Eliel Sierra singled, driving in Arcia. This triggered a pitching change with Justo Arias taking the Yankees2 mound. He'd issue a walk to Rafael Sanchez to start. The Twins would insert a couple of pinch runners, with Yancarlo Franco taking over for Sierra and Juan Blanco taking Sanchez's place on the base paths. Jean Carlos Mercedes lined out, but Danny Santana, coming in as a pinch hitter for Caro tripled to drive in two, giving the Twins the lead. Arias's single plated Santana to finish off the scoring.

Edison Alvarez blanked the Yankees2 in the bottom of the inning to pick up his 13th save of the season.

Arias was 2-for-4 at the plate with a RBI, Gil was 2-for-5 with a RBI. Arica, Perez and Sierra were all 1-for-4, Arcia with a double and a run, Perez with a double and Sierra with a RBI.

The DSL Twins host the DSL Rockies on Tuesday for a 10:30 am Dominican time contest. They are tied for 2nd in the North Division, trailing the DSL Yankees2 by one game with five left to play.

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Red Sox slip by Twins in the ninth

GCL Twins 4 at GCL Red Sox 5

W: A. Batista (5-1, 6.41); L: K. Nanney (3-1, 1.76)
HR: None.

I've been boycotting the Red Sox due to the local political problems with a team. Mainly we build then a nice stadium which is only used for about 10 weeks in the spring and eats taxpayer money the rest of the year. We spend a mill or so per year on them for upgrades, and they decide to turn around and move to Sarasota or Orlando.

There's more but that's the sort version.

As a result, I will not journey to the City of Palms Complex this season, although I'm sure that no one over there has missed me, and so I was told by Jim Rantz that I missed "one hell of a game" on Saturday.

The Red Sox would slip by the Twins in the ninth, picking up a 5-4 win. The started out by taking an early lead off Twins starter Edgar Ibarra.

Wilfred Pichardo singled, then stole 2nd. Derrik Gibson singled out to center to score him. He'd steal 2nd as well, but Ibarra would take Casey Kelly out on strikes. Roberto Feliz's double moved Gibson to 3rd, but Ibarra then issued back-to-back strike outs to Chih-Hsian Huang and Andrew Frezza to get out of the jam and keep the Red Sox to a single run.

Juan Sanchez doubled in the top of the 3rd then moved to 3rd on Danny Ortiz ground out. Mike Gonzales' ground out served to plate him, tying up the contest.

Bruce Pugh would replace Ibarra in the bottom of the 4th, and allow a walk to Joantoni Garcia. Christian Vazques walked as well, and a single by Pichardo loaded the bags. A wild pitch by Pugh allowed Garcia to score. Pugh would then be called on a balk, allowing Vazquez over the plate. Pugh would take Gibson and Kelly out on strikes before Roberto Feliz popped out with the Red Sox now leading by two.

The Twins answered back however, with Sanchez doubling. Ortiz would go down on strikes, but Gonzales reached on a throwing error. Gibson's error also allowed Sanchez to score. A wild pitch by Wang-Yi Lin put Gonzales at 2nd. Lin's throwing error then allowed Pinto to reach and Gonzales to score, tying up the contest again. Both Tyler Landendorf and Hyun-wook Choi would fly out to retire the Twins.

Pugh would pitch the next three innings, allowing only 1 hit, but walking 4. He'd fan five before giving way to Khol Nanney.

Anatanaer Batista would work the 8th and 9th for the Red Sox, and would be on the mound when Aaron Hicks doubled in the top of the final stanza. Sanchez sac-bunt advanced him to 3rd, and Ortiz would double him in to give the Twins the lead. Gonzales and Rohlfing both ground out, letting the Sox have a chance at the plate.

Nanney would walk Pichardo, then allow a single to Gibson that moved Pichardo to 3rd. Gibson then stole 2nd. Nanney would get Kelly out on strikes, but Feliz doubled the pair in to end the contest with the Red Sox on top.

The loss would be Nanney's first of the season, coming on 2 hits and walk, while fanning 3 over 2.1 innings.

