Sharks rip los Tigres

Photo courtesy of los Tiburones de La Guaira

Aragua 2 at La Guaira 6

W: S. Randolph (1-1, 2.57); L: B. Bass (2-1, 2.31); SV: G. Casadiego (1)
HR: ARA: W. Romero (2).

Brian Bass (Minnesota) allowed 5 runs (earned) on 6 hits and 1 walk while striking out 4 over 3.2 innings to suffer his first loss of the Venezuelan Winter League season Friday. The Tigres were largely offensiveless, falling before los Tiburones attack and narrowly missing being shut out by La Guaira.

Jose Martinez (St Louis) opened with a triple in the 3rd inning for the Tigres, but Shark's starter Stephen Randolph (F/A) puched out Jesus Feliciano (NY Mets), Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) and Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) to end the inning. The Tigers also got two runners on base in the 4th, but former Miracle Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) hit into a double play and Wilfredo Romero (F/A) struck out looking to end the side.

Gregor Blanco (Atlanta) put the Sharks on the board in the first period when he was driven in by Luis Hernandez (Baltimore). Louis Oliveros (Seattle) drove in one run in the second inning, while the another came off a sac-fly by Jorge Velandia (F/A).

Oliveros would go 2-for-3 in the game with a double and finish up with 3 RBIs. Chris Carter (Boston) was also 2-for-3 for the Sharks while Blanco finished off 2-for-4.

Maza doubled his way onto base in the ninth before Romero slugged one over the wall off reliever Jose Romero (Milwaukee). Romero then put runners on first and second before Gerardo Casadiego (Colorado) was called in to deal the last two outs, getting his first save of the season.

Frank Mata (Minnesota) pitched 2.1 innings for the Tigres, allowing no hits or run, but striking out only 1 during his time on the mound.

Rodriguez was 0-for-3 with a walk, while Maza finished up 1-for-4 with a double and a run.

The Tigres face los Leones del Caracas on Saturday at 5:30 PM AST and Sunday at 1:00 PM AST for a home-and-home series to finish off third "week feline".

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Baisley lead Dogs to late inning victory

Scottsdale 2 at Phoenix 3 (10 innings)

W: C. Hernandez (1-0, 0.00); L: C. Muniz (0-1, 3.00)
HR: None.

Jeff Baisley (Oakland) hit his 3rd double of the season out to left field to score Matt Macri (Minnesota), giving the Phoenix Desert Dogs a dramatic 3-2 win over the Scottsdale Scorpians Friday in Phoenix.

The win gives Phoenix a 12-8 record on the season, putting them 1 game ahead of Mesa in the East Division standings with just under a dozen games left to play.

Jeff Fiorentino (Baltimore) had singled to start out the bottom of the 10th, and moved to second on sac-bunt by Minnesota's Trevor Plouffe. Macri would reach on a field's choice which took Fiorentino out at 3rd. That set the stage for Baisley to bring in the game winning run.

Scottsdale lead the game early when Sergio Santos (Toronto) doubled in the 2nd inning off former Miracle Anthony Swarzak (Minnesota). Ground outs by Mike Carp (NY Mets) and Ryan Patterson (Toronto) were a costly way for the Scorpians to go, but did get the job done as Santos came over the plate for the early lead.

That would be on the only run Swarzak would give up, allowing 2 hits and striking out 2 in 3 innings worth of work. He was replaced by Ryan Mullins (Minnesota) who worked another 3 innings, allowing 1 hit and strking out 3.

Meanwhile Greg Smith (Arizona), Eddie Camacho (NY Mets) and Tampa's Nick DeBarr combined to limit the Dogs to only 4 hits over the first 7 innings.

Scottsdale would added to their lead, but not until the 8th inning. Oakland's Jeff Gray allowed a single to John Jaso (Tampa Bay) and a walk to Reid Brignac (Tampa Bay) before hitting Aaron Cunningham (Arizona) with a pitch to load the bases. This promped a pitching change which brought in Baltimore's Bob McCrory for the Dogs. A passed ball by catcher Raul Padron (oakland) allowed Jaso to score before McCrory could retire the side.

