Scoreboard for June 29, 2007

Rochester 4 at Durham 6

Record 42-37

W: J. Niemann (9-4, 3.52); L: J. DePaula (4-5, 3.23); SV: C. Orvella (10)
HR: DUR: J. Owens (5).

E: Watkins (9, throw), McDonald (7, throw).

From RedWingsBaseball.com: Joshua Johnson's RBI double capped a three-run sixth inning as Durham rallied for a 6-4 win over visiting Rochester on Friday.

The Bulls trailed, 4-2, when Chris Richard and Joel Guzman started the sixth with singles and moved up on Jorge Velandia's sarifice. Jason Pridie delivered a run-scoring groundout and Guzman came home when third baseman Tommy Watkins threw wildly after fielding Jeremy Owens' grounder.

Johnson followed with a double to left field to plate Owens and give the Bulls (42-40) a 5-4 lead.

Owens belted a solo homer, his fifth, in the fourth and Justin Ruggiano contributed three hits and an RBI.

Durham starter Jeff Niemann (9-4) allowed four runs -- one earned -- on seven hits while striking out seven and walking four in six innings for his fifth straight win. Chad Orvella retired all four batters he faced to record his 10th save.

Matt Tolbert hit an RBI groundout in the fifth and, three batters later, Glenn Williams delivered a two-run single for the Red Wings (42-37). Brian Buscher went 2-for-4.

Rochester starter Jeremy Cummings surrendered four runs -- three earned -- on seven hits in five-plus innings, striking out four and walking one. Julio DePaula (4-5) took the loss after yielding two unearned runs on four hits in two frames.

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New Britain 4 at New Hampshire 9

Record: 36-40

W: K. Isenberg (3-4, 5.18); L: J. Floyd (4-6, 4.34)
HR: NHM: C. Cannon (13).

E: Molina, F 2 (16, fielding, throw), Peterson (5, fielding).

From nhfishercats.com: Chip Cannon hit his 13th home run of the season to propel the Fisher Cats to a series finale win over the New Britain Rock Cats, 9-4.

Cannon, who led the Eastern League in home runs last year, connected in the third inning to drove home David Smith and give New Hampshire an 8-1 lead. The first base slugger finished the game 2 for 4 with three RBI and one run scored.

The Fisher Cats jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning. Manny Mayorson got aboard with a walk, Robinzon Diaz got to first on an error and Aaron Mathews singled to load the bases for Rob Cosby. Cosby lined a double to left center field to bring in all three runs in what was named the RELCO Enlightening Play of the Game. Cannon drove home Cosby with a single for inning's final run.

The Fisher Cats scored again in the second and third. In the second, John Schneider and Ryan Klosterman led off with back-to-back singles, and both were driven home on Robinzon Diaz's single. In the third, Cosby led off wth a fly out, but then Smith tripled and Cannon hit his home run to center field.

New Hampshire tallied their ninth run in the eighth inning when Klosterman got on by the Rock Cats 1B Brock Peterson's error and Mayorson doubled the shortstop home.

Kurt Isenberg earned the win to improve to 3-4 by going six innings and giving up only nine hits, one walk and four runs while striking out six. Jean Machi relieved Isenberg in the seventh and got out of the inning only giving up one walk. Sean Stidfole threw the final two innings without allowing a base runner while striking out two.

Jesse Floyd took the loss for New Britain by allowing nine hits, one walk and eight runs (seven earned).

The Rock Cats now travel to Reading, where they will take on the Phillies for a game starting at 7:05 on Saturday. New Britain's Ryan Mullins (0-1, 2.29) is expected to take on Readings' Matt Maloney (6-6, 3.86).

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St. Lucie at Fort Myers (Postponed - Rain)

Record 4 - 4

The fireworks were not scheduled until tomorrow, but mother nature gave the Miracle faithful a preview show tonight with a spectacular lightning display followed by a rain storm.

As a result the field became unplayable and the baseball game between St. Lucie and Fort Myers was rescheduled as a double header on Saturday starting at 5:05 PM.

Matt Garza's call up to the Minnesota Twins caused the return of Chris Heinz to Rochester, which in turn moved Korey Feiner down to New Britain and Jeff Christy back down to the Miracle.

Sadly, this movement put an end to Toby Gardenhire's brief but glorious career as a catcher. He was taking practice at short stop again today.

I was correct though in my belief that I had adopted a Toby Gardenhire bat from the gift shop, he took one look at it and said "Yes, that's mine."

Well, it was Toby. Now it's mine. However, I allowed him to sign it for me.

The bowl of the stadium was evacuated shortly after he signed it due to the lightning. It's one of the very few times I recall them actually evacuating the stadium bowl.

That pretty much put an end to any autographing as well. Hopefully I can get that one Mets pitcher on Saturday, as we do not see St. Lucie again this season.

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Clinton 0 at Beloit 3

Record 3-5

W: J. Carnevales (3-2, 3.49); L: B. Zamzow (0-2, 3.58); SV: R. Delaney (25)
HR: None.

E: Benson (5, throw).

From snappersbaseball.com: The Snappers scored runs in the bottom of the seventh and eighth innings to claim game one of the four game series with the Clinton LumberKings Friday night. Jesus Carnevales pitched two innings of scoreless relief to pick up his third win of the season.

The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the seventh inning when Beloit would get on the board. Danny Berg led the inning off with a hit by pitch and advanced to second with his second stolen base of the night. Danny Santiesteban followed Danny with a single to right and ended up driving home Berg from second on the play. Berg was able to score on a throwing error from LumberKings’ shortstop, Marcus Lemon. Eli Tintor drove Santiesteban home later in the inning with an RBI groundout to short.

The Snappers struck again in the bottom of the eighth inning off the bat of Danny Berg. Berg hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring the newest Snapper, Chris Cates, from third. Cates reached earlier in the inning off a fielding error from Clinton first baseman, Mauro Gomez.

Rob Delaney came on in the ninth, struck out two, and picked up his league leading 25th save.

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Burlington at Elizabethton (Suspended)

Record 7 - 1

From MiLB.com: Friday night's Appalachian League game between the Burlington Royals and Elizabethton Twins was suspended due to rain.

It will be resumed on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET.

The Twins had a 2-0 lead when play was halted in the bottom of the third inning.

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GCL Twins

Current Record: 6 - 2

No Game Schedule

Scoreboard for June 28, 2007

Rochester 12 at Durham 0

Record 42-36

W: N. Blackburn (5-1, 1.57); L: T. Peguero (0-3, 8.72)
HR: ROC: G. Williams (6), T. Watkins (4), B. Buscher (3), D. McDonald (3).

From RedWingsBaseball.com: Nick Blackburn extended his earned-run streak and Darnell McDonald drove in five runs as visiting Rochester pounded Durham, 12-0, on Thursday.

Blackburn (5-1) scattered seven hits with two strikeouts en route to his fifth straight win, all in June.

The 25-year-old right-hander has not allowed an earned run in his last 41 1/3 innings. He has fanned 21, walked one and lowered his ERA from 4.91 to 1.57 over that span.

Red Wings relievers Ricky Barrett and Jason Miller tossed a hitless inning apiece.

McDonald ripped a two-run double in the first inning and a three-run homer, his third, in the fourth. The 28-year-old outfielder had three of the Red Wings' 13 hits.

Glenn Williams hit a solo homer, his sixth, and Tommy Watkins ripped a two-run blast, his fourth, in the second for Rochester (42-36). Brian Buscher smacked a solo shot, his third, in the third.

Bulls starter Tony Peguero (0-3) gave up 11 runs on nine hits and five walks in four innings. Jon Switzer surrendered an unearned run on three hits over 1 2/3 frames.

Jeremy Owens went 2-for-4 for Durham (41-40).

GARZA PROMOTED: Wings RHP Matt Garza was promoted to Minnesota on Thursday afternoon, with C/INF Chris Heintz optioned to Rochester. 1B/DH Ken Harvey (DL, knee) is expected to join the Wings sometime next week.

I think they promoted the wrong guy, and I think Blackburn should have been selected to the All-star game. With Garza up, perhaps they'll take him as an alternate.

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New Britain 7 at New Hampshire 3

Record: 36-38

W: A. Swarzak (1-2, 8.18); L: K. Yates (5-4, 4.40)
HR: NBR: D. Winfree (5), M. Moses (1).

