E-Twins clinch, Apply League All-Star list released

Elizabethton 12 at Danville 3

W: T. Wright (4-0, 3.20); L: P. Clemens (3-3, 3.39); SV: S. Blevins (1)
HR: None.

The Elizabethton Twins clinched their playoff berth Friday night with a resounding defeat of the Danville Braves.

Chris Shehan singled off Elizabethton starter Thom Wright in the bottom of the 2nd, then stole 2nd. A wild pitch by Wright moved Shehan to 3rd and Mike Elkerson doubled him in to give the Braves an early one run lead.

Nathan Hanson reached on a fielding error in the top of the 3rd. James Beresford laid down a sac-bunt, but a throwing error by Braves pitcher Paul Clemens sent Hanson to 3rd and Beresford to 1st. Dominic De La Osa singled, loading the bases. Nick Romero's follow up single scored Hanson. Jon Waltenbury sacrificed Beresford in, and one out later, a wild pitch by Clemens allowed De La Osa to score. Romero would be left stranded when Michael Harrington was called out on strikes.

Shehan again singled in the bottom of the sixth then stole 2nd base. With 2 outs on the board, Mike Elkerson singled. Elizabethton Field manager Ray Smith called for a pitching change, getting Steve Blevins onto the mound to replace Wright. Jesus Sucre singled off Blevins to plate Shehan, but the former GCL Twin then struck out L. V. Ware, leaving two men stranded.

Hanson took a walk in the top of the 7th with one out on the board. The Braves would bring Brandon Beachy in to replace Clemens, and Beresford greeted the new hurler with a single. De La Osa drew a walk. and a wild pitch by Beachy moved the pair. Romero sacrificing in Beresford to make it 4-2 Twins.

Evan Bigly would reach on a fielding error by Ware in the top of the 8th. Harrintong would single and a fielding error by Camilo Parra advanced the runners. Alex Soto singled out to left to drive in Bigley, and a wild pitch by Beachy put Harrington over the plate. Angel Morales would fly out to right and Hanson would be hit by a pitch before the Braves replaced Beachy with Derick Himpsi, who got Beresford to ground into a double play to retire the Twins.

Shehan would take a triple of Blevins in the bottom of the 8ths and come home on Parra's ground out. Blevins got Shayne Moody to ground out as well then struck out Mike Elkerson to send the Twins up to bat again.

With a 7-3 lead, De La Osa and Romero would take back-to-back walks to start the ninth. Waltenbury ground into a force out, that put runners at the corners. Evan Bigley reached on a fielder's choice, but the Braves could not make the play at the plate, and De La Osa scored. Harrington doubled in the the remaining runners to make it 10-3 Twins. Soto took a walk, and wild pitch by Himpsi put Harrington on 3rd. Morales then walked the bases full. Hanson reached on a force attempt that scored Harrington. De La Osa, batting around the order, took a walk as well to force in Soto to make the game 12-3. The Braves would have to call in pitcher Rico Reid to get Romero to pop out, getting them out of the bases loaded jam.

Romero was 2-for-4 at the plate with a walk and a pair of RBIs. Harrington was 2-for-5 with a double, two runs and two RBIs. De La Osa was 1-for-3 with 3 walks, a pair of runs and a run scored. Soto and Beresford were 1-for-4 each; Soto with a walk, a run and a run scored, a Beresford with a pair of runs.

The win was Wright's fourth, Blevins picked up the save, his first since his promotion from the GCL Twins.

In defeating the Braves, the Twins also allowed Pulaski to clinch, so the 2008 Appalachian League playoff match is now set.

Elizabethton faces Danville one more time on Saturday night with a 7:00 PM start, then hosts Princeton for a three game homestand to complete their regular season.

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The Elizabethton Twins dominated the Appalachian League's All-Star Team list, filling eight selections. Dan Osterbrock was named Pitcher of the Year. The University of Cincinnati product leads the league with 100 strikeouts and 73 innings pitched and ranks second with seven wins. The 21-year-old southpaw is 7-2 with a 3.08 ERA in a dozen starts, was named Pitcher of the Week on July 7 and has held opponents to a .239 batting average.

Osterbrock struck out 12 batters in consecutive starts on July 24-30. He's fanned at least 10 in five of his last seven starts, allowing 15 earned runs in that span.