The Scorpians would go with Scott Munter (San Francisco) in the 8th. Fiorentino would reach on a fielding error by Santos and then would steal 2nd. Plouffe's ground ball deflected off Scottdale first baseman Carp, which proved to be enough to bring Santos in. Macri drew a walk. The Scorpians then changed pitchers, going with the New York Mets' Carlos Muniz. Baisley would fly out before Jason Delaney (Pittsburgh) singled to plate Plouffe and tie the game.

A fly out and a pair of ground outs ended Scottsdale's 9th inning bid, and while Muniz did allow a single to Padron, he'd get a pick off to first and faced only three Dogs batters in the inning.

Drew Butera (Minnesota) was inserted into the game to replace Padron in the 10th, but would not get a chance at the plate. The Dog's Chris Hernandez (Pittsburgh) allowed a single to Manny Burriss (San Francisco) in the top of the 10th, but Butera caught Burriss stealing 2nd, and a Reid Brignac (Tampa Bay) fly out ended the side to bring up Phoenix for their extra inning rally.

Plouffe would end up 1-for-2 at the plate with a pair of walks and 1 RBI, Macri, at 3rd base, was 0-for-4 with a walk and a run.

Phoenix hosts the Peoria Javelinas Saturday at 12:35 PM MST. The Javelina's lost Friday, 11-5 to the Peoria Saguaros. Detroit's Scott Sizemore would go 3-for-4 at the plate with 2 runs and 1 RBI for the Saguaros, while catcher Nick Hundley (San Diego) drove in 3.

The Javelina's trail West division leading Surprise by 1 game, while Saguaros sits 6 games back in that division. The Solar Sox fell to the Rafters 10-3 Friday.

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Tigres claw out win against La Guaira

Aragua 4 at La Guaira 3

W: R. Garcia (1-0, 0.69); L: R. Palma (1-2, 6.52); SV: F. Butto (2)
HR: ARA: W. Romero (1).

The Tigres took a 2 run lead out of the first inning and managed to hang on against the los Tiburones to take a 4-3 win over La Guaira Thursday.

Former Miracle Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) doubled a fly ball out to right to get things started and was plated by a Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) ground ball single. Mike Aviles (Kansas City) doubled to bring Cedeno in. Luis Maza's (LA Dogers) ground ball to right scored Aviles and drove La Guaira starter Ricardo Palma (F/A) from the mound. Luis Pena (Milwaukee) would walk Willie Romero (F/A) before getting the third out to retire the side.

Aragua starter Horacio Estrada (F/A) let the Sharks onto the board when Gregor Blanco (Atlanta) singled his way onto base, worked his way around on a ground out and a single and came home on Oscar Salazar's (Baltimore) ground ball to center. But Estrada found the next two outs to end the inning.

La Guaira cut into the Cat's lead in the 5th when Salazar doubled, moved to 3rd on a Chris Carter (Boston) single and scored crossed the plate when Ron Acuna (F/A) ground into a double play.

Romero homered in the top of the 6th though to get the point back for los Tigres.

Acuna doubled for the home team in the bottom of the 7th and come home on an Alejandro Freire (F/A) single coupled with a fielding error by Romero. The Tigres shut down the Tiburones for the rest of the game however to preserve the win.

Jose Mijares (Minnesota) pitched .2 innings allowing 1 hit for Aragua, while former Miracle Victor Moreno (Baltimore) went 1.1 innings, allowing an unearned run (on Romero's error) on 2 hits while striking out 4.

Rodriguez finished off the game 1-for-4 at the plate with a run and a walk, while Maza also when 1-for-4, but with 1 RBI.

The two teams rematch Friday at 7:30 PM AST.

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Duensing, Outman shut out Saguaros

Team USA 3 at Peo Saguaros 0

W: J. Outman (1-1, 3.95); L: W. Wright (0-1, 6.08); SV: N. Musser (1)
HR: None.

Brian Duensing (Minnesota) and Josh Outman (Philadelphia) combined to hold the Peoria Saguaros to 7 hits over 8 innings in a blanking at the Peoria Sports Complex on Thursday.

This was Team USA's last warm up game before heading to the IBaF World Cup tournament in Chinese Taipei which starts Novemember 6th.

