Beloit, Rochester win; Rock Cats fall to Sea Dogs

Burlington 4 at Beloit 7

W: D. Bromberg (3-2, 4.70); L: S. Runion (0-2, 3.86); SV: S. Steedley (4)
HR: BUR: D. Lough (3). BEL: O. Lewis (3), B. Revere (1).

The Beloit Snappers topped the Burlington Bees 7-4 at home with light hitting Ozzie Lewis cranking his third ball of the year over the fence. Ben Revere also went yard for the Snappers.

David Lough would take David Bromberg deep in the first inning, putting ball over the left field wall to put the Bees on the board.

It was short lived lead however. Ben Revere would ground out to start, but Danny Lehmann reached on a fielding error. Garrett Olson singed out to right and Chris Parmelee took a walk to load the bags. Jair Fernandez's ground ball single would rive in two. Steve Singleton's line drive saw Parmelee across the plate. Ozzie Lewis would sent a ball out to left to score Fernandez. Singleton was taken out at 3rd on the play, and Greg Yersich would fly out to end the inning.

Beloit added to their lead in the bottom of the second, when Revere singled, then moved to 2nd on a throwing error by Bees 2nd baseman Alwin Perez. Olson would then double Revere in.

David Lough would be hit by a pitch to start the top of the 3rd. Mike Moustakas then double to put two men on. Jason Taylor's ground out plated Lough, while Moustakas would score on Jamar Waltons' sac-fly.

Lewis would go yard in the sixth and Revere's first home run in Snappers uniform made it 7-3.

Reliever Matt Williams would allow another Bees run in the top of the 8th, when Moustakas tripled then came home on Wilson Tucker's sacrifice.

Revere, Olson and Lewis were all 2-for-4 on the evening, Revere with 2 runs and 2 RBIs, Olson with 1 run and 1 RBI, and Lewis with a run and 2 RBIs.

The two teams rematch Saturday for double-header starting at 5:00 PM. Michael Tarsi (1-6, 6.84) should be on the mound for the Snappers in the first game. It's also cowgirl night and Fireworks Night #3.

Boxscore
Log
Snappers
Bees
The Hawk Eye
BDN
Thursday:
Herald
BDN

New Britain 6 at Portland 7

W: M. James (1-1, 2.33); L: R. Mullins (4-3, 3.81); SV: B. Vaughan (5)
HR: NBR: M. Moses (3). POR: B. Bell (6), J. Corsaletti 2 (5), M. Wagner (4), A. Pinckney (3).

Ryan Mullins gave up six runs, all earned, on 7 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3 over 4 innings. He gave up 4 home runs to the Portland Sea Dogs, who were quite sorry to see Armando Gabino replace him on the mound.

Steve Tolleson was 2-for-4 on the evening with a walk, a run and 2 RBIs. Walks also aided Matt Moses, who went 1-for-3 at the plate with a walk, 2 runs and 1 RBI. Dustin Martin would be hit by a pitch, going 1-for-3 at the plate, but gaining 2 runs.

Martin would get plunked at the top of the 5th inning, Drew Butera singled to follow him on base and Tolleson pushed Martin over the plate with a line drive single to ceter. Trevor Plouffe would reach on a failed force attempt that drove in Butera. Erik Lis would take a walk, but David Winfree ground into a double play that brought in Tolleson, for a 3-run inning.

The two teams rematch Saturday for a 1 PM game. Anthony Swarzak (2-1, 4.06) should be the starting pitcher for the Cats.

Boxscore
Log
Sea Dogs
NB Herald
Courant
Portland Press Herald

Rochester 6 at Pawtucket 4

W: D. Graves (1-0, 2.40); L: D. Hansack (2-5, 5.55); SV: T. Lahey (6)
HR: ROC: B. Buscher (7).

Danny Graves got a quality start for Rochester, allowing 3 runs, all earned, on 4 hits and 2 walks over 6 innings.

Rochester would by 1 run until the 6th inning. Brian Buscher would take a walk, and Ryan Ruiz would follow that up with a single. A missed catch on a pick off attempt moved the pair. Garrett Jones would ground out, but brought in Buscher. A Jose Morales single then scored Ruiz. Sergio Santos singled his way onto base, and Ryan Joregenson would get plunked by a pitch to load the bags. Tommy Watkins single to center brought in 2 to give the Wings the lead.

Buscher hit his 7th home run of the season in the 4th inning. It was the only hit he'd have for the evening, but he also had 2 walks which lead to a pair of runs. Santos was 3-for-4 with 2 runs, Ruiz was 2-for-4 with 1 run, and Watkins was 2-for-5 in the leadoff spot with 3 RBIs.

The PawSox send David Pauley (5-2, 3.32 ERA) to the hill Saturday against the Red Wings’ Kevin Mulvey (2-6, 4.36). The game starts at 6:05 Eastern Time.

Boxscore
Log
Red wings
PawSox
D&C
ProJo

Despite Guerra's walk-fest, Miracle top Palm Beach

Palm Beach 3 at Fort Myers 5

W: D. Guerra (5-1, 4.56); L: B. Dickson (2-5, 3.64); SV: R. Delaney (11)
HR: None.

The Miracle picked up a 5-3 win Friday in a very long game to kick off the Memorial Day Weekend at Bill Hammond Stadium.

Brian Dinkelman singled in the bottom of the seventh. Juan Portes would fly out and Danny Valencia's line drive would put two men on. Whit Robbins then drew a walk to load the bags. Edward Ovalle doubled out to left to drive in two, Robbins would try to cross the plate as well, but was tagged out at home. Ovalle decided to run for three, but the ball was relayed back to second for the 3rd out. Still it proved to be the game inning runs for the Miracle.

Fort Myers actually got on the board first with Dinkelman walking. A missed catch on a pick off attempt moved Dink to 2nd. Portes would line out, but Valencia's line drive to center drove in Binkelman.

Deolis Guerra was struggling with his control early on. With two outs on the board, he'd walk Tony Cruz. Danny Descalso then doubled out to Danny Santiesteban in right to bring in Cruz, tying the game. Nick Derba would pop out to catcher Wilson Ramos, who made a great catch by the netting near the visitor's dugout to end the inning.

In the third Guerra walked Antonio DeJesus. James Rapoport would hit into what should have been a double play, but the umpire called Rapoport safe at first. Rapoport then stole second, but Donoval Solano would draw a walk off Guerra, who suddenly seemed to lose the strike zone. Following a ground out to Brian Cartie, Guerra issued walks to Brown and Jones to force in a run. He finally put one over the plate, which Cruz hit to the outfield and which was handled by Mr. Santiesteban.

