Nats double up Twins, crush playoff hopes

GCL Twins 5 at GCL Nationals 10
W: P. Arnold (1-0, 3.18); L: M. Munoz (0-1, 67.50); SV: D. Gil (1)
HR: None.

While Miguel Munoz has shown an incredible capacity for the strike out, he has also demonstrated questionable control throughout the 2008 season. Thursday, Munoz was volatile.

After getting Chris Curran to fly out in the first inning, Munoz would give up singles to Esmailyn Gonzalez and Destin Hood. Ronnie Labrie then drew a walk off him to load the bases. Johnathan Ramirez singled to score two. Munoz then hit John Higley with a pitch, keeping the bags full. Stephen Lombardozzie's line drive to left brought in Labrie and Sandy Leon took a walk to force in Ramirez. A fielding error by Danny Rohlfing at first allowed Brett Newsome to reach and Higley to score. After batting around the order, Munoz would finally find the strike zone, taking Curran down swinging, but then turned around and gave up another walk, this time Gonzalez, forcing in Lombardozzie. Field Manager Jake Mauer finally got Munoz off the mound, going with Mauro Schiavoni, who got Hood to ground into a force out.

The Twins can swing some sticks but a six run hole is pretty big to come back from.

With two outs in the top of the 3rd, Juan Sanchez singled and Danny Ortiz doubled him in. Mike Gonzales snapped a line drive out to center to bring in Ortiz before Josmir Pinto popped out.

Lombardozzi singled out to center followed by a Leon pop out. Lombardozzie then stole 2nd and Newsome's line drive single brought him in to make it 7-2 Nats.

Shiavoni would work 4.1 innings allowing only 3 hits while fanning four, but National starter Patrick Arnold was reasonably stingy, scattering six hits over 5.2 innings while fanning five. Frederico Tanco would take over for him with two outs on the top of the sixth, getting Rohlfing to fly out to retire the Twins.

Mike Tonkin relieved Shiavoni in the bottom of the inning, walking Newsome and advancing him on a wild pitch, but then getting Curran to pop out, Gonazlez to line out and Hood to ground out.

The Twins would not really threaten until the top of the 8th when Gonzales took a walk and Pinto singled him to second. A wild pitch by Tanco advanced the pair. Anderson Hidalgo's ground out plated Gonzales, while Pinto move to 3rd on Rohlfing's ground out. Tyler Ladendorf would get plunked by a pitch. The Nationals made a pitching move then, inserting Danny Gil for Tanco. Jon Goncalves would come in to the Twins line up as a pinch hitter and took a walk. Aaron Hicks' single to right drove in Pinto and Ladendorf, but Reggie Williams flew out to end the rally too soon.

The Nationals took the runs back in the bottom of the inning.

Leon doubled of Tonkin and moved to 3rd on Newsome's sac bunt. Curran would reach on a fielder's choice, but the Twins could not get the play made at the plate, and Leon scored. Gonzalez doubled, putting runners on 2nd and 3rd. Mauer would call closer Kelvin Mota out of bullpen, but Mota gave up a double to Hood that drove in the two Nats runners. He'd be taken out at 3rd though as Labrie was allowed to reach on a fielder's choice. Ramirez then ground into a force out to end the inning.

Gil would get the job done for the Washington farm in the top of the 9th, getting Ortiz and Gonzales to hit into ground outs. He'd allow a single to Pinto, but Hidalgo ground into a force out, ending the Twins championship hopes early.

The Twins were not the only South Division team disappointed in their playoff quest as the GCL Pirates fell to the GCL Phillies, 7-4 in Bradenton.

The Phils and the Nationals now move on the final best of three series to determine the Rookie League Champions.

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As always THANK YOU TWINS FOR A GREAT 2008 SEASON! Coming up next, Fall Instructional League here at the Lee County Sportsplex!

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

Twins top Reds, FIL information released

GCL Reds 5 at GCL Twins 7

W: A. Sanchez (4-3, 3.62); L: L. Machuca (1-3, 6.48); SV: B. Pugh (2)
HR: RDS: D. Lutz (1). TWI: R. Tosoni (1).

The GCL Twins were ahead when a late afternoon thunderstorm interrupted, and then ended the game at the Lee County Sportsplex early.

Angelo Sanchez took the start for the Twins, picking up his 4th win of the season.

Aaron Hicks doubled to lead off the bottom of the first. Juan Sanchez struck out, but Rene Tosoni singled to score the Twin's centerfielder. Mike Gonzales hit a grounder to right to move Tosoni to 3rd, and Josmir Pinto singled out to left to drive in Tosoni. Tyler Ladendorf hit into a double play, giving the Reds a turn at the plate.

Sean Conner would lead off with walk and Frank Pfister doubled him in. Samuel Vasquez singled, moving Pfister to third, but Donald Lutz lined into an unassisted double play with Vasquez being doubled of first. Mariekson Gregorius poped up leave the Twins with a slender lead.

It would not hold up past the top of the 3rd however, as Mauricio Pimente and Alexis Oliveras hit back-to-back singles. A throwing error by Tosoni allowed Pimentel to score, tying up the game. Kevin Coddington's line drive to right put Oliveras on 3rd, and he'd score on Humberto Sosa's ground out. Conner and Pfister would both fly out, bring the Twins up to bat.

Tosoni launched one over the right field fence to tie up the game.

Lutz followed suite in the top of the 4th to put the Reds on top again.

Jakub Hajtmar singled, and moved to 2nd on Javier Brown's sac bunt. Herbert Lara reached on a fielder's choice that netted Hajtmar at 3rd. Lara then stole 2nd, and advanced to 3rd when Coddington over threw 2nd on a caught stealing attempt. Hicks singled, driving in Lara, then stole 2nd. Juan Sanchez's line drive to center plated Hicks. The Reds would call for a pitching change, bring Brodie Pullen in to replace Luis Machuca. Sanchez then stole 2nd base before Rene Tosoni singled. A wild pitch by Pullen put Tosoni on 2nd, and Gonzales walked to load the bags. The mounting excitement went for naught though as Pinto struck out, stranding the runners.

Danny Ortiz would replace Tosoni in the top of the 5th. Coddington would draw a walk sandwiched in between strike outs to Oliveras and Sosa. Conner double him in, but Pfister went down on strikes, making it a short inning for the Reds.