Duensing, a member of the 2006 Miracle, pitched 4 innings allowing 4 hits while striking out 2. Outman, who spend part of the 2007 season with the FSL Clearwater Phillies, allowed 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 3 in 4 innings.

The game was held scoreless until the top of the sixth inning. Jason Jaramillo (Philadelphia) singled off Saguaros Wesley Wright (LA Dodgers) to get on base. Colby Rasmus (St Louis) hit a double out left which put Jaramillo on 3rd. He'd cross the plate on Jayson Nix's (Colorado) ground out.

Team USA then added a pair of insurance runs in the top of the 7th. Delywn Young (LA Dodgers) and Andy LaRoache (LA Dodgers) both singled off Wright to get things moving. After Evan Longaria (Tampa Bay) lined out, Tyler Colvin (Chicago Cubs) would hit a soft line drive to center that brought in Young. LaRoche came home on Jaramillo's sac-fly to right.

Neal Musser (Kansas City) picked up the save in the game, shutting down the Saguaros in the ninth with a ground out and 2 fly outs.

Duensing pitched a total of 6 innings against AFL Teams, posting a 1.50 ERA and allowing only 1 run off 6 hits while striking out 3. The lefty from Marysville, Kansas, is not the only Twins prospect participating in the tournament. New Britain infielder Luke Hughes and right handed pitcher Josh Hill were named to Team Australia for the tournament. (Note: I could not find rosters for the other countries, so there could be several more prospects on the European teams.)

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Former Miracle Alexi Casilla is batting .238 with 3 runs off 5 hits in 21 at bats (5 games) for the Gigantes del Cibao in Domincan Winter League Play. Former Miracle Julio DePaula is also on the team, but has only pitched .1 inning since the Giants began play on October 17th. Hurricane Noel has taken it's toll on the team schedule, as the last 5 games have been postponed due to rain.

Dogs pick up late inning win

Peo Saguaros 3 at Phoenix 4

W: E. Morlan (1-0, 0.00); L: J. Anderson (0-2, 3.60)
HR: PES: T. Gosewisch (1).

Ryan Sweeney (Chicago White Sox) singled, stoled 2nd, moved to 3rd on Jason Delaney's (Pittsburgh) fly out, then came home on a Nolan Reimold (Baltimer) single to break open a 3-3 tie in the bottom fo the 9th inning and give the Phoenix Desert Dogs a 4-3 win over the Peoria Saguaros Wednesday afternoon.

Former Miracle pitcher Eduardo Morlan (Minnesota) struck out 2 batters in the 9th inning to pick up the win, his first of the 2007 Arizona Fall League season.

Peoria took an early lead when Greg Golson's (Philadelphia) doubled, then was plated on Scott Sizemore's (Detroit) single to put the Saguaros on the board. Dog's starter Jack Egbert (Chicago white Sox) gave up the run to the first 2 batters he faced.

Golson would hurt Egbert again in the 3rd, singling, then stealing 2nd and coming in on Sizemore's line drive.

However, the Desert Dogs would tie the game up in the bottom of the inning, starting out with a pair of walks by Blake Davis (Baltimore) and Matt Macri (Minnesota). Sweeney then tried for a sac-bunt, but reached base on throwing error by Greg Miller (LA Dodgers). Delaney doubled to drive in the first two runners, but a pitcher change paid dividends for the Saguaros, as Phoenix was not able to get anything else.

Tuffy Gosewisch (Philadelphia) homered off David Haehnel (Baltimore) in the 5th to again put Peoria on top.

Burke Badenhop (Detroit) would walk Reimold in the 5th, which would prove costly when Reimold made it to 3rd on Trevor Plouffe's (Minnesota) ground ball single, then crossed the plate on Drew Butera's (Minnesota) line drive to tie up the game again.

It would stay that way until Sweeney's late inning heroics ended it with the Dogs on top.

Macri was back at 3rd base for the Dogs, and was 1-for-4 with a walk and a run. He doubled in the 1st inning, but the Dog's could not capitalize, and he was left stranded. Plouffe was 1-for-4, and Buetera was 2-for-4 with 1 RBI.

