Scoreboard for June 22, 2007

Charlotte 2 at Rochester 5

Record 37-33

W: N. Blackburn (4-1, 1.79); L: L. Broadway (5-3, 3.53); SV: B. Korecky (17)
HR: ROC: B. Buscher (1).

E: Span (3, fielding), Feiner (2, throw).

From MiLB.com: Brian Buscher went 2-for-3 with a home run as Rochester rallied past Charlotte, 5-2, in the opener of Friday's doubleheader.

Buscher slammed a two-out solo shot, his first, in the first, and hit a leadoff single to spark a three-run third inning. Tommy Watkins doubled twice and Trent Oeltjen went 2-for-3 with a triple for the Red Wings (37-33), who have won four straight.

Rochester starter Nick Blackburn (4-1) gave up two unearned runs on seven hits and a walk with four strikeouts over six innings. The 25-year-old right-hander has not allowed an earned run in 34 1/3 innings, has won his last four decisions and boasts a 1.79 ERA. Bobby Korecky tossed a hitless seventh for his 17th save.

Knights starter Lance Broadway (5-3) yielded five runs on 10 hits and three walks while fanning four over six frames.

Gustavo Molina hit an RBI single in the second for Charlotte (31-43). Danny Richar singled and scored in the third on an errant throw by catcher Korey Feiner.

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Rochester 6 at Charlotte 0

Record 38-33

W: B. Duensing (3-1, 2.10); L: S. Babula (2-2, 3.66)
HR: ROC: D. Span (1).

From MiLB.com: Brian Duensing tossed a five-hitter as visiting Rochester blanked Charlotte, 6-0, to complete a sweep of Friday's doubleheader.

Duensing (3-1) struck out three without issuing a walk en route to his first career complete game. The 24-year-old left-hander retired the final eight batters and lowered his ERA to 2.10.

Denard Span clubbed a two-run homer, his first, for the Red Wings (38-33), who have won five straight. Matthew LeCroy and Brian Buscher stroked back-to-back RBI singles in the seventh, and Garrett Jones and Matt Tolbert each plated a run.

Charlotte starter Shaun Babula (2-2) surrendered four runs on five hits and two walks with a strikeout over 3 2/3 innings.

The Knights (31-44) threatened in the second, as Kenny Perez singled and moved to third on Wiki Gonzalez's base hit, but Duensing induced Kenny Kelly to ground into an inning-ending double play.

Rochester also won the opener, 5-2.

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New Britain 7 at Connecticut 8

Record: 33-35

W: T. Wilding (1-0, 4.50); L: D. Powers (1-4, 5.35); SV: O. Matos (2)
HR: NBR: B. Peterson (9). CT: J. Wald (4).

E: Crawford (1, missed catch), Plouffe (17, throw), Mijares (1, fielding).

From ctdefenders.com: Dodd Stadium saw 5,000 plus fans on hand for the second consecutive game on Friday June 22 as the Connecticut Defenders hosted their cross-state rivals, the New Britain Rock Cats. The crowd was treated to plenty of offense by both squads, and after jockeying back and forth, the Defenders staved off the Rock Cats for a 8-7 victory.

Defenders jumped on the board first in their initial at-bats after 2B Eugenio Velez tripled and OF Trey Webb singled to drive in Velez for a 1-0 lead. The Rock Cats responded in the top of the second inning with a 3-run blast off the bat of 1B Brock Peterson that jumped over the left field wall, catapulting New Britain ahead 3-1. But Connecticut came back in the bottom of the third inning with four runs, including a sacrifice fly by 3B Mark Minicozzi, followed by a 2-run bomb over the left wall by SS Jake Wald. The Defenders led 5-3 after four full innings.

The Defenders led 7-6 heading into the eighth inning as Taylor Wilding entered his second inning of work in relief of starter Garrett Broshuis. He looked sharp in the seventh inning in his double-A debut, but ran into some trouble in the eighth frame. He surrendered a 1-out single to pinch-hitter Luke Hughes, but Rashad Eldridge grounded into a fielder choice and the lead runner Hughes was retired. The following batter OF Matt Allegra drove a double over the head of OF Trey Webb in left-centerfield and Rashad Eldridge came all the way around to score the tying run of the game.

In bottom of the eighth inning 2B Eugenio Velez jolted this crowed with a leadoff triple and Webb hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring the speedy Velez to put the Defenders back out in front 8-7. In the top of the ninth, Osiris Matos entered and closed the door on the Rock Cats, retiring the side in order to preserve the 8-7 win.

Neither starter, Tristan Crawford or Garrett Broshuis, factored in the decision. Jason Powers (L, 1-4) dropped his fourth game of the season, pitching 2 innings, surrendering just 1 run, 3 hits and striking out a batter. Taylor Wilding (BS, 1)(W,1-0) blew a save, but picked up his first double-A win after tossing 2 innings, giving up 1 run, 2 hits and striking out 3 batters. Osiris Matos (S, 3) collected his third save of the year with a 1-2-3 ninth inning. The Defenders look to make it 4 in a row as they host the Rock Cats on Saturday June 23 at 6:35 p.m.

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Sarasota 5 at Fort Myers 6

Record 2 - 0

W: A. Gabino (2-0, 1.23); L: D. Lutz (1-3, 3.48)
HR: None.

E: Betsill (9, fielding), Robbins (7, fielding).


Javi Sanchez

From miraclebaseball.com: After surrendering four unearned runs in the top of the eighth allowing the Sarasota Reds to take a 5-4 lead, the Fort Myers Miracle responded with two in the bottom of ninth for a 6-5 win over the Reds. Edward Ovalle picked up the walk-off single to center, sending the crowd of 3,233 on "Big Splash" day at the park, home happy as the Miracle improved to 2-0 in the second half.

Luis Ugueto led off the Miracle ninth with a pinch-hit double to right. Steve Tolleson followed with a sacrifice bunt that Reds reliever Derrik Lutz threw away, allowing Ugueto to score, tying the ballgame at five apiece. After a passed ball and a ground out from Dwayne White moved Tolleson to third, Ovalle would line a 1-0 fastball back up the middle plating Tolleson with the game-winner.

Sarasota's four-run eighth resulted in all four runs being unearned thanks to two Miracle errors in the inning. Josh Holden led off with a single to left, followed by Mike Griffin reaching on a Matt Betsill fielding error. A passed ball and Mike DeJesus single later, the Reds had cut the lead to 5-3. A Tonys Gutierrez sac-fly brought the Reds to within one before a two-run, go-ahead single off the bat of Danny Dorn.

The Miracle began the afternoon with three in the first thanks to a bases-loaded walk from Whit Robbins and a two-run single from catcher Javi Sanchez. Tolleson would give the Miracle a 4-0 lead with his RBI-triple in the fourth. The first Reds run of the day came in the fifth as Holden picked up his first of two RBI with a single to left.

The Miracle now head out on a four-game road trip beginning Saturday night with the Palm Beach Cardinals. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. at Roger Dean Stadium with RHP Anthony Swarzak (0-0, 1.54) starting for the Miracle.

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Peoria 3 at Beloit 0

Record 1-1

W: J. Renshaw (6-4, 4.57); L: A. Burnett (3-5, 3.64); SV: A. Maestri (3)
HR: PEO: R. Canzler (6).

E: Singleton (14, fielding), Lugo (3, pickoff).

From snappersbaseball.com: Peoria’s pitching staff only allowed four hits in their 3-0 win over the Snappers Friday night. Beloit starter Alex Burnett pitched six and one thirds innings of six hit, three run baseball to pick up his fifth loss of the season.

Peoria’s Russ Canzler hit a two-run homer in the top of the fourth inning to give the Chiefs an early 2-0 lead. Two innings later Peoria added another run to give them a 3-0 advantage.

