Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Scoreboard - July 30, 2007

Scranton/WB 2 at Rochester 3

Record 59 - 51

W: D. Gassner (4-12, 5.51); L: S. White (3-3, 3.62); SV: B. Korecky (29)
HR: ROC: J. Morales (2).

E: Watkins (13, fielding).

From redwingsbaseball.com/Milb.com: Dave Gassner held the first place Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees to just three baserunners in six innings, and Jose Morales hit a homer and a double to power the Red Wings to a 3-2 win Monday night at Frontier Field. The win moved the Wings to within two games of the first place Yankees, with the final game of the series Tuesday at Frontier. Monday's win also helped Rocheser keep pace in the wild card race with both Buffalo and Durham, who won their games Monday.

To start the game, Scranton lead-off hitter Kevin Thompson reached first base on an error by third baseman Tommy Watkins. Watkins then recovered from his error by recovering a ground ball and converting it into a double play. Rochester starter Gassner allowed Kevin Reese to get into scoring position but the Wings infield quickly ended the threat as Erubiel Durazo grounded out to end the inning.

The Wings got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second. With two outs, Morales slammed a home run into the right field bullpen for a solo home run; his second home run of the season. Yankees starter Steven White was able to hold the Wings to a 1-0 lead by striking out Watkins to end the inning.

The Wings increased their lead in the third. With one out, White walked Gil Velazquez, who moved to second off a sacrifice bunt by Denard Span. Matt Tolbert then hit directly to the pitcher, who fumbled the ball, allowing Tolbert to land safely on first and advance Velazquez to third. With two outs, Darnell McDonald walked to load the bases, followed by Garrett Jones walking to plate Velazquez and keep the bases loaded. The Wings were held on base as Chris Heintz flew out to centerfield to end the inning with the Wings lead, 2-0.

Gassner continued pitching a solid game. Over the first five innings, Gassner only allowed one hit and only one inning (both being the first) where the Yankees had more that three batters.

Scranton cut into Rochester's lead in the sixth. Watkins made a great play to start the inning by throwing out Andy Cannizaro at first. Gassner allowed his second hit of the game to Juan Francia for a single. Francia then stole second base in a controversial play by Thompson who struck out then seemed to interfere with Heintz's throw to second. This caused an argument by Yankees manager Dave Miley and home plate umpire Andy Vincent, which resulted in Miley and Thompson being thrown out of the game. Cannizaro was brought home as Justin Christian ripped a hit to right centerfield for a triple. Christian was stranded on third as Reese grounded out to end the inning, with the score 2-1.

The Wings matched the Yankees' run in the bottom of the sixth, when Morales stroked a ground rule double that bounced into the Scranton bullpen in left field. Jones scored to put Rochester up 3-1.

Gassner left after six innings, allowing a total of three hits and a pair of strikeouts. Julio DePaula came out of the bullpen and after a one-out walk to Eric Duncan followed by a balk, DePaula made up for the mistake by picking Duncan off second for the second out. But after DePaula walked Alberto Gonzalez, he ended the inning by striking out Wil Nieves.

The Yankees also made a pitching change in the seventh, bringing in Joba Chamberlain. He struck out all three Rochester batters, pitching at a highest recorded speed of 99 mph.

With closer Bobby Korecky on in the ninth, Scranton added a run on an RBI sacrifice fly by Durazo. Korecky got a grounder to first from Eric Duncan for the final out, his 29th save, and a key win for the Wings.

NOTES: Alexi Casilla was pulled from the lineup and promoted to the Twins before the game, after Minnesota dealt second baseman Luis Castillo to the Mets in exchange for two Minor League prospects. The Twins picked up Double-A catcher Drew Butera, the son of former Major League catcher Sal Butera, and Class A outfielder Dustin Martin from the Mets' system. Butera, 23, was the Mets' fifth-round pick in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft. After starting the season in Class A, he was promoted to Double-A on June 22. He's batting .231 in 82 Minor League games this season. He will be assigned to Double-A New Britain. Martin, 23, was selected by the Mets in the 26th round of the 2006 Draft. In 93 games this season, Martin is batting .287 with 22 doubles and 52 RBIs. He will be assigned to Class A Ft. Myers....The Red Wings lead the season series 5-2. A season ago, Scranton won the season series 10-6. The Red Wings were 2-6 at Frontier Field and 4-4 at PNC Field.... Pitchers Kevin Slowey and Matt Garza, and IF Alexi Casilla were named to the Minor League News "Fab 50" Baseball 2007 rankings by the editorial board of Minor League News. The Rochester Red Wings topped all teams in minor league baseball with three picks on the list...Slowey moves up to No. 6, Garza advances to 23, and Casilla debuted at No. 36....On Thursday night, the Twins will finally break ground on a new downtown stadium that is more than 10 years in the making. Groundbreaking festivities are slated to start at 6 p.m. ET, after the Twins' day game against the Royals at the Metrodome. Fans attending the ceremony will be treated to a concert, batting cages, fireworks and autographs from current and former Twins. Visit twinsbaseball.com for more details and coverage.