Phoenix takes Thursday off, before hosting Scottsdale on Friday.

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The Twins announced that former Miracle pitcher Jason Miller, a Sarasota, Florida, native, as re-signed to a minor league contract as were pitchers Armando Gabino and Josh Hill. The Twins remain in talks with Felix Molina, Trent Oeltjen and Rochester pitcher Brian Bass.

Miller, who was treated to a major league call up last season, posted a 1-5 record in AAA Rochester with a 3.94 ERA. He appeared in 31 games, pitching 75.1 innings. Hill, who began the season with the Miracle was promoted to AA New Britain, recording a 3-2 record with a 4.36 ERA in 16 appearances (53.2) innings with the Rock Cats. His record was the same in Fort Myers (3-2) where he posted a 3.00 ERA in 17 games (39.0 innings). Gabino also enjoyed a call up to New Britain after starting the season with the Low A Beloit Snappers. Gambino pitched in 10 games (16 innings) for the Rock Cats, were he allowed 4 runs (all unearned) on 12 hits and 8 walks. He had a 2-0 record with the Cats and picked up 4 saves during his time in New Britain.

Tigres double up Navegantes, 10-5

Magallanes 5 at Aragua 10

W: K. Middleton (2-0, 1.71); L: C. Hernandez (1-2, 5.40)
HR: MAG: E. Alfonzo (1), E. Andrus (1).

The defending Venezuelan Winter League Champion Tigres de Aragua put four runs on the board in the 2nd inning and continued to pound out runs against los Navegantes del Magallenes, finishing off with a 10-5 victory over the visiting team.

Mike Aviles (Kansas City) tripled to get things started in the 2nd, followed by Ruben Salazar (F/A) taking a walk to first. Raul Chavez (NY Yankees) singled out to left to plate Aviles. Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) then singled to load up the bases. Willie Romero's (F/A) double cleared them out again, although Maza was taken out at home plate. Still the three runs were worrysome to the Navegantes who brought Jose Rodriguez (Houston) into the game to replace Carlos Hernandez (F/A) on mound. No worries for the Tigres though, as Jose Martinez (St Louis) singled to score Romero. Jesus Feliciano (NY Mets) hit into a double play to end the inning.

The Navigators took one back in the top of the 3rd when former Miracle Erold Andrus (Tampa Bay) homered off starter Kyle Middleton (Houston). Middleton went on to work 5.1 innings, allowing 3 runs (all earned) on 6 hits and 1 walk while striking out 3.

Salazar would reach in the bottom of the fourth on a fielding error by former Miracle Jesus Merchan (Philadelphia). Chavez then doubled, but Salazar would not go home until Martinez it into a ground out after Romero was intentionally walked.

Aragua added to their lead in the 5th, when former Rochester middle infielder Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) and Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) both singled their way onto base. Aviles would fly out and Salazar would strike out, before a Chavez singled scored the pair.

Middleton got into trouble in the 6th, when he walked Andrus, and then allowed a home run to Edgardo Alfanzo (F/A). He got Marcos Vechionacci (NY Yankees) out on strikes but allowed Richard Hildago (F/A) to double. That would finish it up for Middleton, as Yohan Pino (Minnesota) came out to the mound. Pino got Mark Saccomanno (Houston) out on strikes, while a Luke Scott (Houston) fly out retired the side.

The Tigers were not distressed though, As Feliciano singled, and Rogriguez walked his way onto the bags. A wild pitch by Jean Machi (Toronto) moved the pair. He'd strike out Cedeno, then walked Aviles to get at Salazer. Aragua inserted Alex Nunez (F/A) into the game as a pinch hitter though, and his ground ball single brough in Feliciano. The Navigators then brought Jim Magrane (Washington) onto the mound. He'd walk Chavez to force in run before taking Maza out on strikes.

Pino would walk Jorge Cortes (Chicago Cubs) in the top of the 7th, but Cortez ended up stranded at 2nd at the end of the inning.

Aragua's offense continued to roar however, as Romero scored off a Rodriguez single.