That is all that they would need as the Snappers were unable to muster any runs on the night. Steve Singleton, Joe Benson, Wilson Ramos, and Chris Parmelee all had one hit in the loss to Peoria.

From the BDN: "Reinforcements are expected in Saturday..."

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GCL Twins 4 at GCL Red Sox 0

Current Record: 2 - 1

W: D. Berlind (1-0, 0.00); L: A. Bajoczky (0-1, 9.00)
HR: None.

The GCL Twins shut out the GCL Red Sox on the road, 4-0 behind a strong performance by 7th round draft pick Danny Berlind.

Michael McCardell, a sixth round pick from Pennsylvania took the start for the Twins, allowing only 1 hit and 1 walk in 4 inning while striking out five.

Berlind took the next 4 innings in relief, and the Twins bats came alive in the top of the sixth. Wang-Wei Lin doubled and came home on a Ben Revere triple. The Twins first rounder was playing in his first professional game, and belted a long ball to into right field. Juan Richardson reached on a field error by shortstop Oscar Tejeda, and the speedy Revere crossed the plate to make it 2-0 Twins.

The Minnesota crew would extend that lead in the top of the 9th, when Jon Waltenbury singled, Andrew Schmiesing walked and Jame Beresford got on base on a force out, which Schmeising taken out at second. Beresford stole 2nd, and missed catch by Tejeda allowed Waltenbury to score and Beresford to move to 3rd. He was plated by a Lin single, to make the score 4-0. Revere would ground out and Richardson strike out, to end the inning.

Closer Danny Rondon finished off the game, allowing only a single to Tejeda before striking Jonathan Egan out to give the Twins their second victory of the new season.

Yangervis Solarte and Waltenbury were both 2-for-4 at the plate, Lin and Richardson were both 2-for-5, Beresford and Revere were both 1-for-4 with a run each, Revere also recording an RBI and a walk.

The Twins return home to face the Baltimore Orioles at the Lee County Sportsplex. The game has a 10 AM start, as the team will be traveling to Dolphins Stadium in Miami afterward to watch their parent Minnesota Twins take on the Florida Marlins.

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Scoreboard for June 21, 2007

KRIS J. MURANTE RDC staff photographer
Rochester's Matt Garza delivers a pitch in the Wings 4-0 win over Columbus Thursday. He allowed four hits through seven innings.

Columbus 0 at Rochester 4

Record 36-33

W: M. Garza (4-6, 3.41); L: E. Fruto (3-3, 3.48)
HR: None.

E: Span (2, fielding), Tolbert (8, fielding).

From redwingsbaseball.com: The Red Wings finished at .500 over their eight-game homestand with a 4-0 win over the Columbus Clippers Thursday night at Frontier Field. Matt Garza (4-6) returned to his old form after giving up no runs on four hits while striking out eight in seven innings pitched. Tommy Watkins, Trent Oeltjen and Denard Span--the bottom three batters in the lineup--each had two hits to give Garza some much-needed run support. The Wings hit the road for 10 games over the next eight days, before returning to Frontier Field Saturday night June 30.

The Clippers threatened in the first inning but were unable to score any runs. Bernie Castro led off with a double to left field and was moved to third on a groundout by former Red Wing Brent Abernathy. Alexi Casilla then saved a run on a diving play on a grounder to second in which the runner didn't advance home. Garza then struck out cleanup batter Kory Casto to get out of the inning unscathed.

The Wings did all their damage in the third. After Watkins' bunt single led off the inning, Oeltjen executed a hit-and-run with a high-chopping single over first baseman Larry Broadway's head. Span followed with a run-scoring single to give the Wings a 1-0 lead. Casilla then reached out and slapped a 1-2 fastball to left field to score Oeltjen, and two batters later Jose Morales grounded into a force out at second base that scored Span, making it 3-0. A passed ball by catcher Brandon Harper scored Casilla to extend the lead to 4-0.

Garza continued to baffle the Clippers following the Wings run support, showing great command of his fastball while mixing in an effective curve ball to throw hitters off balance.

Carmen Cali replaced Garza in the eighth, finishing off the final two innings by giving up no runs on one hit and striking out one.

Columbus starter Emiliano Fruto (3-3) took the loss after giving up three earned runs on seven hits in five innings pitched.

NOTES: Tolbert went 0-3, lowering his average to .367... Tolbert is now second in the IL batting race behind Louisville's Jeff Keppinger, who went 2-for-4 tonight to raise his average to .369... Garza was named to the United States team for the MLB Futures Game Sunday July 8... The 2007 Futures Game will be held at AT&T Park in San Francisco and will be broadcast live at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

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New Hampshire 2 at New Britain 0

Record: 33-34

W: E. Fowler (1-0, 0.00); L: K. Waldrop (1-4, 5.14); SV: J. Machi (2)
HR: None.

E: Molina, F 2 (14, fielding, fielding).
PB: Geiger (9).

From rockcats.com: New Hampshire’s Eric Fowler impressed in his Double-A debut as the Fisher Cats downed the Rock Cats 2-0 at New Britain Stadium.

Fowler (1-0) fired six shutout innings. The Rock Cats managed just five hits off of the 24-year-old lefthander, who is ranked as Toronto’s 11th best prospect. Jean Machi picked up where Fowler left off and fired three shutout innings of his own to notch his second save.

Rock Cats’ starter Kyle Waldrop (1-4) allowed ten hits, but limited the Fisher Cats to one run through six innings. The Fisher Cats broke through in the fifth inning with an RBI single by Sergio Santos for a 1-0 lead.

In the ninth, the Fisher Cats’ Dustin Majewski doubled off reliever J.P. Martinez (3IP, 3H, 1R) to open the inning. Majewski advanced to third on a passed ball by catcher Kyle Geiger. Ryan Klosterman’s sac fly to center field scored Majewski.

The Fisher Cats pounded out 13 hits, led by a three-hit night by Chip Cannon. For the Rock Cats, Trevor Plouffe and Brock Peterson had two hits apiece.

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Steve Tolleson

Fort Myers 9 at Sarasota 7

Record 1 - 0

W: A. Smit (1-3, 5.44); L: J. Rojas (0-1, 9.00); SV: E. Morlan (10)
HR: SAR: J. Piepkorn (5).

E: Ugueto (11, throw).

From miraclebaseball.com: Kicking off the second-half of the season right where the first half began in Sarasota, the Fort Myers Miracle wanted to make sure the second 70 games didn’t start off the way the first 70 did. The season-opener began with a 2-0 loss in a quick pitcher’s duel, but that wasn’t the case on Thursday night. The Miracle cranked out nine runs on eleven hits in a back-and-forth 9-7 win over the host Sarasota Reds at Ed Smith Stadium.

Erik Lis’ RBI-double and Danny Dorn’s RBI-single accounted for each team’s run in the first inning. The Miracle followed with RBI-singles from Matt Betsill and Steve Tolleson in the second, before a Reds error, Eli Tintor sacrifice-fly and Betsill’s second-RBI of the night shot the Miracle out to an early 6-1 lead.

Sarasota’s top-ranked offense kicked into gear in the third as Jeremiah Piepkorn smashed a three-run shot to left bringing his Reds to within two. After Caleb Moore’s RBI-single to right in the fourth gave the Miracle another brief, three-run cushion, the Reds would quickly cut into the lead with two more in the fourth.

Eric Eymann’s run-scoring double and Josh Holden’s RBI-single brought the contest to a 7-6 Miracle advantage. Sarasota would tie the ballgame in the seventh as Mike DeJesus’ double, followed by Craig Tatum’s double, would bring in the Reds seventh, and tying run.

After Tolleson led off the Miracle eighth with a walk and later move to second on a groundout from Luis Ugueto, Tolleson would pick up his second stolen base of the night, swiping third with one out. Juan Portes promptly followed with a sac-fly to right giving the Miracle their third run of the night.