Sanchez lead the GCL Twins attack, going 3-for-3 at the plate with walk, a pair of doubles and two runs. Javier Brown was 2-for-3 in the contest. Jonathan Goncalves was 1-for-3 with a double, and Wook was 1-for-4 picking up the one hit wonder of the game title.

Hicks and Ortiz were 1-for-5 with a double each, Hicks with a run, Ortiz with a RBI. Gonzales, who finished up 0-for-3 at the plate, was still productive with a walk, a run and a RBI.

The Twins take Sunday off before taking on the South Division leading Pirates on Monday (weather permitting).

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Tropical Storm Fay continued to wreak havoc in the Caribbean, and causing the game between the DSL Twins and the DSL Reds to be postponed or canceled. The DSL Twins take Sunday off as well. The take on the DSL Yankees2 Monday for a 10:30 AM Dominican time game.

The Red Sox agreed to terms at the signing deadline with 4th round pick Peter Hissey (OF), 5th round pick Ryan Westmorland (OF), 13th round pick Tyler Wilson (RHP), 27th round pick Colby Cervenka (LHP), 35th rounder Carson Blair (SS) and 50th rounder Kyle Stroup (RHP). All were assigned to their Gulf Coast League affiliate. The Sox love to spend money, throwing a cool $1 mil at Hissey, and $1.604 mill (with bonuses making it $2 mill) on Wesmorland.

The Twins on the other hand signed sixth round pick B.J. Hermsen for $650 K. The righthander will not report to Fort Myers until Fall Instructional League, which is to begin around September 22nd. The Twins also agreed to terms with 14th round pick Blayne Weller, a righthanded pitcher from Key West, Florida, High School.

The Pirates also shored up their squad for the upcoming playoffs. Sandlot Swashbucklers is reporting that the Pirates signed 20th rounder Quinton Miller (RHP) and assigned him to Bradenton. 1st rounder Pedro Alvarez was also inked with a $6 Million bonus, but was not yet assigned to a team at the time the article was written. It is however, unlikely that the former Vanderbilt University 3rd baseman will be joining the GCL team.

GCL Twins down Snyder, Red Sox

GCL Red Sox 1 at GCL Twins 3

W: M. Munoz (4-2, 3.09); L: W. Lin (0-2, 4.41); SV: B. Pugh (1)
HR: None.

Juan Sanchez went 3-for-4 at the plate driving in two runs to pace the GCL Twins to a win over the GCL Red Sox at the Lee County Sportsplex in Fort Myers, Florida, Monday.

Miguel Munoz worked six scoreless innings for the GCL Twins.

The GCL Red Sox had two low minor league hurlers on rehab, Caleb Clay and Eammon Portice who worked the first two innings, plus Kyle Snyder from the AAA Pawsox, the second time the Twins have faced Snyder this season.

Snyder would work two innings before giving way to Wang-Yi Lin in the bottom of the 5th. Lin would get Jakub Hajtmar to ground out before giving up walks to Josmir Pinto and Javier Brown. Jon Goncalves singled out to left to load up the bags. Herbert Lara would ground out, bringing in Pinto before Sanchez ground ball single brought in Brown and Goncalves to give the Twins three. Danny Ortiz would single, but Mike Gonzalez hit into a ground out to end the inning.

After giving up only two hits and fanning 6 through the first six innings, Munoz returned to the Twins mound for the top of the 7th. He'd allow a single to Casey Kelly before giving up walks to Roberto Felix and Bryan Peterson, to fill up the bases. He'd then get Chih-Hsiang Huang to ground into a double play, allowing Kelly to score but taking Peterson out at 2nd. Jake Mauer took Munoz from the the mound at the point, getting Bruce Pugh out of the bullpen to replace him. Pugh would get Joantoni Garcia to fly out to retire the Red Sox, stranding Feliz on third.

Pugh would work the finally 2 innings, giving up a hit while fanning 3. Neither would the Twins get anything more as Lin went on to work 2 more innings before giving way to Jennell Hudson for the final inning.

