Scoreboard for May 2, 2008

Beloit 1 at Great Lakes 2

W: M. Ramirez (1-0, 0.00); L: M. Tarsi (0-6, 6.75)
HR: None.

Mike Tarsi dueled Great Lakes' Justin Miller, with both teams staying off the board for seven innings. Joe Benson singled in the top of the 8th and moved to 2nd on Ben Revere's ground out. Garrett Olson singled to get Benz to 3rd, and Chris Parmelee's sac fly brought him over the plate for the first run of the contest.

The Loons wasted no time in retaliation however, with Jaime Ortiz hitting a double out to right field. With one out on the baord, Pedro Baez doubled, trading places with Ortiz. Scott Van Skye found his own double one out later to give Great Lakes a pair of runs.

Tarsi would go the distance allowing both runs on five hits and 1 walks while striking out 6, but would still take the loss despite a delightful performance.

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New Hampshire 6 at New Britain 12

W: K. Aselton (2-0, 1.13); L: S. Richmond (2-3, 6.68)
HR: NHM: J. Butler (3), R. Klosterman (2). NBR: D. Winfree (5).

Toronto's High-A farm team loves to put a hurt on Fort Myers when they come into town. This time, in New Britain, it was the Jays AA farm that found hurt, as the Rock Cats pounded out 12 runs on 11 hits.

A 7-run fourth inning that finished out with a grand slam by David Winfree to center put the Fisher Cats in a seven run hole that they couldn't get out of.

Steve Tolleson was 3-for-3 a walk, 3 doubles, 3 runs, and 2 RBIs; Trevor Plouffe was 2-for-4 with a double and 2 runs. Dustin Martin was 2-for-5 with 2 runs and 2 RBIs.

Luke Hughes was only 1-for-5 with 1 run and 1 RBI, but extended his hit streak to 11 games.

Anthony Swarzak had a tough start, giving up 5 runs on 7 hits and one walk while striking out 3 over 4 innings. Kyle Aselton would earn the win in relief, allowing only one hit and one walks while striking out 4 over 3.

The win gives the Cats a 14-12 record, good for 3rd in the Northern Division between Portland (Bostong) and Trenton (Yankees).

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Rochester 6 at Toledo 4

W: G. Perkins (2-1, 2.97); L: D. Willis (0-1, 3.86); SV: T. Lahey (3)
HR: ROC: D. McDonald (3). TOL: M. Hessman (10).

The Rochester Red Wings used a 3-run fifth inning to top of the Toledo Mud Hens, 6-4. Rochester put two on the board in the 3rd when Tommy Watkins and Denard Span both singled, split by a pop out to Chris Basak. Jason Pridie flew out before Darnell McDonald doubled to bring in the pair.

There would be 2-outs and a pitching change in the top of the 5th before Denard Span walked, then stole second base. A wild pitch saw him to 3rd. With Jason Pridie also drawing a walk, McDonald then homered over the left field wall to drive in the pair.

McDonald would go 3-for-4 with 1 run and 5 RBIs. Watkins and Span were both 2-for-4, Watkins with a run and Span with 2. It was Watkins first game back after being activated from the DL.

Glen Perkins picked up the win, his second of the season, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 2 hits and four walks while striking out four. Tim Lahey picked up his 3rd save of the season, since returning from the Philadelphia organization.

Dontrelle Willis worked 4-2 innings, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits while striking out 4. Detroit's Jeremy Johnson suffered the loss.

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Detroit 1 at Minnesota 11

WP: L. Hernandez (4-1, 4.43), LP: A. Galarraga (2-1, 1.88)
HR: DETt: M. Ordonez (6), MIN: B. Harris (2)

In the majors, Minnesota topped Detroit 11-1. Two former Miracle, Justin Morneau and Jason Kubel were both 3-for-5 in the contest, Morneau with 2 runs and 2 RBIs, Kubel with 1 RBI. Catcher Joe Mauer, another former Miracle, was 2-for-3 with 2 runs and 2 RBIs.

Livan Hernandez picked up the win, allowing only 1 run (earned) on 8 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4 for a nice, quality start.

Detroit's big bats were largely quiet, with Magglio Ordonez providing much of the Tiger's offense.

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Miracle blow early lead, rally back for win

Miss A-Miracle with the Voice of the Miracle, Sean Fox

Clearwater 10 at Fort Myers 11

Record: 17 - 11

W: Z. Day (1-0, 1.29); L: B. Harker (1-1, 1.38); SV: R. Delaney (7)
HR: FTM: E. Ovalle (1).

Juan Portes would make Welinson Baez pay for his fielding error in the bottom of the 6th inning, moving to second on Edward Ovalle's ground ball single, to 3rd on a Wilson Ramos hit, and getting walked in for the game winning run.

This was, of course, after the Miracle thrilled an Educational Day crowd of 2,000+ children by blowing a 8 run lead.

Fidel Hernandez doubled on a line drive and moved to 3rd on a Jay Miller ground out. A Matthew Spencer sac-fly gave Clearwater an early lead. Miracle starter Deolis Guerra struggled early on and would only last 3.1 innings. That was okay though because the Miracle showed him a lot of love.