Insurance in the form of Tintor’s RBI-single in the ninth brought home Dwayne White with the ninth and final Miracle run of the night. Six of the nine innings on Thursday night saw the Miracle leadoff man reach base with four of those six to reach, resulting in four of the nine runs.

The Miracle and Reds now shift venues back to Hammond Stadium for a 12:05 p.m. matinee on Friday afternoon. The Miracle send RHP Oswaldo Sosa (2-4, 2.65) to the mound on “Big Splash” day at the ball park.

Notes: The SaraReds (43-27) promoted five players to Double-A Chattanooga after they closed out the first half Wednesday with a 7-4 victory over the Clearwater Threshers (39-31).

Cincinnati director of player development Terry Reynolds said outfielder Jay Bruce, infielder Adam Rosales along with right-handed pitchers Johnny Cueto, Ramon Ramirez and Josh Roenicke were called up Wednesday.

Diamond Dogs: The answer to yesterday's trivia question is Jackson. Jericho begat Toucan, who begat Jackson, who begat Rutgers. And Rutgers fled Fort Myers to be replaced by a big, orange, ugly Pom-Pom-aranian.

Interestingly enough, while the Mircle got out of the live animial act, there is a golden, Jake the Diamond Dog, that tours parks as a special show and does all the things the Jericho did for the Miracle, many, many, years ago. Chase, another golden, is the mascot for the AA Trenton Thunder.

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Peoria 1 at Beloit 3

Record 1-0

W: T. Robertson (2-1, 1.80); L: R. Hernandez (2-2, 4.64); SV: R. Delaney (23)
HR: BEL: B. Dinkelman (7), W. Ramos (4).

From snappersbaseball.com: Back to back homers propelled the Snappers to a 3-1 victory over the Peoria Chiefs on Thursday night. Brian Dinkelman and Wilson Ramos started the game off for the Snappers in the bottom of the first inning with back to back home runs, giving Beloit an early 2-0 lead.

Peoria scored a run of their own in the top of the second inning to draw to within one run. That would be all that the Beloit pitching staff would allow for the night.

The Snappers added one more to stretch the lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning. Chris Parmelee tripled home Johnny Woodard, who walked earlier, to give Beloit the two run advantage.

Tyler Robertson pitched six innings of five hit, one run baseball to pick up his second win of the season. Robertson also added another six strikeouts on the night.

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Elizabethton Twins

Record 2 - 0

No Games Scheduled

GCL Twins 2 at GCL Reds 6

Current Record: 1 - 1

W: B. Rice (1-0, 6.00); L: T. Wright (0-1, 6.00); SV: R. Nickols (1)
HR: None.

E: Waltenbury (1, fielding).
PB: Hernandez (1).

The GCL Twins fell 2-6 to the GCL Reds in the game at the Ed Smith Training Complex in Sarasota, Florida Thursday.

Thomas Wright took the start for the Twins, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits and 4 walks in 3 innings while striking out 4.

The Reds got on the board in the second inning. Rafael Sanchez singled his way onto base and was brought home on a Jordan Wideman double with one out. Alexis Oliveras then hit a sac-fly that plated Nettali Soto. Justin Reed would walk before Madhames Moreta struck out to end the inning.

Sanchez got on base in the third as well, this time on a passed ball by catcher David Hernandez. Soto would double him home on a fly to center field.

Arias Santos pitched one inning of relief before Jakub Toufar came in for 3 innings, allowing 3 more runs on 7 hits and 1 walk while striking out 2.

Alexis Oliveras reached on a fielding error by Jon Waltenbury at 1st, which allowed Sanchez to score again in the bottom of the 7th. It was a big day for the Reds 1st baseman, who was 3-for-4 with 3 runs. Soto batted in 3 for the rookie Reds.

The Twins would not get on board until the 8th inning, when Yangervis Solarte walked. Hernandez and Nick Biagini followed suit. Catcher Daniel Rehlfing, who was taken by the Twins in the 14th round of this years draft, ground out, but Solarte was able to cross the plate safely. Hernandez scored on a James Beresford ground out.

Looking a bit like the FSL Fort Myers Miracle, only Beresford and Hernandez recorded hits for the Twins, who are now 1-1 on the season.

The Twins play the Red Sox tomorrow at noon at the Red Sox Player Development Complex on Edison Street in Fort Myers.

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Scoreboard for June 20, 2007

KRIS J. MURANTE RDC staff photographer
Tommy Watkins looks to put the tag on Darnell McDonald, who had one stolen base and was caught once.

Columbus 1 at Rochester 2

Record 35-33

W: D. Gassner (2-7, 4.92); L: C. Michalak (2-2, 3.22); SV: B. Korecky (16)
HR: None.

From redwingsbaseball.com: Dave Gassner threw 8 innings of 4 hit ball to lead the Red Wings over the Columbus Clippers Wednesday night at Frontier Field 2-1. Gassner got help offensively from Glenn Williams who went 2 for 4 and batted in both of Rochester's runs.

The Clippers scored early but then were held scoreless for 7 innings by Gassner. Bernie Castro led off the game with a triple. He scored on a groundout by Brent Abernathy to go up 1-0 in the first. That is all the Clippers could muster against Gassner.

The Wings tied it up in the fourth inning when Jose Morales led off with a single. Williams hit a double to the wall that plated Morales.

In the sixth inning, Rochester pushed ahead. Again it was Morales and Williams who sparked the run. Morales reached base on a throwing error by Clippers third baseman Kory Casto. Garrett Jones hit an infield single and Williams hit a single down the left field line to score Morales and put the Wings on top 2-1.

Bobby Korecky came in to get the save in the 9th, his 16th of the season which is good for 3rd in the IL.

NOTES: Tolbert went 2-4, raising his average to .373. Tolbert entered the day leading in the IL batting race. Louisville's Jeff Keppinger, who was playing a game in progress in the 5th inning batting .361. ..After the game, 3B Brian Buscher was promoted from Double-A New Britain, and 3B Matt Moses was sent to New Britain. Buscher was batting .310 with 7 HR and 35 RBI in 61 games for the Rock Cats...The Red Wings offense has produced just one home run in their last 60 innings. Rochester has hit just 35 home runs, 13th in the International League (Ottawa has just 19 home runs). Rochester is on pace to hit just 75 home runs, which would be the fewest home runs they’ve hit in a season since 1989 when they hit 66. The Red Wings now have a 35-33 record, despite being outscored by their opponents 267-262....Former Wings and Twins catcher Rob Bowen was traded from San Diego to the Cubs on Wednesday.

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New Hampshire 8 at New Britain 9

Record: 33-32

W: J. Mijares (2-0, 4.13); L: M. Roney (0-1, 10.80)
HR: NHM: S. Santos (14).

From rockcats.com: Rashad Eldridge knocked in the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Rock Cats snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 9-8 victory over New Hampshire. The Rock Cats needed to come back twice in the game – scoring six runs in the second and then two in the seventh – to walk away with the win in the first game of Wednesday night’s doubleheader.

The Rock Cats took a 7-5 lead into the final inning of the seven-inning game. Jose Mijares allowed a walk and a single before serving up a three-run homer to Sergio Santos that gave the Fisher Cats the lead again, 8-7. In the bottom of the seventh, the Rock Cats clawed back with back-to-back singles by David Winfree and Felix Molina. Jeff Christy delivered an RBI single to center field to tie the game. Brandon Roberts’ groundout moved the runners up a base before Eldridge sent a single to center field to score Molina for the winning run. The Fisher Cats’ Matt Roney (0-1) suffered the loss.

Eldridge led a 15-hit attack by the Rock Cats with a team-high three hits, including a triple. He also knocked in three runs and scored two runs.

The Fisher Cats took an early lead in the top of the second as they clubbed out five hits – including RBI singles by Ryan Patterson and Robinzon Diaz and a two-run single by Manueal Mayorson – and used one walk to take a 4-0 lead.