Bruce Pugh replaced Sanchez in the top of the sixth. Following a fly out to Vasques, Lutz would single and then move to second on Pugh's throwing error during the pick off attempt. Gregorius took a walk, as did Pimentel. Oliveras would ground into a double play though with the bases loaded to Pugh out of his jam.

Neither team would threaten much in the next 1 and a half innings before the rains, so the Twins were declared the victory. Sadly however, the Pirates defeated the Red Sox, so the Twins did not make up any ground in the standing.

Tosoni was 3-for-3 at the plate with 2 runs and 3 RBIs, including the home tun. Hicks was 2-for-3 with walk, a double, a pair of runs and a RBI. Pinto and Hajtmar were 2-for-4 each, Pinto with a RBI as well. Brown and Ortiz were 1-for-1 each, Brown with a walk and a RBI to leave Ortiz as the one hit wonder of the contest.

Juan Sanchez finished of 1-for-4 with a run and a RBI. Ladendorf was 0-for-2 with a pair of walks and a run. Lara was 0-for-4 at the plate, but had a run as well.

The Twins play a double header tomorrow against the Red Sox at the City of Palms Complex, they must win their next two and the Pirates much lose their next to for them to tie the division. Game time is 11:00 AM for the Twins final contests for the 2008 regular season.

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DSL Mariners 0 at DSL Twins 1

W: P. Guerra (1-0, 0.00); L: H. Perez (0-1, 1.42); SV: E. Alvarez (1)
HR: None.

Jairo Perez doubled in the bottom of the 4th, moved to 3rd on a wild pitch by Seattle's Henry Perez, and came home on Jairo Rodrgiuez's line drive to left.

It was the only run for the DSL Twins, but it was the only one they needed as Pedro Guerra scattered nine hits and a walk across 8 innings while striking out six to keep the Mariners off the board. Edison Alvarez shut down Seattle for the final inning, to give the Twins a win in game one of the best-of-three wildcard round of the 2008 DSL playoffs.

The Twins won on only three hits - two came off the bat of Rodriguez.

The series now shifts to the Eppy Guerrero Complex in Villa Mella for Tuesday's 10:30 AM rematch.

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The 2008 Fall Instructional League preliminary Roster and Schedule is now available online. As always, these things are set in pixels, not stone, and are therefore subject to change without notice.

You might note that Mark Hamburger's name is on the list, but he was traded this afternoon to the Rangers for Eddie Guardado (LEN3), so obviously, he won't be coming.

Of note is the position switch for Juan Richardson from 3rd base to catcher. Also making a position change is Danny Santiesteban, who will begin pitching full time after joining the organization as an outfielder in 2005.

The two new signees B.J. Hermsen and Blayne Weller will getting their first taste of the majors at the camp as well.

Game times are nominally listed as 1:00 PM expect for Saturday which some sadist has scheduled for 10:00 AM. I should not that the games NEVER start at 1:00, usually more like noon, but the official start time is "whenever the other team shows up".

Days list as "Game Day" usually but not always include an inner-squad scrimmage which can start at any time.

There will also likely be a few prospects at camp that are not on the list and while which be rehabbing injuries, most notable would be Pat Neshek, although Tyler Robertson said he'd probably pitch instructs as well.

As always, there are no official game reports being posted, nor are any stats from FIL going to be made available, much the chagrin of all you stat watchers. I will however be bringing you pictures and video from the camp so we can get a subjective look at our new draftees.

Nelson Prada will be the field manager this year, aided as always be an able coaching staff including Eric Rasmussen, Milt Cuyler, Jim Dwyer, Jose Marzan and Jeff Smith.

(Note: the printable version of the roster in in Excel spreadsheet .xls format.)

Schedule / Roster / Printable Roster

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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Ladendorf homers as Twins cool off Reds

GCL Reds 1 at GCL Twins 5

W: M. Garcia (2-1, 3.61); L: E. Hildenbrandt (3-2, 2.92); SV: M. Schiavoni (2)
HR: TWI: T. Ladendorf (1).

The Twins took an early lead Friday at the Lee County Sportsplex and never relinquished it, picking up a 5-1 win over the 3rd placed Reds in the South Division standings.

Andres Diaz singled his way onto base and one out later, Tyler Ladendorf hit his first home run of the season over the left field. That was definitely a feel good run as Ladendorf has struggled at the plate this season and everyone has been pulling for him.

Maurico Pimentel and Kevin Coddington hit back-to-back singles off Twins starter Martire Garcia. Alexis Oliveras singled to drive in Pimentel for the Reds lone run. Garcia would induce Humberto Sosa to ground into a double play and then took Eli Rimes out on strikes to retire the side.

Jakub Hajtmar doubled in the bottom of the sixth, and Gonzalez singled him in. Andres Diaz would take a single too, but Hyeong-rok Choi would flyout, ending the inning.

The Reds replaced Canadian hurler Evan Hildenbradt with Bryan Gardner in the bottom of the seventh. Ladendorf would go down on strikes, but Danny Rohlfing drew a walk. Herbert Lara singled and Arron Hicks doubled to score the pair, to give the Twins their fourth and fifth runs.

Garcia worked six for the Twins allowing just the one run on 3 hits and a walk while striking out six. He's been somewhat of a human strike out machine all season long. Mauro Schiavoni picked up his second save of the season, allowing a pair of hits while fanning two over three innings.

Ladendorf lead the attack, going 2-for-3 at the plate with run and 2 RBIs. Diaz would finish up 2-for-4 with a run, while Hicks, Hajtmar, Danny Ortiz, and Gonzalez were all 1-for-4, Hajtmar with a run, Hicks with 2 RBIs and Gonzales with one, leaving Ortiz to be the one hit wonder of the game.

Lara finished up 1-for-3 with a run at the bottom of the order. Rohlfing would hit 0-and-2, but parlayed a walk into a run for the Twins.

The Twins finish off this four game set on the road against the GCL Red Sox at the City of Palms Complex. As it's Saturday, the game beings at 10:00 AM. The Twins then rest on Sunday.

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The Dominican Summer League game between the DSL Cubs1 and the DSL Twins was postponed due to rain from Tropical Storm Fay, which is likely to threaten the Florida coast early next week. The DSL Twins are schedule to take on the DSL Reds on the road on Saturday, weather permitting, for a 10:30 AM game. With seven games left in the season, it's likely that the game will not be made up.