Portes and Ovalle hit back-to-back singles in the bottom of the second and Ramos followed that up with a double to bring Portes in, tying up the game. After Whit Robbins was called out on strikes, Danny Berg would reach on a fielding error that allowed Ovalle to cross the plate to put the Miracle up by one.

In the bottom of the 3rd, they broke out the bats against Clearwater lefty Daniel Brauer. Rene Tosoni and Danny Santiesteban both singled. Danny Valencia followed up with double to bring the pair in, with Santiesteban nearly running Tosoni over by the time the reached the plate. Portes would strike out, but Ovalle then tripled in Valencia. Ramos singled to score Ovalle. Robbins would knock a fly ball single out to left, and first baseman Danny Berg doubled to score the pair.

The Threshers decided at that point they need to change the pitcher and brought Nate Johnson out to try to stop the bleeding. Yancarlos Ortiz greeted him with a double to bring in Berg. Tosoni would be hit by a pitch, taking a walk. Sadly, Santiesteban ground into a double play to end Fort Myers' romp, but the score was 9-1 at that point.

Brian Dinkleman was injured at the start of the inning when a pop ball struck his neck/collar bone area. I did not get a clear answer as to the extent of the injury - Larry jokingly said he had to be put down - but he did not return to the field. The Miracle would put Tosoni into right, bring Portes into cover 2nd and move Ovalle over to left field.

Mike Eylward drew a walk off Guerra to start the inning. John Urick would double out to center to bring him in. Gus Milner then singled and P.J. Antoniato drew a walk to load the bags. Welinson Baez then hit a fly that Santiesteban could not come up with, bringing in 2. It was evident that Guerra was done at this point, and Matt Fox came out of the bullpen to take over, getting 2 outs to end the inning.

Ovalle homered in the fourth, a single shot to give the Miracle 10.

Spencer hit out to left and Eylward walked. Urick ground into a force out that put runners out the corners. Milner singed out to right to bring in Spencer. Antoniato's ground ball single loaded the bags again allowing Tuffy Gosewisch to hit a line drive out to center, bringing in Urick and Milner. A wild pitch by Fox moved the runners. Baez then hit a fly out to center that jumped the fence for a ground rule double, as the Miracle watched their lead dwindle down to one run. Zach Day would be brought in to end the inning.

A Spencer double out to left and a wild pitch by Zach Day hurt when Urick's ground out allowed the Threshers to tie up the game.

Day would pick up the win however, his first of the season, working 2.2 innings and allowing 1 run on 3 hits while striking out 2.

After Portes saved us from a potential extra inning game, Rob Delaney would be brought out to maintain the one run lead, picking up his 7th save of the year.

The Miracle have defeated Clearwater 9 straight this season, sweeping (just barely) the home series.

Lefty Tyler Robertson (0-1, 2.84) takes to the mound tomorrow as the Miracle see their first East Division team of 2008 with the Daytona Cubs coming to town for a fireworks game.

The Cubs will bring former Miracle Adam Harben - Flood! - (1-3, 5.28) who is expected to make the start - assuming he doesn't live up to his reputation as the "Human Rain Out" that he earned in the 2006 season.

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Mad Drum Skills....





Missy's got 'em!

Beer, Bats overshadow Manship's Magnificence

Clearwater 6 at Fort Myers 11

Record 16 - 11

W: J. Manship (4-0, 3.27); L: D. Byrd (0-4, 9.64)
HR: None.

Local strongman The Mighty Gonzalez may have set a Guinness World Record for lifting a keg of beer over his head Thursday night at Hammond Stadium, but the real story of the evening was Notre Dam grad Jeff Manship.

The Miracle starter held the Clearwater Threshers to only 1 hit over five innings, and finished up allowing 2 runs on four hits while walking 1 and striking out 6 over 6.1 innings. His fourth victory of the season gave new meaning to the word "Quality Start", it was a pity the bullpen could stand up to his level of excellence.

For the beer night crowd however, the Miracle's thunderous bats were of more interest.

The bottom of the second saw Fort Myers take their first run from Clearwater starter Darren Byrd. With one out on the board, Juan Portes singled his way onto base, and was tripled in by Whit Robbins who hit a line drive deep to left field.

Two more runs were added in the bottom of the 3rd with Rene Tosoni leading off with a double. Danny Valencia would be called out on strikes, but Johnny Woodard doubled to switch places with Tosoni. Edward Ovalle's sac bunt moved Woodard to 3rd, and Portes second single of the evening brought him home.

Portes would finish up the night an impressive 4-for-5 with 2 runs, but Woodard run would be his only RBI of the night.

Robbins would strike out to start the bottom of the fifth, but Allan de San Miguel took a walk to get on base. Yancarlos Ortiz singled followed by Brian Dinkelman to bring the Australian catcher in. Tosoni would fly out, but Danny Valencia then doubled in Ortiz and Dinkleman to make it 6-0.