In the bottom of the second, the Rock Cats retaliated with an offensive attack of their own. Matthew Allegra led off the inning with a double and scored on a single by Garrett Guzman. Winfree and Molina followed with back-to-back singles. With the bases loaded and one out, Brandon Roberts hit an RBI single to score Guzman. Eldridge then delivered a two-run single to right field that tied the game, 4-4. Trevor Plouffe knocked in Roberts on an infield groundout to put the Rock Cats ahead, 5-4. Brian Buscher rounded out the scoring spree with an RBI double to right field. New Hampshire starter Russ Savickas (6ER, 7H) was knocked out of the game after just 1 2/3 innings and was replaced by Seth Overbey. The reliever walked Allegra before retiring Guzman on a groundout to end the inning.

Josh Hill tossed five innings in his Double A debut for the Rock Cats. The Australian native allowed seven hits and five runs, but most of the damage was done in the second inning. Mijares (2-0) picked up the win despite blowing the save opportunity.

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New Hampshire 2 at New Britain 1

Record: 33-33

W: T. Thorpe (4-2, 4.30); L: F. Mata (0-3, 5.40)
HR: NBR: T. Plouffe (7).

From rockcats.com: Chip Cannon’s RBI double in the ninth inning gave New Hampshire a 2-1 win over the Rock Cats in the nightcap of Wednesday’s doubleheader.

Rock Cats’ starter Jay Sawatski and the Fisher Cats’ Jo Matumoto delivered a good old-fashioned pitchers’ duel to start the game.

Sawatski allowed just one run on three hits and two walks in six innings. He retired the first two batters he faced in the first inning, but walked the next two. Aaron Matthews then delivered a single to center field to knock in Sergio Santos from second for a 1-0 Fisher Cats’ lead.

The Rock Cats didn’t get on the board until the sixth inning. Trevor Plouffe fouled off pitch after pitch to extend his at-bat to ten pitches before he sent the final pitch over the wall for a solo home run that tied the game, 1-1. Matumoto exited after 5 2/3 innings, allowing four hits, including the home run. He struck out five.

The Rock Cats had the chance to win the game in the bottom of the seventh, when Brock Peterson singled and Felix Molina and Rashad Eldridge reached on back-to-back walks. Plouffe came to the plate with two outs and sent a long fly ball to right field that was caught for the final out and sent the game into extra innings.

Tracy Thorpe (4-2) fired two shutout innings for the Fisher Cats to pick up the win. Frank Mata (0-3) took the loss after allowing the Fisher Cats’ run in the ninth. Tim Lahey tossed two shutout innings in relief for the Rock Cats.

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Armando Gabino proved very popular with the eight year olds at Miracle Baseball camp
Tampa 4 at Fort Myers Miracle 0

Record 30 - 40

W: D. McCutchen (7-1, 2.79); L: Z. Ward (2-9, 3.05)
HR: None.

E: Tolleson (14, throw), Portes (11, fielding).

Tonight's trivia question is what is the name of the mascot that was in between Toucan and Rutgers?

Well, you know, we had to discuss something. In the light of the afternoon at GCL, we say "Oh, it's getting better." I mean, Paul Kelly was playing his rehab assignment with the GCL team and Drew Thompson says he's going to start playing in GCL games next week. So we've got some players getting healthy that can help us.

But for tonight, Zach Ward struggled a bit, allowing 3 runs (earned) on 9 hits while striking out 5 in 5 innings worth of work. Some sloppy fielding by Juan Portes at third was a contributing factor.

Steve Tolleson and Erik Lis were both 1-for-3, the only 2 hits of the game. Kevin Russo doubled in Jose Tabata in the fourth, and then came home on a Tim Battle line drive. Both hit went past Portes and Lis had to field them, and Lis is not really flexible enough to be a outfielder.

Russo also plated Colin Curtis in the fifth inning, this time with a line drive to center.

Armando Gabino gave up the fourth run in the eighth. Daniel McCutchen pitched seven strong innings for Tampa to pick up the win, Elvys Quezada and Gerardo Casadiego both shut the door on the Miracle in relief.

It was team card set night. I also caught Kevin Boles bribing a fan with a team autographed bat to cheer for the Miracle. It was also the last day of Miracle Baseball Camp, so perhaps being out on the field and playing with Children all day tired the guys out.

Fort Myers finishes the first half of the season with a 30-40 record, good for fifth in the six team West Division. The begin the second half of the season tomorrow, in Sarasata against the Reds, who won the division, 1.5 games ahead of Tampa Bay.

There was a brief delay after the home plate umpire was hit by a ball. It was determined that he was unable to finish the game, so the contest was played with just one official. I do not think it had any bearing on the results of the game.

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Donovan Night

Beloit Snappers

All-star Break - No Games Scheduled

1st half Record 44-26 (1st Place)

From snappersbaseball.com: The Beloit Snappers have activated catcher, Allan de San Miguel, from the disabled list and assigned catcher, Greg Yersich, to Elizabethton. Both moves are effective today and put the Snappers’ roster at the Midwest League maximum of 25.

Before being placed on the disabled list, Allan de San Miguel was batting .206 in 23 games played this season. Allan has 2 home runs and 13 RBI’s so far this year.

Greg Yersich was batting .168 in 40 games played this season with 8 RBI’s.

The Snappers will play four games against Ryne Sandberg’s Peoria Chiefs over the next four days. This will be Sandberg’s last time in Beloit this summer!

The Beloit Snappers enter the second half of the season with a Playoff Birth already secured.

Elizabethton 15 at Kingsport 1

Record 1-0

W: M. Allen (1-0, 1.80); L: E. Ramirez (0-1, 18.00)
HR: ELI: R. Leveret (1).

From MiLB.com: Mark Dolenc went 4-for-5 with three RBIs as visiting Elizabethton pounded Kingsport, 15-1, in the opener of Wednesday's doubleheader.

Dolenc ripped a two-run single and scored in the fourth before smacking another RBI single in the seventh. The former 18th-round draft pick also singled in the first and the third.

Rene Leveret went 3-for-3 with a two-run homer and four runs scored. Gregory Yersich had three hits and four runs scored, and Wesley Connor and Eric Santiago drove in three runs apiece for the Twins (1-0).

Elizabethton starter Michael Allen (1-0) allowed one run on six hits while striking out three and walking two in five innings to pick up the win.

Mets starter Elvin Ramirez (0-1) gave up seven runs -- six earned -- on seven hits and three walks, fanning four in three innings.

Jordan Abruzzo drove in the only run for Kingsport (0-1).

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Elizabethton 6 at Kingsport 4

Record 2-0

W: L. Van Mil (1-0, 0.00); L: A. Calero (0-1, 14.73); SV: A. Slama (1)
HR: ELI: W. Connor (1), B. Petsch (1). KNG: D. Clark (1).

From MiLB.Com: Wesley Connor and Benjamin Petsch hit two-run homers to power visiting Elizabethton to a 6-4 win over Kingsport and a sweep of Wednesday's twinbill.

Connor connected in the fourth inning after Rodolfo Palacios walked. One out later, Starling De Los Santos singled and Petsch cleared the fence in left field to put the Twins (2-0) on top for good.

Rene Leveret had ripped a two-run single in the third for Elizabethton, which also won the opener, 15-1.

Twins starter David Bromberg allowed four runs on three hits and six walks, fanning four in 2 2/3 innings. Ludovicus Van Mil (1-0) walked two and fanned one over 2 1/3 frames for his first win.

Anthony Slama fanned two in the seventh for his first save.

Mets starter Angel Calero (0-1) surrendered six runs on nine hits with two walks and four strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. Marcos Tabata struck out nine of the 14 batters he faced over 3 1/3 frames, allowing a hit and three walks.

