There was lots of exciting baseball by the Twins farm clubs this week, as they went a combined 23-13.

The Rochester Red Wings were 4-2 and finally a game above .500 at 68-67.  The starting pitching that has been better of late was again excellent.  Philip Humber was the loser on Sunday, 2-0, when he pitched 8.0 innings with only 2 runs.  He was better in last night's 5-1 win when he pitched a complete game (9.0 innings) with 5 hits, 1 run and 8K/0BB. 

The Rock Cats hopes for post season play ended a long time ago, however, they were also 4-2 this week with two excellent starts by Kyle Aselton.  Jeff Manship also rebounded from a few tough starts to pitch a 7 inning gem with 2 runs (1 earned) and 5K/1BB.  David Winfree was a hitting star as he hit three homers (19) and again has a chance for 100 rbi with 2 more last night (87).

The Miracle aren't in position to win the second half, however, as first half champs they are tuning up for the playoffs with a 3-1 record.  Matt Fox pitched one of this week's best games when they won last Sunday, 15-2, with Matt going 7.0 shutout innings with 6 hits and 5K/2BB.  Alex Burnett was also excellent on Thursday when he allowed 1 run and 5 hits in 6.0 innings with 10K/1BB.  Juan Portes had an excellent week with his 10th and 11th homers along with 2 multi hit games. 

The Snappers were only 1-5 this week as their playoff hopes ended (they are now 9.5 games out).  Unfortunately, Ben Revere played sparingly and with a disabled list that looks like an all-star roster...any hopes of making the playoffs may have been unrealistic.  Many, including me, compared Shooter Hunt's performance at Elizabethton to recent Twins greats such as Kevin Slowey.  Unfortunately, as he moved up to Beloit he hasn't pitched like Slowey, Garza, et.al!  Hunt continues to battle control problems with 3 walks, 2 wild pitches and a hit batter in last Saturday's 6-5 loss and 5 walks in last night's 4-2 loss.  Most feel that Hunt is blessed with a great arm and future, however, the Twins organization will have more work than with those stars who moved before him!  

The Elizabethton Twins had another great week, 4-2, as they prepare for their annual trip to the playoffs.  Dan Osterbrock continues to pitch very well with another great outing with 10K/0BB.  Thomas Wright (2003 23rd round pick) has pitched very well this season, picking up his third and fourth wins this week (5-1 on Saturday and 12-3 last night) with no losses.  Angel Morales and Jon Waltenbury both had 2 home run games.

The Gulf Coast Twins have seven games remaining and trail the Pirates by one game.  The two teams play today for the last time...if the Twins win they have a great shot for the championship.  If they lose, they are still in great shape for the wild card.  Angelo Sanchez threw the week's best game when they won 3-0 behind his 6.0 innings of shutout ball on Wednesday.  They were only 2-1 this week as they dodged a tropical storm, thus, have several double headers which will test their pitching depth.

The DSL Twins moved into first place (a 1.0 game lead over the Cubs-1 and Yankees) with a 5-0 week.  With today being their last game, a win gives them a division title.Thats it cause I have a wedding to get to.  Have a great week everyone!