While Manship continued to mow down Threshers, Clearwater decided they needed a fresh face on the mound. Matt German was brought in and was promptly greeted with a Portes single out to right. Robbins drew a free pass before de San Miguel hit a nice towering fly ball that was caught by Quintin Berry in center for the out. Ortiz would strike out swinging for the second out, but the Miracle were not ready to be sat down. Dinkelman singled to bring in Portes. Tosoni and Valencia drew back-to-back walks which forced in a run. Woodard singled in Dinkelman before Ovalle flew out to end the stanza.

The top of the sixth saw Manship give up his second hit of the evening to Jesus Villegas Andino, a single out to right. He would get Berry to ground into a force out, although why Ortiz didn't go for the double play I don't know. He would with P.J. Antonio though, to retire the side.

Manship would strike Matthew Spencer out to start the 7th, but Jake Blalock took a double from him and John Urick a single. With runners at the corners, Miracle field manager Jeff Smith took Manship off the mound bringing in Danny Hernandez. Hernandez had some problems finding the strike zone though and allowed a single to Jay Miller on a full count before he walked Alan Robbins. Welinson Baez saw something he liked off the young reliever and tripled out to center to score three. Danny Vais was then trotted out of the bullpen to replace Hernandez. Andino would reach on a fielders choice that took Baez out at home. Berry would walk before Vais got Antoniato to fly out to get the Miracle out of the inning.

Brian Schittler would take over on the mound for the Threshers and allowed a single to Ortiz to start things off. Dinkelman's ground out moved him to second, and the speedy short stop would fly home on Tosoni's line drive to left. Valencia then doubled in Tosoni to give the Miracle two more, for a grand total of 11.

Tosoni finished up 3-for-2 with a walk and 2 hits. Valencia would go 2-for-4 at the plate with a pair of doubles, accounting for 4 RBIs. Woodard was 2-for-3 with a walk, a run and 2 RBIs in the designed hitter roll, with Robbins working a steady first base through the contest. Dinkleman would go 2-for-5 with 2 runs and 2 RBIs at the top of the order. Ortiz would be 2-for-3 with a walk and 2 runs.

Vais would issue a walk to Blalock but kept Clearwater off the board for the 8th. Jose Lugo did not fair so well in the 9th though, hitting Baez with a pitch to start out and allowing a double to Andino. Berry would strike out and Antoniato would ground out, but Baez scored on the play. A Matt Spencer single saw Andino in before Blalock popped out to Robbins in foul territory.

A long, relatively satisfying game, although I could have done with a little less excitement out of the bullpen.

Delios Guerra (2-1, 3.75) will try to match the performance of Cole Devries on Wednesday and Manship on Thursday as he heads to the mound to start off an educational day game with a 10:35 AM start at Hammond Stadium.

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The Beloit Snappers managed to stick to their winning ways despite a change of scenery to the new Dow Diamond Stadium. A Joe Benson triple lead off the top of the 10th inning. Ben Revere, who was only 1-for-4 on the night, drew a walk. Following a fly out to Ramon Santana, Chris Parmelee singled in Benson for the game winning run. Catcher Jair Fernandez singled in Revere, and a Steve Singleton sac-fly brought in Parmelee to make the final score 5-2 Beloit.

Benson finished up 2-for-4 on the night with 2 runs, and Parmelee went 3-for-4 with 1 run and 1 RBI.

Matt Williams took the win from Great Lakes, his second of the year pitching in relief. David Bromberg allowed 1 run on 2 hits and 3 walks while striking out 9 over 6 innings of work, but had to settle for the no decision.

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Luke Hughes found his 9th home run of the year, a solo shot, in the 8th inning for the Rock Cats Thursday, but it was just icing on the cake as New Britain bounded past Binghamton, 7-4. Jeff Christy would draw a walk in the top of the 6th, move to second on a Hughes grounder, then come home on Dustin Martin's fly ball to center for the eventual game winnter.

Martin would go on to steal 2nd, and Peterson would walk to load the bags. Matt Moses ground into a double play which saw Hughes score.

The Perth native as 4-for-5 for the Cats with 4 runs and 1 RBI in the designated hitter roll. Moses would go 2-for-4 on the night. Newly promoted Toby Gardenhire, again working 3rd base on a team that has moved two potential 3rd baseman into the outfield, was 1-for-3 with a walk.

Ryan Mullins picked up his 2nd win of the season, giving up 4 runs on six hits and 5 walks while striking out 3 over 5.1 innings.

With a sweep of the B-Mets accomplished, the Cats will now face New Hampshire for a 3 game series. Former Miracle Kyle Phillips is on the Fisher Cats roster having finally graduated from High-A ball, where he is hitting .247 over 22 games (77 at bats). Phillips was with the parent Toronto Blue Jays when they played at Hammond Stadium during a Grapefruit League game on March 16.

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Despite bankrupting most of their farm system to acquire Miguel Cabrera during the off-season, the Tigers AAA affiliate was still able to down the Rochester Red Wings, 5-1 in Toledo.

Kevin Slowey made the 3rd of three scheduled rehab appearances, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 9 over 5 innings.

The Wings only run came in the top of the 4th, when Jason Pridie singled then stole 2nd base. He moved to 3rd on Darnell McDonald's grounder, then came home when Garrett Jones hit into a double play.