Rochester's Bobby Korecky (Minnesota) replaced Pino for the top of the 8th inning, allowing Singles to Richard Hidalgo (F/A) and Scott, before Cortes would double the pair in. However, Hector Gimenez (Houston) ground out to end the inning, and the scoring, as Francisco Butto (F/A) allowed only a single in the 9th before sending Magallanes back to the dugout.

Aragua plays a pair against LaGuaira on Thursday and Friday at 7:30 PM AST before returning home to face Caracas on Saturday at 5:30 PM AST.

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Brian Buscher was named the Twins Minor League player of the year for 2007, while former Miracle starter Kevin Slowey earned the 2007 Twins Minor League Pitcher of the year honors.

Buscher had 21 runs on 41 hits in 40 games (132 at bats) for the Rochester Red Wings. He earned his promotion mid-season from New Britain, after batting .308 (37 runs, 76 hits, 247 at bats) while knocking in 37 runs in AA. Buscher was selected by the Twins in the minor league protion of the 2006 Rule V draft. He played previously in the San Francisco Giants organization.

A Jacksonville, Florida, native, Buscher has a .275 average with the Tigres, with 7 runs on 11 hits in 11 games (40 at bats) while batting in 1 during the first 2 weeks of the season feline.

Slowey posted a 10-5 record for the Wings, with a 1.89 ERA, allowing 31 runs on 110 hits in 133.2 innings pitched through 20 games. Slowey allowed only 4 home runs and walked only 18 batters during 20 appearances with Rochester in 2007.

Blackburn, Desert Dogs shut out Rafters

Surprise 0 at Phoenix 6

W: N. Blackburn (3-0, 2.08); L: F. Rodriguez (1-1, 6.14)
HR: PDD: N. Reimold (4).

Minnesota's Nick Blackburn pitched four innings of 1 hit baseball, striking out 5 before handing the game over to his relief staff. Phoenix limited Surprise to a total of 3 hits in the game in route to 6-0 blanking of the Rafters at Phoenix Municiple Stadium.

Blackburn struck out the first two pitchers he faced and reitred the side on a fly ball to set the stage for the Phoenix offense. Nyjer Morgan (Pittsburgh) tripled to lead if off and was plated by Matt Macri's (Minnesota) sac-fly. Ryan Sweeney (Chicago White Sox) drew a walk off Surprise starter Fernando Rodridguez Jr. (LA Angels), who suffered the loss in the game. Jeff Baisley (Oakland) followed that up with a single, before Jason Delaney's (Pittsbugh) ground ball brough Sweeney home. Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh) would pick up a single as well, but Chris Getz (Chicago White Sox) hit into a double play to end the inning with the bases loaded.

Rafter Scott Feldman (Texas) did not fair much better against the Dog's batters. He got Baisley and Delaney out on ground balls to start off the sixth inning, but McCutchen picked up a single, then stole 2nd. Getz took a walk and then Nolan Reimold (Baltimore) went yard to add three more to the Dog's total.

Morgon crossed the plate again in the 7th, brought in on a combination of a single by Sweeney and a fielding error by Chris Lubanski (Kansas City).

The Rafters got runners as far as 2nd in the top of the 6th and 8th innings, but were largely toothless in the contest.

Macri would finish off the game 1-for-3 at the plate with 1 RBI. A dark horse candidate for the Twins 3rd base job, Macri played Tuesday game at shortstop.

Blackburn's win was his 3rd of the season, as he lowered his era to 2.08.

The Dogs remain at home against the Peoria Saguaros on Wednesday for a 12:35 PM MST game.

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Tigres nearly toothless against La Guaira

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

La Guaira 5 at Aragua 2

W: D. Carrasco (1-0, 2.04); L: C. Bailey (1-2, 4.58); SV: J. Albaladejo (2)
HR: None.

The Tigres could get little offense going Tuesday against La Guaira, managing only six hits in route to a 5-2 loss at the hands of los Tiburones.

Aragua actually got on the board early, when Jesus Feliciano (NY Mets) singled to start things off and was followed onto the bags by Luis Mara (LA Dodgers). Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) reached on a fielding error by Boston's Chris Carter to load the bases. Mike Aviles (Kansas City) then hit into a force out that took Feliciano out at home. A similar play failed however, when Alex Romero (Arizona) reached first and Maza scampered home to put the Tigres on the board with only 1 out. But Martin Prado (Atlanta) would ground into a double play to finish off the first.