GCL alumni Mark Hamburger was named Reliever of the Year; outfielders Evan Bigley and Angel Morales were named to the list as was first baseman Jon Waltenbury in the designed hitter role. Brad Tippett was also added to the All-star pitchers' list.

Elizabethton's Ryan Hedwell was named trainer of the year by the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society.

Bigley ranks second in the league with 14 homers and 46 RBIs. He hit .394 in June and cemented his spot on the All-Star roster last week when he hit two homers and drove in five runs against Princeton.

Tippett opened eyes last season for the Twins with an 0.93 ERA. The Australian was 8-3 with a 2.63 ERA in 13 starts this season. Hamburger, a Minnesota native, has 13 saves and 39 strikeouts over 35 2/3 innings.

Morales was the Twins' third-round pick in 2007 and hit .313 in his second Minor League season with Elizabethton. The center fielder, who spent his first professional season with the GCL Twins, leads the Appy League with 15 homers to go with 28 RBIs.

Waltenbury, a 2006 seventh-rounder and member of the 2007 GCL Twins squad, is hitting .331 with 10 homers and 43 RBIs. (TriCities Sports)

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DSL Twins 5 at DSL White Sox 1

W: C. Ciurcina (3-2, 3.68); L: Y. Rodriguez (2-2, 2.65)
HR: None.

The DSL Twins defeated the DSL White Sox while the DSL Indians did the Twins a favor, blanking the DSL Yankees2 to leave the Twins alone atop the DSL Boca Chica North Division.

The Twins wasted no time getting on the board as Wilfy Gil reached on a fielding error and made his way to 3rd base. Danny Santana sacrificed him in to put the Twins on the board. A fielding error by Lara would prove costly however, as Santana, who would have been safe at first tried to make it to second, but was take out at the base. Oswaldo Arcia doubled before Jairo Perez reached on a fielding error, moving Arcia to 3rd. Jairo Rodriguez singled Arcia home. A passed ball by Daniel Yepez moved the two runners. Eliel Sierra hit into a ground out, allowing Perez to score and giving the Twins a 3-0 lead.

The Sox took out back in the bottom of the inning with Jeffer Patinod doubling, then coming home on a Angel Ferreiras single.

The Twins answered back in the top of the 2nd however, as Yorby Martinez drew a walk to lead off. Yancarlo Franco would ground into a force out, but Gil was then hit by a pitch, moving Franco to 3nd. Sanatana singled, but Franco would be taken down at home leaving runners on 2nd and 3rd. Arcia singled to bring in Gil. Santana would try to come home as well, but was taken down at the plate, sending the Sox up to bat again.

No worries though. Cesar Ciurcina would hold the White Sox to only 4 hits over five innings while striking out six. Renzi Reveroi took over for the next two allowing 2 hits and walk and striking out 4. Jhonny Garcia struck out 2 in the 8th inning.

Ronny Juma would be on the mound for the Twins in the top of the 9th and would take Manuel Soliman and Martinez out on strikes before walking Franco, who then stole 2nd. Gil then tripled him in for an extra marker before Santana popped out, putting the Twins defensive unit back into play.

Edison Alvarez used three quick outs to end the game.

If the Twins can defeat the Indians on Saturday at Baseball City, or if both the Twins and the Yankees2 drop their final games, the Twins, who have won their last six, will clinch their playoff berth.

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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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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 split with Red Sox

GCL Twins 4 at GCL Red Sox 10

W: M. Lennox (1-2, 5.00); L: A. Sanchez (2-2, 3.38)
HR: RSX: R. Feliz (7).

A 5-run sixth inning broke open a close game and gave the GCL Red Sox a huge win the in the completion of the game that was suspended on Sunday, July 27.

Angelo Sanchez had taken the start and would be back on the mound when the game resumed.

Juan Sanchez would reach in the top of the 3rd on a play that took Jon Goncalves out at home. Aaron Hicks, who had singled his way on to base, would move to 3rd on the play. Sanchez advanced to 2nd when short stop Derrik Gibson missed the throw on a caught stealing attempt. Danny Ortiz would ground out, moving Sanchez to 3rd and Hicks would score on the play. A Mike Gonzales single then sent Sanchez home to give the Twins a two run lead early.