The Wings were largely toothless, being held to only 4 hits with McDonald gathering 2 of those on 4 at bats. Former Miracle Jose Morales picked up a hit for the Wings in the 5th.

Brent Clevlen, a man well known to the Miracle faithful for his time served with the Lakeland Tigers, homered off Slowey, a single shot in the 2nd inning for the eventual game winner. Mike Hessman also took the Twins' right hander deep, in the first inning to put the Mud Hens on the board.

The two teams rematch tomorrow with Detroit lefty Dontrelle Willis making a rehab start for Toledo Friday night.

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Miracle continue winning ways over Clearwater

Clearwater 2 at Fort Myers 4

W: C. Devries (2-3, 5.08); L: J. Savery (1-2, 2.92); SV: A. Slama (4)
HR: CLE: J. Blalock (1).

Despite the best efforts of Johnny Woodard to the contrary, Cole Devries kept Clearwater off the board through five innings and went on to pick up this second win of the season, 4-2 over the Threshers.

The Miracle got Clearwater starter Joe Savery early, with Brian Dinkelman singling, then progressing to second on a throwing error by Threshers' third baseman Welinson Baez. Juan Portes took a walk before Danny Valencia hit a single out to left to bring in Dinkelman. After Woodard was called out on strikes, Ovalle hit a fly ball single to right to load the bases. Wilson Ramos then sent a ball into deep center field for a triple, to give the Miracle a four run lead.

Devries was charged with a fielding error when he tried to catch a pop ball into four territory down the first base side and collided with Woodard. Woodard would later drop a ball to allow a runner on base on what should have been a routin ground out, but was not charged with an error.

Clearwater's big moment would come in the top of the 6th when Matthew Spencer singled. Following a fly out to Mike Eylward, Jake Blalock would homer to give the Threshers their two runs. Devries allowed a single to Gus Milner before he was taken from the mound in exchange for Zach Day, who got Tuffy Gosewisch to line into a double play to retire the side.

Anthony Slama would take over the 8th and 9th, getting Baez out on strikes to end the contest.

Portes would finish off 2-for-3 with a walk and run, Dinkelman and Ovalle were each 2-for-4 with a run.

The two teams rematch tonight at 7:05 on Thirsty Thursday with right hander Jeff Manship (3-0, 3.38) on the hill against Clearwater's Darren Byrd (0-3, 8.84).

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For coverage of Wednesday's Snappers and Red Wings game, please visit Rookie Whites.

New Britain 11 at Binghamton 2

W: Y. Pino (1-1, 1.80); L: J. Niese (2-2, 1.82)
HR: None.

Former Miracle Steve Tolleson went 4-for-5 at the plate with one walk, 2 runs and 2 RBIs as the New Britain Rock Cats downed the Binghamton Mets, 11-2.

Binghamton would get on the board first when Yohan Pino allowed singles to Dan Murphy, Salomon Manriquez and Ambiorix Conception.

A Jonathan Malo double lead to another Mets run in the bottom of the 5th with Murphy knocking Malo in a single to left.

However, Tody Gardenhire doubled to open the top of the fifth and Drew Butera, Luke Hughes and Steve Tolleson all drew free passes to force in a run. David Winfree's double then drove in three more. Jonathon Niese would suffer the loss for the B-Mets.

Gardenhire, newly promoted from Fort Myers, went 3-for-5 with a double, 2 runs and 2 RBIs. Dustin Martin was hitless against his former, team as was Butera.

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In an afternoon game, the Minnesota Twins topped the Chicago White Sox, 4-3. Justin Morneau smacked a ground rule double in the bottom of the 7th to drive in Carlos Gomez for the game winning run.

Morneau finished up 2-for-4 at the plate. Gomez was 3-for-4 with 2 runs and 1 RBI.

Former Miracle Nick Blackburn picked up the win, allowing 3 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4 over 7 innings. (Boxscore)

Transactions: As expected, Brian Buscher was optioned back to AAA Rochester and Adam Everett was actived off the DL. He is expected back in the Twins line up on Friday.

Minor Leaguer Danny Berg was activated off the DL and placed on the Miracle active roster. Hall-of-Famer Paul Molitor is in Fort Myers working with the Miracle this week.

Snappers successful, Wings not in early contests.

Pawtucket 4 at Rochester 2

W: C. Zink (3-1, 2.76); L: F. Liriano (0-1, 7.56); SV: C. Smith (1)

Francisco Liriano took his first start for the Rochester Red Wings for an educational day game on Wednesday, and ended up taking his first loss as well, as Pawtucket downed Rochester 4-2.

A pair of walks to Sandy Madera and Keith Ginter resulted in a run when Madera progressed to 3rd on a Dusty Brown fly out then came home a sac-fly by Chad Spann for an early Pawsox lead.

They added to in in the 3rd when Gil Velazquez singled and Jeff Bailey homered to give Pawtucket 3 including what would prove to be the game winning run.