From nhfishercats.com: In game one, Mathews went 3 for 3 to lead the Fisher Cats, but the team dropped the first game of the doubleheader with the New Britain Rock Cats, 7-3. Mathews also drove home a run and tallied a RBI.

The Rock Cats took a 4-0 after the top of the third on Matt Moses’ grand slam, his first home run this year in the Eastern League.

The Fisher Cats struck back in the bottom of the third. Ryan Klosterman led off the frame with a walk and was driven home by Robinzon Diaz’ RBI double to left center field.

New Hampshire added two in the sixth. Diaz led off with a double and was brought home on Mathews’ double down the left field line. Ryan Patterson hit a single to bring Mathews home.

Kyle Yates started for the Fisher Cats and went 4.2 innings allowing seven runs, 11 hits, one walk and two home runs while striking out four. Seth Overbey pitched 2.1 innings of scoreless relief. The righty allowed just one walk to go with one strikeout.

Anthony Swarzak went 5.1 innings allowing six hits, one walk and three runs. He also struck out eight to get the win.

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New Britain 2 at New Hampshire 3

Record: 36-39

From nhfishercats.com: David Smith drove home Aaron Mathews in the eighth inning of the second game of the doubleheader to give the Fisher Cats a 3-2 win over the New Britain Rock Cats. The Rock Cats took game one of the twin bill, 7-3.

Smith's single came after his sixth inning home run that cut the Fisher Cats deficit to 2-1 to put the Fisher Cats in position to get the win.

The doubleheader was a pair of seven inning games from which one was rescheduled from the first series of the year.

Mathews singled in the eighth to after Robinzon Diaz struck out to get aboard. Mathews advanced to second on Rob Cosby's ground out and to third on a passed ball. Smith followed with a single to left field to score the game winning run in the Fisher Cats' eighth walk off win of the season.

Smith's home run in the sixth was his sixth of the year and put the Fisher Cats on the board. Ryan Klosterman hit his second home run of the year in the bottom of the seventh with two outs to tie the game and force extra innings. Klosterman's game-changing shot was named the RELCO Enlightening Play of the Game.

Jo Matumoto started for the Fisher Cats and went six innings allowing just five hits, one walk and two unearned runs. The lefty, who made his second start of the season, struck out four. Tracy Thorpe went two innings while only giving up one walk while striking out two.

Fisher Cats LHP Kurt Isenberg (2-4, 5.09) takes on RHP Jesse Floyd (4-5, 3.73) Friday in the 7:05pm game. Friday is one of the most anticipated promotions of the year. The first 2,000 fans will receive New Britain David Ortiz Bobbleheads courtesy of Sovereign Bank. For tickets, visit http://www.nhfishercats.com or call (603) 641-2005.

Radio coverage begins at 6:45pm on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network (610-AM, Manchester; 930-AM, Rochester; 1540-AM, Exeter) with Bob Lipman and Mike Murphy.

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Javi Sanchez

St. Lucie 3 at Fort Myers 12

Record 4 - 4

W: J. Manship (1-0, 3.60); L: J. Niese (6-4, 5.15)
HR: SLU: J. Petersen (5). FTM: J. Portes (5).

E: Ugueto (14, throw).

There were a bunch of new broken bats in the gift shop prior to the game, most of which were unidentifiable based on their markings. Justin assures me they are genunine Miracle bats.

"Glenn Williams' is a genunine Miracle bat?" Well, Twins bats, at the least.

So perhaps they've gotten rid of all the old bats and have got a new shipment of lumber with lightning in it?

The Miracle errupted for 10 hits, 12 runs against the St. Lucie Mets, with 5 coming in the 8th inning against reliever Ricardo Morales including Juan Portes' 5th home run of the season.

Fort Myers got on the board early when Steve Tolleson doubled, and then came home on passed ball by Rafael Arroyo. They tacked on two more in the 2nd, with a throwing error by shortstop Emmanuel Garcia helping. Erik Lis and Luis Ugueto both came home on Javi Sanchez's single. Sanchez tried to stretch it for 2, but was taken out at 2nd, which also ended the inning.

St. Lucie got on the board in the top of the fourth when Joshua Peterson tripled and then came home on a Ryan Coultas ground out. Peterson would hit a home run in the sixth that scored Dan Murphy as well, accounting for all three Mets runs. Gene got the home run ball for Peterson and gave it to him later in the game.

The home run would also finish Jeff Manship's first start for the Miracle as he was taken out in favor of Armando Gabino. Manship finished up the night allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 7 hits and 1 walk while striking out 6 in 5 innings worth of work. It was a solid 2007 debute for the Miracle's newest addition to the starting rotation and I expect he'll get better as the season progresses.

Sanchez finished off the night 3-for-4 with 2 runs and 3 RBI. Tolleson was 2-for-3 with 3 runs, 2 doubles, 2 walks and 1 rbi.

Toby Gardenhire, who showed up with new bright red catching gear, the type the Twins gift to players contemplating a positioning change, caught Eduardo Morlan for the 9th inning to close the game.

I did pick up one bat the gift shop which may or may not be the coveted Toby Gardenhire cracked bat I wanted. I'll drag it down to the dugout tonight and see who claims past ownership of it.

"Toby should just give you a bat," Iris says. Well, it's not like he's actually using them for anything.

The two teams play game three of the series Friday night with Tobi Stoner (0-1, 5.74) going up against Yohan Pino (2-3, 1.75). Rondell White is expected to start his rehab assignment with the Miracle Friday as well.

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Beloit 4 at Cedar Rapids 5 (10 innings)

Record 3-5

W: W. Madrigal (4-3, 3.21); L: J. Lugo (2-4, 5.04)
HR: CED: M. Trumbo (8).

E: Ortiz (11, fielding).

From kernelsbaseball.com: Pinch hitter Abel Nieves hit a one out singe to score Tyler Johnson from second and give the Kernels a 5-4 extra inning win over the Beloit Snappers in front of 3,319 fans at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday night.

The win improves the Kernels second half record to 4-4 and 42-35 overall. Beloit falls to 2-4 and 47-31 overall.

Kernels starter David Herndon took a 2-0 lead into the top of the seventh inning and saw the Snappers strike for four runs to take a 4-2 lead. The Kernels rallied back and tied the game in the bottom of the seventh on Mark Trumbo’s 2 RBI double down the left field line. Trumbo had just made it a 2-0 Kernels lead in the sixth inning by launching his eighth home run of the season, a solo shot, over the left center field wall.

Herndon allowed four runs on six hits and struck out two over 6-2/3 innings in a no-decision effort. Felipe Arrendondo struck out four and allowed one hit in 2-1/3 innings of relief and Warner Madrigal (4-3) allowed a hit and struck out two to get the win.

Wil Ortiz, Julio Perez and Mark Trumbo each had two hits and Josh Davies had a double and RBI. The Kernels finished with 10 hits on the night.

Beloit reliever Jose Lugo (2-4) walked two over 1/3 inning and was tagged with the loss.

Having had enough popped corn now to last a lifetime, the Snappers return home to face the Clinton Lumberkings.

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Danville 13 at Elizabethton 5

Record 7 - 1

W: T. Palica (1-0, 0.00); L: H. Reyes (1-1, 9.00)
HR: DAN: A. Coe (1). ELI: M. Dolenc (1).

E: Santiago (1, throw), Palacios (1, catcher interference).

From MiLB.com: Adam Coe homered and Cody Johnson had three hits and two RBIs as visiting Danville routed previously unbeaten Elizabethton, 13-5, on Thursday.

Coe's two-run blast, his first, gave the Braves (5-3) a 3-0 lead in the second inning. The 19-year-old third baseman, who went 2-for-5, entered the contest with only five hits in his first 28 at-bats.

Johnson, who also scored twice, singled home Travis Jones and Ernesto Mejia to cap a three-run eighth for Danville, which rapped 19 hits. Michael Fisher doubled, tripled and drove in two runs, while Jeff Stevens and Javier Dominguez each went 3-for-5 as every Braves starter hit safely and scored.

Reliever Thomas Palica (1-0) recorded the win after yielding three hits and two walks while striking out four in three scoreless innings. Starter Chad Rodgers surrendered two hits and a walk while fanning seven in four frames.

Twins starter Henry Reyes (1-1) left after allowing the first six batters in the second to reach base. He was charged with four runs on seven hits with a strikeout.

Mark Dolenc cranked a three-run homer in the eighth and Gregory Yersich hit a run-scoring single in the fourth for Danville (7-1). The Gulf Coast League Dodgers (7-0) are the only undefeated team in Minor League Baseball.