Pirates down Twins, pull ahead in playoff race

GCL Twins 1 at GCL Pirates 4

W: G. Amato (2-0, 0.00); L: A. Sanchez (2-3, 3.71)
HR: None.

The GCL Pirates roughed up Twins starter Angelo Sanchez, taking 3 earned runs of him on 7 hit and a pair of walks over 3 innings at Pirate City in Bradenton.

Meanwhile Gabrial Alvarado limited the GCL Twins to just one hit and pair of walks over the first four innings.

Adenson Chourio singled in the bottom of the 1st then moved to 2nd on Edwin Roman's sac bunt. Jarek Cunningham would fly out before Edward Garcia singled in Chourio to put the Pirates on the board in the bottom of the first.

Cunningham would single in the bottom of the 3rd with one out on the board. Sanchez then unleashed a pair of wild pitches that advanced Cunningham to 3rd. Garcia would take walk before Carlos Silva doubled in Cunningham. Craig Parry's follow up single to center scored Garcia. Sanchez would get Andury Acevedo out on strikes, but issued a walk to Jesus Aguilera to load up the bags. Happily, Kyle Saukko ground into a force out to to end the inning.

Ian Mopas replaced Sanchez for the fourth. After getting Chourio to pop out, he'd give up back-to-back singles to Roman and Cunningham. A throwing error on the Roman's single advanced to him 2nd and he'd come home on Cunningham's line drive. Mopas then picked Cunningham off at first, but walked Garcia and advanced him to second on a balk. Silva ground out however to get Mopas out of the inning.

Ivan Herrera-Rusova replaced Alvarado at the top of the fifth. The top of the seventh would see Josmir Pinto double. Ladendorf ground out, and the Pirates brought in Gary Amato to replace Herrera-Rusova. Amato would get Javier Brown out on strikes, but Jon Goncalves doubled to score Pinto for the lone Twins run.

Pinto would finish up 2-for-4 at the plate with a pair of doubles and a run. Aaron Hicks and Juan Sanchez were both 1-for-4, while Andres Diaz, Brown and Goncalves were all 1-for-3, Diaz and Brown with walks and Goncavles with a double and a RBI.

Sanchez would take the loss, his third of the season. Mopas worked three allowing 1 run, unearned, on 2 hits and 2 walks, striking out just one. Khol Nanney worked the last 2 innings, allowing just one Pirates hit.

The Pirates pull out to a 1.5 game lead in the South Division, while the Twins still head up the wild card race.

The GCL Orioles come into the Lee County Sportsplex for a game against the GCL Twins Thursday at noon. They Twins remain at home to take on the GCL Reds on Friday.

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DSL Yankees2 3 at DSL Twins 2

W: W. Eusebio (4-5, 5.40); L: E. Alvarez (0-3, 2.34)
HR: DSL TWI: D. Santana (1).

Despite a home run by Danny Santana, the Twins fell in extra innings to the DSL Yankees2 at home. Closer Edison Alvarez would suffer the loss, his third of the season.

Santana put a ball over the center field all in the bottom of the first with one out. Yankee's starter Victor Beriguete worked 5.2 innings for the Yankees.

Following a ground out to Oswaldo Arcia in the top of the sixth, Jairo Perez tripled. Eliel Sierra would sacrifice him in. Manuel Soliman would take a walk before Beriguete was lifted in favor of Sherssy Cruz, who finished the inning by getting Jhonatan Arias to ground into a force out.

Beriguete exited the game allowing 2 earned runs on 4 hits and 3 walks while fanning 2.

The Yankees would take an unearned run from Eliecer Cardenas in the third inning. Juan Rijo singled, and Julio Rojas advanced him on a sac bunt. But a throwing error by Yancarlo Franco as 3rd base allowed Rojas to reach and while Rijo took an extra base, moving to 3rd. Keny Rodriguez hit into a double play, but Rijo came home while the Twins were busy taking Rojas out at 2nd.

Alvarez took over in the to of the 8th. In the top of the ninth, Kelvin De Leon tripled off the Twins closer. After Reymond Nunez went down on strikes, Henry Pena would reach on a fielder's choice. The play at the plate failed however, as De Leon scored to tie up the contest.

Eduardo Sosa tripled in the top of the 10th, then came home on a De Leon single one out later. The Twins could find no offense in the bottom half of the stanza to counter with, as Felix Caro went down swinging to end it.

Santana, Arcia, and Perez were all 1-for-4 with Santana and Perez added a run each. Yorby Martinez was 1-for-2 with a walk and a double. Meanwhile the Yankees put seven hits on the board off the Twins pitchers.

The Twins are on the road Thursday against the DSL Diamondbacks/Reds. Game time, as always, is 10:30 AM Dominican time.

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Twins surrender first place to Pirates

GCL Pirates 5 at GCL Twins 2

W: T. Cox (2-2, 1.98); L: M. Tonkin (0-1, 6.00); SV: J. Charry (3)
HR: None.

The games between these two teams have been hard fought all year and this one was really no different.

Jean Mijares took the start for the GCL Twins and held the Pirates off until the 3rd inning. Pirate Matt Capps, pitching on a major league rehab assignment, was not so lucky.

Aaron Hicks and Jakub Hajtmar both pounced on Capps for a back-to-backs singles to lead off the bottom of the first. A fielding error by Victor Sanchez on Hajtmar's line drive allowed the speedy Hicks to score and moved Hajtmar to second. He'd get no farther than 3rd however on Mike Gonzales ground out one out later as Henry Sanchez went down on strikes to end the inning.

Mijares would walk Jesus Aguilara in the top of the 3rd. Edwin Roman bunted, but the Twins chose to take Aguilera out at 2nd. A wild pitch by Mijares sent Roman to second however. After Adenson Chourio went down on strikes, Mijares issued a walk to Ben Gonzalez. Jarek Cunningham then singled to plate Roman and put Gonzalez on 3rd. Alex Vargas ground out however, keeping the score tied.

Michael Tonkin replaced Mijares in the top of the sixth and walked Cunningham. Vargas would ground into a force out, but Edward Garcia then singled to move him to 2nd. Victor Sanchez doubled in Vargas. After Tonkin plunked Andury Acevedo with a pitch, Aguilera singled to bring in Garcia.

Capps would only work one inning before giving way to Tyler Cox who as baffled the Twins most of the season. He'd work the next five, scattering a pair of hits and fanning 4. Emilis Guerrero took over for the seventh inning.

