Torii Hunter and Minor League Recaps

The groundbreaking for the new Twins ballpark was held on Thursday. Everyone was invited, but since it was rescheduled, some had prior commitments (including Justin Morneau, Johan Santana, Joe Nathan, and others). Well, how about this? Torii Hunter refused to go to the groundbreaking ceremony:

"It's tough going to the groundbreaking and not even knowing if you are going to be here," Hunter said. "You'd like to, but it's my day off."

"I'll just get a massage and hang out."

I think that is highly disrespectful of Torii Hunter. The Twin Cities has given Torii Hunter everything in his career, and this is what he wants to do? Get a massage instead of being there for one of the biggest days in the team's history? I know he's upset about not having earlier talks about a contract extension, but this is ridiculous and very disrespectful. Rod Carew and Harmon Killebrew won't play at the ballpark, and they were there. Carl Pohlad might not even be alive when the stadium opens and he was there (this is not intended to be offensive).

But with that said, my opinion won't change that I do hope he's the one in centerfield when that stadium does open. I just think he should've acknowledge this event being that he's one of the greatest Twins players to put on a uniform, and that we've given him a lot in his time here that he could at least do this event. At least in my opinion. And I feel that down the road, if/when he signs, he'll regret not going.


Rochester Red Wings lost to the Ottawa Lynx, 1-0. (Game 1)
Rochester Red Wings beat the Ottawa Lynx, 3-2. (Game 2)
Game 1: Nick Blackburn pitched very well for the Red Wings in a complete game loss. He gave up an unearned run and struck out 5 only to lose his 3rd game of the season. Doug Deeds and Chris Basak were the only 'Wings to get hits.
Game 2: Dave Gassner gave up just 2 runs in 6 innings in the no decision. Bobby Korecky picked up the win while pitching 2 perfect innings in relief. Gil Valazquez went 1-2 with a double and 2 RBI's. Trent Oeltjen went 1-2 with his 5th triple of the season. He also scored twice. Denard Span added an RBI single.

New Brightain Rock Cats beat the Binghamton Mets, 7-6.
Yohan Pino gave up 3 runs in his 5 1/3 innings to win his 2nd game for the Rock Cats. Eddie Morlan was promoted to AA to take the spot of Tim Lahey who was promoted to AAA. Morlan gave up 1 run in his 1.2 innings of work, but struck out 3 batters in the process. Armando Gabino picked up save #3 while pitching 2 shutout innings.

Ft. Myers Miracle beat the Sarasota Reds, 5-4. (Game 1)
Ft. Myers Miracle beat the Sarasota Reds, 3-2. (Game 2)
Game 1: Jay Rainville won his 9th game of the season while giving up 4 runs over 6 innings. Rob Delaney picked up save # 7 in the 7th. Steven Tolleson went 3-4 with 3 doubles. Johnny Woodward went 2-4 with a 3-run home run, his 7th of the year. Dustin Martin drove in another run. Erik Lis went 2-4 with his 34th double of the season.
Game 2: Kyle Aselton gave up 2 runs in the first 4 innings while striking out 5. J.P. Martinez went the final 5 innings to win his 1st win of the season for the Miracle. Juan Portes went 1-3 with his 24th double of the season. He also scored twice. Dustin Martin went 1-3 with his 66th RBI of the season.

Beloit Snappers lost to the Kane County Cougars, 6-3. (Game 1)
Beloit Snappers lost to the Kane County Cougars, 4-1. (Game 2)
Game 1: In his first start for the Snappers, Henry Reyes struggled and could only go 3.1 innings. He gave up 6 runs (5 earned). Aaron Craig pitched 2.2 shutout innings in relief. Matt Betsill went 2-3 with an RBI double. Ramon Santana had an RBI triple. Garrett Olsen hit a sac-fly for his 48th RBI of the season. Danny Santiesteban went 2-4.
Game 2: Brian Kirwan gave up 4 runs in his complete game loss. His 8th loss of the season. Chris Parmelee went 3-3. Garrett Olsen went 1-3 with an RBI double.

Elizabethton Twins beat the Danville Braves, 2-0.
The E-Town Twins won the first game (in the best of 3 series) of the Appy League Championship in the 10th inning. Mike Allen went the first 5 innings and struck out 5 batters while keeping the Braves scoreless. Mike Tarsi came on and went the final 5 innings and kept the Braves scoreless while striking out 9. So who was the hero? Rene Tosoni went deep in the 10th to drive in both runs. He finished with 3 hits. Rene Leveret went 2-4. D.J. Romero, Ozzie Lewis and Greg Yersich all went 1-4.

Here is a photo of the "Magnificant Seven" of the Elizabethton Twins.

(Left to Right) Estarlin De Los Santos, Rene Tosoni, D.J. Romero, Rene Leveret, Greg Yersich, David Bromberg, Ozzie Lewis