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E-Star

GCL Twins 6 at GCL Orioles 0

Current Record: 6 - 2

W: D. Berlind (2-0, 0.00); L: A. Odom (0-2, 2.00); SV: M. McCardell (1)
HR: None.

Daniel Berlind allowed only 5 walks and struck out 5 in 5 innings to pick up his second win of the season as the GCL Twins blanked the GCL Orioles 6-0 at Twin Lakes Park.

Catcher Daniel Rohlfing was 2-for-3 in the game with a walk and an RBI, Jeanfred Brito was 2-for-4 with 2 runs, and Ben Revere was 2-for-5 with 1 run and 1 RBI.

The Twins got on the board in the first when Juan Richardson plated Brito during a force out. Brito would get his second run of the day in the fifth when Rondell White reached on a fielder's choice.

Andrew Schmiesing drew a walk in the 7th and came home on a Revere's ground out, making the score 3-0 Twins. Richardson singled with 1 out in the 8th and came home on a Rohlfing single. Yangervis Solarte found his way across the plate when James Beresford ground his way into a force out making it 5-0 Twins.

Revere topped off the game and scoring on a while pitch by Orioles reliever Miguel Achil.

Mike McCardell picked up the save, allowing only 1 hit in 4 innings while striking out 5.

The Twins have a day off Friday, before facing the Pirates at home on Saturday. This will make the start of a four-day split team doubleheader marthon for me, but I will try to keep up with the reporting as we go along.

Rondell White finished off his rehab assignment with this game and is expected to join the Fort Myers Miracle for the second part of his rehab assignment. Ken Harvey is finishing off his rehab assignment as well, and is expected to join the AAA Rochester team next week.

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Deception

The St. Lucie Mets came into town with a fellow named Jacob Ruckle taking the start for the Mets.

He allowed 1 run (unearned) on 5 hits while striking out 4 in 5 innings for a no decision. What was interesting about him was his delivery.

It's been described as resembling a combination of the "herky-jerky" delivery of Dontrelle Willis and the high leg kick of Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez. In watching it, the natural question that pops up is "where did it come from?"

Ruckle credits a scout in developing the pitch. "I have a scout that signed me with the New York Mets; his name is Dave Birecki," said Ruckle in an online interview. "When I was just coming out of high school he asked me to try and create some deception or something and I asked him what I should do and he said, ‘Just try to flare your front arm up,' and I kind of exaggerated a little bit and I've always had kind of a high leg kick, so I started doing that and I liked it; it felt comfortable right from the get go. So far it's worked for me and I'll continue to use it. I like it, it's different. You don't see any other guy like that."

The Mets drafted Ruckle in the 41st round of the 2004 draft.

Ruckle's had some success in the minors to date, throwing a fastball around 88 miles an hour. It has hit 91 on occassion. He mixes in a curve as well, although he doesn't throw for strikes, going more for ground balls.

"I just try and throw strikes, change speeds and locate pitches," said Ruckle said in an interview after throwing eight innings of shut out ball against the Staten Island Yankees on July 6 of 2006. "I did the same thing in St. Lucie and I'll continue to do the same thing wherever I go."

Anyway, I want to learn to pitch like this:



Here's the view from the other side...



Weird, isn't it?

I found another bit on youtube as well called The Ruckle Shuffle. Kind of amusing, although I certainly wouldn't call it a shuffle movement.

Scoreboard for June 27, 2007

Rochester 10 at Durham 4

Record 41-36

W: B. Duensing (4-1, 2.19); L: J. Seo (1-1, 5.95)
HR: ROC: T. Watkins (3), B. Buscher (2), D. Span (2). DUR: J. Velandia (4).

E: McDonald (6, fielding), Watkins (8, fielding), Feiner (3, fielding).

From RedWingsBaseball.com: The Red Wings pounded out 17 hits in a 10-4 victory over the Bulls on Wednesday afternoon at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Jose Morales had three hits, two runs scored and two RBI for the Wings, who hit three home runs in the contest.

RHP Jae Seo (1-1) surrendered nine of the 10 runs on 12 hits and two walks with just one strikeout in 3 2/3 innings. Tommy Watkins started the scoring in the second inning with a two-run home run, and Morales hit an RBI single in the third inning to give the Red Wings an early 3-0 lead. The game unraveled for Seo in the fourth inning as he surrendered two more home runs. Denard Span led the inning off with a home run, Glenn Willams hit an RBI single and Brian Buscher hit a three-run home run to make the score 8-0. Watkins doubled in Morales to make the score 9-0.

LHP Brian Duensing cruised for the Wings, surrendering just two runs on six hits with no walks and four strikeouts. The Bulls' first run came in the fifth inning when Ben Zobrist hit into an RBI ground out and the second came in the seventh inning on solo home run from Jorge Velandia. The Wings added another run in the eighth inning while the Bulls scored two unearned runs in the ninth inning during a late rally attempt. The Bulls had the bases loaded with a 10-4 score, but LHP Jason Miller entered the game to face Joel Guzman struck him out to end the game. Brian Bass allowed two unearned runs in relief of Duensing.

NOTES: The season series is now tied 3-3...Rookie starter Duensing's ERA inched up to 2.19...Wings RHP Nick Blackburn is listed at number three on Baseball America's Prospect Hot Sheet for the week, with Garza listed at number 14 on the weekly list of the 20 hottest prospects in Minor League Baseball... Twins OF Rondell White will be sent out on a minor league rehabilitation assignment Wednesday and will report to the Gulf Coast League Twins for a few games, then play a few games for Class A Fort Myers..White has been out since April 5 with a strained right calf muscle...Several Twins players are in the running for the 2007 All-Star game in San Francisco on July 10 ...Double-A New Britain RHP Tristan Crawford was placed on the DL, and RHP Anthony Swarzak was promoted from Ft. Myers to New Britain.

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New Britain 12 at New Hampshire 1

Record: 35-38

W: K. Waldrop (2-4, 4.50); L: E. Fowler (1-1, 7.45)
HR: NBR: M. Allegra (10), G. Guzman (8), L. Hughes (4). NHM: D. Smith (5).

From rockcats.com: The Rock Cats broke out the lumber for 19 hits – including six runs on six hits in the first inning – to cruise to a 12-1 win in New Hampshire. It was the first time the Rock Cats recorded back-to-back wins since sweeping a doubleheader on June 3.

Trevor Plouffe, Rashad Eldridge, and Matthew Allegra all had three-hit nights. Allegra finished the night with two doubles, a grand slam, and three runs scored. Meanwhile, Kyle Waldrop (2-4) returned to form with five shutout innings, limiting the Fisher Cats to three hits and one walk. He struck out three. The bullpen did its job with one run on seven hits in four innings of relief.

In the first inning, Luke Hughes reached base on a walk and Plouffe followed with a single. An error by center fielder Dustin Majewski allowed Hughes to advance to third and Plouffe to second. Matt Moses and David Winfree then delivered back-to-back RBI single for a 2-0 lead. Eldridge reached on a single to left field that loaded the bases and set the stage for Allegra’s grand slam to right field for an early 6-0 lead.

Garrett Guzman had a solo homer in the second inning and Hughes added a two-run shot in the ninth. New Hampshire’s Eric Fowler (1-1) suffered the loss as he was battered around for eight runs on 11 hits in 3 2/3 innings. David Smith’s solo home run in the seventh inning off reliever Frank Mata was the lone run for the Fisher Cats.

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Johnny Woodard

St. Lucie 6 at Fort Myers 1

Record 3 - 4

W: J. Hietpas (2-1, 6.55); L: K. Aselton (0-3, 3.96)
HR: None.

E: Valencia 2 (2, fielding, throw).
PB: Moore (3).

Jacob Ruckle is an interesting pitcher. I don't think I've ever seen anyone pitch like that before, at least in real life. I've seen it in old video clips, but...

He allowed 1 run on five hits and struck out 4 in 5 innings worth of work. Joe Hietpas allowed the other Miracle hit.

The Miracle did take the lead in the 3rd inning With Edward Ovalle reaching on a fielding error. Dwayne White's single moved him to third, and he came home when Caleb Moore ground into a double play. Brian Dinkelman poped out to end the inning.

Oswaldo Sosa allowed the tying run, and Kyle Aselton pretty much threw the game away, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits, while striking out only one. Two of the runs did come off Adam Hawes, who was brought in to get us out of the inning.