Daniel Stegall hit a bases-loaded triple and Darren Clark hit a solo homer for Kingsport (0-2).

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Star
One "Moe" Lap
"Moe" Memories

When I die, everyone will just say "good riddence" and get on with their lives.

GCL Pirates 3 at GCL Twins 5

Current Record: 1 - 0

W: D. Rondon (1-0, 0.00); L: E. Nunez (0-1, 3.00)
HR: None.

E: Soto (1, throw), Richardson 3 (3, fielding, fielding, throw).

Jon Waltenbury plated Juan Richardson in the 8th inning with one out to tie the game between the Twins and the Pirates, then came home on a James Beresford single to make it the final score Twins 5, Pirate 3 in the GCL Twins home opener at the Lee County Sports Complex.

A good crowd (by GCL standards) turned out for the game which included some good pitching by a pair of Aussies, while Danny Rondon earned his first win of the season.

Liam Hendriks started the game well, but got into some trouble in the third and fourth innings, in part due to some sloppy play by the middle infield. Chad Rice singled to get on base, and then moved to third on a Quincy Latimore ground ball. A throwing error by catcher Alex Soto allowed him to steal home.

Hendriks walked John Fitzpatrick in the fourth. He came on home when Caleb Fields reached on a fielding error by Juan Richardson.

That would make the score 2-1 after Paul Kelly, making a rehab start, drove in Jeanfred Brito for the Twins first run in the third inning.

Hendriks was finished after allowing 2 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks, 1 earned, while striking out 2 in 3.1 innings. He was pulled in favor of lefty Jarrad Eacott.

Eacott gave up one run, unearned in the six, when Ciro Rosero scored on a Joe Munoz grounder that Waltenbury couldn't hang on to.

Beresford drove in Andrew Schmiesing in the fifth, and had the go ahead run...but...the plate umpire called Brito out at 3rd and disallowed Beresford's run despite the fact that James was quite safe before Brito was ever tagged out.

Nelson Prada argued the call, but could not overturn the umpire.

First round draft pick Ben Revere did not participate in the game as his contract has not yet been validated. Schmiesing, the Twins 11th round draft pick was 2-for-3 with 2 doubles and one strike out. Wang-Wei Lin was 3-for-4. Waltenbury, Brito, Beresford and Yangervis Solarte were all 2-for-4 in the game.

The Twins play the GCL Reds in Sarasota tomorrow and the Red Sox at the Red Sox player development complex on Friday, both games are at noon. They return home Saturday to face the GCL Orioles for a 10:00 AM start.

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Scoreboard for June 18, 2007

JEN RYNDA staff photographer
Rochester's Matt Tolbert sends a fly ball to left field during the third inning against Columbus on Monday at Frontier Field. The International League's batting leader has three home runs and 26 RBI in 48 games.

Columbus 6 at Rochester 0

Record 33-33

W: J. Magrane (1-1, 3.94); L: J. Cummings (3-5, 4.21)
HR: COL: D. Jimenez (7).

From redwingsbaseball.com: Three Red Wings pitchers combined to end Brandon Watson's league-record hitting streak, but three Columbus pitchers held the Wings to just two hits as the Clippers beat Rochester 6-0 Monday night at Frontier Field.

Rochester starter Jeremy Cummings drew the assignment of stopping Clippers outfielder Watson's 43-game hitting streak. To open the game, Cummings caught Watson looking on a 3-2 pitch that Watson thought was ball four. In the third inning, Watson drilled a 3-1 pitch to center but Denard Span tracked it down at the warning track

In the fourth, cruising along with four strikeouts, Cummings ran into trouble. After a single and walk to open the frame, D'Angelo Jimenez hit his seventh homer of the year, a drive to right field that bounced off the billboard wall above the Wings' bullpen. Cummings settled down after the homer, striking out Watson for the second time to get the third out of the inning.

Columbus pushed the lead to 4-0 in the fifth, with Kory Casto picking up an RBI single. That prompted Cummings' exit, and Carmen Cali's entry into the game. Cali got an inning-ending double play grounder from Jimenez to end the threat.

In the meantime, the Wings managed just a single and two walks in four innings against Clippers starter Jim Magrane. With two outs in the fourth, Span pounded a shot at first baseman Larry Broadway, who appeared to take the ball off his face after one hop. The hustling Span made it all the way to second base on what was scored a double, and Broadway was helped off the field with Brent Abernathy replacing Broadway in the field. Casilla flied out to center to thwart the Wings' scoring chance.

Watson came to the plate with one out in the eighth with one last chance to extend his record hitting streak. However, Wings reliever Ricky Barrett struck him out and Watson's record-breaking streak came to an end. Barrett also struck out Bernie Castro swinging to set the Clippers down 1-2-3 to end the eighth.

NOTES: Red Wings coach Rich Miller and Patti Ford were married Monday morning at the Crescent Beach Hotel...The Red Wings observed a moment of silence before the game in memory of Messenger Post Newspapers Sports Editor Tom Murphy, who passed away Sunday . Murphy was a 1971 graduate of Greece Olympia High School, and a 1975 graduate of SUNY Geneseo with a bachelor of arts degree in speech communications. He began working at Messenger Post (then Wolfe Publications) in September, 1975, and was a two-time winner of the Rochester Press Radio Club’s Sportswriter of the Year award.... Tommy Watkins celebrated his birthday Monday, wth his mom and stepdad in town from Florida...Matt Tolbert had an 0-for-4 night, dropping his league-leading average to .367.

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New Hampshire 8 at New Britain 7

Record: 32-31

W: J. Litsch (7-2, 2.35); L: B. Baker (2-5, 5.10); SV: M. Roney (1)
HR: NHM: R. Cosby (6). NBR: G. Guzman (7)

From rockcats.com: New Britain showed a lot of heart late in the game, but the Rock Cats fell short of a dramatic comeback with an 8-7 loss to New Hampshire. The Rock Cats have now dropped seven straight.

The Rock Cats used a solo home run by Garrett Guzman in the sixth inning and an RBI by Trevor Plouffe in the seventh to close the gap, 8-3. Guzman then scored on a throwing error by New Hampshire shortstop Sergio Santos in the eighth inning. In the bottom of the ninth, down 8-4, the Rock Cats loaded the bases with no outs on a walk to Rashad Eldridge, a bunt single by Trevor Plouffe, and another walk to Brian Buscher. Brock Peterson and Guzman delivered back-to-back RBI singles to cut New Hampshire’s lead to 8-6. Luke Hughes added a sac fly RBI to score Buscher from third before Matt Roney came on in relief to notch his first save of the season. Roney intentionally walked Felix Molina to load the bases before retiring the next two batters on strikeouts.

Santos led the Fisher Cats with three hits, including two RBI doubles, and scored two runs. Robinzon Diaz also had three hits and scored three runs for the Fisher cats. Meanwhile, Jesse Litsch (7-2) limited the Rock Cats to three runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings. Litsch, who is rated as Toronto’s eighth-best prospect and pitched for the Blue Jays earlier this season, struck out four.

The Rock Cats came out of the gates swinging in the first inning with a leadoff double by Eldridge. Plouffe’s infield groundout moved Eldridge to third and Buscher’s groundout to second base scored Eldridge for a 1-0 lead. The Fisher Cats tied it up in the fourth on an RBI double by Santos.

Rock Cats’ starter Brad Baker cruised through the early part of the game. He retired the first nine of ten batters he faced, including the first seven-straight to step to the plate. In the fourth inning, though, Baker stumbled. The Fisher Cats struck for four runs in the inning, including a two-run home run by Rob Cosby that put New Hampshire ahead, 5-1. The Fisher Cats tagged reliever Tim Lahey for three more runs in the seventh inning, including RBI doubles by Santos and Chip Cannon.

Baker (2-5) finished with five runs on seven hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out five. Guzman and Plouffe both finished the night with three hits apiece.