Doubles by Joe Thurston and Ginter gave the Pawsocks in insurnace marker in the fifth. That would end Liriano stint on the mound as well, with Ricky Barrett coming in for the Wings. Liriano's final line score would be 4 runs (all earned) on 5 hits and 5 walks while stiking out 3 over 4.1 innings.

Charlie Zink would keep the Red wings off the board for five innings. Alexi Casilla would draw a walk off him, but found himself out when Denard Spann hit into a ground out. Span then stole 2nd base. Jason Pridie's single moved span to 3rd and a fielding error by Pawtuckett's Chad Spann would allow Darnell McDonald to reach and Denard to score. McDonald then stole 2nd with Garrett Jones at the plate. Jones would reach on fielder's choice that saw Pridie taking out at home. Howie Clark then singled McDonald in for the Red Wings 2 runs.

Pridie was 2-for-4 in the game that saw only five Rochester hits. The Wings split the home series 1-2 with the Pawsox, and now head out on the road to play four in Toledo against the Mud Hens. Toledo leads the West division, while Rochester, with a 13-14 record in in 4th in the North Division

Wings Things: Randy Ruiz went 0-for-4, ending his seven-game hitting streak. During the streak he batted .429 (12-for-28) with five doubles, one triple, one home run and 10 RBI. Ruiz has at least one RBI on six of those seven games....The Red Wings have outscored their opponents 24-2 in the eighth inning this season, and 109-47 since the start of the 2007 season....Garrett Jones played his first game at first base this season, and made a nice play to take a hit away from George Kottaras in the third inning. Jones hadn't played in the field since April 15, missing time with a bruised knee.

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After the game, outfielder Jon Knott was sold to the Phillies organization. The club released C Ei Whiteside; C Ryan Jorgensen has been activated from extended spring training and will join the Wings for the road trip that begins in Toledo Thursday.

Minnesota is expected to activate SS Adam Everett from the DL today or tomorrow, which will result in a Twins player being sent to the Wings.



South Bend 2 at Beloit 4

W: L. Van Mil (1-0, 3.72); L: B. Henry (0-2, 6.19); SV: S. Steedley (1)
HR: SOU: M. Mee (1). BEL: R. Santana (2).

Beloit also played an educational game day with slightly different results as it was Beloit that won, 4-2. Luke Van Mil picked up his first win of the season as the Snappers scored 3 in the 7th inning to give the tall relieve his first victory.

The Snappers took a run off South Bend starter Josh Collmenter in the second, when Ramon Santana hit one over the left field fence for his second home run of the season.

Santos Arias took his first start for Beloit and allowed 2 hits while striking out 5 over 6 innings. Van Mil would take over the 7th, and Michael Mee greeted him with another fence jumper, this time over the center field wall.

In the bottom of the inning, Dan Lehmann walked and then was replaced by pinch runner Mark Dolenc. Steve Singleton bunted his way onto first and Benson following with a bunt as well. Ben Revere then singled out to right to bring in Dolenc and Singleton. Garrett Olson ground out, but Benson came home on the hit, to make it 4-1 Snappers.

The Silverhawks would get one more in the ninth with Mee singling off Spencer Steedley. Mee would be nabbed at 2nd on an Aaron Hanke force out. Hanke moved to second on Ramon Ramirez ground out, then was singled in by Derrick Walker who hit out to center for the RBI.

Revere was 2-for-4 in a game that saw 9 Snappers hits. Beloit finished off the series 2-1. They head out on the road now to face the Great Lakes Loons for for a 3-game set.

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Former Miracle honored by Eastern League

Former Miracle infielder Luke Hughes was honored by the Eastern League Monday when he was named the Bank of America Eastern League Player of the Week for the week ending April 27, 2008.

Hughes, a native of Perth, Australia, had an outstanding week for the New Britain Rock Cats, hitting .394 (13-for-33) with two doubles, six home runs, 10 RBI, five runs scored, two walks and a 1.000 slugging percentage in seven games. The 23-year old had at least one hit in each of the games he played in last week and hit a home run in all but two of the games that he played in, including a 4-for-5, two homer and five RBI performance in a 15-6 win against Reading last Wednesday.

With his home run outburst last week, the 6'0", 190 lb. slugger now leads the league with eight home runs and is also ranked among the league leaders in extra-base hits (14-tied 1st), slugging percentage (.689-2nd), hits (32-3rd) and batting average (.356-7th).

Hughes, who was signed by the Minnesota Twins as a non-drafted free agent on July 19, 2002, received an E.L. Player of the Week selection last season as well. In 2007, he batted .283 in 92 games and earned E.L. All-Star Game honors in his first season with New Britain.

Martin Making an impression in Double A

Dustin Martin started off the season on the bench as a reserve fourth outfielder. The Rock Cats returned speedster Brandon Roberts to center field and power hitters David Winfree and Matt Moses – both third basemen making the switch to the outfield – were penciled in at the corners. That left little room for Martin; that is, until he stepped up to the plate for the first time.

Martin made his Double-A debut on April 5, when he went 1-for-3 with a double. He went on to hammer out 13 hits in his first six games. That included a four-hit performance on the road in Portland on April 12 that put his then league leading average at .619 (13-21). Throw in plays like a perfectly placed leadoff bunt or a highlight-reel worthy catch in left field and it would be hard to argue how Martin could be kept out of the everyday line-up.