With one out on the board, Anderson Hidalgo singled, then moved to 2nd on a throwing error by Guerrero. A wild pitch got him to 3rd, and he'd score on Josmil Pinto's ground out. Juan Sanchez and Herbert Lara hit back-to-back singles getting Sanchez to 2nd, but Hicks ground out to send the Pirates to the plate again.

Nick Lobanov Worked the seventh and the eighth, giving way to Bruce Pugh in the ninth. Pugh would walk Aguilera and Roman. Chourio singled to load up the bags, and Pugh walked Gonzalez to force in a run. Cunningham would sacrifice in Roman to give the Pirates an extra two points before Vargas popped out and Garcia lined out to send the Twins up to bat again.

Pinto would triple off Jorge Charry but got no support from "Hank the Tank" and Hidalgo, with both going down on strikes. Juan Sanchez's strike out would then end the contest.

The Twins out hit the Pirates, 9-8, but it's not a home run derby so it's not the hits that count. Hidalgo and Pinto were both 2-for-4, with Hidalgo recording a run and Pinto double and a triple, plus a run scored. Juan was 1-for-3 as was Herbert Lara. Hicks, Hajtmar and Ortiz were all 1-for-4, Hicks with a run. Henry Sanchez fell one strike out short of the Golden Sombrero. Sorry kid, no prize for you this time.

The Twins play the GCL Orioles Saturday at the Lee County Sports center for a 10:00 AM game. They are on the road Sunday vs the GCL Reds.

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DSL Diamondbacks 1 at DSL Twins 4

W: A. Salcedo (3-4, 1.40); L: G. Martinez (3-4, 3.92)
HR: None.

The DSL Twins took a lead in the fourth, added to it in the sixth and held on for a win at home over the DSL Diamondbacks Friday morning.

Lesther Galvin walked in the bottom of the fourth, then one out later, stole 2nd. Jairo Perez would go down on strikes, but Jairo Rodriguez reached on a fielding error by Damil Taveras which also brought in Galvan for the first Twins run.

Danny Santana lead off the bottom of the sixth with a single. Galvan would ground out, advancing Santana to 2nd. Oswaldo Arcia took a walk. The Diamondbacks would make a pitching change then, bringing in Juan Roasrio to replace the outgoing Gustavo Martinez. Perez singled to plate Santana and Rodriguez's follow up grounder brought in Arcia. Perez would be taken out at home on the throw. However, Eliel Sierra would get plunked with a pitch, moving Rodriguez to 2nd, and a Felix Caro single to center got Rodriguez over the plate for the fourth Twins run.

Adrian Salcedo worked seven inning, scattering 4 hits and fanning 4. Jhonny Garcia took care of the last two, giving up 1 run in the ninth on 3 hits.

Santana was 3-for-4 at the plate with a run, while Perez was 2-for-4. Rodriguez and Caro were both 1-for-4, Rodriguez with a run and a run scored, Caro with a RBI.

Arcia was 1-for-3 with a walk and a run, and Galvan, who would finish up 0-or-3 at the plate, had a walk and a run.

The DSL Twins also play the Orioles, or at least, the DSL version of them, but they will do so on the road for a 10:30 AM Dominican time game.

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Hicks hits puts Twins on top

GCL Twins 3 at GCL Pirates 2

W: J. Testa (2-0, 1.54); L: F. Ortiz (1-1, 2.33); SV: K. Mota (9)
HR: TWI: A. Hicks (3).

A two-run home run by Aaron Hicks, his third of his professional career, helped propel the Twins to a 3-2 win over the GCL Pirates Sunday at Pirate City.

Herbert Lara doubled his way onto base before Hicks towering fly ball went over the right field fence to give the Twins a 2-0 lead.

Jean Mirajes took the start for the Twins, allowing only 2 hits and a pair of walks while striking out 3 over 4 innings. He'd give way to Michael Tonkin in the fifth.

The newcomer would get Alex Vargas to fly out before allowing a walk to Kyle Saukko. Adenson Chourio took a single off of him, but Saukko would be caught trying to steal second and Edwin Roman would strike out.

Tyler Cox worked four for the Pirates, allowing a pair of hits and a pair of walks while fanning 4. Ivan Herrera-Rusova would be on the mound when Hicks went yard. Francisco Ortiz replaced Herrera-Rusova in the top of the sixth and got Danny Ortiz, Tyler Ladendorf and Michael Gonzales to ground out, bringing the Pirates up to bat.

Joe Testa would be selected to head out to the mound, and he'd allow a line drive single to Jose Tabata. After getting Ronny Paulino to line out and Jarek Cunningham out on strikes, Edward Garcia would triple to drive in Tabata. A throwing error by Henry Sanchez at first would allowed Garcia over the plate as well, tying up the score.

Henry would not redeem himself in the seventh, going down on strikes. Pinto doubled and moved to 3rd on Juan Sanchez's ground out, but Lara went down on strikes, stranding the runner. Testa worked a quick bottom of the inning, going three up, and three down.

Aaron Hicks would triple in the top of the 8th. Anderson Hidalgo's line drive to left plated him for the game winning run. Ortiz would line into a double play and Ladendorf would ground out, stranding Hidalgo. The bottom half of the inning would be equally as quick as Testa put the next three batters to rest.

Gary Amato replaced Frank Ortiz for the top of the 9th, and got Gonzales and Henry Sanchez to strike out and Pinto to fly out to bring the Pirates up to bat. The Twins turned to closer Kelvin Mota. Jarek Cunningham would single, but Garcia ground into a force out. He'd then steal 2nd and advance to 3rd on a throwing error by Pinto. Andury Acevedo drew a walk, but Mota picked him off at 1st. Alex Vargas then flew out to end the contest.

Hicks went 2-for-2 at the plate with a pair of walks, a pair of runs and a pair of runs scored. Lara would finish up 2-for-3 with a double and a run. Hidalgo, Ortiz and Pinto were each 1-for-4, Hidalgo with a run, Pinto with a double.

With the win, the GCL Twins regain the South Division lead, 1 game in front of the GCL Pirates. Their 23-14 record (.622) is currently the best in the Gulf Coast League.

The Twins are on the road Monday against the Orioles and return home on Tuesday to face the Reds. Both games are at noon.