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Anthony Swarzak

Tampa 6 at Fort Myers Miracle 4

Record 29 - 38

W: M. Martinez (2-2, 2.73); L: K. Aselton (0-1, 3.27); SV: E. Wordekemper (16)
HR: None.

E: Ovalle (3, fielding).

This was not really a game write up I wanted to do. Twice the Miracle blew 2 run leads to fall in 14 innings to the Tampa Yankees, 6-4, Monday night at Hammond Stadium.

The Miracle had their best chance to win this in the bottom of the 8th inning, when Javi Sanchez singled to load the bases with no outs. Whit Robbins, who has been struggling and fell to 8th in the batting order, struck out bringing up designed hitter Matt Betsill. A sac-fly would have done it, but Betsill ground the ball, which was scouped up by second baseman Kevin Russo and thrown home to catcher Francisco Cervelli to take Edward Ovalle out at home. Sanchez was running for second and should have made it, but for some reason decided he didn't want to be at second, turned around, and started running back toward first.

Short stop Reegie Corona tagged him out halfway between the two bases.

Luis Ugueto scored in the bottom of the first on a Ovalle line drive, while Betsill, who had walked to get on base, came home in the bottom of the second on a Steve Tolleson single to left field.

However, Anthony Swarzak ran into some trouble in the third inning, allowing Corona and Colin Curtis both past the plate with 2 outs.

The Miracle regained the lead in the bottom of the 5th, with Ugueto and Juan Portes coming home on an Erik Lis tripple.

Armando Gabino replaced Swarzak to start the 7th, and let the Yankees back into the game with Tim Battle and Cervelli coming home to tie the score.

A passed ball by sanchez, and Ovalle's fielding error in the bottom of the 14th pretty much gave the game to the Yankees with Kyle Aselton on the mound, and the Miracle, who have shown Aselton little love during his stint in the bullpen, could not find any offense to counter with.

Betsill was robbed by Curtis in the fourth inning, as the Yankees left fielder got his glove on a ball that was just clearing the outfield wall.

Portes and Ovalle were both 3-for7 on the night, and Sanchez was 2-for-6 including laying down a beautiful bunt in the 8th that was negated by his chicken brained base running.

Swarzak finished out the game with 2 furn on 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 5 in 6 innings. Only one of the runs was earned.

The Rock Cats released Brian Forystek and called up Josh Hill from Fort Myers. Hill is replaced by Swarzak in the Miracle rotation.

While the move seemed ot make Swarzak's spot on the Miracle roster look like a demotion, GCL coach Milt Cuyler did not think that the Twins were trying to make a statement with Swarzak, and only wanted to keep an eye on him.

Despite the season has been frustrating for the Miracle, don't expect much help from Beloit after the Midwest League All-star break. The Twins are trying to help the Snappers get a new stadium built in Beloit, and a championship in that city would certainly go a long way toward getting them the money they need to get it done.

Beloit is good location for the Twins, being just a hop and skip from Minneapolis, and a good facility would certainly prove to be a well situated rehab location for major leaguers.

It's not a fact of life the Miracle faithful are keen on hearing, but it does show forward thinking by the Twins organization, who is looking to build a strong long-term relationship with Beloit.

(Let's just hope Beloit doesn't pull a Quad City after the new stadium is built!)

I will have additional comments on the Miracle (and Drew Thompson's status), Beloit and Swarzak in a blog entry later today.

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Beloit Snappers

*All-Star Break*

Scoreboard for June 19, 2007

KATHARINE SIDELNIK, RDC staff photographer,
Bill Loverde of Greece scans Frontier Field during a rain delay. The game was minutes old when a downpour halted play for two hours; a second delay ended things early.

Columbus 4 at Rochester 5

Record 34-33

W: J. DePaula (4-3, 3.00); L: J. Hanrahan (2-2, 2.55); SV: B. Korecky (15)
HR: COL: A. Nunez (8).

E: Miller (1, throw), Williams (6, fielding).

From redwingsbaseball.com: The Red Wings snapped a four-game losing streak in between two different rain storms, edging by the Columbus Clippers 5-4 Tuesday afternoon at Frontier Field. Jose Morales had three hits and four runs batted in for Rochester.

After the top of the first inning - five batters, seven minutes - the temperature dropped 20 degrees, the wind speed increased, the rain started to pour, the tarp was called and the game was placed on rain delay for over two hours.

After the delay and a scoreless inning and a half, the Wings took the lead in the bottom of the second. Garrett Jones led off with a line drive down right field for a double. He was brought home on a RBI single by Matthew LeCroy, with LeCroy breaking an 0-for-24 slump.

Columbus answered back in the third inning. After starter Jason Miller struck out the first hitter, he was charged with an error after a hit by Bernie Castro, with Castro going to second. Castro advanced to third on Brent Abernathy's base hit, and scored the tying run from former Wing Darnell McDonald's sacrifice fly. Miller was able to strike out the next batter, ending the inning.

The score didn't stay tied for very long. With two outs, Matt Tolbert reached first base on a hit. Morales came up to bat next and drilled the ball down the right field line, Tolbert hustled around the bases and slid safely into home, barely beating the ball to the plate. Morales made it to second but was held there as Columbus ended the inning with the score 2-1 Wings.

The Wings increased their lead in the fifth inning. With one out, Alexi Casilla walked, then advanced to third on Tolbert's double. Morales followed with a two run RBI single as the ball slid right past the third baseman allowing for both Casilla and Tolbert to make it home safely, giving the Wings a 4-1 lead.

Julio DePaula, who relieved Miller in the fifth, struggled in the seventh inning. After striking out the first batter, DePaula allowed a base hit, then walked the next two batters to load the bases. Ricky Barrett relieved DePaula after the second walk. Barrett got a pop fly out and then struck out the next batter to end the threat.

The Wings were back on the scoreboard in the seventh. Denard Span led off with a base hit, followed by another from Casilla. Span scored on Morales' fourth RBI of the game, increasing the lead to 5-1.

Columbas started a comeback in the eighth inning. With two outs, Barrett allowed a Michael Restovich single. Abraham Nunez followed with a home run that just hit the top of wall, bringing in two runs for Columbus. After Barrett allowed another hit, Bobby Korecky was brought into the game and ended the inning with the score 5-3.

Bernie Castro doubled to lead off the ninth against Korecky, moved to third on Brent Abernathy's bunt attempt, and scored on an RBI hit from Darnell McDonald as more rain rolled in and started pounding the field. The umpires called for the tarp with the rain and high winds, and after waiting the required 45 minutes, called off the game with the Wings taking a slightly rain-shortened and completely soggy 5-4 win.

NOTES: Tolbert went 2-for-4, raising his average to .370. Tolbert entered the day second in the IL batting race to Louisville's Jeff Keppinger. The Red Wings offense posted 11 hits, after struggling the last six games batting .207 (40-for-193) as a team. Rochester had scored just 12 runs (2.0 per game) in those six games... The Red Wings boosted their record to 34-33. If the Red Wings had lost and fallen below .500 Tuesday, it would have been the first time they've been below .500 since June 18, 2005 when they had a 34-35 record. Since 2005, the Red Wings have had a below-.500 record just 20 season days.

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New Hampshire 7 at New Britain 6

Record: 32-32

W: K. Isenberg (2-3, 4.73); L: J. Martinez (0-3, 3.23); SV: J. Carlson (1)
HR: NHM: S. Santos (13), C. Cannon (10).

From rockcats.com: New Hampshire’s Ryan Klosterman hit a go-ahead RBI double and Manuel Mayorson added a two-run single in the eighth inning as the Fisher Cats survived another late-innings rally by the Rock Cats to escape with a 7-6 win at New Britain Stadium.