Martin, 24, has been an offensive force for the Rock Cats. The 6'2", 211-lb. left-hander may have cooled off a bit in the past few games but still ranks third in the league with a .368 average. He leads the Rock Cats in stolen bases, is second on the team in slugging percentage and is among the team leaders in runs (14), hits (25), and doubles (6). He ranks second on the club with a .410 on-base percentage.

If Martin continues at his current rate, he may make it three-for-three on All-Star Game appearances with a showing in the Eastern League Game. That is if he hasn’t played himself out of New Britain by July. Visit the New Britain Rock Cats website for an in depth look at the former Miracle outfielder.

Martin, who came to the Twins Organization as part of a trade with the New York Mets, was not in the line up last night, as the Rock Cats took on some of his fellow former teammates with New Britain playing in Binghamtom. Facing the soft pitching Jake Ruckle on the mound, the Cats jumped out to an early 5-1 lead and went on to win 7-1.

Matt Moses was 3-for-5 in the contest with 2 hits and 1 RBI, while former Miracle 1st baseman Brock Peterson was 2-for-4 with 2 runs and 2 RBIs. Erik Lis, one of Martin's teammates on last years Miracle squad, was 2-for-4 with 1 RBI. Hughes was 1-for-4 at the plate with a walk and run. Oswaldo Sosa picked up the win, allowing 1 run (earned) on 2 hits and 3 walks while striking out 5 in five innings worth of work. (Boxscore)

The Cats play 2 more in Binghamton before returning home on Friday to face New Hampshire.

Around the system...

The Beloit Snappers came out on top against the South Bend Silver Hawks. Newly promoted Brad Tippett picked up the win n the relief roll, as a fielding error by Silverhawk 3rd baseman Ramon Ramirez allowed Mark Dolenc, who'd drawn a talk to start the tenth inning, across the plate.

Dan Lehman was 3-for-4 at the plate in the contest with a triple, 1 run and 1 RBI. Ben Revere, who struggled a bit in his first outing on Monday, when 2-for-4 in this game, batting second in the line up behind fellow outfielder Joe Benson. Revere filled the center field position, while Benson shifted to right. (Boxscore)

Matt Williams earned a blown save when South Bend scored an unearned run on the Australian hurler in the 8th inning. Williams worked 3 innings, striking out three over that period and allowing only 1 hit. A wild pitch by Williams and a throwing error by Lehmann, the team's catcher, lead to run after Even Frey doubled his way onto base.

Triple-A Rochester topped Pawtucket 9-3 at home. Chris Basak was 2-for-3 with a walk and run (including a double), and Jason Pridie was 2-for-4 with 2 runs and 2 RBIs. Former Miracle Alexi Casilla was also 2-for-4 at the plate, with one run. Darnell McDonald was 3-for-5 with 2 runs and 3 RBIs. (Boxscore)

Brian Duensing allowed the Pawsox to pull to an early 3-0 lead, giving up three runs, all earned) on 7 hits and 1 walk. He struck out 4 over six innings. The Wings would begin their rally in the sixth, and scored the game winning run in the seventh to give reliever Phil Humber his first win of the season.

Former Ivy-Leaguer Tim Lahey picked up his 2nd save of the 2008 season on 1.2 innings worth of work, striking out 4 of the 5 batters he faced.

In Chicago, the parent Minnesota Twins topped the White Sox, 3-1. Boof Bonsor allowed 1 run (earned) on six hits and 1 walk in seven innings worth of work while striking out 8. Delmon Young was 2-for-2 at the plate with a walk and a run, while Mike Cuddyer was 2-for-4 with 1 run. Former Miracle outfield Jason Kubel put one over the right field wall to bring in Cuddyer for the game winning run. Young added an insurance point when Joe Mauer batted him in. (Boxscore)

After taking the night off, the Miracle return to action Wednesday at Hammond Stadium against the Clearwater Threshers. Clearwater continues to hold down the basement position in the West Division, but saw their record improve to 9 - 16 after winning their last 2. They are five games behind Fort Myers, who is tied for the top spot in the division with Dunedin. Game time is 7:05 for a Kid's Club and "Bing on the Berm" Wednesday night.

Gardenhire promoted, Roberts placed on DL

The New Britain Rock Cats announced Monday that former Miracle outfielder Brandon Roberts has been placed on the 7-Day disabled list, effective immediately. The 23-year-old from Bakersfield, CA has been bothered much of the early season by a left hamstring strain that has limited him to just 8 game appearances for the 2008 Rock Cats. It is hoped that a complete rest will aid in restoring the speedy Roberts to full capacity.

In 2006, the 6'0"/185-pound Roberts tied for the Florida State League lead with 50 stolen bases. Thus far in 2008, the hobbled Cal Poly product is batting .188 in just 32 at-bats.

Replacing Roberts on the New Britain roster is Toby Gardenhire, a 24-year-old middle infielder who has been playing for the Ft. Myers Miracle in the Single-A Florida State League.