Joantoni Garcia walked in the bottom of the 3rd and Kenneth Roque singled to move him to second. A walk to Christian Vazquez loaded the bags but Angelo would get Wilfred Pichardo out on strikes. Derrik Gibson ground into a force out that put Garcia over the plate and took Vazquez out at 3nd. Bryan Peterson went down on strikes to end the inning.

Tyler Ladendorf singled and stole second. Danny Rohlfing would be called out on strikes before Javier Brown singled to move Ladendorf to 3rd. Goncalves would ground into a force out that took Brown out at 2nd, but allowed Ladendorf to score. Hicks would triple Goncalves in to make it 4-1 Twins.

Roberto Feliz homered in the bottom of the 4th, a solo shot to cut the lead in half.

Michael Lennoz would replace Wang-Yi Lin in the top of the 5th. Despite a double to Gonzales and a wild pitch, the Twins could not convert. In the bottom of the stanza Pichardo tripled and came home on a Gibson single to make it 4-3 Twins.

Then came the bottom of the sixth. Chih-Hsiang Huang and Andrew Frezza both took singles off Sanchez to start. Garcia would move the pair on a sac-bunt, and Roque singled to score Huang. Vazquez ground into a force out that plated Frezza but took Roque out at 2nd. Pichardo would steal second and Gibson walked. Peterson then singled, which - combined with a missing catch error by Ladendorf at short and a throwing error by Hicks in center - cleaned off the bags, to make it 8-4 Red Sox.

Sloppy play boys! Sloppy play!

The Red Sox iced their cake in the bottom of the eighth with Roque singling. After Vazquez flew out, Pichardo singled. The two runners then orchestrated a double steal. Gibson would double out to left to bring in the pair.

Angelo Sanchez would take the loss, giving up 8 runs, six earned on 10 hits and 3 walks. He would fan 9 over six innings however.

Gonzales was 4-for-5 at the plate with a double and a RBI. Hicks was 2-for-4 with a triple, a run and RBI. Juan Sanchez, Ladendorf and Goncalves were all 1-for-4 with a run, Goncalves with a run scored as well. Brown, 1-for-3 would share the one hit wonder title with pinch hitters Hyeong-rok Choi and Jakub Hajtmar, both of which singled in the top of the ninth. A wild pitch would move the pair but Gonzales would strike out, ending the contest.

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GCL Red Sox 1 at GCL Twins 4

W: K. Nanney (2-0, 1.50); L: C. Cabral (1-3, 6.03)
HR: None.

The Twins got a bit of revenge in the regularly scheduled game, which was shortened to 7 innings. A pair of errors by Red Sox pitcher Cesar Cabral would lead to a 3-run sixth inning to give the GCL Twins a 4-1 win.

Mike Gonzales and Hyeong-rok Choi hit back-to-back doubles off Cabral in the bottom of the 2nd to open the scoring.

The Red Sox would tie it right back up however, with Wilfred Pichardo singling then stealing 2nd. Gibson would steal 3rd, and a throwing error by Josmil Pinto would allow Pichardo to score.

It would stay that way though until the bottom of the sixth. Danny Ortiz singled and moved to second on a Tyler Ladendorf sac-bunt. A fielding error by Cabral allowed Ladendorf to reach 1st. Gonzales singled to drive in the speedy Ortiz and. Ladendorf would go to second, but Gonzales evidently though he was going to 3rd and kept running. He'd be taken out in between first and second by second baseman Kenneth Roque. A throwing error on a pick off attempt moved Ladendorf to 3rd. Rok would reach on a fielder's choice that took Ladendorf out at home. Pinto then tripled in Rok and a fielding error by Chih-Hsiang Huang allowed Jakub Hajtmar to reach and Pinto to score.

Gonzales was 2-for-3 with a run and a run scored in the designated hitter role. Ortiz, Rok and Pinto were all 1-for-3 with a run, Rok with a double and a run scored and Pinto with a RBI as well. Herbert Lara was 1-for-4 with a double. Hajtmar would end up as the one hit wonder, going 1-for-3.

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DSL Indians 2 at DSL Twins 4

W: E. Cardenas (5-1, 1.47); L: E. Araujo (3-2, 1.96); SV: L. Parra (1)
HR: None.