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Red Wings
Democrat
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Times Leader
R News

New Britain 8 at New Hampshire 7

Record: 49 - 54

W: T. Lahey (8-3, 3.31); L: S. Overbey (2-2, 3.24)
HR: NBR: T. Plouffe (8), R. Eldridge (5). NHM: R. Patterson (14), E. Kratz (2).

E: Eldridge (1, fielding), PlouffE (23, fielding).

From nhfishercats.com: David Smith went 3-for-5 with two RBI and one run scored, but the Fisher Cats couldn't hold on against the New Britain Rock Cats taking an 8-7 loss.

Seth Overbey gave up two runs in the ninth inning on Rashad Eldridge's home run to right field in the RELCO Enlightening Play of the Game to give the Rock Cats the lead and the win.

The Fisher Cats took the lead in the eighth inning and almost regained it in the ninth. Sergio Santos (2-for-4, one RBI) led off the ninth with a single threw the second base hole. Santos went to second on a wild pitch and took third on Chip Cannon's ground out to second.

Ryan Patterson (1-for-4, one run, two RBI) grounded out to third for the second out, and then Smith hit a deep fly ball to center field to end the opportunity.

In the eighth, New Hampshire tallied three runs to go ahead. Cannon (1-for-3, three runs) started the inning off with a walk and Patterson connected for his 14th home run of the year. Smith followed with a single and Rob Cosby had a pinch-hit single to put runners on first and second. Manny Mayorson then grounded to the shortstop, but Trevor Plouffe misplayed the ball and allowed a run to score.

The Fisher Cats also struck for runs in the second, sixth and seventh. The seventh featured Erik Kratz's second home run of the year and Mayorson getting caught trying to take home on a passed ball when the bases were loaded and Cannon at the plate.

Aaron Mathews also had a pair of hits finishing 2-for-5 with a run scored.

Overbey took the loss for New Hampshire giving up the two runs in his one inning of work. Kyle Yates had the start and went seven innings allowing seven hits, six runs (four earned) and one walk with six strikeouts. Jean Machi worked a scoreless eighth.

Tim Lahey took the win for New Britain going two innings and letting up four hits and two runs (one earned). Anthony Swarzak started for the Rock Cats and went 6.2 innings with seven hits, two walks, eight strikeouts and four runs.

The top of the order powered New Britain as Eldridge (3-for-5, three runs and two RBI) and Plouffe (2-for-4, two runs and three RBI) were effective. Matt Allegra also had a pair of hits with two runs scored.

The six-game series is over with the teams splitting the set.

The Rock Cats return home on Tuesday to face the Erie SeaWolves.

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Fisher Cats
Herald
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Union Leader

Dunedin 5 at Fort Myers 6

Record 19 - 19

W: A. Hawes (2-1, 3.22); L: C. Falkenbach (2-4, 4.15)
HR: DUN: J. Gonzalez (5).

E: Woodard (2, missed catch), PortEs (14, fielding).

Hammond Stadium
A beautiful night for baseball!


Field manager Omar Malave is probably regretting the decision of putting in submarine pitcher Connor Falkenbach for the ninth inning. The right-hander from Georgia gave up 4 runs on 5 hits and 1 walk as the Miracle rallied to a 6-5 victory over the Blue Jays Monday night at Hammond Stadium.

In the battle of the send downs, Russ Savickas dominated, holding the Miracle to 1 hit through 5 innings. Kyle Waldrop, on the other hand, found himself in a hole early when Anthony Hatch singled and moved to 3rd when Johnny Woodard missed a catch that should have taken Carlo Cota out at first. An Eric Nelsen sac-fly brought Hatch home.

Jacob Butler singled with one out in the second. Jesus Gonzalez followed that up with home run over the left field wall.

Dunedin padded the lead more, when Eric Nelson doubled out to right and came home on Josh Kreuzer's line drive to center. That would finish off Waldrop's tenure, his final totals being 4 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits and 3 walks with 2 strike outs in 5 innings worth of work. Adam Hawes would replace him for the sixth inning.

Johnny Woodard walked to start out the bottom of the sixth and moved to second on a line drive single by catcher Alex Soto. Brian Dinkelman followed that up with a single of his, own, but field manager Kevin Boles held Woodard at third on the play. Woodard would come home when Steve Tolleson ground into a double play, while an Erik Lis single plated Soto. Malave pulled Savickas at that point, putting in Aaron Tressler. A wild pitch and a Juan Portes walked made it look like the Miracle would get a couple more, but Danny Valencia when down swinging to end the inning.