With the Miracle, Gardenhire – son of Minnesota Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire – batted .333 over 15 games in the new season. The 6'0"/175-pound Gardenhire was selected out of the University of Illinois by Minnesota in the 41st Round of the 2005 Draft.

The Miracle have not received anyone to replace Gardenhire, but infielder Danny Berg is scheduled to come off the DL on Thursday.

Miracle avoid sweep, return home

Fort Myers 4 at Lakeland 3

Record 14 - 11

W: J. Lugo (1-1, 6.55); L: B. Wise (0-3, 8.25); SV: R. Delaney (6)
HR: None.

The Miracle avoided being swept in Lakeland when Danny Valencia doubled to clear the bases, then came home on an Edward Ovalle sac-fly. Rocky Palacios singled and Brian Dinkelman doubled of Lakeland's Brendan Wise to put runners on the corners. Rene Tosoni would then be hit by pitch to load the bases, leading up to Valencia's late inning heroics.

It was largely a pitchers duel up until that point. Lakeland ace Luis Marte allowed only 4 Miracle hits and struck out 4 over 7 innings worth or work.

Almost as good was Fort Myers Tyler Robertson who gave up 2 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks while striking out 6 over six.

Lakeland would get on the board in the first period when Scott Sizemore singled, moved to 3rd on a ground rule double by Jeramy Laster, then come home on a Brennan Boesch sac-fly.

Lakeland manager Andy Barkett would be ejected in the inning after arguing the call on Laster's hit. Lakeland however proceeded along without their manager, utilizing a walks to Justin Justice and Sizemore in the 3rd to get on base, a single by Laster to put the pair in scoring position, and another sac-fly by Boesch to push Justice over the plate.

Jose Lugo would replace Robertson in the 7th, and issued a walk to Shawn Roof. A sac-bunt by Louis Ott put Roof on second. He'd score on a Sizemore fly to left. Lugo would still pick up the win though, his first of the season.

Rob Delany would be brought in to keep the slim lead in tact, allowing 2 hits and striking out 2 over 2 innings for this sixth save of 2008.

The Miracle finished up 2-4 on this last road trip. They will take Tuesday off as a part of a FSL wide free day, and return home on Wednesday to face the Clearwater Threshers.

Since Alex Burnett pitched in relief yesterday, Cole Devries (1-3, 5.48) is likely to start for the Miracle. He is expected to face Joe Savery (1-1,2.25 ERA) for the Threshers.

The good news is that the Threshers will be without Adrian Cardenas, who was placed on the DL, and the Miracle will not have to face Clearwater ace Antonio Bastardo, who is not schedule to pitch again until Saturday. Find out more about Bastardo in this week's Florida State League report.

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The South Bend Silverhawks crushed the Beloit Snappers 7-1. Brian Kirwan gave up all 7 runs (5 earned) on 8 hits and 3 walks while striking out 1 over 4.1 innings. Fielding errors by Chris Cates and newly arrived 2007 1st round draft pick Ben Revere helped the Silver Hawks. Chris Parmelee had the lone run for the Snappers, coming home on a Steve Singleton triple. (Boxscore)

You can find out more about Revere's promotion as well as other Snapper roster moves at Rookie Whites.

The Rock Cats took advantage of the an Eastern League wide off day to take a cat nap. Minnesota had the day off as well.

In Triple A Action, the Pawsoxs downed the Rochester Red Wings 8-6 at Frontier Stadium. Jason Pridie was 3-for-5 with a run for the Wings, Darnell McDonald and Randy Ruiz were both 2-for-5, McDonald cracking a home run in the 7th to account for 4 RBIs. (Boxscore)

Rochester infielder Tommy Watkins was placed on the disabled list today (retro to 4/25) with a strained left groin. Watkins is batting .143 in 13 games for the Red Wings. Taking his spot on the roster is LHP Francisco Liriano, who was optioned to Rochester from Minnesota on Friday. Liriano was 0-3 with an 11.32 ERA in three starts for the Twins. Matt Macri left Monday's game with a strained left calf during his first inning at-bat and may be headed to the DL list as well.

Double-A New Britain infielder Luke Hughes was named the Twins' Minor League Player of the Week, ending April 25. In seven games, Hughes hit .406 with six home runs and 10 RBIs.

Revere joins Snappers

Well, it was probaby just a matter of time, but Ben Revere has been sent up to the Beloit Snappers along with right handers Santos Arias and Brad Tippett.

Pitcher Michael McCardell and Deibinson Romero were placed on the disabled list. Reliever Dominque Rodgers, a late comer to the GCL Twins last year, was released by the Minnesota Twins.

Revere has been posting highlight reel catches since he showed up the Lee County Sportsplex and I can honestly say that Saturday was no different, as he made several big catches in the outfield during an extended spring training game between the GCL Twins and the GCL Pirates.

He was 2-for-4 at the plate with a double in the contest, 1 run and 2 RBIs. The 28th overall pick in the 2007 draft out of Lexington Catholic High School in Kentucky, Revere hit .325 with 10 triples and 46 runs scored for the GCL Twins. He also stole 21 bases, and recored an .388 on-base percentage.