The Fisher Cats jumped out to a 1-0 lead on Sergio Santos’ RBI double in the first inning. In the bottom of the inning, though, the Rock Cats banged out four hits. Rashad Eldridge led off with a single, but was thrown out at second on Trevor Plouffe’s ground out. Brian Buscher (3-for-4, 2 R) followed with a single and Matthew Allegra was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Garrett Guzman (2-for-4, 3 RBI) knocked in two runs with a single to center field. Luke Hughes added an RBI single to left field for a 3-1 lead.

New Hampshire’s Ryan Patterson had an RBI double in the second inning. The Rock Cats matched them in the bottom of the inning. Felix Molina and Kyle Geiger delivered back-to-back singles and both runners moved up on Eldridge’s sacrifice bunt. Buscher hit a sharp grounder that was deflected by first baseman Chip Cannon that scored Molina from third. Geiger attempted to score also, but was thrown out at home for the final out of the inning.

Santos hit a solo home run in the third inning to close the gap, 4-3. Cannon led off the fourth inning with a solo shot to tie the game, 4-4.

Kurt Isenberg (2-3) allowed four runs on eight hits in seven innings. He struck out four and walked none. Jesse Carlson, a Berlin native who attended UConn, notched his first save of the season.

Rock Cats’ starter Jesse Floyd lasted 5 2/3 innings, surrendering four runs on seven hits – including two homers – and two walks. He struck out three. J.P. Martinez (0-3) allowed three runs on two hits and three walks in two innings of relief to suffer the loss. The Rock Cats have now lost eight in a row.

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What will Toby Gardenhire try next?

Tampa 0 at Fort Myers Miracle 2

Record 30 - 38

W: Y. Pino (2-3, 1.95); L: J. Valdez (3-1, 2.10)
HR: None.

E: Portes (10, fielding).

The bad thing about watching Yohan Pino pitch, is that he gets no run support. The nice thing about watching Yohan Pino pitch is...neither does the other team's pitcher. Pino went 8 innings (the boxscore currently says 9, I'm sure it will be fixed?) allowing only 7 hits and striking out 7 to improve his record to 2-3 and take home a 2-0 win over the Tampa Yankees on a 2-for Tuesday evening.

Alex Smit threw the ninth inning, and Toby Gardenhire put in a nice impression of Domenik Hasek to end the game and win goalie of the week award. Smit picks up the save, his first of the season.

Whit Robbins singled in the eighth inning and was pushed over to second base by Eli "Bunt it Baby" Tintor. Gardenhire struck out swinging, but Steve Tolleson singled a fly ball to right that brought Robbins across the plate. Tolley stole second, and Luis Ugueto double him in for the insurance run.

Tolley was 2-for-4 and Ugueto was 2-for-3 with a walk. Ovalle was 1-for-3 and Robbins was 1-for-2 with a walk. Not much offense all the way around, but Pino was pitching like he had a hot date, so it was a pretty fast game.

Gene made the comment that at least we're not getting blown out even when we loose, which is true. It's a credit to Twins' pitching staff. In 2004 we had Josh Gray and Eric Lohse, so, yeah, we had 17-0 games. But, that was the 2004 season when it got so bad that Charlie took pity on use and wiped out the last 3 games.

Interestingly enough, Fort Myers failed at Dunedin 10-1 the last game of the 2004 season, but managed 9 hits to the Blue Jays 14. Nick Blackburn, who has now recorded 2 complete game shut outs with AAA Rochester gave up 7 runs on 8 hits and 1 walk in that game. Ah...the good old days...

Sarasota should be happy with the Miracle tonight as the win eliminates Tampa from the playoff picture.

I was mildly disappointed because I remembered to take my digital camera to the game, and the Toby Gardenhire Fan Club was not in attendance. They're going to be so sorry they missed the nifty goalie move and the 20 foot jump he tried earlier in the game as well. Also, when did he learn to switch hit? That's just phenominal.

(No, Kevin, I do not think all the guys should try switch hitting. Just because it worked for Miggie Cabrera is not a good excuse.)

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Photo: Toby Gardenhire
Photo: Edward Ovalle

Last year about this time, Missy hit it off with Southpaw at the FSL All-star game. Due to rampant commercialism by the Miracle, the resulting kuppies (or are they pittens?) have been beheaded...



...And are being sold as children's hats in the gift shop.

I really should get one for Tristan.


West Michigan's Deik Scram safely slides into home to score for the Eastern All Stars in the Midwest League All-Star game Tuesday at Elfstrom Stadium in Geneva. (Kendra Helmer photo)

East All-stars 8 at West All-stars 2

W: C. Kershaw; L: O. Poveda
HR: MIDW: M. Sweeney.

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For many, festivities are top moments
Skills competition brings unique experience

Elizabethton at Kingsport (Postponed - Rain)

Tuesday's Appalachian League opener between Elizabethton and Kingsport was postponed due to rain at Hunter Wright Stadium.

The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Wednesday, starting at 6 p.m. ET.

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Numerology

I hadn't actually occured to me what Jon Waltenbury was wearing for the games until I was uploading the pictures - better late then never - from Spring Training. So, I had to ask...

"You wearing that number because of Morneau?" He allows that he is repping Justin a bit.

"That's Rainy's old shirt," I tell him.

"Oh, I'll take good care of it," he says. Yeah, sure he will.

"He's wearing number 38 with the Miracle," I continue. "He thinks he's Curt Schilling."

"He looks like Schilling," Walt notes. Yeah well...

In sitting on the bench with the shaggers and in talking to Nelson Prada, I had made the comment that I like the GCL because I don't have to pay money to watch them. Unlike the Miracle.

Mike Rogers says he can believe that none of the guys leaves me free tickets. Right. Let's see if he leaves me free tickets when he get to the Miracle. Bet I'll still be paying for my season tickets like everyone else.

It is very annoying to have plunked down the money, only to watch them suck the way they have. I don't care if they win every game, they don't have to be championship callibere, but they should at least be competative. And when the team is getting 3 hits a night, that's hardly competative.

Most of the discussion involved how to feed 70 guys on $500 (the annual break camp dinner). If they go to Smokey Bones, which I think is where they went last year, it's over $900.

Nelson was exhonarating them to be good at all the levels they play at...you have to be good to get to E-Town, you have to be good to get to Beloit, you have to be good to get to Fort Myers...

To which I said "No, you just have to suck to get on the Miracle" which sent the GCL bench into a fit of laugher. They are all well aware of how bad the Fort Myers squad is this year. Yet these are guys that won a championship in E-Town and made the play offs in Beloit?

"Can't do anything with those guys," Marzan tells me. More like we can't do anything with that coach we've got.

Yes, he took us to a half-season championship last year, but I also remember him flip-flopping Winfree between 1st and 3rd and how we won when Winfree played at 3rd and lost when he played at 1st. We needed both Brock's and David's bats in the line up to win. But suddenly, they needed to rest Brock...every other game? Yeah, that made a lot of sense to me at the time.

Well, there's really nothing anyone can do. It's not like they are going to get rid of Boles half way through the season. It just breaks my heart though to watch guys like Eli Tintor and Matt Betsill struggle, when I know they are better players than what we've seen out of them. Something's going on there, and no, it's not the guys.

Anyway, a bit of Mr. Walterbury from Saturday...

Scoreboard for June 16, 2007

KATHARINE SIDELNIK RDC staff photographer
Rochester shortstop Alexi Casilla crosses first base in the third inning after hitting a sacrifice bunt to move batters to second and third against Lousville. The Bats won 5-2.

Lousiville 5 at Rochester 2

Record 33-31

W: T. Shearn (3-4, 4.62); L: M. Garza (3-6, 3.71); SV: R. Stone (6)
HR: LOU: M. Bellhorn (8).