Guerra would be tagged for 2 runs, both earned on 2 hits and 7 walks. He fanned only 2 and lasted 5 innings. I wasn't all that excited by his performance. Granted, it's a little hard to get his speed when Tyler Robertson is operating the gun, but I was only seeing speeds off him in the mid-to-lower 80s. Supposedly he throws 93, but I didn't see it.


Dear Mr. Robertson, please hold the gun still, some of us are trying to look at it!

Yancarlos Ortiz walked in the bottom of the fifth, and Dinkelman would double. Portes sac fly scored Ortiz, and Valencia would sacrifice Dinkelman home.

Frank Mata was pitching in the 90s, and would handle the sixth and seventh innings, giving way to Anthony Slama in the 8th. After striking out Brown, he would issue a walk to Jones. Cruz then reached on a force attempt when Ortiz flubbed the catch. Daniel Descalso then doubled off Slama to drive in Jones. Slama would get the next two batters out on strikes to preserve the Miracle lead.

Rob Delaney picked up his 11th save of the year, going three up and three down to finish of the game.

Santiesteban was pulled in the fourth inning, supposedly due to an injury. He did however return to the field as first base coach for the last two innings, so perhaps it was more of a precautionary move than anything.

Dinkelman was 2-for-3 in the contest with 3 runs, Valencia was 3-for-3 with 1 run and 1 RBi. Ramos was 2-for-4 but did not factor into the scoring.

The homestand continues Saturday eveing with Alex Burnett (3-2, 3.16) tossing out the first pitch at 7:05 PM. Shaun Garceau (3-0, 1.93) will be on the mound for the Cards. Fireworks will provided by North Trail RV and Coors Light and - one hopes - by the Miracle bats.

Boxscore
Log
Miracle
Zooperstar Photos
News Press
NDN
Breeze


Jeff Manship and Yangervis Solarte sign autographs before the game

Note: TwinsBaseball.com reported Friday that RHP Scott Baker will make two minor league rehab starts beginning Monday at Extended Spring Training. The game, which is played at the Lee County Sportsplex, starts at 10:00 AM.

Cards take game one from Miracle

Palm Beach 4 at Fort Myers 3

W: E. Hernandez (2-0, 6.00); L: J. Manship (5-2, 3.38); SV: F. Samuel (5)
HR: FTM: D. Santiesteban (3).

Prior to the game, Johnny Woodard was placed on the disabled list with a broken hamate bone. He will be out 5 weeks to 2 months, depending upon who you talk to. The standing joke is that he and Danny Valencia where arm wrestling for a ham sandwich when it occurred. Evidently he broke it during batting practice.

The Palm Beach Cardinals defeated the Miracle 4-3 Thursday night, as the rally fell short. Despite what the box score says, Jeff Manship did not pitch nine innings, only 7. Danny Vais pitched the last two.

He did pitch very, very well however through five before getting into some trouble during the sixth.

Andrew Brown doubled off him in the second inning. He's move to 3rd on a Tony Cruz ground out. Daryl Jones then pretended he was hit by a pitch. At least, it was argued as catcher Allan de San Miguel, who was much closer to the incident than I was, claimed the ball never touched the guy. However, the umpires ruling stood. Luke Gorsett then ground out which scored Brown.

In the bottom of the 4th, Juan Portes walked his way onto base. Whit Robbins hit a good solid double out to left and field manager Jeff Smith waved Portes past 3rd. Unfortunately, the ball got to the plate first, and Portes was taken out at home.

So the Miracle would not get on the board until the bottom of the 5th when Danny Santiesteban went yard over the center field fence.

This is where it gets weird. In the top of the 6th James Rapoport and Donovan Solano hit back-to-back singles. It then looked like Brian Carlie hit into a double play, but the umpire would rule him safe. Meanwhile Rapoport scored. Andrew Brown's single brought in Solano. Following Tony Cruz's pop out, Jones got hit by a pitch (again?) Luke Gorsett would line out and Daniel Descatso singled to score Carlie. Brown would try to go home, but this time the Miracle made the play at the plate, taking the runner out.

Brian Dinkelman drew a walk in the bottom of the 6th. Following a fly out to Yangervis Solarte, Portes hit a line drive to move Dinkelman to 2nd. A pitching change was in order for the Cards, and Whit Robbins greeted Justin Fiske with a fly ball single that scored Dinkelman. Edward Ovalle would reach on a fielding error by Carlie, and Portes would score, to make make it 4-3 Palm Beach.

Manship would get three quick outs in the 7th before giving way to Vais, however aside from a single to Ovalle in the bottom of the 9th, the Miracle could get no offense going to change the final score.

Robbins and Ovalle were both 2-for-4 in the contest. Wilson Ramos was 0-for-4 in the designated hitter role with 3 strike outs.

Deolis Guerra (4-1, 4.67) tosses out the first pitch tomorrow at 7:05 in game two of the four game series. Brandon Dickson (2-4, 3.64) will get the nod on the mound for Palm Beach.

Boxscore
Log
Miracle
News Press
Breeze
NDN

Note: Roger, please e-mail me. I'd send you the injury updates, but I have no way of reaching you short of posting on Twinkie Town.

There are no immediate plans to replace Woodard on the Miracle roster, it will stand at 24.

Terry Ryan arrived into town, just in time for my annual Me-Mauer-ial Day game with him on Monday. The GCL Twins will take on the GCL Pirates at 10:00 AM on Monday, May 26th.



Beloit 5 at Clinton 1

W: S. Arias (2-1, 2.83); L: K. Gomez (7-1, 2.52)
HR: None.

Santos Arias limited the Beloit Snappers to 1 run on 3 hits and 2 walks while fanning 7 over 7 innings. Loek Van Mil worked the final two innings, allowing only 2 hits while striking out 4.

Danny Lehmann tripled in the top of the 3rd then came home on a Chris Cates ground out. In the top of the 4th, Chris Parmelee tripled to score Garrett Olson, who'd reached on a fielding error. Ramon Santana would be hit by a pitch. Steve Singleton's line dive plated Parmelee, while Santana scored on a sac-bunt and a ground out.

Santana would single in the top of the 6th, move to 3rd on a Singleton sac-bunt, and come home when Mark Dolenc ground into a double play.