Danny Valencia and Dinkelman were both 1-for-4. Johnny Woodard was 0-for-3. Dinkleman is kind of interesting to watch field as he twitches constantly. He's always checking his cloths. First the pants, then take the glove off, check his cup, put the glove back on, take the hat off, put the hat back on, check his shirt, check to make sure his pants are pulled down...

And somewhere in there he finds time to field. Erik Lis was brought in from outfielding to play first base. Somehow, I guess I should have expected that.

Anthony swarzak's name is off the roster, I assume he's going to New Britain if an announcement has not yet been made.

Jeff Manship makes his first start for the Miracle in the 2007 season, facing lefty Jonathan Niese (6-3, 4.91). I do hope they told him he won't be getting any run support.

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Beloit 3 at Cedar Rapids 0

Record 3-4

W: A. Burnett (4-5, 3.36); L: J. Haynes (2-4, 3.32); SV: R. Delaney (24)
HR: None.

E: Olson (14, fielding).

From kernelsbaseball.com: Alex Burnett held the Kernels to four hits and struck out six as the Beloit Snappers shut out the Cedar Rapids Kernels, 3-0, in front of 2,395 fans at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Wednesday night.

Burnett (4-5) walked two and struck out six over seven innings to get the win. Rob Delaney pitched two innings of scoreless relief to earn his 24th save of the season.

Abel Nieves, Mark Trumbo, Tyler Johnson and Tadd Brewer were the only Kernels with hits and Brewer’s was for a double.

Kernels starter Jeremy Haynes (2-4) was a victim of no run support as he held the Snappers to four hits and two runs (one earned) and struck out eight over 7-1/3 innings.

The loss drops the Kernels to 3-4 in the second half and 41-35 overall.

The final game between the Kernels and Snappers is Thursday night at 7 pm as RHP David Herndon is set to take the hill for the Kernels. It will also be a 100.7 The Fox Buck-A-Cup Thursday as fans can enjoy cups of beer or soda for just $1 at the Kernels Beverage Center. Slushies are one dollar and bottled soda and water are just two dollars. Gates open at 6 pm.

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Danville 7 at Elizabethton 9

Record 7 - 0

W: B. Tippett (2-0, 3.00); L: C. Gearrin (0-1, *.**); SV: A. Slama (3)
HR: DAN: J. Morris (1).

E: Lawman (2, fielding).

From MiLB.com: Elizabethton rallied for five runs in the eighth inning to keep its perfect start intact with a 9-7 win over visiting Danville on Wednesday.

The Twins (7-0) entered the bottom of the frame trailing, 7-4, but scored five runs on three hits, three walks and three wild pitches by Braves relievers.

Benjamin Petsch reached on a fielding error by Braves shortstop Michael Fisher, and after Matthew Lawman walked, reliever Cory Gearrin uncorked two consecutive wild pitches to plate Petsch and move Lawman to third.

Eric Santiago ripped an RBI double and Estarlin De Los Santos singled. Reliver Timothy Ladd walked Rene Tosoni, and Ozzie Lewis lifted a sacrifice fly to tie the score. Rene Leveret put the Twins on top with a run-scoring single, and Tosoni plated on Ladd's wild pitch.

Gregory Yersich had two hits and two RBIs for Elizabethton.

Reliever Bradley Tippett (2-0) allowed one run on two hits, fanning two in two innings for the win. Anthony Slama struck out the side in the ninth for his third save.

Starter Michael Tarsi gave up one hit while fanning two in three scoreless frames.

Braves starter Jose Ortegano tossed five shutout innings, scattering four hits without issuing a walk and fanning two. Gearrin (0-1) surrendered three runs on two hits and one walks without recording an out for the loss.

Carlos Lee drove in three runs and Joshua Morris homered for Danville (4-3)

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GCL Red Sox 7 at GCL Twins 5

Current Record: 5 - 2

W: A. Gil (2-0, 1.80); L: L. Martin (0-1, 7.71)
HR: RSX: O. Tejeda (1).

E: Beresford (1, throw).
PB: Soto (1).

Last season, the cross-city GCL Red Sox were the Twins biggest rival, and this season looks to be no different. The Red Sox got off to an early five run lead against starter Thomas Wright, who would give up 4 earned runs on 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 2.

A throwing error by James Beresford allowed Oscar Tejeda to advance to scoring position in the first inning, and he came home on Chih-Hsiang Huang's double. Mitch Dening doubled in Derren Blocker in the fourth and came home on a William Vazquez sac fly.

Tejada then hit a home run in the fifth that brough in Che-Hsuan Lin, accounting for the Red Sox early lead.

However the Twins battled back in the bottom of the seventh, start with Alexander Soto doubling a fly ball out to left. A wild pitch by Anthony Bajoczky moved him to third, and he came in on Andrew Schmiesing's sac-fly. Nick Biagini and Jeanfred Brito both walked, and then progressed on a passed ball by William Vazquez. Ben Revere's ground out plated Biagini before James Beresford was hit by a pitch. Daniel Rohlfing took a walk and then Yangervis Solarte would get plunked by a pitch took as Aregnis Paulino fell apart on the mound. Alberto Gil would replace him, and Wang-Wei Lin would go in to run for Rholfing. Juan Richardson's fly ball single brought in Beresford and Lin to tie the game, but Soto would ground out to end the inning.

Charles Nolte pitched 2 innings off relief, allowing only 1 hit and striking out 2. Lee Martin gave up the game winning run in 8th and allowed the Red Sox and insurnace run in the ninth, before Jose Acosta was brough in to get the final two outs.

Soto was 2-for-4 at the plate with a run and a double, and Revere was 2-for-5 with 1 RBI in the lead off spot. Rondell White as 1-for-2 with a double as the Designed Hitter, he was replaced by Rohlfing part way through the game.

The Twins travel to Twin Lakes to take on the Orioles day at Noon. Michael McCardell will get the start for the Twins.

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Scoreboard for June 26, 2007

Rochester 5 at Durham 7

Record 40-36
(3rd in the North Division, 1.5 games behind Buffalo)

W: S. McClung (1-3, 1.69); L: J. DePaula (4-4, 3.41); SV: C. Orvella (9)
HR: DUR: J. Ruggiano (11).

E: Casilla (7, throw), Korecky (2, pickoff).

From RedWingsBaseball.com: Ben Zobrist laced a go-ahead three-run double with two outs in the eighth inning as Durham edged visiting Rochester 7-5 on Tuesday. Tommy Watkins ripped a two-run double in the second, while Garrett Jones, Glenn Williams and Brian Buscher each knocked in a run for the Red Wings. Rochester fell to third place in the International League North Division, a half-game out of second and a game and a half behind first place Buffalo.

Chris Richard and Joel Guzman singled to start the rally. Bobby Korecky relieved Julio DePaula, and made an errant pickoff attempt to advance the runners. Jason Pridie was intentionally walked, but Zobrist foiled the strategy with his seventh double of the season.

Zobrist, who had three hits, has a .437 on-base percentage this month.

Justin Ruggiano smacked a go-ahead three-run homer, his 11th, in the fifth for the Bulls (41-38), who have won three straight against the Red Wings (40-36). Pridie added an RBI double in the second, while Elliot Johnson, Richard and Jorge Velandia chipped in two hits apiece.

Seth McClung (1-3) notched the win after yielding a hit and two walks in a scoreless eighth. Chad Orvella struck out two in a perfect ninth for his ninth save. Bulls starter Mitch Talbot surrendered five runs -- four earned -- on seven hits and a walk while fanning four in seven frames.

DePaula (4-4) gave up two runs on two hits while striking out two in two innings for the loss. Starter Matt Garza allowed four runs on 10 hits while striking out six without a walk in five frames.

Darnell McDonald, just acquired from Columbus, started in right field and batted third for Rochester. McDonald doubled, walked and scored a run. Matt Tolbert went 2-for-4; Tolbert is batting .349, second in the league.