The Sharks got things moving in the 5th inning when Chicago Cubs starter Cory Bailey began to tire. Ron Acuna (F/A) knocked a ground ball to center to get on base, and Carlos Fernandez-Oliva (Boston) laid down a lovely bunt to follow him onto the basepaths. A sac-bunt by Alvin Colina (Cincinnati) moved the pair around. Danny Sandoval (Philadelphia) then cracked out triple out to right that brought them in. New York Yankee's catcher Raul Chavez managed to pick Sandoval off at 3rd, but Bailey issued a walk to Atlanta's Gregor Blanco. Cesar Suarez's (Tampa Bay) single put two runners on at which point the Tigres called for a pitcher change.

Former Miracle Oswaldo Sosa (Minnesota) came onto the mound for Aragua. I believe this was his first appearance of the season, despite being on the roster from the start. Alex Sanchez (Chicago White Sox) greeted him with a single that plated Blanco. Oscar Salazar (Baltimore) took a walk to load the bags, and Carter's single out to center scored 2 more runners. Acuna would fly out to end the long inning.

Los Tigres threatened for a time in the sixth, but could not get a runner past 2nd base against La Guaira's defense.

Aragua used a pair of walks, a wild pitch and a throwing error by Sandoval to get Cedeno over the plate in the bottom of the 8th, but Jonathan Albaladejo (Washington) got Prado to ground out to end the inning, then shut down the Tigres in the ninth.

Shark's starter D.J. Carrasco (Arizona) would pick up the win for La Guaira, while Bailey absorbed the loss for the Tigers.

Maza as 1-for-4 with a run for the Aragua, while Romero (Arizona) was 0-for-4 with 1 RBI.

Aragua takes on Magallanes Wednesday at 7:30 PM AST before playing a pair against the Sharks on Thursday and Friday.

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Minnesota's Brian Bass was named Aragua's player of the week, collecting 2 wins in starts during the 3rd week of Venezuelan Winter League Action droping his ERA to 0.46. Last Tuesday in Maracay, he worked 5 innings, facing 17 batters allowed only 3 hits and struck out 2. Four days later against Margarita he worked 6.1 innings, allowing 3 hits and striking out 3. Kansas City's Mike Avilas received honorable mention in "the week feline". Tigres

Twins release Betsill, Powers

Two former Miracle players were part of a group of nine prospects released by the Twins this week.

Matt Betsill, who started his season with Fort Myers ended up in Beloit for the second half of the season. He hit .213 for the Class A Snappers, picking up 42 hits in 197 at bats and recording 10 runs including 3 home runs. Betsill hit .155 (20 hits, 129 at bats) with Fort Myers before his demotion.

RHP Danny Powers also received his release. Powers was one of several pitchers that came down from New Britain the 2nd half of the season. He posted a 1.29 ERA in 14 innings with the Miracle in 2007. In 2006 he had 6-2 record with a 3.10 ERA in 58.0 innings. Powers posted a 2-5 record with the AA New Britian Rock Cats earlier in the season, with a 5.28 ERA in 59.2 innings pitched.

Another Rock Cat's pitcher that was released was righthander Jesse Floyd. Floyd's 130 innings pitched led the Rock Cats, but his 7-9 record with a 5.05 ERA was nothing to get excited about. Floyd was taken in the minor league protion of the Rule V draft by the Twins in December of 2006.

Lefthander Jesus Carnevales, who joined the Twins this season as a non-draft free agent, was released after spending time with the Beloit Snappers. The reliever had a 5-5 record with the Snappers with a 4.04 ERA in 55.2 innings.

Released from Rookie League Elizabethon was left handed pitcher Michael Rogers, and right hander Jose Castillo. Rogers had a promising start with the GCL Twins in 2004, but was plagued with injuries there after, missing all of the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Castillo was 5-1 with a 2.25 ERA in 36 innings pitched for the Apply League Champions.