Ortiz was 1-for-3 in the contest, becoming the one hit wonder of the game. Pinto was 1-for-1 with a pair of walks and a run, while Goncalves was 1-for-3 with a run. Brown, 0-for-2 picking up the final run on a walk.

The Twins rest on Tuesday and return to action Wednesday against the GCL Pirates in Bradenton for a noon game.

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DSL White Sox1 3 at DSL Twins 11

W: L. Parra (5-1, 1.63); L: C. Zabala (6-2, 1.77)
HR: None.

The DSL Twins pounded out 11 runs on 14 hits to batter the division leading DSL White Sox1 11-3 at home on Monday.

Jerry Puentes doubled to lead off for the White Sox1. Following a pop out to Jeffer Patino and a ground out to Juan Vegas, Puentes scored. Angel Ferreiras singled then advanced to 2nd on a throwing error by Carlos Vasquez. Hector Acuna would single him in, giving the White Sox1 a pair of runs to start off the game.

The Twins began their scoring barrage in the bottom of the 2nd inning, with Jairo Perez singling before Felix Caro popped out. Eliel Sierra and Jhonatan Arias both singled, allowing Perez to score. Juan Blanco's line drive to left brought in Sierra, and Arias would would steal home while Blanco stole 2nd. Carlos Vasquez and Wifly Gil both ground out, ending the fun for the second inning at least.

Juan Vega took a walk in the top of the third off Twins starter Orlando Villaroel, who then unleashed a wild pitch, sending Vega to 2nd. A double by Angel Ferreiras brought Vega in before Villarel could get Hector Acuna to strike out.

The bottom of fourth saw Caro double and Sierra reach on a fielding error. Arias' single loaded the bags. Blanco ground into a force out to score Caro and, following a strike out to Vasquez, Sierra would score on a balk, with Blanco advancing to 3rd. A passed ball by Sox catcher Danny Yepez got Blanco to 3rd, at which point Gil doubled to drive him in.

Yovan Rodriguez would replace Carlos Zabala in the bottom of the sixth and he'd return to the mound for the Sox in the seventh. Danny Santana took a triple off him to lead off, and Oswaldo Arcia drew a walk. Perez reached on a force attempt; a fielding error by Sox shortstop Mijel Garcia allowed Santana to score. Caro would strike out, before missed catch on a pick off attempt brought Arcia over the plate Sierra would double, but Arias flew out and Franco popped out to end the inning.

The Twins tacked on three more in the bottom of the eighth. Reliever Emenejildo Arias would get Vasquez out on strikes before allowing a double to Gil. Santana reached on a fielding error, and Arcia tripled the pair in. A missed catch by left fielder Juan Vega turned the triple into an in-the-park home run as Arcia scored as well.

Leonardo Parra would pick up the win, allowing only 1 hit while fanning two over three innings of relief. Edison Alvarez worked the final 2 innings, allowing 2 hits and a walk.

Sierra finished up 3-for-4 at the plate with a double and a pair of runs. Arias and Arcia were each 2-for-4, Arias with a run and a run scored, Arcia with a walk, a triple, a pair of runs and 2 RBIs. Gil and Caro were both 2-for-5, Gil with a pair of doubles, a run and a RBI and Caro with 1 double and 1 run.

Blanco was 1-for-3 with a run and a pair of RBIs; Santana and Perez were both 1-for-5, Santana with a triple and a pair of runs and Perez with a run and a RBI.

The DSL Twins travel to face the DSL Indians Tuesday morning for a 10:30 AM Dominican time game.

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Twins defeat Red Sox, cling to first place

GCL Twins 9 at GCL Red Sox 3

W: A. Lobanov (3-1, 3.54); L: A. Zerpa (2-1, 2.57)
HR: TWI: J. Sanchez 2 (2), J. Pinto (1).

Jakub Hajtmar went 5-for-6 at the plate with a pair of runs while Danny Ortiz had a pair of runs and a pair of runs batted in to lead the GCL Twins to a 9-3 blow out over the Boston Red Sox at City of Palms Complex on Wednesday.