From redwingsbaseball.com: The Red Wings lost 5-2 to Louisville Saturday night at Frontier Field. Matt Garza (3-6), who is coming off a stretch of seven starts where he's posted a 2-3 record with a stellar 2.60 ERA, took the loss after allowing five runs on 10 hits while striking out nine through six innings. Jose Morales had three hits for the Wings, who played before a paid crowd of 12,237.

Garza, who allowed two runs and struck out six in six innings against the Bats on June 11, allowed singles to the first two Louisville hitters Saturday. Joey Votto followed with a run-scoring single to right, putting the Bats ahead 1-0. An RBI fielder's choice from Aaron Herr made it 2-0. A strikeout and caught stealing double play ended the first, an inning that's been a problem spot for Garza. This season he has now allowed 10 earned runs in 14 first innings pitched (6.43 ERA).

Garza's troubles continued in the third inning. Ryan Jorgenson led off with a double to right center. Three batters later Votto hit his second RBI of the game on a ground ball that barely got past Matt Tolbert at second base, making the game 3-0.

The Wings bounced back in the bottom of the inning. Trent Oeltjen's leadoff single and Denard Span's walk put runners on first and second with no outs. Tolbert hit a sacrifice fly to right field to cut the deficit to 3-1.

The Bats struck again in the sixth after Aaron Herr led off with a single, and Mark Bellhorn followed with a two-run home run to right field to extend their lead to 5-1. Jesse Gutierrez then hit a triple to left field on a ball that was misplayed by Garrett Jones, but Garza was fortunate to get out of the inning without allowing another run.

Brian Bass relieved Garza at the start of the seventh and allowed no hits in his only inning pitched. Carmen Cali and Ricky Barrett pitched the final two innings, combining to allow only one hit and no runs.

The Wings did get some offense in the eighth inning. Span led off the inning with a single to left field, and two batters later Tolbert hit a bloop single over the head of Shearn to put runners on first and third with one out. Morales followed with a run-scoring single to left to make it 5-2. But Bats reliever Brian Shackelford came in and got the final two outs to prevent further damage.

Tom Shearn pitched seven 2/3 innings, giving up two runs on seven hits and striking out four.

NOTES: Tolbert officially qualified for the International League batting lead with his 1-for-3 night at the plate Friday night. Tolbert leads the IL with a .373 average. Tolbert’s .373 batting average is 3rd best in all the minor leagues entering play Saturday, trailing Josh Kroeger (.393) of Double-A Tennessee and Nathan Haynes (.386) of Triple-A Salt Lake City. Infielder Alexi Casilla snapped his seven-game hitting streak, going 0-for-3... The Challenger Baseball World Series took place Saturday morning at Frontier Field, with over 200 players representing squads from Fairport, Greece, Webster, Batavia, and the Finger Lakes little league programs. Challenger Baseball brings together boys and girls ages 6-18 who are mentally and/or physically challenged. Manager Stan Cliburn, catcher Matthew LeCroy, Glenn Williams, Spikes, and members of the Red Wings front office participated in the annual event.

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New Britain 3 at Bowie 4

Record: 32-30

W: C. Anderson (5-1, 5.27); L: T. Lahey (5-2, 3.89); SV: N. McCurdy (1)
HR: NBR: B. Peterson (8), G. Guzman (6). BOW: M. Cepicky (5).

E: Geiger (3, catcher interference).

From baysox.com: The Baysox entered Saturday night’s contest with their longest winning streak of the season at five games and the Baysox pushed that lead to six games, with a 4-3 win over New Britain in game two of their three game series. Matt Cepicky led an early charge in the first inning, connecting for his fifth home run of the season off of Rock Cat starter Jay Sawatski, giving the Baysox an early 1-0 lead.

The Baysox would take a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second when Luis Jimenez would rip a single up the middle, scoring Jeff Fiorentino from third.

The Rock Cats would battle back though in the fourth, to take a 3-2 lead. Craig Anderson would lead off the inning, walking Brian Buscher and then two batters later gave up a home run to Garrett Guzman, a two-run shot, tying the game at two. Anderson would give up another homer in the next at bat, for back-to-back home runs, this time to Brock Peterson, for a 3-2 Rock Cat lead. Anderson would stick it out though, getting the next two batters to fly out consecutively, ending the inning.

The Baysox would put together a rally though in the bottom of the sixth, with Cepicky continuing his hot hitting, leading off the inning with a single off of Tim Lahey, who came on in relief of Sawatsky. Oscar Salazar would then bring around Cepicky to score hitting an RBI double in the next at bat, tying the game at, 3-3. Jeff Fiorentino would then follow that up with a single up the middle, scoring Salazar from second, putting the Baysox ahead, 4-3. McCurdy got Brock Peterson to strike out looking, ending the game and giving the Baysox a season high sixth straight win.

Nick McCurdy came on in relief of Anderson and pitched the final 2.2 innings, giving up no hits, with one strikeout, getting his first save in relief of Anderson, who collected the win, moving to 5-1 on the season. Tim Lahey took the loss for the Rock Cats and dropped to 5-2 on the year.

The Baysox take on the Rock Cats in their series finale Sunday at 6:05 pm at Prince George’s Stadium. LHP Chris Waters (3-5, 4.03) will get the start for the Baysox, opposing RHP Tristan Crawford (6-4, 5.05) for the Rock Cats. Sunday will also feature a Father’s Day pre-game catch on the field and our second “Meet The Team” day of the season, with gates opening at 4:30 pm, with free player autographs from 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm.

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N-J/Nigel Cook
Western Division player Greg Golson scores at home plate on a hit by Bruce Jay during the Florida State League All-Star game Saturday at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
West All-stars 4 at East All-stars 8

Record 29 - 37

W: T. Norrick; L: L. Ondrusek
HR: FSLE: A. Craig, C. Gillespie, R. Hughes.

FSL All-Star Break

Oswaldo Sosa gave up 2 runs on 2 hits (Gillespie took a home run off him with 1 on, 1 out), while striking out 1 in 1 inning. Edward Morlan allowed 1 hit and 1 walk, but no runs or strike outs, in 1 inning worth of work.

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Craig's big blast powers East stars
FSL president's pitching days over
How the Daytona Cubs fared
Reds' Bruce keeps focus on the FSL, not Double A
Hall happy in Huntsville
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NDN

Beloit 4 at Quad Cities 3

Record 45-25

W: J. Lugo (2-2, 4.54); L: K. Maiques (0-4, 2.59); SV: R. Delaney (22)
HR: BEL: C. Parmelee (10).

From snappersbaseball.com: The Beloit Snappers clinched the First Half Western Division Championship with a 4-3 win over the Swing of the Quad Cities Saturday night in Davenport, Iowa.

Quad Cities jumped out to a 3-1 to lead after four innings. In the top of the fifth inning, Johnny Woodard knocked in Brian Dinkelman after a lead off triple to pull the Snappers with in one.

Quad Cities held the one-run lead until the top of the eighth when Woodard walked with one out. Danny Valencia grounded in to a fielders choice, forcing Woodard out at second base. After a pitching change by the Swing, Chris Parmelee hit a two - two pitch over the rightfield wall to give the Snappers the lead.

Rob Delaney came on and pitched the last two innings for Beloit, striking out three, to secure the victory and division title for the Snappers.

With the division title, the Snappers coaching staff will head to Kane County to lead the Western Division All-Stars against the Eastern Division in the Midwest League All-Star game on Tuesday, June 19th in Geneva, Illinois.

The Snappers start out the second half of the season at home with four games against Ryne Sandberg and the Peoria Chiefs from Thursday, June 21st through Sunday, June 24th.

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Discussion at the ballpark yesterday included the belief that there would be little or no change to the Beloit roster for the second half of the season, as the Twins want to leave them alone to win a MWL championship.

Elizabethton/GCL Twins

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Note on LEN3's column: 14 is NOT the FSL record for shut outs. It's not even a Miracle record for shut outs. Some newspaper men need to do their research.