Outfielder Wesley Connor was also released after 2 years with the Elizebethton Twins. Conner posted a .293 average in 140 at bats, appearing in 40 games for the Betsy Twins.

Rookies Jose Acosta and Nick Biagini were also cut. Acosta posted a 2-0, 3.18 ERA record in 22.2 innings pitched with the GCL Twins. Biagini, a free agent signee out out of the University of Minnesota appeared in 23 games for the GCL Twins, with a .258 batting average (17 hits, 66 AB).

In related moves the Twins signed former Miracle Tommy Watkins to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. Shortstop Alejandro Machado, who spend the season on the disabled list after being picked up in the Rule V draft by the Twins, was signed to the same type of contract.

Both are expected to start the 2008 season with Triple-A Rochester.

Errors costly in Dogs defeat

Phoenix 2 at Surprise 3

W: M. Finocchi (2-0, 0.00); L: J. Gray (0-2, 5.63)
HR: SUR: S. Rodriguez (2).

The Surprise Rafter rallied back after Cleveland's Adam Miller gave up two runs to the Desert Dogs in the first, to take a late inning win.

Nyjer Morgan (Pittsburgh) singled his way onto base on a ground ball. After Chris Getz (Chicago White Sox) had popped out, Matt Macri (Minnesota) doubled, putting 2 men on. Jeff Baisley (Oakland) struck out, but Jason Delaney's (Pittsburgh) line drive to right scored the pair. Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh) would ground into a force out to end the inning.

That would be all Phoenix would get through as Miller went on to work 2 more nnings, while a series of six different relievers held the Dogs to only 3 more hits in the game.

Hayden Penn (Baltimore) made the start for Phoenix. A fielding error by Morgan put Trevor Crowe (Cleveland) on the basepaths, moving all the way to 2nd. German Duran's (Texas) line drive out to right plated him to cut the Dogs lead in half. Duran would be caught trying to stretch his hit to a double and Chris Dickerson (Cincinnati) ground out, while Craig Tatum (Cincinnati) flew out to end the inning.

James Simmons (Oakland) replaced Penn in the fourth. Sean Rodriguez (LA Angles) would greet him in the bottom of the 5th with a Rafters' home run that tied up the score.

The score would stay tied until the bottom of the ninth. A throwing error by former Miracle Trevor Plouffe (Minnesota) let Tatum onto first base. Elvis Andrus came in as a pinch runner to replace him and would move to 2nd on Kila Kaailue's (Kansas City) fly out. John Maybury's (Texas) ground out moved him to 3rd, and he scored on Ben Johnson's (LA Angels) single to end the game, giving the Rafters the win.

Macri would go 1-for-3 at the plate with a walk and a run. Plouffe was 0-for-3. Eddie Morlan worked 1 inning for the Dogs, striking out 1.

The two teams rematch tomorrow in Phoenix for a 12:35 PM MST game.

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Tigres savor victory over Los Bravos

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Margarita 1 at Aragua 4

W: B. Bass (2-0, 0.46); L: M. Connolly (1-2, 3.94); SV: Y. Pino (1)
HR: MAR: R. Reyes (2). ARA: M. Aviles (4), J. Martinez (2).

Brian Bass (Minnesota) silence the Margarita offensive to reach his second victory of the Venezuelan Winter League season. Bass work 6.1 innings, allowing 3 hits and striking out 3.

Yohan Pino (Minnesota) picked up the game save, coming in to face one batter and get the final out.

Michael Connolly (Kansas City) suffered the defeat with a performance of 6 innings, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits while striking out 3.

The only Braves run came off a Rene Reyes (F/A) home run in the ninth off Francisco Butto (F/A).

Bobby Koreckey (Minnesota) pitched 1 inning in relief for the Tigres, striking out 2 during his outing.

Brian Buscher (Minnesota) sat out his second straight game. Former Miracle Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) was 2-for-4 at the plate. Alex Romero (Arizona) was inserted into the game late and did not bat.

Kansas City's Mike Aviles had 2 for the Tigres runs, including a home run in the sixth inning.

Note: MLB has decided we don't need the game logs anymore, and neither the Tigres or the Bravos site was not particularly forthcoming, so this was the best I could do.