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Herald-Tribune
Sandlot Swashbucklers

Tabata Was acquired by the Pirates in a trade with the Yankees. He entered the 2007 season ranked as the Yankee's second-best prospect by Baseball America and was named to the 2007 FSL Post-Season All-Star. He was a Future's Game Selection in 2006 and was named to the Sally All-stars in 2006 and the GCL Post-Season All-star team in 2005. Tabata has been a head case for a while and has been taken out of games in the Eastern League twice this season for disciplinary reasons. He was suspended for 3 games in May after fleeing the ballpark without permission after striking out in the seventh inning.

The Yankees received Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte and sent Tabata, Ross Ohlendorf, Dan McCutchen and Jeff Karstens to the Pirates in exchange.

Twins enjoy a wild time in Pirate City

GCL Twins 11 at GCL Pirates 1

W: E. Ibarra (1-0, 3.24); L: N. Pereira (1-2, 1.50)
HR: TWI: A. Hicks (2).

The GCL Twins knocked out 11 runs on 14 hits to thump the GCL Pirates, 11-1 at McKechnie Field in Bradenton Thursday.

Edgar Ibarra limited the Pirates to only 1 run on three hits and a pair of walks while fanning 3 over 5 innings.

Adenson Chourio would walk in the the bottom of the 1st, then steal 2nd and 3rd base. A throwing error by Josmil Pinto allowed Chourio to cross the plate for the Pirates lone run. Brian Friday would walk. Two outs later, Miguel Mendez doubled him over to 3rd but he'd be left stranded when Alex Vargas ground out to end the inning.

The Twins offensive onslaught began in the top of the 3rd with Aaron Hicks hitting his second home run of the season, a solo shot over the left field wall. Following a ground out to Juan Sanchez, Danny Ortiz doubled. Johnny Woodard, playing on a rehab assignment from the High-A Fort Myers Miracle, reached on on a fielding error by Pirates shortstop Ben Gonzalez. Andres Diaz would come into to replace Henry Sanchez. Sanchez was also playing on a rehab assignment and as the grounds were damp, they felt it prudent to remove him from the game rather than risk re-injuring his knee. Diaz would go down on strikes, but Tyler Ladendorf doubled to bring in Ortiz and Woodard.

The Pirates would put lefty Tyler Cox into the game at the top of the 5th inning. Ladendorf doubled off him in the top of the sixth. Javier Brown ground out, but Pinto doubled to plate Ladendorf. Following a ground out to Herbert Lara, Aaron Hicks would single his way onto base to drive in Pinto. The Twins 1st round pick the 2008 draft would then steal 2nd base. Sanchez would be hit by a pitch before Ortiz's fly ball single brought Hicks home.

With one out on the board in the top of the 7th, Ladendorf took a walk then moved to second on a wild pitch. Brown would pop out, but another fielding error by Gonzalez allowed Pinto to reach and Ladendorf to score.

Carolos Teller would replace Cox on the hill for the Pirates in the top of the 8th, and Hicks would draw a walk from him. Teller then unleashed a wild pitch that moved Hicks to 2nd. The Nicaragian lefty would get Sanchez to fly out, but then hit Ortiz with a pitch as he struggled with his control. Woodard would take a single off him to score Hicks and Diaz followed up with a single of his own to plate Ortiz. With the Twins sporting a big lead, Jakub Hajtmar would be brought in to replace Ladendorf. But Teller uncorked yet another wild pitch to move the runners. Hajtmar would go down on strikes and Teller would go down to the dugout in favor of Jorge Charry, who managed to get Brown out on strikes to strand the runners.

Field manager Jake Mauer would make several more changes in the bottom of the 8th, putting Jon Goncalves in for Hicks and Hyun-wook Choi in for Ortiz. The Pirates also made a change, replacing Charry with Carlos Silva.

Normally a 3rd baseman, Silva would give up back-to-back doubles to Pinto and Lara to add one more to the Twins total. After Goncalves ground out and Sanchez flew out, Wook singled out to center to bring in Lara, finishing off the Twins scoring.

Bruce Pugh would work three innings of relief for the Twins, allowing a double to Vargas in the seventh, and a walk to Chourio in the 8th. He'd fan four before giving way to Ian Mopas for the final inning, who used a ground out, a pop out and a line out to finish the game.

Ortiz and Ladendorf finished off the game 2-for-3, Ortiz with a walk, a double, a pair of runs and a run scored, while Ladendorf had a walk, two doubles and two runs to go with his pair of RBIs. Hicks was 2-for-4 with a walk, 3 runs and 2 RBIs. Pinto was 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles and two runs, as well as a run scored.

Lara and Sanchez were both 1-for-5 at the plate with a double, Lara with a run and a run scored as well. Woodard was also 1-for-5, with a run and a run scored, but added a walk instead of a double. Diaz was 1-for-4 with a RBI and Choi was 1-for-1 with a RBI.

The Twins play a pair against the Orioles a the Lee County Sportsplex on Friday, July 24, starting at 11:00 AM, and remain at home Saturday against the Reds.

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DSL Twins 9 at DSL Diamondback/Reds 8

W: R. Reverol (3-1, 4.12); L: R. Quezada (0-1, 7.36)
HR: DSL TWI: O. Arcia (2).

It would take extra innings for the Twins to find the game winning run to give them a victory over the DSL Diamonback/Reds on the road, but find it they did.

With two outs on the board in the top of the 12, Oswaldo Arcia singled and Jean Carlos Mercedes reached on a force attempt that moved Arcia to 2nd. Teo Gutierrez would replace Radhames Quezada on the mound, and Eliel Sierra greeting him with a single out to center that brought in Arcia.

The Twins opened the scoring in the top of the first, with Danny Santana tripling. Yorby Martinez hit into a ground out before Manuel Soliman singled to plate Santana. Arcia then went yard, his second home run of the season going over the right field fence to give the Twins a 3-0 lead.

The Diamondback/Reds would tie the game up in the fourth. Arcia would be hit by a pitch in the top of the sixth and moved to 3rd on a throwing error by Michael Noboa, which also allowed Mercedes to reach on a force attempt. Sierra would hit into a ground out that served to plate Arcia, putting the Twins on top again.

Pesky, the Dia-Reds answered back in the seventh. The top of the 8th saw Arcia single with one out on the board, then steal 2nd. A throwing error by catcher Alberto Restrepo advanced him to 3rd, and he would score on Mercedes ground ball single. Mercedes then stole 2nd. Sierra would go down on strikes before the Dia-Reds made a pitching change, bringing in Eddy Santana. Yancarlo Franco would single off the new arrival, and Jairo Rodriguez double. Juan Blanco then doubled to plate the pair giving the Twins a four run lead.