The Twins take Thursday off and return home Friday to face the GCL Pirates.

Aaron Hicks lead off in the top of the first with a walk, then he stole 2nd. Hajtmar's single, combined with a fielding error by Bryan Peterson drove in Hicks to give the Twins first blood. Hajtmar would move to 2nd on a wild pitch by Red Sox starter Pedro Perez, but fly outs by Ortiz and Michael Gonzalez and a line out by Andres Diaz stranded the Twins Czech fielder.

Wilfred Pichardo singled then stole 2nd. A fielding error by Tyler Ladendorf send Pichardo to 3rd and allowed Derrik Gibson to reach. Casey Kelly sacrificed in Pichardo. Gibson would steal 2nd, then score on Peterson's single to left, putting the Red Sox on top.

Peter Ruiz would replace Perez for the top of the fifth, and Hajtmar singled off the reliever. Ortiz's ground ball to right put Hajtmar on 3rd. Gonzales would ground into a double play that drove in Hajtmar, tying up the game. Diaz would double, but Ladendorf flew out to end the contest.

Gibson tripled off starter Angelo Sanchez and Kelly singled him in to put the Red Sox up by one again.

However, the Twins found Armando Zerpa to their liking with Hajtmar singling off the new reliever. Ortiz would hit into a force out, and Gonzales would be hit by a pitch, putting two men on. Diaz then ground into a force out that would have been a double play, but Tyler Yockey at first missed the catch, allowing Diaz to reach. Ortiz would score on the play, to even up the game again. Diaz stole 2nd, and Ladendorf walked, but Josmil Pinto hit into a force out to end the send the Sox up to the plate.

Andrei Lovanov replaced Sanchez in the bottom of the 7th. Sanchez would be charged for 3 runs, only 2 earned, on 6 hits while fanning three over 6 innings. Lovanov would work the next two, allowing only 1 hit.

Juan Sanchez went yard in the top of the 8th, and following a fly out to Jon Goncalves, Hicks took a walk. Hajtmar singled and Ortiz then tripled the two runners in. Dustin Mercadante replaced Zerpa at that point for the Red Sox, but a wild pitch by the new reliever allowed Ortiz to score before Gonzales and Diaz hit into ground outs to retire the side.

Michael Lennox came out to the mound for the top of the ninth for the Red Sox and after getting Ladendorf to ground out, watched Pinto put his first home run of the season over the left field fence. Sanchez then followed suit, putting his second of the game over the same left field fence to top the Twins out at 9 runs.

Kelvin Mota would go three up, three down in the bottom of the 9th to end the contest and take away any hope of a Red Sox rally.

Sanchez finished up 2-for-5 at the plate with a pair of runs and a pair of runs batted in courtesy of the home runs. Pinto was 3-for-4 with a walk a run and a RBI. Goncalves would go 1-for-4 with a walk, while Diaz was 1-for-5 with a double.

The Twins remain in first place in the South Division, half a game ahead of the GCL Pirates. They are tied with the GCL Phillies for the overall spot in the GCL. The top team in the league gets a buy in the first round of the playoffs with the other two divisional winners playing a one-game elimination contest to determine who will go do the Championship round.

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Former GCL starter Alex Curry suffered his 2nd loss in the Appalachian League as the Elizabethton Twins fell 13-5 to the Bristol White Sox. Angel Morales hit a single shot home run in the second inning, his 10th of the season for the E-Twins, who committed 4 errors in the game, leading to 3 unearned runs (Box/Log).

Pedro Guerra limited the DSL Reds to only 2 runs, both unearned, on 4 hits while fanning 7 over seven innings in route to his 7th win for the DSL Twins. Manuel Soliman was 2-for-3 at the plate with a double a run and a RBI, while 1st baseman Jairo Perez had a pair of runs. Edison Alverez picked up his 12 save of the season for the DSL Twins who are in 3rd place in the 10-team North Division, 3.5 games behind the division leading DSL White Sox1 (Box/Log).