Ben Revere would go 2-for-5 at the plate, but did not factor into the scoring.

The teams split the series 2-games each; Beloit starts a 4 game homestand against Burlington on Friday with the first pitch coming at 6:30 PM central time.

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Log
Snappers
Lumber Kings
Wednesday:
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Herald

Rochester 3 at Pawtucket 11

W: M. Tejera (3-3, 4.15); L: P. Humber (1-5, 5.89)
HR: PAW: J. Bailey 2 (12), C. Carter (5).

Phil Humber lasted just 3.2 innings as he allowed 7 runs, six earned, on 5 hits and 4 walks while striking out 2. A change of pitching did little to stem the bleeding through, as the Rochester Red Wings were thoroughly whipped by the Pawtucket Pawsox.

The Wings would go scoreless until the top of the 7th, when Randy Ruiz singled, then moved to 3rd on a fielding error by Chris Carter that also allowed Garrett Jones to reach. He'd be plated by a Jose Morales ground out, to save the visitors from being blanked.

In the top of the 8th, Tommy Watkins walked, and Darrell McDonald reached on a Brandon Moss fielding error. Brian Buscher then doubled the pair in.

Ruiz was 2-for-4 in the contest, the only wing with a multi-hit game.

Matt Macri was called up to the Twins to replace Adam Everett who was placed on the disabled list. Darnell McDonald was activated from the disabled list to replace him on the Rochester roster (D&C). Infielder Felix Molina was also promoted from AA to Rochester.

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PawSox
D&C
R-News
Extra Bases

Former Cats help do-in New Britain

Harrisburg 5 at New Britain 2

W: M. Estrada (5-2, 2.45); L: J. Sawatski (1-3, 8.03); SV: S. Schmoll (3)
HR: HAR: L. Montz (9).

I'm not sure if it was by coincidence or design, but the entire Eastern League played day games today. After the marathon 7-hour double header yesterday, including a rain delay, I can't imagine that either team was excited about hitting the field again for a 10:35 AM start.

The New Britain Rock Cats tried to look lively early on, pouncing on an early first inning lead. Steve Tolleson lead off with a walk, and Matt Moses doubled to move him to 3rd. Luke Hughes would hit into a ground out that scored Tolleson and moved Moses to 3rd. Erik Lis then sacrificed in Moses.

That would be it for the Cats though, who only managed four hits in the whole game.

Former Miracle and Sarasota native Jason Miller would be on the mound for the Cats. Evidently, I'd missed the move that put Yohan Pino on the 7-day DL with shoulder stiffness, so J-Mill would take his start.

Garrett Guzman - another Twins farm alumni - would double for the Senators to lead off in the 3rd inning. Two outs later, Luke Montz would go yard over the left field wall to tie up the game.

Jay Sawatski would replace J-Mill for the top of the 5th, and after getting Guzman to strike out, allowed a ground rule double to William Bergolla. He'd get Roger Bernadina out on strikes, but issued a walk to Montz. Luis Jimenez, a former Rock Cat, then singled out to center to score Bergolla for the game winning run.

Sawatski would hold the Sens off for the next two innings and gave way to Kyle Aselton in the top of the 8th. The lefty, who has posted some good numbers this year in the Rock Cats pen, walked Jimenez to start out the top of the 8th. Ofilio Castro singled, and the pair would advance a base each on a throwing error by Steve Tolleson. Andrew Lefave then drew a walk to load the bases. Aselton would take two Senators out on strikes before a Guzman single plated Jimenez and Castro for the insurance runs.

Jeff Christy would single off yet another former Twins farmhand, Levale Speigner, and then move to second on a wild pitch. Matt Moses would also draw a walk, but the pair went nowhere as Steve Tolleson ground out and Hughes hit into a double play to end the game.

Hughes and Erik Lis would have the other two hits in the contest.

The loss drops the Cats to .500 on the season; they are 3-7 over their last 10. Next up the Cats head over to Portland to face the Sea Dogs for a four-game series which kicks off at 6:00 PM on Friday. The games on Saturday, Sunday and Monday are all 1:00 PM EST contests.

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Rock Cats
Senators
NB Herald - Wednesday
NB Herald
Patriot-News


· Former Miracle lefty Glen Perkins notched his first career major league victory in Tuesday's 11-4 win over the Texas Rangers. The St. Paul, MN native limited the Rangers to two earned runs and six hits in a career-high 6.1 innings. The outing was his third start since being promoted from Triple-A Rochester and his 26th overall appearance with the Twins. In 18.1 innings with the Twins this season, Perkins has compiled a 1-1 record with a 3.44 ERA and 12 strikeouts.

· Last season Zach Ward threw well for the Miracle, but couldn't get a break, compiling a 5-17 record with a 4.08 era in the Florida State League.

Moved to the bullpen in New Britain, the 6'3", 225-lb. right hander has made life miserable for Eastern League batters. In 28 innings of work, he has posted a 2-0 record with a gaudy 0.32 ERA. He has limited the opposition to just 18 hits and a .178 batting average while racking up 24 strikeouts in 17 relief appearances.

Ward was obtained in the trade from the Reds which sent Kyle Lohse to Cincinnati. Prior to the current season, he'd always been a starter.

"I was a mental mess last year," Ward said in an interview with Heather Cavaliere for the Rock Cats website. "I had a lot of things going on in my head and I let that kind of effect me on the field. We didn't score a lot of runs as a team and I had kind of tough luck and had a lot of close games that I lost. There were also a lot of games where we scored plenty of runs and I didn't get the job done. It went both ways. It wasn't just a matter of me not catching the breaks.

"People throughout the organization told me to keep my head up and just keep doing what I was doing because the numbers were there for the most part. I just wasn’t getting the results in the win-loss column."

· Despite time off for an injury, Luke Hughes continues to lead the Rock Cats in runs (33) and hits (54), and is tied for the lead in home runs (10) with David Winfree. Winfree leads the team in runs scored with 36, one more then Brock Peterson, who has appeared in one less game. Steve Tolleson has taken the most walks for the Cats, while Brock Peterson heads up the strike out list with 42.

· Joe Christensen is reporting at Twins shortstop Adam Everett is headed back to the disabled list after experiencing more pain in his right shoulder. The team will announce a roster move following Thursday's game. Twins field manager Ron Gardenhire did not rule out the possibility of promoting Trevor Plouffe or Luke Hughes from AA New Britain to replace him. The Twins are thin through the middle with Matt Tolbert and Nick Punto on the DL. Alexi Casilla has already been promoted from AAA Rochester, so the pickings are slim for replacements.