Still that wasn't enough to keep the Dia-Reds down as they came back in the bottom of the 9th to add four runs of their own, taking three doubles off ace closer Edison Alvarez.

That would set the stage for the Twins' 12th inning victory.

Arcia was 4-for-5 with four runs and 2 RBIs. Sierra and Rodriguez were both 2-for-4, Sierra with a pair of walks and a pair of runs scored, Rodriguez with a double and a run. Blanco (1-for-4) also had a double and pair of RBIs, while Santana (1-for-5) had a walk a triple and a run.

Soliman (1-for-3), Mercedes (1-for-6), Felix Caro (1-for-3), Franco (1-for-3) and Blanco (1-for-4) all had singles in the contest.

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Twins rally past Pirates, 2-1

GCL Pirates 1 at GCL Twins 2

W: K. Nanney (1-0, 0.00); L: N. Pereira (1-1, 1.29); SV: K. Mota (6)
HR: PIR: J. Cunningham (3).

Saturday's match up at the Lee County Sports between the GCL Twins and the GCL Pirates featured a pitching duel of the highest quality as free agent Edgar Iberra took on the Pirates 35th round draft pick Tyler Cox.

The festivities got off with a bang when Jarek Cunningham launched one over the left field fence for the Pirates. Cunningham, the Pirates 18th round pick, as been hot of late and would finish up 2-for-3 at the plate with a walk to go along with the run and the RBI.

Ibera would scatter four hits and a walk over five innings while striking out five to keep things quiet. Cox was even better, giving up only two hits while fanning 5 over five inngs. He'd be replaced by Nelson Pereira in the sixth and the El Salvador reliever held the Twins to a pair of singles in the sixth and the seventh innings.

Mauro Schiavoni replaced Iberra in the top of the sixth and Cunningham took a single off him to lead off. Alex Vargas singled as well, and Victor Sanchez's sac-bunt advanced the pair. Edward Garcia would reach on a fielder's choice as Javier Brown fired the ball back to catcher Josmil Pinto who tagged Cunningham out at the plate to steal a run from the Pirates. Garcia would steal second, putting two men in scoring position, but Schiavoni got Andury Acevedo to strike out swinging, ending the threat.

The top of the 7th saw Edwin Roman single and steal 2nd, but Schiavoni took Adenson Chourio and Benjamin Gonzalez down on strikes to knock out the Pirates again.

Khol Nanney would pitch the eighth inning, walking Cunningham, but getting the other three batters he faced to ground out.

Twins 2nd baseman Hyun-wook Choi would reach on a throwing error by Chourio and Pinto took a walk. Juan Sanchez's sac bunt advanced the pair and Choi scored on Jon Goncalves ground out to tie up the game. Aaron Hicks then hit a contested single which plated Pinto. The Pirates wished to argue that Hicks was out, while the umpire ruled him safe. After Pirates field manager Tom Prince got done arguing the call with the umpire - to no avail I might add, Hicks would steal 2nd base. Danny Oritz flew out to end the inning.

Kelvin Mota would come in for the ninth to close out the game, going three up-three down to give the Twins the win.

Hicks was 2-for-4 in the contest with a RBI. Goncalves was 1-for-4 with a RBI but he sure looked safe on that ground out the ump called in the eighth. (And did we see Jake Mauer come flying out of the dugout to argue the call? Nooooo....)

Choi was 1-for3 with a run and Pinto was 0-for-2 with a walk and a run.

There was some discussion as to where and when Sunday's game against the Orioles was to be played, as Twin Lakes Park had been flooded after the torrential rains earlier in the week. The O's only have four groundskeepers on their payroll - Sarasota does not pay to maintain the Buck O'Neill Complex - to handle all of the grounds and it's big chore. If the Red Sox are serious about moving to Sara, they should really look at how well the Reds and the Orioles facilities have been maintained, because new complex or not, that's what their park will look like in a few years.

For the record, the Orioles are exploring a move to Vero Beach and renovations to the Dodgertown Complex including building a baseball academy on the site, but that will not happen until 2010 at the earliest.

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Herald Tribune
Pirate Gallery Part I
Pirate Gallery Part II

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DSL Twins 6 at DSL Orioles 1

W: P. Guerra (5-1, 2.32); L: W. Princivil (0-6, 7.11)
HR: None.

Pedro Guerra (no relation to Deolis) limited the DSL Orioles to one run on 3 hits while fanning 8 over seven innings as the DSL Twins thoroughly dominated the O's Saturday.

With one out on the board, Felix Caro would be hit by a pitch in the top of the 2nd inning. Lesther Galvin then walked and Randy Pina singled to load the bags. Xavier Gonzalez would be hit by a pitch as well to force in Caro and Juan Blanco drew a walk to bring Galvan over the plate. Yorby Martinez hit a sac-fly to right to bring in Pina, giving the Twins a 3 run lead. Oswaldo Arcia ground out to send the Twins back on the defense.

The top of the 3rd saw Jairo Perez lead off with walk and a wild pitch by O's starter William Princivil moved him to 2nd. Jairo Rodriguez ground out, moving Perez to 3rd. Caro singled to drive him in to give the Twins four. Caro would steal 2nd and advance to 3rd on a throwing error by David Calderon, but Galvan went down on strikes and Pina flew out to retire the side.

With one out in the bottom of the fifth, Larry Rivera doubled for the Orioles and came home on Moises Ciriaco's line drive single break up the shut out. Calderon would line into a double play to end the inning.

Galvan doubled in the top of the sixth, but was able to go no where with it, being stranded as Pina struck out and Gonzalez and Blanco both flew out.

The top of the seventh was a little more advantageous as Yorby Martinez walked, then stoled 2nd. Oswaldo Arcia took a walk and following a pitching change that brought reliever Humberto Hodge to he mound for the O's, Perez would ground out to advance the pair of runners. Rodriguez's line drive to right brought them in to add two more to the Twins total.

Galvan (1-for-3) had the only double while Rodgriguez and Caro were both 1-for-4, Rodriguez with a pair of RBIs and Caro with a run and a run scored. Pina finished up 1-for-3 with a run. Not much in the way of hitting, but 8 walks, two by Arcia, made the difference for the Twins.

The DSL rests on Sunday and returns to action on Monday with the Twins hosting the DSL White Sox for a 10:30 AM Dominican Time game.