NOTES: Durham now leads the season series 3-2. A season ago, Rochester won the season series 6-2. The Red Wings were 4-0 at Frontier Field and 2-2 at Durham Bulls Athletic Park...Wings RHP Nick Blackburn is listed at number three on Baseball America's Prospect Hot Sheet for the week, with Garza listed at number 14 on the weekly list of the 20 hottest prospects in Minor League Baseball... Twins OF Rondell White will be sent out on a minor league rehabilitation assignment Wednesday and will report to the Gulf Coast League Twins...White has been out since April 5 with a strained right calf muscle...Several Twins players are in the running for the 2007 All-Star game in San Francisco on July 10 ...Justin Morneau is currently in second place among first baseman, Joe Mauer is currently in third place among catchers, Luis Castillo is currently in fourth place among second baseman and Torii Hunter is in fifth place among outfielders...Juan Portes provided the offense, Jay Rainville brought the pitching as the Twins' Class A Fort Myers Miracle club won 5-3 over the Palm Beach Cardinals on Tuesday night. Portes went 4-for-5 finishing a triple shy of the cycle, while Rainville went 7.1 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits in the win.

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New Britain Rock Cats

Record: 34-38

No Games Scheduled

The Rock cats stay on the road, traveling to Manchester for a 3 game set against the Fisher Cats and then are off to Reading to face The Phillies, before returning home on July 4th.

New Britain is in 4th place in Northern Division, 11.5 games behind the leading Trenton Thunder.


Juan Portes

Fort Myers 5 at Palm Beach 3

Record 3 - 3

W: J. Rainville (4-7, 3.52); L: R. Ransom (0-1, 4.20); SV: A. Garcia (4)
HR: FTM: J. Portes (4).

E: Ugueto (13, fielding), Woodard (1, throw).
PB: Sanchez, J (4).

From miraclebaseball.com: Juan Portes provided the offense, Jay Rainville brought the pitching as the Fort Myers Miracle grabbed the series-finale 5-3 over the Palm Beach Cardinals on Tuesday night. Portes went 4-for-5 finishing a triple shy of the cycle, while Rainville went 7.1 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits in the win.

Edward Ovalle, who went 2-for-4 on the night, brought home the first Miracle run with his single to center in the second, scoring Danny Valencia, who also 2-for-4 on the night. Ovalle's RBI-double in the fourth plated Luis Ugueto for a 2-0 lead.

After three straight singles from Caleb Moore, Brian Dinkelman and Portes sent the Miracle to a three-run advantage, Valencia would soon follow with a sacrifice-fly to center, bringing in Dinkelman, putting the Miracle up 4-0.

Palm Beach wouldn't go away quietly as the Cardinals cut it to a one-run ball game heading into the ninth. After a sac-fly from Isaias Garcia and RBI-single from James Rapoport cut the lead in half at 4-2 in the fifth, Allen Craig's single to right in the eighth brought home Garcia with the third Palm Beach run of the night.

After Craig's single, the Cardinals would have runners at the corners with one down before Miracle reliever Angel Garcia entered the game to strike out Brandon Buckman and Ian Church stranding the tying run at third.

With one out in the top of the ninth, Portes would belt a solo home run to left for his fourth hit of the night, before Garcia closed the door on Palm Beach in the bottom of the ninth. Garcia went 1.2 innings with three strikeouts to garner his fourth save of the season.

The Miracle now head back to Hammond Stadium to kick off a seven-game homestand on Wednesday night. The St. Lucie Mets will enter for a four-game series followed by the Lakeland Flying Tigers for three. The first tilt against the Mets, with "Ratatouille Night," taking place will see RHP Oswaldo Sosa (2-4, 2.55) gets the start for the Miracle.

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Beloit 4 at Cedar Rapids 8

Record 2-4

W: B. Browning (5-2, 3.35); L: T. Robertson (2-2, 2.67)
HR: CED: M. Sweeney (10), P. Phillips (6).

E: Olson (13, fielding).

From snappersbaseball.com: After rallying to take a 4-3 lead, the Snappers surrendered the lead for the second consecutive day. Tyler Robertson pitched five and one thirds innings of seven hit, five run baseball to pick up his second loss of the season.

The Kernels jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after five innings and looked to be well on their way to another victory. The Snappers quickly fired back, however, to take a 4-3 lead themselves.

A two-run double from Snappers' leadoff hitter, Yancarlos Ortiz, in the top of the sixth drew Beloit to within one. Matt Betsill followed with a single, moving Ortiz to third. Ortiz was driven home one batter later off the bat of Eli Tintor. Tintor singled home Yancarlos and moved Betsill on to third, tying the game at 3-3. One out later, Betsill scored from third on a wild pitch, and gave the Snappers a 4-3 lead after five and a half.

The Kernels then rallied for the second straight day and took a 5-4 lead after six. Reliever, Aaron Craig, came in with runners on second and third and gave up the go ahead two-run single to Cedar Rapids' second baseman, Will Ortiz.

The Kernels would add three more runs in the bottom of the eighth to give them an 8-4 lead and blow the game open. Beloit was unable to score in the top of the ninth and dropped their third consecutive game.

Upcoming Schedule: The Snappers play game three of four with the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Wednesday at 7:00 pm. Beloit's Alex Burnett goes against Cedar Rapids' Jeremy Haynes.

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Elizabethton 14 at Princeton 3

Record 6 - 0

W: L. Van Mil (2-0, 0.00); L: T. Hayes (0-1, 10.80)
HR: ELI: R. Leveret (3), O. Lewis (1).

E: Lawman (1, fielding), Lewis (1, fielding).

From MiLB.com: Rene Leveret is so hot at the plate that collecting two hits causes his average to go down.

Leveret belted a grand slam and drove in six runs as Elizabethton pounded host Princeton for the second straight game, 14-3, on Tuesday.

After starting the season 10-for-20, Leveret collected two hits in five at-bats, ripping his third home run and first career slam in the third inning.

Rene Tosoni went 2-for-6 and drove in two runs and Mark Dolenc contributed two hits and an RBI for the undefeated Twins (6-0).

Elizabeth reliever Ludovicus Van Mil (2-0) walked two and struck out one over two hitless innings to pick up the win.

Princeton starter Tyree Hayes (0-1) was hit hard, yielding seven runs on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts in 4 2/3 frames. Kevin Chavez offered little relief, allowing seven runs and six hits while walking two in just 1 2/3 innings.

Jeffrey Carroll and Michael Ross drove in a run apiece for the Devil Rays (2-4).

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Those were the days

* Through Monday, the Elizabethton Twins were off to perhaps the hottest offensive start in team history.

At that point, the team had begun the Appalachian League season with five straight wins and 57 runs in those contests -- an impressive average of 11.4 runs-per-game.

* Former Fresno State standout Ozzie Lewis had his first breakout game of the year in his second outing, batting 5-for-7 with four RBI's in Elizabethton's 20-6 win over Princeton on Monday.

* Saint Maartin's Rene Leveret continues his hot streak at the plate, batting 3-for-6 with a two-run shot and three runs scored. Through Monday, Leveret, last year's Dominican Summer League MVP is batting .500 on the season with ten hits, including two doubles and two home runs, with nine runs scored and batted in in five games.

* As impressive as Leveret's numbers are, they still trail League batting leader Greg Yersich. The catcher is hitting .636 through three appearances with seven hits and six runs scored.

* David Bromberg showed what he's made of Monday evening. After a rough start in the second game of a doubleheader at Kingsport last Wednesday, Bromberg made things miserable for Princeton. The Los Angeles-native pitched five innings of scoreless ball with two hits and 10 strikeouts to lower his season ERA to 4.70 from 13.50 at the top of the season. E-Star

GCL Reds 0 at GCL Twins 1

Current Record: 5 - 1

W: L. Hendriks (1-0, 1.08); L: J. Rafael (0-1, 0.00); SV: D. Rondon (1)
HR: None.

Liam Hendriks came out on the winning end of a pitchers' duel at the Lee County Sportsplex Tuesday afternoon, as the GCL Twins shut out the GCL Reds, 1-0. Henriks allowed only 4 hits in five innings but struck out only 1.

Juan Rafael kept the Twins bats mostly quite except for the first inning. Jeanfred Brito drew a walk to get on base and moved to second on Rafael's throwing error during a pick off attempt. He scampered over to 3rd on a Wang-Wei Lin fly out, and came home when Ken Harvey doubled out to center. Juan Richardson drew a walk, but Rafael got Yangervis Solarte out swinging to end the inning.

Andrew Schmiesing was the only player with multi-hits in the game going 2-for-3 while Ben Revere, Harvey and Richardson each had 1 hit a piece.

Jarrad Eacott took over for Hendriks in the sixth inning, allowing 2 hits and striking out 1 over 3 innings worth of work. Ace closer Danny Rondon struck out 2 to finish off the game.