The DSL Twins doubled up the DSL Indians at home on Friday. Oswaldo Arcia would have two of the Twins four runs.

Danny Santana would lead off the bottom of the fourth with a line drive to left, then steal 2nd base. Jean Carlos Mercedes' sac bunt moved him to 3rd and Arcia singled to drive him in. Eliel Sierra singled, moving Arcia to 3rd. A wild pitch by Indian's starter Elvis Araujo plated Arcia and sent Sierra to 2nd. Manuel Soliman would pop out, but Jhonatan Arias singled to scored Sierra before Felix Caro ground out to end the inning.

Twins starter Eliecer Cardenas allowed only 2 hits over five innings, striking out 2. The tribe would score on him when Darling Read tripled, then came home on a Roman Vinicio ground out.

Leonardo Parra replaced Cardenas on the mound in the top of the sixth, and after getting Joly Fermin and Agustin Avila to strike out, allowed a triple to Argenis Martinez. Jesus Brito singled out to center to plate Martinez before Rolando Petit popped out to send the Twins back up to bat.

Arcia tripled off Indians' reliever Ramon Cespedes and one out later, came home on Soliman's line drive single to left.

The win was Cardenas' fifth of the season, Parra would record his first save, allowing 1 run on four hits while fanning 5 over four innings worth of work.

For the home boys, Santana and Arcia were both 2-for-4, Arcia with a RBI to go with his pair of runs, Santana with a run. Soliman, Arias and Yorby Martinez were all 1-for-3, the first two with RBIs, leaving Martinez to become the one hit wonder of the game. Sierra finished up 1-for-4 with a run.

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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 drop Orioles (twice!)

GCL Twins 5 at GCL Orioles 3

W: E. Ibarra (2-0, 3.30); L: J. Moore (1-1, 2.48); SV: K. Mota (8)
HR: None.

Anderson Hidalgo and Danny Ortiz were key players in propelling the GCL Twins to a 5-3 win Wednesday over the GCL Orioles at Twins Lakes Park.

Edgar Iberra took the start for the Twins, scattering seven hits and three walks over five innings to limit the Orioles to a pair of runs while striking out four.

The O's runs would come in the bottom of the 3rd inning, with Xavier Avery singling. He'd be taken out at second however on Luis Ramirez force out, and pinch runner Edwin Cinton replaced Ramirez on the basepaths. Jerome Hoes took a walk and Edinho Meyers singled to plate Cintron. Garabes Rosa's line drive to left scored Hoes before Dennis Perez ground out and and Dashenko Richardo struck out to end the inning.

The Twins were already leading by three at the point however, as they lost no time getting on the board against Orioles starter Justin Moore. Back-to-back-to-back doubles by Aaron Hicks, Hidalgo and Ortiz opened up the game to give the Twins a pair of runs in the opening stanza.

They'd add a third run in the top of the third with Hidalgo singling and Ortiz doubling him in.

In the top of the sixth, Henry Sanchez doubled and Hyeong-rok Choi reached on a fielder's choice that saw Sanchez to 3rd. Danny Rohlfing would line out before Hyun-wook Choi sacrificed in Sachez. Herbert Lara then hit a line drive single out to left to plate Rok for the Twins fifth run.

Joe Test replaced Iberra at the top of the sixth and took the first two batters he faced out on strikes while getting the third to ground out. The seventh inning proved a bit more difficult for the former Wagner College ace, as Avery singled off him to start off the inning. Cintron ground into a force out that took Avery down at 2nd but Cintron then stole second. Hoes would ground out, moving Cintron to 3rd and a passed ball by Danny Rohlfing brought the O's runner home.

Kelvin Mota worked the last two innings for the Twins, picking up his 8th save of the season.

Hidalgo finished up 3-for-4 with a double, a pair of runs and a RBI. Ortiz was 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles and a pair of RBIs. Henry Sanchez was 1-for-3 with a double and a run, Lara went 1-for-4 with a RBI and Hicks finished up 1-for-5 with a double and a run. Rok would contribute a run despite going 0-for-4 in the game.