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Twins romp over Orioles, 11-5

GCL Orioles 5 at GCL Twins 11

W: M. Munoz (2-1, 3.86); L: S. Taveras (0-2, 12.46)
HR: None.

For the true baseball enthusiast, nothing quite beats a day watching a GCL game. Unlike most minor (and major) league games, there are no distractions. No promotions, no vendors, no - or very few - unattended kids running around. You can focus on the game of baseball.

Which is the whole point of the Gulf Coast League. For the young players who participate in it to focus on baseball.

The GCL Twins picked up Saturday's contest against the Orioles in about the same place they left off Friday's contest with the Pirates. With a lot of hits.

The Orioles got on top first with Gorabez Rosa bunting. Twins catcher Danny Rohlfing picked up the bunt, but threw wide to first letting Rosa advance to 2nd. Jerome Hoes singled out to short and Tyler Ladendorf made a great save on the ball. Unfortunately his throw was from a bad angle and was a bit off, and Anderson Hidalgo could not handle it, ending up with Rosa on 3rd. He'd come home on Dashenko Ricardo's ground out to second.

The Twins answered right back however with Jon Goncalves taking a walk. Aaron Hicks and Danny Ortiz hit back-to-back singles that drove in Goncalves. After a pop out by Ladendorf, Mike Gonzalez singled to drive in Hicks. Andres ground into a force out that took Mike out at 2nd, but Reggie Williams followed that up with a triple that drove in both runners, making it 4-1 Twins. That would end it for Sam Taveras, as the O's got Luiyi Batista out of the pen.

Batista would keep the Twins semi-quiet in the second, although Hicks singled and Ortiz doubled. Ladendorf would reach on a fielder's choice that saw Hicks taken down at the plate.

Diaz led off in the bottom of the 3rd with a single and Williams doubled him over to 3rd. Rohlfing's single plated Diaz, while Hidalgo sacrificed in Williams. Goncalves would reach on a fielding error by the O's 3rd baseman, and a wild pitch would progress the Twins runners. After Hicks struck out, a second wild pitch scored Rohlfing. Ortiz then singled to drive in Goncalves, making it 8-1 Twins. That ended it for Batista, and Jario De La Cruz got to pitch for a while.

Ricardo walked in the top of the 4th off Twins starter Miguel Munoz. Dennis Perez then doubled to move him to 3rd. Grolmann Gonzalez's sac-fly saw the runner score for the O's second run.

Munoz would work five, allowing 2 runs, only 1 earned, on six hits and a walk while striking out 3. Jose Mijares would take over for the next two, making a rehab start. With some luck, the Venezuelan closer will be ready for New Britain or Rochester shortly after the All-star break.

Mijares would get two quick outs in each inning, but back-to-back hits in the sixth and a walk in the seventh made the third out a little more interesting for the small crowd of onlookers.

Luis Lebron would come in for Justin Moore in the top of the 7th. Moore, a side arm pitcher had worked one inning allowing a single and a walk and tossing a wild pitch, but keeping the Twins from the plate.

Lebron saw Rohlfing reach when he failed to catch the ball. Following a fly out to Hidalgo, a passed ball by Janensis Guerrero put Rohlfing on second. Goncalves and Hicks then hit back-to-back singles to plate the Twins catcher. Ortiz would triple, to drive in the pair of runners, making it 11-2.

Everything went along peachy until the ninth inning. We got our first look at Joe Testa in the eighth, who allowed a lead off single to Perez, but got the O's Gonzalez to ground into a double play, then took Javi Santana out on stikes.

Ian Mopas would come in for the ninth, and allowed Justin Martin to walk. He'd get Francisco Mejia to ground into a double play but then gave up singles to Xavier Avery and Rosa. Hoes took a walk to load the bags, and then Ricardo walked to force in a run. Perez singled to score two more before Mopas could get Gonzalez to ground out, ending the game. (Proving to me that Mr. Hendriks was correct and we did have someone on the squad who could potentially blow a 9-run lead.)

The Twins remain at home Sunday against the Reds with yet another noon start for our boys.

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Someone had asked me, BTW, about AA infielder Luke Hughes playing for Team Australia in the Olympics. Liam reminded me that the Aussies failed to qualify for the Olympics, so, I suppose you can rule out any possiblity of Mr. Hughes involvement in the event.

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The DSL Twins dropped a pair to the DSL Reds, playing the game that had been washed out earlier in the month.

DSL Twins 1 at DSL Reds 4

W: J. Marizan (2-2, 2.23); L: O. Villaroel (1-3, 1.96); SV: S. Gerson (1)
HR: None.

Yancarlo Franco had the lone Twins run, which came in the sixth inning. Franco would double, then score on Yorby Martinez's ground out.

Orlando Villaroel took the loss, allowing 3 runs, earned, on 3 hits and a walk while striking out 4 over 3.

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DSL Twins 1 at DSL Reds 3

W: E. Infante (1-0, 0.44); L: L. Vargas (1-2, 4.40)
HR: None.

Danny Santana singled in the top of the 4th, then stole second base. Jairo Rodriguez then doubled him in for the Twins only tally.

Lesmir Vargas took the loss, putting a run on base via a walk, and seeing him advance on a sac bunt. Jose Gonzalez would then come in a allow a double to score the inherited runner to put the Reds ahead.

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GCL Twins BBQ GCL Pirates, 17-3

GCL Twins 17 at GCL Pirates 3

W. A.Sachez (1-1, 1.84) L: G.Alvarado (0-1, 5.50)
HR: TWN: A.Hicks (1)

Evidently the GCL Twins wanted to get the fireworks going early on America's Birthday, and so they set off some of their own, putting up 17 runs on 20 hits as they pounded the GCL Pirates into submission at Pirate City in Bradenton.

Leading the attack was Aaron Hicks who went 4-for-7 at the plate with 3 runs, and four RBIs, falling a triple short of the cycle. Not far behind was catcher Josmir Pinto, who was 3-for-6 with 2 runs and 2 RBIs. He did get the triple, but lacked the home run.

Jon Goncalves and Hicks opened up the contest with back-to-back doubles, putting one on the board right away. Following a ground out to Danny Ortiz and a fly out to Tyler Ladendorf that scored Hicks, Mike Gonzalez and Hyeoung-rok Choi singled. Pinto followed that up with a double to drive in Gonzalez. Juan Sanchez's ground ball single pushed Rocky over the plate for the 4th run and Herbert Lara brought in Pinto and Sanchez for the fifth and the sixth. Having batted around the order, Goncalves took a walk which finished it up for big Gabriel Alvarado. Melvin Vaszquez came in and got Hicks to strike out to let the Pirates have a chance.