The Twins remain at home Wednesday against the GCL Red Sox. Thomas Wright will take the make the start for the Twins.

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Scoreboard for June 24, 2007

Rochester 2 at Charlotte 5

Record 41-33

W: V. Nunez (2-9, 6.04); L: J. Miller (1-2, 2.75); SV: E. Wassermann (3)
HR: ROC: D. Deeds (6).

E: Williams (6, fielding), Span (4, throw).

From MiLB.com /RedWingsBaseball.com: Vladimir Nunez and two relievers combined on a five-hitter as Charlotte defeated visiting Rochester, 5-2, on Sunday. Doug Deeds hit a solo homer, his sixth, and Garrett Jones smacked an RBI double in the ninth for Rochester (40-34), which had a seven-game winning streak snapped. Brian Buscher went 2-for-2 with two walks.

Nunez (2-9) surrendered one run on two hits and three walks and struck out two in six innings for his first win since April 9. Reliever Carlos Vasquez yielded one run on three hits and a walk, fanning two in 2 2/3 innings, and Ehren Wasserman recorded the last out to collect his third save.

Danny Richar went 2-for-4 with a bases-loaded triple in the third inning for the Knights (32-46). Brian Anderson went 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI single in the sixth before Jerry Owens scored on a throwing error in the seventh.

Red Wings starter Jason Miller (1-2) allowed three runs on five hits and a walk and struck out five in five frames.

NOTES: The Minnesota organization has traded for former Wing OF Darnell McDonald with the Washington Nationals. McDonald, who played against the Wings last week at Frontier Field, will join the club in Durham Tuesday...Class A Beloit outfielder Chris Parmalee is the Twins Minor League Player of the Week for June 17-23...Parmalee, 19, hit .385 four games for the Snappers, including a two-run homer to clinch the first half Division title...Parmalee was the Twins' first round pick (20th overall) in the 2006 First-Year Player draft.

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New Britain 4 at Connecticut 5

Record: 34-36

W: J. Bateman (1-1, 4.01); L: J. Floyd (4-5, 3.73); SV: O. Matos (3)
HR: None.

From http://www.ctdefenders.com: The Connecticut Defenders recovered from a loss last night to defeat the New Britain Rock Cats 5-4 on a beautiful Sunday afternoon on June 24 at Dodd Stadium. Geno Espineli was solid on the hill and the bats came through with some timely hitting to win their third ball game in five contests.

The Defenders jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after putting up a run in both the first and second inning, off an RBI double by John Bowker and an RBI groundout by Jake Wald. On the other side of things, Espineli had the changeup working and kept the Rock Cats bats off balance, retiring the first 9 batters he faced.

The Rock Cats tied things up in the fourth inning though after OF Luke Hughes led off the inning with a single, SS Trevor Plouffe followed with a triple to drive in Hughes, and a batter later 3B Matt Moses delivered an RBI single to score Plouffe and tie up the game at 2.

The score remained that way until the bottom of the seventh inning. Back-to-back singles by 3B Simon Klink and 1B Pat Dobson knocked Rock Cats starter Jesse Floyd out of the game. RHP Danny Powers came in on relief and gave up a 2-run single to 2B Mark Minicozzi, who advanced on to second on the throw home from the outfield. C Todd Jennings sacrificed Minicozzi over to third base and SS Jake Wald followed with a perfectly executed suicide squeeze to score Minicozzi and reach base at first with nobody covering. The hit scored the third run of the inning and the Defenders led 5-2 after seven full innings.

But in the top of the ninth things would get interesting. Reliever Joe Bateman entered his third inning of work and allowed the first to batters to reach on a walk to OF Matt Allegra and a single to 2B Felix Molina. Bateman was lifted in favor of RHP Osiris Matos out of the bullpen, but things continued to get dicey. Matos retired the next two batters in order but then gave up a2-run single to Trevor Plouffe, scoring Allegra and Molina to cut the Defenders lead to 1 run. But Matos recovered to strike out DH David Winfree swinging to end the game and preserve the Connecticut win, 5-4.

Jesse Floyd (L, 4-5) absorbed his fifth loss of the year after dealing 6 innings, giving up 4 runs (3 earned), 4 hits, 2 walks, and striking out 3 batters. Espineli did not factor in the decision but went 6.2 innings, surrendering 2 runs, 7 hits, 1 walk and struck out 5 batters. Joe Bateman (W, 1-1) took the victory with 1.1 innings of duty, giving up 2 runs, 3 hits and walking a batter. Osiris Matos (S, 3) collected his third save of the season after an inning of work, allowing 1 hit, just an inherited runner to score and striking out a batter. Jake Wald went 1 for 3 with 2 RBI and Mark Minicozzi went 1 for 2 with 2 RBI and a run scored. The Defenders host the Rock Cats in the finale of a four game set on Monday June 25 at 6:35 p.m. The game will feature a pitching matchup between LHP Ryan Mullins (0-1, 2.28 ERA) and RHP Nick Pereira (3-7, 4.30).

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Toby Gardenhire

Fort Myers 3 at Palm Beach 4 (10 Innings)

Record 2 - 2

W: L. Gregerson (1-1, 1.67); L: A. Hawes (0-1, 2.70)
HR: FTM: J. Portes (3). PBC: I. Church (4).

E: Dinkelman (1, missed catch).

From miraclebaseball.com: A game-tying two-run blast in the bottom of the ninth by Ian Church allowed Brandon Buckman to pick up a sacrifice-fly in the bottom of the tenth as the Palm Beach Cardinals stole a 4-3 win from the Fort Myers Miracle on Sunday afternoon.

Trailing 3-1 entering the ninth, Buckman led off with a single to center before Church's second, two-run shot in as many nights sent the game to extra innings. After a John Jay one-out single to center followed by a soft single to center from Allen Craig, Buckman would lift a deep fly ball to right that scored Jay with the game-winner.

Palm Beach also started the scoring Sunday with a James Rapoport RBI-single in the fifth scoring A.J. Van Slyke. Juan Portes tied the game up a half-inning later with his third round-tripper of the year, a solo-shot to left, that got the Miracle offense going headed into the seventh.

After a one-out double from Dwayne White, a single up the middle from Toby Gardenhire would give the Miracle a 2-1 lead. Brian Dinkelman picked up a RBI-single to right scoring Gardenhire for the two-run Miracle advantage.

Miracle starter Yohan Pino worked seven strong innings allowing one run on five hits, with six strikeouts, in the no-decision. Game three of the four-game series will take place Monday night at 7:05 p.m. The Miracle send RHP Zach Ward (2-9, 3.05) to the hill.

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Peoria 11 at Beloit 9

Record 2-2

W: J. Papelbon (4-2, 2.91); L: J. Carnevales (2-2, 2.84)
HR: None.

E: Castillo, W (12, throw).

From snappersbaseball.com: A late rally by the Snappers wasn't enough to catch the Chiefs on Sunday afternoon. Peoria scored 11 runs on 16 hits and defeated the Snappers, 11-9.

After being down 9-2 heading into the sixth, the Snappers' looked out of commission and beaten down. Three runs in the bottom of the sixth and four runs in the bottom of the seventh helped the Snappers tie the game at 9-9. RBI's from Garrett Olson (2), Allan de San Miguel (2), Danny Berg (2), and Wilson Ramos helped get Beloit back in the game.

That would be all the runs the Snappers would score, however. Peoria scored two runs in the top of the eighth inning to take an 11-9 lead, the score that they would eventually win by.

Jesus Carnevales picked up the loss pitching two innings and allowing two runs off three hits.

The loss dropped the Snappers' second half record to 2-2.

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Staff photo by Rob Lucas
The Snappers’ Allan de San Miguel tags out Peoria’s Jonathan Mota during the fourth inning of the Chiefs’ 11-9 win Sunday at Pohlman Field.

Incomplete comeback

By Rob Lucas
Beloit Daily News

Beloit storms back to tie after down 9-2, but loses

Most of the time when a team comes back like the Beloit Snappers did on Sunday to tie a game after being down seven runs, that team can ride the momentum to a victory.

Sadly for the Snappers, this was the other part of the time.

Beloit, trailing 9-2, tied the game at nine in the bottom of the seventh only to give up two runs in the top of the eighth and lose 11-9 to the Peoria Chiefs, earning a split in the four-game series.

“I'm real happy with the way we came back,” manager Jeff Smith said. “Usually when you come back like that you get a victory. They (Peoria) fought hard. Every game we've played with them has been a battle. They came back with those two runs (in the eighth) and if we have a shut down inning right there I think we come back and win.”