The Twins are currently tied for the Pirates for first in the GCL South Division as each team has posted a 20-13 record. The Twins are on the road Thursday against the GCL Reds, for a Noon game.

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DSL Orioles 2 at DSL Twins 7

W: O. Villaroel (3-3, 2.06); L: D. Mambru (0-2, 2.75); SV: L. Vargas (1)
HR: None.

The DSL Twins pounded out 7 runs on 8 hits as they routed the DSL Orioles Wednesday morning.

Jairo Perez would get hit by a pitch in the bottom of the second and Eliel Sierra walked to follow him onto the basepaths. Manuel Soliman flew out before Jhonatan Arias walked to fill the bases. Orioles starter Dionicio Mambru then walked Felix Caro and Carlos Vasquez to force in pair of runs. Danny Santana would go down on strikes before Jean Carlos Mercedes took a walk for force in Arias for the Twins 3rd run.

Needless to say, Mambru was not invited back to the mound for the bottom of the 3rd. Enrico Jimenez took over and despite a walk, a wild pitch and a single kept the Twins off the board for that inning at least.

He'd walk Carlos Vasquez in the bottom of the 4th and a sac bunt by Santana advanced him to 2nd. Mercedes singled but Vasquez would be taken out at home. Oswaldo Arcia doubled however to plate Mercedes, giving the Twins a 4-1 lead.

Cesar Ciurcina worked the first four innings for the Twins before giving way to Orlando Villaroel for the next three. Villaroel would give up 1 run on 3 hits and a pair of walks while striking out 2 to pick up his 3rd win of the season.

Jose Sosa would be throwing for the Orioles in the bottom of the 7th. Arcia took a single off of him, and advanced to 3rd on a throwing error by Moises Ciriaco. Perez then sacrificed him in for the Twins 5th run.

In the bottom of the 8th, Arias singles, then advanced to second when Sosa uncorked a wild pitch. A balk would see Arias to 3rd. Wilfy Gil would go down on strikes, and Vasquez would fly out before Santana tripled in Arias. Mercedes would be hit by a pitch before Arcia singled to plate Santana to top off the Twins scoring.

Lesmir Vargas picked up his first save of the season, working a pair of scoreless innings for the Twins.

Arcia was 3-for-5 with a run and a pair of RBIs and Arias was 2-for-3 with a walk, a double and a pair of runs. Mercedes (1-for-3) and Soliman (1-for-4) added singles, Mercedes with a run and a RBI was well. Santana finished up 1-for-4 with the triple, a run and a RBI. Perez (0-for-2) and Sierra (0-for-3) were hitless at the plate but both had walk and run in contest, Perez with a RBI as well.

The DSL Twins are on the road Thursday against the DSL Rockies for a 10:30 AM Dominican Time game.

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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, Reds split double header

The GCL Twins split a pair Monday at the Lee County Sportsplex, making up the game that was rained out on Wednesday, July 16.

GCL Reds 1 at GCL Twins 2

W: M. Garcia (1-1, 3.99); L: S. Snowden (3-2, 0.87); SV: K. Mota (7)
HR: RDS: H. Sosa (1).

The GCL Twins took an early lead and hung on to win 2-1 over the GCL Reds. Martire Garcia would face off against Shea Snowden in a battle of the lefties.

Adam Everett, playing on a rehab assignment for the GCL Twins doubled in the bottom of the first off Snowden. After Danny Ortiz went down on strikes, Tyler Ladendorf singled out to right plate Everett.

Catcher Jae-Hyung Jang singled in the bottom of the 2nd, and moved to 2nd on a wild pitch by Snowden. Reggie Williams then took a walk. Anderson Hidalgo ground into a force out which took Jang out at 3rd, but a throwing error by Frank Pfister put Williams on 3rd and Hidalgo on 2nd. Herbert Lara hit into a ground out which plated Williams, for a 2-0 Twins lead.

Humberto Sosa put a long ball over the right center field wall, his first of the season, to put the Reds on the board. The Reds felt a little frisky after that with Efrain Contreras and Pfister both singling, but while Contreras made it to 3rd, Todd Waller would go down on strikes to end the inning.

The Twins would have the bases loaded in the bottom of the inning, but Snowden got Jon Goncalves and Everett out on strikes to strand the runners.