Twins turn trick for win in 10th

GCL Twins 3 at GCL Reds 2

W: M. Schiavoni (1-1, 1.66); L: B. Gardner (0-1, 4.85)
HR: None.

Aaron Hicks, Anderson Hidalgo and Juan Sanchez were all 2-for-5 at the plate as the GCL Twins slipped past the GCL Reds, 3-2 in extra innings, at the City of Sarasota Complex on Thursday afternoon.

Miguel Munoz would keep the Reds off the board for five innings, but finally surrendered a pair of runs in the sixth inning. Alexis Oliveras would be hit by a pitch. Following a fly out to Maurico Pimentel, Darrick Hale singled to move the Reds runner to 2nd. Efrain Contreras doubled in the pair before Munoz could take Sean Conner down on strikes and get Donald Lutz to ground out.

The Twins would get onto the board in the top of the 4th with Raul Rodriguez replacing Hugo Calderon on the mound for Reds. A fielding error by Lutz at first base would allow Danny Ortiz to reach. He'd advance to second on Mike Gonazles ground out the Reds would go for a fielder's choice, trying to get Ortiz out, but a throwing error by Brodie Pullen at 3rd allow Jae-Hyung Jang to reach and Ortiz to score.

The top of the 7th saw the Twins tie up the game. Reliever Rafael Ceballos would get the first two batters he faced out, but Sanchez, Javier Brown and Herbert Lara all took singles off of him which plated Sanchez for the equalizer.

Mauro Schiavoni would work four scoreless innings for the Twins, fanning five. Despite having men on the corners with one out in the top of the eighth the Twins could not capitalize as the J.J. and Reggie Williams both went down on ground outs.

Lara would get as far as 2nd base in the top of the 9th before Hidalgo ground out to retire the side.

Bryan Gardner would allow a single to Ortiz in the top of the 10th inning. After getting Gonzales out on strikes, J.J. would move Ortiz to 2nd on a ground out. Tyler Ladendorf, pinch-hitting for Williams, took a walk. The Reds would send David Torcise to the hill to finish off the Twins, but instead he allowed a single to Sanchez that put Ortiz over the plate for the game winning run.

Schiavoni would strike out 2 of the 3 batters he faced in the 10th to earn the win, his first of the season.

Sanchez would add a run and a RBI to his batting totals, while Ortiz, who was 1-for-5 at the plate, added a pair of runs. Lara would finish up 3-for-4 with a double and a RBI. Gonzales 1-for-4 with a double and a walk while Javier Brown, 1-for-5, was the one hit wonder with a single.

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DSL Twins 13 at DSL White Sox1 3

W: P. Guerra (6-2, 2.27); L: A. Medina (6-3, 1.99)
HR: DSL TWI: O. Arcia (3), L. Galvan (1).

The DSL Twins knocked out 13 runs on 12 hits, 5 walks and 3 White Sox1 errors to destroy the south division leading team 13-3 on the road.

Jairo Perez was 3-for-3 a the plate with a walk, a double, a run and a run batted in, but it was Danny Santana, 1-for-4 with a walk, who racked up three runs for the Twins. Wifly Gil was 2-for-4 with a double and a pair of runs while everyone in the original batting order had a hit except for short stop Carlos Vasquez, who was 0-for-5 with a run.

Lesther Galvan would ground out to start the top of the fifth inning, but Vasquez reached on a fielding error. Gil would get plunked by a pitch and Santana took a walk to load the bags. Jose Rosario would come up to the mound to try to work out of the jam and got Juan Blanco to fly out. Oswaldo Arcia then hit a grand slam over the center field wall, his 3 yarder of the year.

Perez would walk and Jairo Rodriguez would single. Manuel Soliman then took a walk as well, loading up the bags again, Batting around the order, Galvan stepped up to the plate and launched one over the center field wall for the second grand slam of the inning. It was his first of the year. Amazingly enough, they left Rosario in there to finish off the inning, and he would get Vasquez to ground out to send the White Sox1 up to bat.

Pedro Guerra picked up his sixth win of the season, allowing only 2 runs on 10 hits while fanning 4 over six innings worth of work.