Starter Brian Kirwan had his worst outing of the year, yielding six runs (four earned) and was replaced by Danny Vais after letting the first five hitters reach in the fourth inning.

“He pitched OK,” said Smith. “He had too many walks and too many deep counts. There were a lot of chinks (cheap hits) in there, but that's what happens when you've got guys on base and guys out of their normal position with guys on base.”

The Snappers looked dead in the water after the fifth inning, as they trailed by seven and had just three hits. However, Beloit exploded for three runs in the sixth and four in the seventh to lock up the score. Danny Berg provided the big lift with a two-strike, two RBI double down the right field line in the seventh.

“He was up on me and I was trying to go the other way,” Berg said. “I got a pitch and drove in a couple runs so it was good. We had a rally going and we fought back to tie it up. It just slipped away from us in the end.”

The Snappers (2-2) had a golden chance in the seventh to take the lead with the bases loaded and one out. However, Jeremy Papelbon struck out Yancarlos Ortiz and newcomer Eli Tintor to shut down the rally.

“Obviously it's tough to lose when you've fought back so hard,” said Berg. “There are lots of positives we can take. A couple guys stepped up and got on base. A few new people drove some runs in so there were definitely some positives.”

Tintor, along with Matt Betsill and Whit Robbins, should provide the Snappers with a boost after a chunk of their offense was promoted to Fort Myers.

“The guys who have come down will help this team,” said Berg. “We had a good first half and the pressure is off a bit. We have a good, young team. We're going to continue doing the things we've been working on all season.”

After the rally in the seventh, Smith stuck with lefty Jesus Carnevales who gave up a single, double, and a single to the first three hitters on his way to giving up two runs. Smith decided against turning to either Dan Leatherman or closer Rob Delaney. Delaney had pitched the game before, but Leatherman was well rested.

“All season long, each day we have a few guys we know that will probably be in the mix,” Smith said. “The guys we brought in have been fine all season long and it was their turn to pitch and it just didn't work out today.”

On Saturday, the Snappers mounted a terrific comeback to score a 3-2 win over the Chiefs (2-2). It was a bittersweet win, however, as it was Jeff Manship's last starter for Beloit. He was promoted to Fort Myers and left after the game on Sunday.

“I can't wait to get there,” Manship said. “It's different weather; a little bit hotter, but I think I'll be able to handle it. I'm excited and ready for the challenge.”

“He's a very deserving kid, obviously,” added Smith. “Hopefully good things happen to him up there.”

Manship was dominant for Beloit, but knows he has to continue to work hard and improve if he wants to continue climbing the ladder in the Twins' organization.

“The main thing is throwing first pitch strikes because I've been struggling with that,” said Manship. “Just getting ahead of guys and I think if I can do that I'll be successful.”

NOTES: Beloit goes on the road for the next four games against Cedar Rapids before returning home to take on Clinton on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Beloit is in the midst of playing 19 straight games without an off day.

Greeneville 1 at Elizabethton 2

Record 4 - 0

W: B. Tippett (1-0, 0.00); L: B. Robinson (0-1, 3.00); SV: A. Slama (2)
HR: None.

E: De Los Santos (2, throw).

From MiLB.com: Michael Allen and three relievers combined on a five-hitter as Elizabethton edged visiting Greeneville, 2-1, on Sunday.

Allen surrendered one run on three hits and did not walk a batter in five innings. The 20-year-old right-hander struck out seven and lowered his ERA to 0.90.

Omar Alcala gave up one hit and a walk and fanned two in two scoreless frames, Bradley Tippett (1-0) yielded one hit and struck out two in the eighth for the win and Anthony Slama collected his second save as he fanned one in a perfect ninth.

Rene Leveret and Estarlin De Los Santos drove in a pair of late runs for the Twins (4-0). Benjamin Petsch went 2-for-2 with two walks, reaching in each of his four plate appearances.

Jared Pitts tripled and scored the lone run for Greeneville on a throwing error in the second.

Astros starter Agustin Pinales yielded one hit and two walks in one inning. Brett Robinson (0-1) gave up one run on two hits in the eighth.

The game was delayed nearly two hours due to rain.

Your mission, Wes, is to get MILB to change De Los Santos first name in their system from "Starling" to Estarlin.

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GCL Twins

Current Record: 3 - 1

No Games Scheduled

Scoreboard for June 25, 2007

Rochester 2 at Charlotte 6

Record 41-34

W: H. Phillips (5-6, 5.68); L: D. Gassner (2-8, 4.93); SV: E. Wassermann (4)
HR: ROC: G. Jones (11). CHA: B. Anderson (4), C. Rogowski (3).

E: Cali (2, pickoff).

From MiLB.com/RedWingsBaseball.com: Casey Rogowski and Brian Anderson each homered and drove in two runs as Charlotte beat visiting Rochester, 6-2, on Monday.

Rogowski ripped a solo shot, his third, in the third inning and an RBI single in the sixth. Anderson delivered a run-scoring triple in the sixth and a solo homer, his fourth, in the eighth for the Knights (33-46).

Charlotte starter Heath Phillips (5-6) allowed two runs on nine hits while striking out two and walking one over 7 1/3 innings to end his three-game losing streak. Ehren Wassermann entered with one out and the bases loaded in the ninth and retired the final two batters for his fourth save.

Red Wings starter Dave Gassner (2-8) surrendered three runs on four hits and two walks with four strikeouts over 5 1/3 frames.

Garrett Jones hit a leadoff homer, his 11th, in the second and Jose Morales delivered an RBI single in the eighth for Rochester (40-35).

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New Britain 5 at Connecticut 2

Record: 35-36

W: T. Lahey (6-2, 3.86); L: B. Anderson (1-3, 3.23)
HR: None.

From ctdefenders.com: A day after the Defenders bullpen barely hung on to preserve a Defenders victory, they run into trouble once again and this time weren’t fortunate enough to end up with the win. The Rock Cats put together a ninth inning rally that spoiled a terrific start by RHP Nick Pereira and ended in a 5-2 New Britain victory.

The Defenders jumped out to an early lead after scoring two runs in the first inning off a sacrifice fly by OF John Bowker and RBI double off the bat of DH Steve Holm. That would be all the scoring for the first seven innings, as both pitchers were fantastic on the mound for the respective clubs. After giving up the 2 runs, Rock Cats LHP Ryan Mullins found himself in the zone, retiring 18 of 20 batters during one stretch at set a season high in strikeouts for his double-A career with 10. Nick Pereira was equally effective, as he did not allow a runner passed second base throughout his seven-shutout frames.

But Pereira exited and gave way to RHP Taylor Wilding in the eighth inning and things started to get interesting. OF Brandon Roberts led off the inning with a bunt single and SS Trevor Plouffe followed with a walk. After OF Garrett Guzman sacrificed both runners over to second and third, DH Matt Moses hit a sacrifice fly to score Roberts and cut the Defenders lead to 1 run, 2-1.

The Rock Cats bullpen handled their duties and kept it a 2-1 score heading into the top of the ninth. Defenders closer Brian Anderson came in to close it out but couldn’t get the job done. The Rock Cats batted around in the inning, scoring 4 runs in all, including a game-tying RBI single by C Kyle Geiger and an RBI double by Moses. After Bowker led off the bottom of the frame with a double, the next three batters went down in order and the Rock Cats took the 5-2 victory.

Nick Pereira was denied his fourth win of the year despite pitching 7 scoreless innings, scattering 5 hits, walking 3 and striking out 6 batters. Ryan Mullins was just important in the Rock Cats victory with 7.2 innings tossed, surrendering just 2 runs, 5 hits, 1 walk and 10 strikeouts. Tim Lahey (W, 6-2) picked up his sixth win of the year in relief with 1.1 innings of scoreless, hitless work, while striking out 2 batters. Brian Anderson (BS, 5)(L, 1-3) blew his fifth save of the season and dropped his third game of the year after a rough ninth inning, surrendering 4 runs (1 earned), 3 hits, 2 walks and 2 strikeouts. Trey Webb went 2 for 4 in the loss for the Defenders who travel to Portland for five games starting at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday June 26.

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Zach Ward

Fort Myers 0 at Palm Beach 4

Record 2 - 3

W: A. Ottavino (5-5, 3.00); L: Z. Ward (2-10, 3.04)
HR: None.