With the rash of injuries, expect call ups to effect most of the minor league system shortly. On a more positive note, Scott Baker threw a pain free bullpen session on Wednesday and will now likely progress to throwing live batting practice. If that goes well, he could make a rehab start in Extended Spring Training on Monday.

Snappers clubbed by Lumber Kings

Beloit 2 at Clinton 7

W: B. Beavan (3-1, 3.60); L: B. Kirwan (3-2, 4.44)
HR: BEL: C. Parmelee (8). CLI: J. Greene (6).

The Beloit Snappers got 2 runs in the 7th inning, narrowly avoiding a shut out by the Clinton Lumber Kings. Brian Kirwan would suffer the loss, allowing 6 run, earned on 7 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3 over 4.2 innings.

The bottom of the 4th inning got ugly when Ian Gac doubled out to right and Jonathan Greene went yard over the center field wall for the first two runs in the game. Mitchell Moreland followed that up with a double and Cristian Santana would be hit by a Kirwan pitch. A throwing error by Steve Singleton resulted in Jake Kaase reaching which loaded up the bags. Justin Pickett singled to bring in Moreland, before Kirwan would get Engel Beltre and Renny Osuna to strike out to end the inning.

The bottom of the 5th was nearly identical, with Gac doubling and Greene tripling him in. A wild pitch by Kirwan brought in Greene. Moreland would fly out and Miguel Alfonzo would be walked before Blair Erickson was brought in to replace Kirwan. He'd walk Kaase, then give up a double to Pickett that plated Alfanzo to make it 6-0 Clinton.

Chris Cates singled in the top of the 7th. Following a ground out to Garrett Olson, Chris Parmelee sent his eight ball of the season over the fence for the only two Snappers runs.

Steve Hirschfield would take over the mound in the bottom of the 7th. Gac singled out to left. After Greene struck out swinging, Moreland doubled to bring in Gac, making the final score 7-2 Lumber Kings.

None of the Snappers had multi-hit games. Ben Revere was 1-for-4 to in the contest; Singleton and Gerg Yersich were 1-for-3 with none of these players figuring into the scoring.

While Parmelee leads the team in home runs and runs batted in, his .233 batting average remains a concern.

The series concludes on Thursday, with Santos Arias (1-1, 3.32) handling the pitching chores for the Snappers.

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Log
L-Kings
Tuesday:
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Herald

Venezuelan Summer League played started on Monday, May 19th. The Twins are not participating in the league this year. The Dominican Summer League should be starting up around the beginning of June.

Senators, Rock Cats split 7-hour double header

Harrisburg 6 at New Britain 2

W: Z. Zinicola (2-1, 2.00); L: E. Simonitsch (0-1, 6.30)
HR: HAR: W. Bergolla (1). NBR: D. Butera (1).

Errol Simonitsch gave up 3 runs, earned, on 7 hits and 4 walks while striking out four in 5 innings to absorb his first loss of the 2008 season.

Harrisburg took an early lead in the top of the 2nd inning, when Andrew Lefave tripled out to right field, then came home on Devin Ivany's line drive to center.

The Cats took it back in the second when catcher Drew Butera knocked his first home run over the left field wall off Nationals prospect Jordan Zimmermann.

Ian Desmond would double for the Senators in the top of the 5th. Following a line out to Mike Daniel, William Bergolla sent a Simonitsch pitch yard over the left field wall to make it 3-1 Harrisburg.

Armando Gabino took over the mound for the top of the six. Lefave singled his way onto base. Gabino would get Ivany to strike out, but Desmond followed tat up with a single. Daniel would be hit by a pitch to load the bags. Following a strike out to Bergolla, Roger Dernadina doubled to drive in two, as the Sens continued to pulled away from the Cats.

A Matt Moses single and a David Winfree double gave the Cats only their second run of the game in the bottom of the sixth.

Luis Jimenez would single his way onto base in the top of the 7th, but was nabbed at 2nd on Ofilio Castro's force out. Lefave then singled, followed by an Ivany double to drive in Castro for Harrisburg's sixth run of the night.

New Britain found no answers in the bottom of the seventh, taking the loss on game of one a double header.

Luke Hughes was 0-for-3 in the contest with a walk and pair of strike outs. He still remains the prime candidate to replace the injured Denard Span on the Red Wings roster.

Boxscore
Log



Harrisburg 1 at New Britain 2

W: O. Sosa (2-3, 6.37); L: S. Martis (3-2, 3.04); SV: B. Julianel (7)
HR: None.

Oswaldo Sosa took a clue from Jay Rainville's outstanding game on Monday and limited the Senators to just 1 run on 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5 over six innings.

Former Rock Cat Luis Jimenez would double to right, then move to 3rd on Otillo Castro's ground out. Andrew Lefave would sacrifice him in for the loan Harrisburg run.

New Britain had gotten on the board first, when Luke Hughes doubled and was plated by Matt Moses' triple.

Neither team saw much in the way of hits. In the top of the 5th, Felix Molina drew a walk and was moved to second by Toby Gardenhire's sac-bunt. Jeff Christy then doubled Molina in for the game inning run.

Dustin Martin and Trevor Plouffe had the other two hits for the Cats, but did not factor into the scoring. Hughes, in the designated hitter role, saw his batting average fall to .349, going 1-for-3 at the plate with a pair of strike outs.

The series concludes on Thursday with a 10:35 AM game. Yohan Pino (1-2, 3.25) will most likely handle the pitching chores for New Britain.

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Rock cats
Senators
Courant
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Miracle slide by Hammerheads to claim series

Fort Myers 4 at Jupiter 3

W: C. Devries (3-4, 4.13); L: J. Santos (4-2, 3.21); SV: R. Delaney (10)
HR: FTM: W. Ramos (6). JUP: K. Randel (2).

Wilson Ramos cranked out his sixth home run of the season and Cole Devries limited the Hammerheads to 1 run (unearned) on 4 hits and 2 walks while fanning 4 over 5 innings.

Yangervis Solarte and Danny Valencia hit back-to-back doubles in the first inning to open the scoring for the visiting Fort Myers Squad. Edward Ovalle's line drive would bring in Valencia making it two for the Miracle.

The'd add another run in the top of the 3rd when Ramos went yard on Hammerhead starter Jarrett Santos.