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Twins double up Reds

GCL REds 3 at GCL Twins 6

W: J. Testa (1-0, 0.00); L: R. Ceballos (3-1, 8.18); SV: M. Schiavoni (1)
HR: TWI: D. Ortiz (1).

Joe Testa picked up his first professional win and Danny Ortiz went yard as the GCL Twins downed the GCL Reds in a game that saw the Reds use a plethora of pitchers.

One assumes it was a bull pen start and they were trying to use the whole bullpen.

The Reds got on the board first with Mauricio Pimentel singling off of Martire Garcia. Samuel Vasquez would fly out, but Yen-Wen Kuo took a walk, moving Pimentel to 2nd. Efrain Contreras' single scored Pimentel and Donald Lutz's follow up single plated Kuo. Frank Pfister would ground into a force out that took down Contreras. Eli Rimes walked to load the bags, but Garcia got Todd Waller to strike out swinging to strand the Reds runners.

After a fly out to Aaron Hicks and a ground out to Anderson Hidalgo, Danny Ortiz singled, then moved to 2nd on a wild pitch. Andres Diaz drew a walk. Efrain Rodriguez would be called for a balk moving the pair, and then unleashed a wild pitch that scored Ortiz. Mike Gonzales then singled in Diaz to tie up the game. Hyeong-rok Choi also singled, moving Gonzales to second. That marked the first pitching change as Matteo Pizziconi, one of two Italian pitchers on the Reds staff, replaced Rodriguez on the mound. Pizziconi would get Josmir Pinto out on strikes to end the inning.

(Oh, no wonder I'm confused. The Twins roster has him listed as Josmir, while MiLB has him down as Josmil. Poor kid!)

Garcia would walk Vasquez, but otherwise kept the top of the 2nd a short affair.

After a pair of ground outs, Aaron Hicks took a walk, then stole 2nd. Pizziconi would try to pick him off but put the ball into the outfield instead, moving Hicks to 3rd. Hidalgo took a walk, but Pizziconi got Ortiz to ground out, leaving Hicks stranded. This would become on ongoing theme through out the game, as Hicks simply could not get past 3rd.

Lutz singled off Garcia with one out on the board in the top of the 3rd, then stole 2nd base. Rimes doubled him in, putting the Reds back on top.

Luca Panerati, the other Italian on the Reds staff, replaced his countryman for the 3rd inning, getting Diaz to ground out and Gonzales and Rok to fly out.

Joe Testa would replace Garcia in the top of the 4th, and would work the next three innings, fanning 3.

Justin Walker showed up on the hill for the bottom of the fourth. Pinto Singled and Juan Sanchez took a walk. Herbert Lara would advance the pair on a sac-bunt. Following a pop out to Hicks, Hidalgo singled to plate Pinto. Sanchez would try to come home as well, but was called out at home, ending the inning with the game knotted up again.

The bottom of the fifth got Rafael Ceballos out to the hill. Ortiz greeted him with his first home run of the season, putting the ball over the right field fence. Funny, for a little guy, he sure has a lot of power. Diaz ground out but Gonzales singled. Rok would be hit by a pitch. Pinto would go down on strikes before Sanchez singled out to left to drive in Gonzales. A fielding error by Theodis Bowe in left advanced the runners. That did it for Ceballos as the Reds got David Torcise out of the bullpen. He'd get Lara to pop out to end the inning.

Torcise got to come back out for the bottom of the sixth. Hicks would reach on a throwing error and Hidalgo would move him on a sac-bunt. After Ortiz went down on strikes, Torcise unleashed a wild pitch that moved Hicks to 3rd. Sadly Diaz flew out, leaving Hicks stranded again.

The Twins put Ian Mopas on the mound for the top of the 7th. Ian has been complaining of a sore shoulder, but he got Bowe and Pimentel to ground out before allowing a single to Vasquez. Kuo would then pop out to end send the Twins out to bat again. "That went rather well," Mopas said after the game. Yes, it did.