The Jays took one back in the top of the seventh, when Hatch doubled and came home on a Cota sac-fly, sliding between the legs of Soto, who did not have the block at the plate.

Chad Blackwell pitched two solid inning for the Jays and it was looking grim for the home team, when Malave called Falkenbach out of the pen.

Valencia, Edward Ovalle and Luis Ugueto all singled their way onto base, with Valencia coming home on Ugueto's ground ball. A wild pitch moved the pair of runners over, and Woodard took a walk to load the bags. Dwayne White came in as a pinch runner for Woody. Soto then drove in a pair with a fly ball single to center. D-White made 3rd on a Dinkelman sac bunt, and passed the plate on a Steve Tolleson single, ending the game and sending the crowd into a frenzy.

The two teams rematch Tuesday night at 7:05. The Miracle just missed having Reed Johnson visit on a rehab assignment and A.J. Burnette did not make the trip over with Dunedin. Barring a last minute change, it should be Rob Ray (2-2, 5.45) vs. Jay Rainnville (5-10, 3.60) for a hockey night at the Joe.

The Miracle join the Sarasota Reds in a tie for 4th place in the division standings, 6 games behind the Tampa Yankees.

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Miracle
News-Press
Notebook
Q&A: Jeff Manship
Breeze
NDN

Notes: It should be Zach Ward, not Errol Simonitsch taking the start on Wednesday. That was my bad. I certainly do not mean to imply that Ward is forgettable by forgetting him.

The Twins trade Luis Castillo to the New York Mets in exchange for catcher Drew Butera and centerfielder Dustin Martin. Butera will likely be assigned to AA New Britain, while Martin, 23, will be joining the Fort Myers Miracle.

Former Miracle Alexi Casilla was called up to Minnesota to replace Castillo on the Twins roster.

My efforts are appreciated! Sean Fox writes "However, it is nice to see and hear from negative so-called 'fans' all the time." I believe I've written him twice this year before today, in both cases he denies ever getting the messages because his e-mail was "broken". It's nice to get such love the Miracle Community Relations Coordinator! I guess I did not realize I was wasting soooooooo much of his valuable time.

Whether you agree with my attitude or not, MOST organizations would be happy for the free exposure they get off of me, but not the Miracle. Oh no. We all know, however, that their REAL fans only show up on fireworks nights.

Beloit 5 at Fort Wayne 2

Record 21 - 14

W: C. Devries (8-3, 2.89); L: B. Gomes (0-2, 4.23); SV: A. Slama (5)
HR: None.

E: Olson (19, fielding).

Eli Tintor
Staff photo by Rob Lucas
Beloit’s Eli Tintor is tagged out while trying to steal second base by South Bend’s Matthew Oxendine during the Snappers’ 3-2 loss to the Silver Hawks on Sunday.


From wizardsbaseball.com: The defense of the Fort Wayne Wizards was spotty at best on Monday night, as they committed four errors in the field; and the Beloit Snappers took advantage of those miscues to post a 5-2 victory, in front of 4,941 fans at Memorial Stadium.

The first two Fort Wayne mistakes came in the opening inning, and led to the first run scored in the game.

Garrett Olson reached first base with one out against Wizard starting pitcher Brandon Gomes when his ground ball hit on the right side of the infield bounced off the glove of Fort Wayne second baseman Tom King for an error.

Olson stole second base, advanced to third base on an infield single off the bat of Wilson Ramos, and came around to score on a throwing error committed by Wizard shortstop Jesus Lopez to give Beloit a 1-0 lead.

The Snappers added to their lead in the second inning, when Joe Benson’s one-out single up the middle scored both Eli Tintor and Steven Singleton, making the score 3-0.

Fort Wayne scored a run in the bottom of the third inning off Snapper starter Cole Devries.

Luis Martinez reached first base on a one-out error committed by Olson, advanced to third base when Javis Diaz hit a ground rule double over the four-foot high wall in right field, and scored on an infield ground out to bring the Wizards to within 3-1.

Beloit got that run back in the top of the sixth inning, thanks to a single by Matt Betsill, followed by a double by Tintor; both hits coming with two outs against Gomes.

Diaz singled in Martinez (who doubled) with one out in the bottom of the seventh to again bring Fort Wayne to within two runs at 4-2, but the Snappers added an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning to close out the scoring.

Devries (8-3), who allowed one run on six hits in five innings on the mound, received credit for the win.

