TMLN: Buscher Leads New Britain Rout

In this edition of Twins Minor League Notebook, the Wings bats are not enough against Durham, the Rock Cats crush Bowie 12-2, the Miracle get an outstanding effort from Ryan Mullins in a 5-0 shutout victory, and the Snappers lose 3-2 despite another great start from Cole Devries.

Rochester Red Wings
The Red Wings pounded out 14 hits on Thursday, but it was not enough, as Durham defeated the home team 10-6 in 14 innings. Nick Blackburn got the start for Rochester, and put in his best AAA effort of the season, tossing five innings of six-hit ball. He allowed three runs (two earned), struck out two, and walked two. Jeremy Cummings was excellent in relief of Blackburn, as he pitched scoreless baseball for two frames. He struck out three and walked none. Ricky Barrett had his first shaky outing of the season, as he was lit up for two earned runs in his only inning of work. Jason Miller, who was promoted to Minnesota after the game, allowed a solo home run for his only hit in 1.1 relief innings. Bobby Korecky had a good outing, throwing 2.2 scoreless innings, as he struck out five. Brian Bass was the sixth pitcher of the night for Rochester, picking up his first loss of the season. He was torched for four runs in two innings, though he struck out four.

Four Red Wings posted multi-hit games in this one, highlighted by Jose Morales’ 3-3 night. The catcher came into the game for Matthew Lecroy after LeCroy was lifted for a pinch-runner, and ran his average to .341. Shortstop Gil Velazuez had two hits in the game, scoring twice, and Matthew Moses had two knocks and a ribbie. Garrett Jones was the fourth Wings player with a multi-hit night, driving in a run, and Josh Rabe drove in three. Second baseman Alexi Casilla scored twice, walked twice, and picked up his tenth and eleventh stolen base of the season. The team left 13 runners on base.

New Britain Rock Cats
The Cats got out to an early lead, and never looked back, cruising to a 12-2 victory over Bowie. Jesse Floyd picked up his third win of the season, tossing seven innings, striking out five. In his seven frames, Floyd allowed only four hits, leading to two earned runs. Floyd is having a great May, posting a 3.49 earned run average in his five starts. Tim Lahey and Frank Mata each worked one inning of scoreless ball, striking out three players combined. Mata has yet to allow and earned run since being promoted for Fort Myers, and has two saves in three appearances. For Lahey, it was his second straight scoreless outing.

Plenty of power in this one, as three Rock Cats hit home runs in the game. Brian Buscher was the star offensive performer, picking up four hits, including his third home run of the season. The designated hitter scored twice, drove in three, and ran his batting average to .281. Third baseman David Winfree hit his third home run of the season as well, a two-run shot in the seventh. Winfree scored twice, drove in two, and also walked. Catcher Kyle Geiger is having a terrific season with the stick, and hit his first home run of the season on Thursday. Geiger, who was a Florida State League All-Star in 2006, is batting .348. Red-hot Rashad Eldrige had two hits in the game, driving in three, and is batting .278 in May after an awful April. Brock Peterson and Garrett Guzman also had two hits in the contest, as five Cats had multi-hit nights.

Fort Myers Miracle
The Miracle shutout the Daytona Cubs on Thursday, as the team got another fantastic effort from starter Ryan Mullins. The young left-hander pitched eight shutout innings, allowing only three hits, while striking out six. With the effort, Mullins saw his earned run average dip below 2.00. He is currently fourth in the organization in earned run average, and his six strikeouts moved him into second on the farm in that category as well. Angel Garcia worked the ninth, allowing two hits, but escaping without any harm. The reliever has allowed over two earned runs in only one of his 14 appearances this season.

Lead-off hitter Luis Ugueto had another big day for the Miracle, as he provided most of the offense in this one. The shortstop went 3-4 in the game, scoring twice, and hit a three-run home run, his first of the season. He has loved the home cooking this season, batting .448 at home. Whitney Robbins also drove in a run in the game, and Dwayne White scored once. Second baseman Toby Gardenhire also had a big night, going 3-3, as he scored twice. With the three hits, Gardenhire raised his batting average above .200, as he had his second multi-hit game in his last three starts.

Beloit Snappers
The Snappers actually lost a game on Thursday, though it was not by much, as the West Michigan Whitecaps snuck by Beloit 3-2. Another excellent start from Cole Devries, as he went seven innings, picking up his second loss of the season. Devries allowed only three runs (two earned), on seven hits, striking out three. He did allow a seventh inning home run that proved to be the clincher. Still, he has a spectacular 1.98 earned run average this season, and has been one of the better surprises of the early season. Dan Leatherman worked a perfect eighth inning, lowering his small earned run average to 2.63, and Jesus Carnevales allowed two hits in his scoreless frame. Another great pitching performance turned in by the Beloit staff.

Not Snappers hitter had a great day at the dish, as the team mustered only six hits in the game. Brian Dinkelman hit a leadoff home run to get the Snappers going, but the team did little else after. The home run was Dinkelman’s fourth of the season. Designated hitter Daniel Berg had a hit in three chances, scoring once, but was lifted for Chris Parmelee late in the game. Parmelee would walk in his only at-bat. Catcher Greg Yersich also drove in a run in the game, and Danny Valencia hit his ninth double of the season. Of their six hits, five of them went four extra-bases. Joe Benson hit his fourth triple of the season.