Brian Peterson and Smelin Perez hit back-to-back singles in the bottom half of the stanza, one out later, Kevin Randal would reach on a fielding error by Yancarlos Ortiz which also allowed Peterson to score. It was Ortiz 6th error of the season, he now leads the Miracle squad in that category.

Jay Buente replaced Santos at the top of the fifth inning and gave up back-to-back double to Valencia and Ovalle to add another onto the Miracle total. It would be the last run the Miracle would tally, but it would prove to be the game winner.

Matt Fox allowed a single to Logan Morrison in the bottom of the 8th, then watched as Randel took him yard over the right field fence. He would get Spike McDougall out on strikes before Rob Delaney was called in to finish off the game. Delaney would allow a walk to Greg Burns and a single to Agustin Septimo, but got Jake Blackwood and Justin Webb out on strikes to retire the side.

The Miracle pitching staff has only allowed 18 home runs this season, Fox is tied with starter Deolis Guerra, with each of them giving up 4. Only Daytona (17) and Tampa (13) have allowed fewer balls over the fence so far in 2008.

Ovalle and Ramos were both 2-for-4 at the plate, Ovalle with 2 RBIs and Ramos with a run and a RBI. Solarte and Valencia were 2-for-5 each, Solarte with 1 runs and Valencia with a pair of runs and an RBI. When he wasn't hitting the ball, Valencia was striking out - picking up 3 in the game. Ovalle and Juan Portes both had a pair of strike outs each. Valencia is second on the team in hits (51) and is also tied for 3rd on the team for strike outs, with 31.

Brian Dinkelman leads the team in hits (52) and runs (32) but has only 17 strike outs to his. Ramos home run makes him the lead yard-getter on the Miracle, Valencia follows with 5 and Ovalle and Woodard with 4 each.

With the brief road trip concluded the Miracle return home Thursday night for Thirsty Thursday where they will host the East Division leading Palm Beach Cardinals for a four-game Clash of the Titans series.

Miracle Ace Jeff Manship (5-1, 3.62) will toss out the first pitch at 7:05. The Cards will likely counter with right hander David Kopp (1-3, 3.76).

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Hammerheads
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Let's Go Miracle

Former Miracle Matt Tolbert will have surgery Thursday to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb. He will be restricted from baseball activities for 5-6 weeks and will likely be out as much as 2 months before he can play again. Tolbert, currently with the major league Twins, will report to the Lee County Sportsplex for rehab after the surgery is completed.

Alexi Casilla, who played with the 2006 Miracle squad, got his first major league home run Monday night as the Twins defeated the Texas Rangers 7-6 in 12 innings. Casilla was called up to replace Tolbert, and has 2 runs on 3 hits with 5 RBIs in 5 games for the Twins in the 2008 season.

Upcoming Events

CEO Sandi Stewart of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. of Sarasota will throw the first pitch for Fort Myers Miracle baseball team on Monday, June 9, at 7:15 p.m., at Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Parkway, in Fort Myers.

Girl Scout Jaclyn Granitz, age 12, of Troop 531 in Bonita Springs, will sing the National Anthem and nearly 200 Girl Scouts will be there to cheer on the team.

Fort Myers Miracle and Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. have partnered to kick off the summer and invite all current Girl Scout families and anyone interested in learning about Girl Scouts to join them for America's favorite pastime!

Cost is $10 per person and includes admission, Miracle baseball hat, hot dog, and soda.

Tickets can be ordered online at www.MIRACLEFUN.com (enter "girl" as the password).

For information contact either Sean Fox (239) 768-4210 or sfox@miraclebaseball.com or Amy Gainey (239) 561-1800 ext 402 or amyg@gsgcf.org.

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. is chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA and serves more than 10,000 girls in ten counties: Manatee, Hardee, Highlands, Sarasota, Charlotte, DeSoto, Lee, Glades, Hendry, and Collier.

Robertson 3-hits Jupiter

Fort Myers 5 at Jupiter 0

W: T. Robertson (2-2, 3.04); L: J. Allison (2-5, 3.08)
HR: None.

Tyler Robertson owned the Jupiter Hammerheads tonight, allowing only 3 hits and 3 walks over 7 innings while striking out 4. This time Jose Lugo also got the memo about the shut out, as the Fort Myers Miracle blanked the Jupiter Hammerheads, 5-0.

(Nice work Mr. Robertson. Please keep it up! I would like to see you graduated to the Rock Cats sometime in the not too distant future.)

Danny Valencia returned to the Miracle line up as well, lacing a line drive double into left field in the first inning to bring in Brian Dinkelman, who had lead off the game with a walk.

An Eward Ovalle triple in the top of the 2nd, turned into another run on Wilson Ramos' ground out.

Whit Robbins and Ovalle hit back-to-back singles off Hammerhead's starter Jeff Allison in the top of the 4th. The Boston native would get Ramos to ground into a double play however, putting Robbins on 3rd and 2 outs on the board. He's then give up walk to Danny Berg. Rookie Yangervis Solarte's line drive brought in Robbins, and moved Berg over to 2nd. Yancarlos Ortis then hit his own line drive out to left to score Berg. Dinkelman would be called out on strikes to end the inning.

Portes would walk in the top of the 5th, then move to second when Allison unleashed a wild pitch. Valencia's single moved him to 3rd, followed by a walk to Robbins that loaded the bags. Ovalle would ground into a double play that plated Portes. Ramos' fly out would end the inning.

A walk to Berg in the 6th would be all the Miracle would get off Allison, and Brad Stone was as stingy as a reliever could get setting three down quick in the top of the 7th. Ovalle would get a single in the 8th, but could go no where with it, as Adam Campbell got Ramos to fly out and Berg to ground out to strand him. Solarte would double off Campbell in the 9th, but Ortiz and Dinkelmen when down on ground outs and Portes flew out to finish off the Miracle offense.

Lugo allowed back-to-back singles with one out on the board in the 8th, and a fielding error by Ortiz put Agustin Septimo on 3rd. Lugo would get Spike McDougall to strike out before issuing a walk to Jake Blackwood that loaded the bases. A John Purdom ground out got him out of the jam however, preserving the goose eggs on the Jupiter side of the board. Anthony Slama continued to be lights-out for the Miracle, striking out 3 in the 9th, allowing only a walk to Gregory Burns before sending Jupiter off to bed.