E: Ugueto (13, fielding), Woodard (1, throw).
PB: Sanchez, J (4).

From miraclebaseball.com: It was the Adam Ottavino show on Monday night as the Palm Beach starter went eight innings, allowing the only four hits of the night, as his Cardinals shutout the Fort Myers Miracle 4-0 at Roger Dean Stadium. Ottavino, who improved to 5-5 behind his seven strikeouts, handed the Miracle the 16th clean-sheet this season.

Ottavino, a first-round draft pick of the St. Louis Cardinals a year ago, proved his worth against the Miracle by retiring 19 of his final 20 Miracle hitters on the night. The first of four Palm Beach runs came across in the fifth inning as James Rapoport’s fielder’s choice brought home A.J. Van Slyke for the 1-0 lead.

One of two Miracle errors on the night led to the first of two runs in the sixth, before Van Slyke’s RBI-single gave the Cardinals a three-run lead. The final run for the hosts came from another fielder’s choice in the seventh, this one by Ian Church, proved to be more than enough run support for Ottavino.

The Miracle had two scoring chances early on Monday night but couldn’t take advantage of either situation. Brian Dinkelman smashed a one-out triple in the first, but was stranded at third as Luis Ugueto and Erik Lis both grounded out to short to end the inning. With two outs in the second, Javi Sanchez popped up to Isaias Garcia at second to strand runners at first and third.

The finale of the four-game series will take place at 6:35 p.m. on Tuesday night. The Miracle will try to avoid their third sweep of the year sending RHP Jay Rainville (3-7, 3.50) to the mound against RHP Robert Ransom (0-0, 2.70) for Palm Beach.

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Beloit 5 at Cedar Rapids 9

Record 2-3

W: W. Madrigal (3-3, 3.31); L: J. Lugo (2-3, 4.87)
HR: CED: M. Trumbo (7).

E: Singleton (15, throw).
PB: Ramos (3).

From kernels.com: The Cedar Rapids Kernels rallied from a five run deficit with four runs in the bottom of the seventh and five runs in the bottom of the eighth to take a 9-5 win from the Beloit Snappers in front of 2,407 fans on a WMT AM 600 Belly Buster Monday at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids.

The comeback was capped by Mark Trumbo’s 3 run home run in the bottom of the eighth off Beloit reliever Jose Lugo. The home run was Trumbo’s seventh of the season and put the Kernels ahead at 7-5.

Kernels starter Trevor Bell was roughed up for five runs on nine hits over 3 innings. Blake Holler came on to hold the Snappers to four hits over four innings and Warner Madrigal (3-3) picked up the win as he struck out two over two innings.

The Kernels had 11 hits on the night as Able Nieves was 3 for 4 with a double; Matt Sweeney was 2 for 4 with a double and RBI and Julio Perez was 2 for 4 with 2 RBI.

A scary moment occurred in the top of the third inning as Beloit left fielder Danny Santiesteban collided with Kernels catcher Jon Hodach on a play at the plate. Santiesteban was safe on the play, but both players remained on the ground for several minutes. Hodach was assisted from the field and taken to a local hospital for observation and Santiesteban was subbed for by Danny Berg.

The win improves the Kernels second half record to 2-3 (40-34 overall). Beloit falls to 2-3.

The Kernels and Snappers square off Tuesday at noon as part of Z 102.9 Lunch at the Ballpark. Fans can enjoy a triple play combo special of a regular sandwich, soda or beer and chips or popcorn for just five bucks. Gates open at 11 am.

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Kernels pop past Snappers

Beloit had led 5-0

By Beloit Daily News staff

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Beloit Snappers had a 5-0 lead and were cruising before running into a little speed bump Monday night.

Then, they ran into a giant corncob road block in the form of Mark Trumbo.

A massive meltdown in the seventh and eighth by the Snappers' bullpen gave the Cedar Rapid Kernels a 9-5 win. Beloit's normally reliable bullpen gave up five runs over the final two innings, highlighted by Jose Lugo giving up four hits and four runs - three earned - in just 1/3 of an inning with the big blow being a three-run bomb by Trumbo in the eighth.

Cole Devries started the game for Beloit and didn't have any problems until the seventh. After holding Cedar Rapids scoreless through six, Devries relinquished three straight hits, a walk and a wild pitch before giving way to Dan Leatherman with one away. Leatherman gave up a bases loaded single, scoring two, before recording the last two outs to end the rally. Devries finished with five strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings, giving up five runs -four earned -while walking two and giving up five hits.

The Snappers still led by one in the eighth before Lugo (2-3) gave up Trumbo's one-out homer to put the Kernels up 7-5. Two walks and two singles gave Cedar Rapids (2-3) its final two runs.

Beloit (2-3) jumped on the board with two runs in the first, one in the second and two in the third to account for all its scoring. Joe Benson, Matt Betsill, and Eli Tintor started the game with three straight singles and Wilson Ramos added a one-out RBI single to put Beloit up 2-0.

Tintor added an RBI single in the second to score Steve Singleton while Singleton added a two-out RBI single in the third. Yancarlos Ortiz hit a ringing RBI double after Singleton's knock to end Beloit's scoring.

The Snappers take on Cedar Rapids for three more games before returning home on Friday to host Clinton at 6:30 p.m.

PARMELEE SALUTED: The Minnesota Twins named Snappers' outfielder Chris Parmelee their Minor League Player of the Week for the dates June 16-22.

During that span, Parmelee batted .384 (5-13) with one home run and three RBIs. He was the Twins' first-round pick (20th overall) in the 2006 June draft.

Elizabethton 20 at Princeton 6

Record 5 - 0

W: D. Bromberg (1-0, 4.70); L: C. Andujar (0-1, 37.80)
HR: ELI: R. Leveret (2).

E: De Los Santos (2, throw).

From MiLB.com: Ozzie Lewis went 5-for-7 and drove in four runs as unbeaten Elizabethton pummeled host Princeton, 20-6, on Monday.

Lewis hit three doubles and two singles to lift his batting average to .467. Rene Leveret went 3-for-6 with a two-run homer, his second, and three runs scored.

Rene Tosoni had three hits and four runs scored, while Rodolfo Palacios and Estarlin De Los Santos each had three hits for the Twins (5-0).

Elizabethton starter David Bromberg (1-0) allowed two hits and two walks and struck out 10 in five scoreless innings to record his first career win.

Devil Rays starter Chris Andujar (0-1) surrendered eight runs -- seven earned -- on seven hits and two walks, fanning one in 1 2/3 innings.

Omar Luna had two hits and two RBIs for Princeton (2-3).

Is that David's brother they took in the draft out of Palasades? I forgot to ask him before he left and I'm too lazy to e-mail him. Nice to see Big Sweaty get the win.

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GCL Twins 12 at GCL Pirates 3

Current Record: 4 - 1

W: S. Arias (1-0, 0.00); L: R. Delossantos (0-1, 5.63)
HR: TWI: K. Harvey (1), J. Richardson (1). PIR: C. Rosero (1).

Ken Harvey, on rehab and Juan Richards each hit home runs, accounting for 5 runs between the 2 of them as the Twins demolished the Pirates in Bradenton, 12-3.

The Twins put their opponents in a hole early, when Richardson reached on a fielding error by shortshop Chad Rice, and then stole second base. Andrew Schmiesing's single plated him. James Beresford drove in Alexander Soto, while Schmiesing was brought in by Jeanfred Brito's grouder. Yangervis Solarte singled to bring in Beresford, and the Pirates found themselves down 5-0.

santos Arias went six innings for the Twins, allowing only 1 hit, but striking out only 2. All three Pirates runs came late in the game, with Jakub Toufar pitching. He would give up 3 runs on 2 hits and a walk, including a home run to Ciro Rosero.

Harvey's home run did damage in the six with 2 outs, as he brought in Ben Revere. Schmiesing's double put him in position to score despite Jeanfred Brito hitting into a double play. Carlos Silva's throwing error allowed Nick Biagini to score in the inning as well, before Richardson's ground out retired the side.

Richardson redeemed himself in the 8th through, with his home run bringing in Revere Biagini.

Beresford was 3-for-5 with 1 run and 1 RBI, Schmiesing was 3-for-5 with 2 runs and 1 RBI, Soto was 2-for-4 with 1 run, and Jon Waltenbury was 2-for-5.

The Twins take on the Reds at home today, with Liam Hendriks expected to start for the home town team.

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