The Tigres rest up on Monday and return to action on Tuesday against the La Guaira.

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International Play does not agree with Dogs

Phoenix 2 at Team USA 3

W: N. Musser (1-0, 0.00); L: D. Haehnel (1-2, 9.45); SV: C. Booker (1)
HR: None.

L.A.Dodger Delwyn Young was 3-for-4 at the plate with a 1 run as Team USA slid past the Phoenix Desert Dogs Saturday.

The Dogs got onto the board first, in the 4th inning, when Jeff Baisley (Oakland) singled out to center with one out and then moved over to 2nd on Matt Macri's (Minnesota) ground ball to left. A wild pitch by former Miracle Brian Duensing (Minnesota) put Baisley on 3rd. He'd come home on Andrew McCutchen's (Pittsburgh) ground out to short. Ryan Sweeney (Chicago White Sox) would pop out to end the inning.

With Jesse Chavez (Pittsburgh) on the mound for Phoenix in the bottom of the 5th, Jason Jaramillo (Philadelphia) drew a walk. Jayson Nix (Colorado) hit into a force out which took Jaramillo down at 2nd. Nix then moved to 2nd on a Colby Rasmus (St. Louis) single and to 3rd on a wild pitch. After shortstop Brian Bixler (Pittsburgh) stuck out swinging, a combination of a single by designated hitter Evan Longoria (Tampa Bay) and a throwing error by Macri, put Nix and Rasmus over the plate to give the lead to Team USA.

Phoenix tied it up again in the top of the sixth when Jason Delaney (Pittsburgh) doubled with 1 out. After Baisley struck out swinging, Macri's line drive out to center brought Delaney over the plate.

It would stay that way until the bottom of the 8th. David Haehnel (Baltimore) came into the game and took Longoria out on strikes. Young's single deflected off Cliff Pennington (Oakland) to put the Dodger's prospect onto base. Andy LaRoche (LA Dodgers) then doubled him in, giving Team USA the go ahead run.

Chris Booker, who played for Columbus of the International League last season, came in for the top of the ninth, taking Baisley out on strikes and getting Macri to ground out. He'd walk McCutchen to get at Sweeney, who struck out swinging to end the game.

Macri was 3-for-4 at the plat with 1 RBI, catcher Drew Butera was 0-for-3 at the bottom of the batting order.

Duensing finished the game with 1 run on 2 hits while striking out 1 in 2 innings, as did former Clearwater Thresher Josh Outman, who struck out 2 during his tenure on the mound.

The Dogs rest on Sunday after a tough week, and will take on the Rafters in Surprise on Monday at 12:35 PM MST.

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Leones down Tigers in extra innings

Photo courtesy of los Leones del Caracas

Aragua 1 at Caracas 2 (14 innings)

W: O. Trias (1-0, 9.00); L: J. Delgado (0-1, 6.75)
HR: None.

It was a LONG game played out on Saturday that lead to former Dunedin Blue Jay Orlando Trias (Toronto) picking up the win for the Leones del Caracas over the Tigres de Aragua.

The Tigres started off the scoring in the 4th inning when Mike Aviles (Kansas City) crossed the plate after Martin Prado (Atlanta) hit into a double play.

Los Leones tied it up in the 7th, when Roger Cedeno (Chicago cubs) hit out to center, moved to 3rd on a Jose Castillo (Pittsburgh) double and was pushed over the plate by Carlos Mendez (Atlanta) ground out to short.

A double by Christian Lara (Boston) with 2 outs plated Mario Lisson (Kansas City) to win the game in overtime.

Former Miracle Alex Romero (Arizona) was 0-for-4 at the plate, Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) was 0-for-6.

Victor Moreno (Baltimore) was charged with the blown save, allowing 1 run on 2 hit sand 2 walks while striking out 1, Jose Mijares (Minnesota) allowed 1 hit while facing only 1 batter, and Frank Mata (Minnesota) went 2.2 innings, striking out 3.

The Tigres take on Magarita on Sunday at 1:00 PM AST, then rest on Monday before facing La Guaira on Tuesday.

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