Solarte went 2-for-4 in the contest with a run scored, making a case for staying with the Miracle past this next weekend. Ovalle was 3-for-4 with a run, while Valencia was 2-for-4 with a RBI. Berg was 1-for-2 with a pair of walks and a run in the designed hitter role.

The two teams finish up the series tomorrow with Cole Devries (2-4, 4.56) taking a morning start against Marlins prospect Jarrett Santos (4-1, 2.73). First pitch is due for 10:35 a.m.

The Miracle return home Thursday for Indiana Jones night, marking the release of fourth movie, 19-years after the last one was made. It is also Thirsty Thursday at the ball park with half priced beer. So don't forget your bull whip as you raid the Kingdom of the Crystal Keg!

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Kelly Thesier reported on www.twinsbaseball.com that former Miracle pitcher Scott Baker felt discomfort during his bullpen session and will not progress on to the next stage of his rehab. Instead he will stay at the Lee County Sportsplex to rehab until he can pitch without discomfort.

Twins great Tony Oliva will once again represent the Twins at the 2008 Draft, which will be held in Orlando at Disney's Wide World of Sports on June 5-6.

Beloit 2 at Clinton 4

W: D. Holland (4-0, 2.45); L: D. Berlind (3-4, 3.99); SV: R. Tatusko (1)
HR: None.

Danny Berlind suffered his fourth loss of the season as the Beloit Snappers only managed to put a pair of runs on the board against the Clinton Lumber Kings.

Ramon Santana tripled in Greg Yersich for a run in the top of the fifth inning with 2 outs on the board. Venice native Chris Cates doubled in the top of the 6th, moved to 3rd on a passed ball and was plated by Jair Fernandez's fly ball single.

Ben Revere was 0-for-4 in the contest, a turn about for the young slugger that is batting .412 on the season. Steve Singleton also went without a hit, falling to .336 on the season. Joe Benson had the fifth Snappers hit but it did not factor into the scoring.

Berlind would finish the game giving up 4 runs, earned, on six hits and 4 walks while striking out 4 over six innings.

The series continues tomorrow at 7:00 PM central time with Brian Kirwan (3-1, 3.68) on the mound for the Snappers.

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Harrisburg at New Britain - Postponed

Tuesday's Eastern League game between the Harrisburg Senators and the New Britain Rock Cats was postponed by rain Monday night. The teams will play a pair Wednesday, May 21, starting at 5:05 PM eastern time.

Rochester 2 at Syracuse 3

W: J. De Jong (3-1, 3.60); L: T. Lahey (2-4, 3.93)
HR: None.

The Rochester Red Wings fell in extra innings to the Syracuse Chiefs, with former Miracle Tim Lahey taking the loss on the mound. Syracuse had lead 2-0 up until the ninth inning when two Fort Myers alumni - Garrett Jones and Jose Morales - hit back-to-back doubles to lead off. Jason Pridie would replace Morales as a pinch runner and would come home on a Chris Basak single one out later to tie up the game.

Naples native Carmen Cali replaced Lahey on the mound with one runner on in the 10th inning. He'd allowed Buck Coats to reach on a throwing error. After getting Adam Lind to pop out, Matt Watson's ground out moved Wyane Lydon to 3rd, and he'd score as an inherited runner on an Adam Russ single.

Tommy Watkins was 3-for-3 at the plate with a pair of walks but did not factor into the scoring for Rochester. Morales was 2-for-4 with a RBI and a pair of strike outs. Matt Macri was 2-for-5, also with a pair of strike outs. Rochester would record 10 hits on the night - and 10 strike outs as well.

Denard Span broke a finger in the game while attempting a bunt in the 9th inning, and is expected to miss 3-to-4 weeks.

Span was honored as the International League Batter of the Week on Monday. Span had 13 hits during the week and lead the league with a .619 average. 3 of his 13 hits were for home runs, and five of his six games were multi-hit efforts. Span also lead the International League in on-base percentage (.704), Slugging percentage (1.190) and was second in the league in runs (9) and hits (13). (Press Release)

Red Wings manager Stan Cliburn will throw out the first pitch for the Double-A New Britain Rock Cats Wednesday night. Cliburn was selected as the manager on the New Britain 25th Anniversary All-Time Team in the fall. The Wings rest on Wednesday so Cliburn will not be missing a game. They then head on the road for a 4-game series against Pawtucket starting on Thursday at 7:05 PM

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Miracle fall to Hammerheads

Fort Myers 2 at Jupiter 4

Record: 28 - 16

W: G. Taylor (5-3, 3.96); L: A. Burnett (3-2, 3.18); SV: R. Wolf (1)
HR: None.

The rally monkeys, and bats,were not evident Monday night as the Fort Myers Miracle allowed Jupiter to double them up, 4-2.

Florida Marlins prospect Graham Taylor held Fort Myers to only 5 hits and 1 walk over 7 innings, allowing 2 runs in the that span, and striking out 4. Ross Wolf would baffled them for the final two stanzas.

As noted after the last time he pitched, Alex Burnett needs to start watching the number of hits he gives up. Smelin Perez would take the first hit off him with one out in the first inning. Burnett would get Logan Morrison out on strikes, before Perez got impatient and stole 2nd base. Kevin Randel's line drive brought him in, and Randel took an extra base on a fielding error by Eddie Ovalle. Spike McDougall then hit a grounder to Juan Portes that scored Ranel. McDougall would try to make it to second, but was taken out before he got there to end the inning.

The Miracle would take one back in the top of the 3rd. Yancarlos Ortiz and Yangeris Solarte both singled with one out on the board. Ortiz would come home on a Whit Robbins' force out and Portes would strike out to end the inning.

Back-to-back singles by James Guerrero and Christopher Dunn turned into two more Hammerheads runs when Agustin Septimo doubled off Burnett to plate the pair in the bottom of the fourth.

The Miracle would not answer back until the top of the 7th when Edward Ovalle tripled and came home on a Danny Berg single. Sadly it was all the answer the Miracle could muster, leading to the loss in game two of the four game series.

With Brian Dinkelman, Danny Valencia and Rene Tosoni out of the line up, the Miracle were short most of their big bats. Ovalle was 2-for-4 with 1 run, the only Miracle with a multi-hit game. Portes, Wilson Ramos and Danny Santiesteban were all 0-for-4 with a pair of strike outs each.

Dinkelman was given the night off after an early exit from Monday's game, while the voice of the Miracle, Sean Fox, reports that Valencia's thumb is still banged up, but that he will try to play on Tuesday.