Closer Kelvin Mota would come into replace Garcia for the last two inning. The Twins Dominican starter left after scattering five hits and one walk over five innings while fanning five.

Mota would work the last two, allowing a double to Sosa in the sixth, but that's all the Reds would get.

Hector Santana worked the sixth for the Reds and was equally as efficient.

Ladendorf was 2-for-3 with a RBI, Everett was 1-for-3 with double and a run. Williams was 1-for-2 with a walk and a run. Jang was also 1-for-3, but would end up being the games one hit wonder.

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GCL Twins 1 at GCL Reds 5

W: R. Ceballos (3-0, 6.97); L: B. Pugh (1-1, 4.00)
HR: None.

The bottom half of the Twins bill would be the last game Alex Curry would pitch for the GCL Twins, as he was called up to Elizabethton after the game.

The teams traded runs in the third inning, with Juan Sanchez doubling and Herbert Lara moving him on a sac-bunt. Hicks would knock a sac-fly to right to bring in Sanchez.

Mariekson Gregorius reached on Sanchez's throwing error for the Reds, but was caught stealing 2nd. Back-to-back-to-back singles by Theodis Bowe, Kevin Coddington, and Yen-Wne Kuo would put Bowe over the plate for the Reds run.

Donald Lutz reached on a throwing error by Javier Brown and Joe Testa was brought into replace Curry. After getting Eli Rimes to fly out to left, he'd give up a single to Brodie Pullen and would hit Gregorius with a pitch to load the bags. He would then induce Bowe to ground into a double play to get out of the situation.

Rafael Ceballos would pitch the fifth and six for the Reds, giving up only a one hit and one walk while fanning two over the pair of innings.

For the bottom of the 5th, Bruce Pugh would replace Joe Testa and walked Coddington. Kuo singled and a wild pitch moved the paid. Efrain Contreras' sac fly scored Coddington, and Sean Conner would follow that up with a walk. Pugh would take Donald Lutz out on strikes, but allowed a single to Eli Rimes which scored Kuo. Brodie Pullen's ground ball single brought in Conner to give the Reds a 3 run lead.

Nick Lobanov took over the mound for the bottom of the sixth and allowed a single to Coddington, then hit Kuo with a pitch. After Contreras went down on strikes, and a wild pitch advanced the runner, Lobanov would hit Conner with a pitch to load the bags. He then walked Lutz for force in another run for the Reds.

Blaine Howell worked the top of the 7th for the Reds and allowed back-to-back singles to Lara and Aaron Hicks. But with two outs already on the board, Danny Ortiz would ground out to cut short the budding rally, ending the contest.

Hicks was 2-for-3 with a RBI, while Lara and Sanchez were both 1-for-3, Sanchez with a double and a run. Ortiz ended up 1-for-4 to round out the offense.

The Twins are at home Tuesday against the Red Sox. Game time is Noon.

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DSL White Sox1 at DSL Twins 4

W: R. Reverol (2-1, 4.58); L: R. Mercedes (2-1, 2.70)
HR: None.

Eliecer Cardenas worked four innings for the DSL Twins, scattering 5 hits and a walk while striking out two to keep the DSL White Sox1 quiet for the first half of the game. Renzo Reverol was even better allowing only 1 hit while fanning six over the next four innings.

While the DSL Twins defense was fabulous, the offense would not go to work until the seventh inning. Manuel Soliman would double and Oswaldo Arcia triple to give the Twins one - the only run they'd need. Hector Eusebio replaced Raffy Mercedes on the White Sox1 mound, and walked Jairo Perez. Perez then stole 2nd. After Eliel Sierra went down on strikes, Felix Caro singled out to center to plate Arcia and Perez.

Danny Santana would ground into a force out that took Yancarlo Franco out at 2nd, then advanced to 2nd on a passed ball. Following a pop out to Soliman, Arcia would triple to plate Sanata for the final DSL Twins run.

Arcia finished up 2-for-4 with a pair of triples, a run and a pair of runs scored. Franco (1-for-4), Caro (1-for-3) and Jhonatan Arias (1-for-2) all had singles, Caro with a pair of runs scored and Arias with a walk.

The Twins are on the road again on Tuesday against the DSL Indians for a 10:30 AM Dominican time game.

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