Jarek Cunningham would single and make his way to 3rd on a passed ball by Pinto, but with two outs on the board, he'd be stranded when Craig Perry, the Pirates 50th round pick, hit into a force out.

Vasquez would keep the Twins in check for the second and third innings. The Pirates mustered some offense in the bottom of the 3rd, with Kyle Sauldo and Ben Gonzalez taking back-to-back singles off Sanchez. Frezier Pedron lined into a double play, but Cunningham doubled to move Gonzalez to 3rd. Miguel Mendez would get plunked by a pitch before Perry ground out (again) to strand the runners.

The Twins had the bases loaded in the top of the 4th, but Ortiz flew out and Ladendorf ground out that also took Hicks down at 2nd to end the inning. Ortiz and Ladendorf would finish up the game 0-for-4 each, being replaced in the later innings as field manager Jake Mauer tried to muster up a little bit more offense.

The Pirates meekly came up to bat, and equally meekly went to sit down in the bottom of the stanza, much to Tom Prince's chagrin.

Zach Foster would replace Vasquez on the mound in the top of the 5th, and Gonzalez took advantage of the pitching change to hit a double. Rocky would fly out, but Pinto got his triple to score the Twin's clean up man. Juan Sanchez singled in Pinto. Lara would lined out, and Goncalves took a walk. Hicks then went yard over the left field wall - er fence - to drive in 3 more, making it 11-0 Twins.

The sixth inning was a relatively quiet affair, despite the fact that the Twins had the bases loaded and could not capitalize again. They really need to work on that. Jean Mijares would replace Sanchez on the mound and allow a walk to Mendez, but got Perry to hit into a double play.

Carlos Teller would strike out Lara to start the 7th, but Goncalves took a walk and Hicks singled to move him to 2nd. Hyun-Wook Choi would take over Ortiz's spot in the batting order, hitting into a ground out that scored Goncalves. Ladendorf would reach on a fielding error that also scored Hicks, and Gonzalez would sacrifice in Wook to make it 14-0. Rocky took a walk before Pinto flew out to retire the side.

Kyle Sauldo got a single off Mijares in bottom of the seventh for the Pirates, who would manage a total of 9 hits in the game.

Matthew Foust took over the mound for the Pirates in the top of the 8th, and got Sanchez to ground out. Hildago Anderson would come into the game for Lara, who finished up 2-for-4 in the contest with a pair of RBIs. Hidalgo singled and Goncalves took another walk. Hicks went down on strikes before Wook singled in Hidalgo. Jakub Hajtmar would replace Ladendorf, and the Czech reached on a fielding error by Jarek Cunningham that also allowed Goncalves to score. Gonzalez would fly out to end the inning.

Nick Lobanov took over for Mijares in the bottom of the stanza, and allow a walk to Pedron. Cunningham and Mendez both singled to load up the bases, and Perry would reach on throwing error by Rocky, which also brought in two runs. Joe Munoz ground into a force out to which scored Mendez and took Perry out at 2nd. Carlos Silva (remember him from last season?) ground into a double play to end the inning.

The Twins really didn't need any more runs but saw no reason to leave Victor Igsema out of the slaughter, so Rocky lead off with walk and Pinto doubled to move him to 3rd. Sanchez went down on strikes before Hidalgo singled to score Rocky for the 17th and final run of the game.

Kyle Carr worked the ninth inning for the Twins, allowing a single to Ben Gonzalez, but that was all the Pirates would get as Pedron ground out to send the boys out to celebrate Independence Day.

Nice fireworks kids! Keep it up!

The Twins are back at the Lee County Sportsplex Saturday against the Orioles and Sunday against the Reds. Both games start at noon - weather permitting.

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Herald Tribune
News Press: Hicks
Twins Insider Blog


From NDN: So far, the deep ball belongs to Andres Diaz. The Lake Worth native has two home runs, which is two more than the rest of the GCL Twins active roster. Diaz is a 43rd round draft choice by the Twins.

Now it would be ONE more than the rest of his teammates, however, word has it that Diaz holds the unofficial record for the longest home run hit by a GCL Twins player. Supposedly it landed somewhere near the left field lake. "What lake?" you say. You know, the one on the other side of the parking lot.



DSL Cubs1 1 at DSL Twins 2

W: A. Salcedo (1-2, 1.93); L: M. Coletto (1-2, 2.11); SV: E. Alvarez (8)
HR: None.

The host DSL Twins doubled up the DSL Cubs1 Friday, keeping the Cubs off the board until the 9th inning and then allowing only 1 run.

Adrian Salcedo worked five innings for the Twins, allowing only 3 hits and 1 walk while fanning five for his first win of the 2008 season. He'd give way to Jose Gozalez for the next two, who gave up only 1 hit while striking out 4.

Willy Gil would reach on a fielding error by Cub Robert Bautista, then steal 2nd. Following a pop out to Juan Blanco and a line out to Danny Santana, Oswaldo Arcia singled to move Gil to 3rd. A wild pitch by Cubs starter Miguel Coletto put Gil over the plate for the first Twins run.

The Twins would only manage five hits in the game, but made the most of their limited opportunties. With Jose Tineo on the mound for the Cubs and one out on the board, Jairo Rodriguez singled. He'd be lifted from the game in favor of pinch runner Yancarlo Franco. Randy Pina singled to move Franco to 2nd, and Carlos Vasquez would get plunked by a pitch, loading the bags. Gil sacrificed in Franco to give the Twins 2 before Blanco ground out to end the inning.

Edison Alverez allowed a walk to Juan Medina and a single to Albert Hernandez to lead off in the top of the 9th. He'd get Juan Pena to ground into a force out that took down Medina at 3rd. Ramon Bonilla likewise ground into a force out, but a throwing error by Carlos Vasquez at 2nd base proved costly as Hernandez was able to cross the plate. Marcos Perez ground out however, without further damage, and the game went to the Twins.

Pina, the Twins catcher, was 2-for-2 in the contest, the only Twin with a multi-hit game.

The DSL Twins finish up their week on the road against the DSL Reds, with the start coming at 10:30 AM, Dominican time, as always.

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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.