Big lefty Tyler Robertson (1-2, 3.53) will get the start Tuesday night for the Miracle. Jeff Allison (2-4, 2.47) will throw out the first pitch for the Hammerheads at 6:35 P.M.

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Minnesota sports writer Joe Christensen noted in his blog that Scott Baker was flown to Florida on Friday. He's scheduled to throw 2 bullpen sessions at the Sportsplex and will "likely pitch in an extended spring training game next Thursday. He has been on the DL with a strained right groin."

The GCL Twins are playing the O's in Sara next Thursday, and while it's entirely possible that Baker will hop in a little white SUV and drive over to Twin Lakes Park, it seems somehow unlikely.

If he needs to pitch Thursday, well...the Miracle are at home that night. Otherwise, he could pitch Friday at Extended depending upon which the Twins would prefer.



Harrisbug 1 at New Britain 5

Record: 22 - 21

W: J. Rainville (3-5, 7.53); L: T. Crawford (1-1, 4.81)
HR: None.

Jay Rainville got just his third win of the season, but held the Harrisburg Senators to only 1 run -unearned - on three hits while striking out 8 over 7 innings for a quality start that should do wonders for his confidence.

Trevor Plouffe was 3-for-4 in the contest with a run and an RBI. Steve Tolleson, Luke Hughes, David Winfree, Felix Molina and Drew Butera all had hits for the Cats with Butera driving in 3 runs on his sixth inning double.

The Cats faced several former teammates/Miracle on the Senators squad in starter Tristan Crawford, who surrendered 5 runs on 8 hits and 3 walks while striking out 3 over 5.1 innings and reliever Levale Speigner, who worked one inning of hitless baseball. Garrett Guzman served as the Senators designed hitter, going 0-for-3 at the plate, while Luis Jimenez worked 1st base for the Washington Farm.

Ofilio Castro would reach in the top of the 3rd on a throwing error by Trever Plouffe. He took 2nd base when the ball bounced into the bullpen. One out later, Mike Daniel's ground ball single would plate him for the only Senators run.

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Rochester 0 at Syracuse 5

W: M. MacDonald (1-0, 3.81); L: K. Mulvey (2-6, 4.36)
HR: None.

The Rochester Red Wings were shut out in the conclusion of the Cooperstown Classic on Monday night. Kevin Mulvey suffered the loss for the Wings, his 6th of the season.

Former Miracle Jose Morales was 2-for-3 at the plate while Matt Macri returned to the line up, going 2-for-4. Brian Buscher was 0-for-2 with 2 walks.

Dunedin Blue Jays almuni Ricky Romero had taken the start for Syracuse but lasted only 2 innings before the rains came down on Sunday.

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Rochester 7 at Syracuse 6

W: T. Lahey (2-3, 4.08); L: M. Gallo (0-1, 13.50); SV: C. Cali (1)
HR: ROC: R. Ruiz (3). SYR: C. Cannon (3).

The Wings bounced back in game two however, taking an early lead 5-2 lead and holding off a late inning Chiefs rally.

Denard Span would reach on a fielding error by Erik Kratz to get things started. Two outs later, Brian Buscher would be hit by a pitch. Randy Ruiz then put his 3rd home run of the season over the left field wall to give the Wings 3.

The Chiefs took two back in the bottom of the inning, but a double by Ryan Jorgensen in the top of the 2nd helped the Wings get the runs back.

Chris Basak went 3-for-4 at the plate with a run, Randy Ruiz was 2-for-4 with 2 runs and 4 RBIs. Aside from the home run, he also hit a double in the top of the 5th.

Brian Duensing would give up 3 runs, earned on six hits and 1 walk while striking out 2. Julio Depaula gave up 2 runs on 2 hits and a walk in .1 inning, while Tim Lahey earned both a blown save and the win, giving up 1 run on 1 hit and walk in 1.2 innings. Naples resident Carmen Cali earned his first save for the Wings.

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Beloit 6 at Clinton 5

W: M. McCardell (1-1, 2.70); L: H. Nelo (1-2, 4.32); SV: S. Steedley (3)
HR: CLI: M. Moreland (4), R. Osuna (3).

Beloit used a 3-run ninth inning to rally past the Division leading Clinton Lumber Kings to take game one of the four game series. Mike McCardell, recently returned off the disabled list, picked up the win, working 2 innings of relief and allowing 1 run on 1 hit and 2 walks while striking out 5.

Ben Revere returned to the line up, going 3-for-4 at the plate with 2 runs scored. Garrett Olson was also 3-for-4 with a pair of runs. Ozzie Lewis, Sean Singleton, Joe Benson, Greg Yersich, and Ramon Santana also recorded hits.

Trailing 3 runs at the top of the 8th, Santana doubled his way onto base, then came home on Revere's ground ball single.

Chris Cates would ground out to start the top of the 9th, but Olson and Lewis hit back-to-back singles. Mark Dolenc would replace Lewis as a pinch runner, and Singleton's ground ball to right would rive in Olson and advance Dolenc to 3rd. Joe Benson would draw walk. A fielding error by Clinton's Jonathan Greene allowed Dolenc and Singleton across the plate to give the Snappers the lead.

Spencer Steedly would allow 2 singles and a walk to load the bases for the Lumber Kings in the ninth, but he got Engel Beltre to strike out and Renny Osuna to line out to end the inning and the game.

Game two of the series is Tuesday with a 7:00 PM central time first pitch. Danny Berlind (3-3, 3.62) will start for the Twins farm team. Beloit (23-20) trails Clinton by 7.5 games in the Midwest League standings.

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Miracle bats overcome bullpen's bounteousness

Fort Myers 12 at Jupiter 10

W: M. Fox (2-1, 5.09); L: K. Koehler (0-1, 4.15); SV: A. Slama (8)
HR: FTM: W. Ramos 2 (5), E. Ovalle (4), Y. Solarte (1). JUP: S. McDougall (3), B. Petersen (2).

Another slug fest, and another overtime game turned into a win for the Fort Myers Miracle Sunday at Roger Dean Stadium.

Fort Myers took a liking to Marlins prospect Christhain Martinez, with Whit Robbins singling in the first with one out. Following a strike out to Juan Portes, Johnny Woodard tripled in Robbins to put the Miracle on the board.

Wilson Ramos hit his first home run of the game, his fourth of the season in the second inning, taking a Martinez pitch over the right field wall.