One of the questions most asked around Hammond Stadium as been when will we see Revere on the Miracle. While the answer initially was "not this year" we may have to amend that, as original estimates had placed Revere at short season E-Town in 2008. If he continues to hit well at the Low-A level, a mid-or-late season promotion to Fort Myers may not be out of the question.

Arias was one of the GCL Twins starters last season, posting a 3-4 record with a 2.96 ERA. He struck out 36 batters while issuing only 13 walks. Arias is a non-drafted free agent from La Romana, Dominican Republic.

Australian Brad Tippet spent last season with the Elizabethton Twins. He had a 7-1 record with a .93 ERA in a reliever role, pitching 38.2 innings. He was the GCL Twins closer in 2006, finishing the season with a 3-5 record and a 2.53 ERA in 21.1 innings pitched.

The moves leave the Snappers Roster at the league maximum of 25.

Miracle drop 4th straight

Fort Myers 3 at Lakeland 8

Record 13 - 11

W: M. O'Brien (2-0, 4.30); L: D. Guerra (2-1, 3.75)
HR: None.

I'm beginning to feel like someone had a Jason Giambi jersey buried under where the Miracle bats where stored in Tampa, and perhaps the Miracle are as well too.

Fort Myers hitting again took a hiatus as the Lakeland Flying Tigers shocked the Miracle 8-3 at Joker Marchent Stadium.

Cale Iorg singled and Justin Justice took a walk off Miracle starter Deolis Guerra. Following a strike out to Scott Sizemore, the pair would pull of a double steal with Brennan Boesch at the plate. Boesch then singled to bring in Iorg. A fielding error by the suddenly hapless Danny Valencia allowed Ryan Strieby to reach and Justice to score. James Skelton singled in Boesch and Jeramy Laster ground into a force out that allowed Strieby past the plate, giving Lakeland an early 4-0 lead.

They'd add to it in the 3rd when Boesch was hit by a pitch, then made it to 3rd on a Skelton single with 2 outs on the board. Laster would double to bring him in before Pedro Cotto popped out to Toby Gardenhire to end the inning.

The Miracle did find some offense in the 4th inning, with Whit Robbins drawing a walk off Matt O'Brien with 1 out on the board. Juan Portes then knocked a single out to right. Following a ground out to Rene Tosoni, Edward Ovalle was hit a grounder to left to bring in the pair, making it 5-2 Lakeland.

Laster singled in the bottom of the 6th, then stole second, moving to 3rd on Cotto's single. Guerra was tiring, allowing a double to Louis Ott which prompted a pitching change. Alex Burnett came in to replace Guerra, and got Iorg out on a sac-fly that brought in Cotto. Justice, who has suddenly become an offense powerhouse for the Flying Tigers, brought in Ott on a grounder to center.

The total of 8 runs proved too much for the Miracle to overcome. They would only tally one more time, in the top of the 7th when Tosoni singled, moved to second on a Ovalle ground out, to 3rd on a Gardenhire single and came home on Valencia grounder to second.

Guerra, who'd been one of the best pitchers for the Miracle, was charged with 8 runs (7 earned) on 9 hits and 1 walk while striking out 4. Danny Vais and Zach Day finished the mop up chores for the team on the mound.

Gardenhire was the only Miracle with a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 and seeing his average improve to .333 on the season.

The Miracle hope to avoid a sweep as big lefty Tyler Robertson (0-1, 2.79) takes to the mound against Lakeland righty Luis Marte (2-1, 1.64) for a 7:00 pm contest.

Fort Myers take the day off on Tuesday and return home Wednesday to play the first of a three game series against the Clearwater Threshers.

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The Snappers found their way back into the win column behind some solid pitching by Danny Berlind, topping the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 5-3. Berlind allowed 2 runs (both earned) on 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 5 over 5 innings. Jair Fernandez was 3-for-4 in the designated hitter roll while Steve Singleton was 2-for-4. Chris Parmelee hit a grand slam homer in the 6th inning off Robert Harmon for 4 RBIs. (Boxscore)

Jay Rainville's ERA took another turn for the worse as the Trenton Titans topped the New Britain Rock Cats, 7-5. Rainville allowed six runs on 9 hits and 2 walks while striking out 2 over 4 innings. Matt Moses was 2-for-3 with a walk and a run in the designated hitter roll for the Cats, David Winfree was 2-for-4 with 2 runs and 2 RBIs including a home run in 4th. Luke Hughes added to his yarder total, knocking his 8th of the season out of the park while going 2-for-5 at the plate with 1 run and 1 RBI. Brock Peterson has seen his batting average jump to .284 after a slow start on the year, going 2-for-4 at the plate with 1 run. (Boxscore)

Rochester found some offense for a 5-1 win over the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. Mariano Gomez picked up the win in relief, but also allowed the only home team run in the contest, on 4 hits. He worked 2 innings. Tim Lahey picked up the save, his first of the season at the AAA level. (Boxscore) Chris Basak and Eli Whiteside both went yard for the visiting Wings, with Basak accounting for 2 RBIs. Jason Pridie went 0-for-5, ending his 14-game hitting streak.