Gomes (0-2), who gave up four runs (three earned) on six hits in seven innings of work, was charged with the defeat.

Anthony Slama, who pitched a scoreless ninth inning, collected his fifth save of the season.

The Wizards will attempt to even the four-game series at a game apiece, when they meet Beloit again on Tuesday night.

Right-hander Stevie Delabar (2-3, 4.68) will make the pitching start for Fort Wayne.

Opposing Delabar on the mound for Beloit will be right hand pitcher Alex Burnett (6-6, 2.90).

The game can be heard on both the radio (ESPN Radio 1380) and the Internet (http://www.fortwaynewizards.com), beginning with the Hupe Insurance Services Pre-Game Show at 6:40 p.m. (EDT).

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Wizards
BDN*
Journal Gazette

* Article published Monday, July 30

Greeneville 2 at Elizabethton 6

Record 27 - 10

W: D. Bromberg (5-0, 2.32); L: A. Leon (0-6, 6.14)
HR: ELI: M. Dolenc (3).

E: Lawman (9, throw), Romero (6, fielding).

From MiLB.com: David Bromberg tossed five solid innings to remain unbeaten as Elizabethton defeated visiting Greeneville, 6-2, on Monday.

Bromberg (5-0) allowed two runs on five hits and a walk with eight strikeouts. The 19-year-old right-hander has yielded four earned runs over 28 1/3 innings in his last six appearances after surrendering four runs over 2 2/3 frames in his professional debut on June 20.

Mark Dolenc belted a two-run homer, his third, in the fifth inning and scored twice for the Twins (27-10).

Axel Gonzalez went 3-for-3 with a run-scoring double in the fifth and Jared Pitts collected two hits for the Astros (8-32).

Greeneville starter Arcenio Leon (0-6) remained winless after surrendering four runs -- three earned -- on seven hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings.

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Catching up with the E-Star

Monday

GCL Pirates 3 at GCL Twins 8

Current Record: 24 - 8

W: L. Martin (2-1, 2.89); L: R. Owens (0-1, 9.00)
HR: TWI: A. Morales (1).

E: Beresford 2 (6, fielding, throw).

There wasn't really much he could do. Pirates leftfielder Ciro Rosero simpley stood there and watched as Angel Morales' first home run of the season sailed over the fence, bringing in 3 runs for the GCL Twins and bringing the game scoring to 7-3.

The Twins would add another run in the seventh, but an early inning lead paced the Twins, sending them off to a big win over their Bradenton rivals.

Ramon Santana lead off the offense with a walk, and Ben Revere singled his way onto base. A Yangervis Solarte fly out moved Santana to 3rd and the speedster stold home while Revere went to 2nd for his 12 stolen base of the year. Juan Richardson singled him. A pair of wild pitches by Rudy Owens moved Richardson around to 3rd, and he was plated by Morales sac-fly.

Jose Bautista doubled off Twins starter Thom Wright, and came home on a John Fitzpatrick ground out to give the Pirates a marker.

The Twins took it back in the bottom of the fourth when Nick Biagini doubled in Morales who had singled his way onto base.

A fielding error by James Berseford allowed Ronald Pena and Victor Alvarez to cross the plate on Rosero's force attempt, making the Pirates think they still had a game, but Morales' yarder in the bottom of the inning put all such thoughts out of their minds.

Revere recorded his 13th stolen base in the 7th inning and came home on Richardson's single to finish off the scoring,

Richardson led the offense going 3-for-4 with 2 runs. Solarte, Morales, Biagini and Andrew Schmiesing were all 2-for-4. Beresford walked twice. For the second straight game Danny Rams remained hitless but got on base once on a walk, and once when he was plunked by a pitch.

Wright was charged with 3 runs, 2 earned, on 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 2 in 4 innings. Lee Martin picked up the win, striking out 3 and allowing only 1 hit over 2 scoreless innings. Tom Stuifbergen, Dominique Rodgers and Michael Mopas eached worked an inning of scoreless baseball to finish off the game.

The Twins take on the Reds today at the City of Sarasota Complex. Danny Berlind is expected to make the start for the Twins.

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DSL Reds 3 at DSL Twins 4

Current Record: 24 - 24

W: E. Alvarez (4-1, 0.63); L: I. Gomera (0-2, 0.81)
HR: None.

E: Soliman 3 (16, fielding, fielding, throw), Caro (18, fielding), Sanchez, J (15, fielding).

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VSL Mariners 3 at VSL Cubs/Twins 2

Current Record: 32 - 32

W: J. Tome (3-2, 3.30); L: C. Rojas (3-3, 4.08); SV: J. Jimenez (14)
HR: None.

E: Matheus (12, fielding), Requena (12, fielding).

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