Raul Rodriguez was the lucky recipient of a trip to the mound for the Reds in the bottom of the 7th. He'd allow walks to Gonzales and Rok but would get Pinto to line into a double play. Sanchez singled in Gonzales. I have to say, at 6'6" and 245 lbs, watching the former Diablo Valley Viking bear down on you the plate is a pretty daunting image for any catcher. I was sitting just to the right of the plate and got to see it twice. Glad he's on our team!

Mauro Schiavoni worked both the top of the 8th and the 9th for the Twins and did a fine job keeping the Reds hitless over the two, earning his first professional save.

Hector Santana would be the last of the Reds pitchers we'd have the pleasure of seeing, and he'd give up a triple to Aaron Hicks. Hicks was again left on base though as Hidalgo went down on strikes and Ortiz and Diaz then popped out.

Gonzales and Sanchez were both 2-for-3, Gonzales with a pair of runs and a RBI, and Sanchez with walk and 2 runs scored. Ortiz was 2-for-5 with 2 runs and a RBI, courtesy of the homer. Hicks and Pinto were each 1-for-4, hicks with a triple and walk and Pinto with a run. Hidalgo was 1-for-3 with a walk and a RBI. Rok was 1-for-2 with a walk, while Diaz, who finish up 0-for-4 with walk, chipped in a run as well.

The Twins face the Red Sox Sunday at the City of Palms Complex for a noon game. They rest on Monday.

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GCL Twins double up GCL Orioles

GCL Twins 6 at GCL Orioles 3

W: J. Mijares (1-0, 3.86); L: J. Reyes (0-2, 5.40); SV: K. Mota (2)
HR: None.

Martire Garcia would allow 3 runs on 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 5 over five innings for the GCL Twins, but walked away with a no decision and the Twins scored late to pick up the win over the GCL Orioles at Twin Lakes Park.

The Twins got onto the board first as Herbert Lara lead off with a single. The speedy Venezuelan would then be plated by Aaron Hicks line drive double to center. Danny Ortiz would single to left to drive in Hicks, giving the Twins two.

The Orioles took it back through as Jerome Hoes and Edinho Meyer hit back-to-back singles off Garcia. Michael Gioioso reached on a throwing error by Garcia and Hoes scored on the play. After getting Edwin Cintron out on strikes, Gracia then gave up a single to Javier Santana that brought in Meyer, tying the game.

The bottom of the fourth would see the O's take the lead with Gioioso walking with one out on the board. He would then steal 2nd and advance to 3rd on a throwing error by catcher Jae-Hyung Jang. Cintron's sac fly would bring in Gioioso for the go ahead run.

With Jean Carlos Reyes on the mound for the Orioles, J.J. would double in the top of the 7th. He'd try to stretch it for 3 however, and would be taken down at third. Juan Sanchez drew a walk and Lara's line drive moved him to 2nd. Hicks would walk to load the bags, and Ortiz would single to bring in Sanchez, with Lara hot on his heels. Ladendorf would line into a double play to retire the Twins.

They'd return in the top of the 8th however, with Andrew Conklin on the mound for the O's. Mike Gonzalez would fly out before Hyeong-rok Choi singled. Jakub Hatjamr hit into a ground out that moved Rocky to 2nd. Danny Rohlfing would replace J.J. as a pinch hitter and the Missouri native would double to drive in Rocky. Sanchez then doubled as well to plate Rohlfing.

Jean Mijares picked up the first win of the season, working 2 innings of relief and allowing 2 hits and striking out 2. Kelvin Mota finished up the last two innings, allowing only 1 hit and a pair of walks to the host team.

Sanchez was 2-for-3 with a walk, a run and a RBI; Hicks and Gonzalez were both 2-for-4, Hicks with a walk, a run and a RBI and Gonzalez with a walk. Lara would go 2-for-5 with a pair of runs.

The Twins take on the Sarasota Reds Tuesday at the City of Sarasota Complex, starting at noon.

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Monday's game between the Dominican Summer League Twins and the DSL Red was postponed due to rain. A make up date was not announced.