Jupiter would cut the Miracle lead in half in the bottom of the third. Christopher Dunn hit a ground-rule double out to left. Following a bunt pop to Bryan Petersen, Smelin Perez moved Dunn to 3rd with a fly out to left field. Kevin Randel's line drive brought in Dunn to put the Hammerheads on the board. James Guerrero would reach on a fielding error by shortstop Yancarlos Oritz, but Ramos picked off Randel at 2nd base to retire the side.

The Miracle wasted no time taking the run back, with newcomer Yangervis Solarte going yard over the right field fence.

Portes would single out to left in the top of the 5th, and Woodard would double him in. Edward Ovalle than put his fourth home run of the season over the left field wall, to make it 6-1 Miracle.

Despite the woes that former Miracle Colby Miller faced in Low A Greensboro, I just knew he'd find his way into High A to face his former team. C-Mill was brought in to replace Martinez in the top of the sixth, and allowed a lead off walk to Solarte. Ortiz walked as well, and Brian Dinkelman hit a ground rule double out to left to bring in Solarte. Following a fly out to Whit Robbins, Portes would sacrifice in Ortiz. Woodard's line drive single plated Dinkelman making it 9-1 Miracle.

The Hammerheads started their comeback rally in the sixth, with Randel taking a double off Deolis Guerra. A throwing error by Whit Robbins allowed James Guerrero to reach and Randel to score. As the ball bounced into the dugout, Guerrero was awarded second base as well. Gregory Burns then doubled to plate Jupiter's 2nd baseman.

C-Mill would allow a single to Solarte in the 7th, but got Ramos and Danny Berg out on grounders and Ortiz to fly out to retire the side.

Danny Santiesteban would replace Portes in left field at the bottom of the 7th, and Danny Vais took over the mound from Guerra, who had turned in a quality start. Guerra would allow 3 runs, 2 earned in six this and 1 walk while striking out 4 over six innings. Peterson would put a solo-shot home run over the right field wall in the inning, giving the Hammerheads 4 runs on the board.

Adam Campbell replaced Miller in the top of the 8th, with Jupiter making a couple of defensive switches as well. Rocky Palacios would pinch hit for Dinkelman, taking a walk. Robbins would fly out, and Santiesteban would be plunked by a pitch putting two men on base. Woodard's single moved the pair, but Ovalle would ground into a double play to end the inning.

Guerrero lead off with a walk in the bottom of the 8th, Spike McDougal flew out before Agustin Septimo singled out to left. Guillermo Martinez then few out to right. Guerrero would steal 3rd, and would come home on a Justin Webb triple, that also plated Septimo. Miracle field manager Jeff Smith then called Frank Mata out of the bullpen to replace Vais. He'd get Dunn to ground out to end the inning, but it was not all wine and roses for Mata.

Ramos knocked his second home run of the game, his fifth of the season over the right field wall off Jupiter reliever Jarrett Santos. Despite the generosity of the Miracle bullpen it would have seemed they had this game finished, but that was not the case.

Petersen would reach on a fielding error by Oritz. After a strike out to Perez, Randel and Guerrero hit back-to-back singles, one of which plated Petersen. Smith then called for Rob Delaney, but the Miracle's Sandman got hit hard by McDougall who put a ball over the center field wall to tie up the game.

The first two extra innings would go scoreless for both teams, despite Jupiter having two men on board in the 11th. Ortiz would double off Kurt Koehler in the top of the 12th, and Palacios would follow him on base with a walk. Geury Ramirez was brought in to replace Koehler. Robbins would lay down a sac-bunt to move the pair of Miracle runners before a line drive by Santiesteban brought in Ortiz for the game winning run. Woodard's sac-fly plated Palacios for the insurance run.

Matt Fox would allow singled to Martinez and Dunn before Anthony Slama came in, taking Petersen out on strikes and getting Perez to pop out to end the contest.

A total of 31 hits would be record between the two teams. Woodard would have a profitable day, going 4-for-5 at the plate with a run and 4 RBIs to net a veritable picnic of rewards despite being a home runs hy of the cycle. Ortiz was 3-for-5 with walk and 2 runs. Solarte was 2-for-5 with a walk, 2 runs and a run scored in his Florida State League debut. Ramos was 2-for-6 with 2 runs and 2 RBIs off the pair of homer runs. Ovalle was 2-for-7 with a run and 2 RBIs.

The two teams play game two of the 4-game series Monday night with Graham Taylor (4-3, 4.13) throwing out the 7:05 PM first pitch for Jupiter. The Miracle will counter with righty Alex Burnett (3-1, 2.97)

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Dogs slip past Cats, 7-6

Portland 7 at New Britain 6

W: D. Haigwood (1-0, 2.08); L: A. Gabino (3-3, 2.96); SV: B. Vaughan (4)
HR: None.

This time, home was not so sweet for the New Britain Rock Cats, as the Portland Sea Dogs took an early lead that the Rock Cats could not overcome.

Despite having some of the top pitching prospects in the Twins system, the Rock Cats starters have been spotty at best. Anthony Swarzak would give up 4 runs, 3 earned on 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 2 over 5.2 innings.

Jeff Corsaletti took a walk off Swarzak to start the game and then moved over to 3rd when a pick off attempt when astray on a throwing error by Swarzak. Corsaletti would score on Iggy Suarez's ground out, giving the Sea Dogs a run without a hit ever being recorded.

In the top of the 3rd, Suarez would walk. Zach Daeges doubled him in and then Aaron Bates doubled as well, to bring in Daeges, making it 3-1 Dogs.

Tony Granadillo doubled in the top of the 5th, moved to 3rd on Suarez ground out, and was plated by Daeges double to left.

In a move that might seem familiar to Miracle fans, once the starter came off the mound, the Cats broke out their bats. Armando Gabino replaced Swarzak in the six and in the bottom of of that inning, Jeff Christy singled to start out. Steve Tolleson would strike out, but Dustin Martin then took a walk as well. Luke Hughes who was 0-for-4 in the game with 3 strike out, recorded one of them before Erik Lis doubled out to right to score the two New Britain runners.

Daniel Haigwood would replace Portland starter Michael Bowden. He's be greeted by a Brock Peterson double which brought in Lis. Matt Moses then tripled out to right to bring in Peterson, tying up the game.

It would not stay that way for long. Tony Granadillo took a walk off Gabino who also handed out free passes to Corsaletti and Suarez to load the bases. Daeges would pop out, but a Bates sac-fly brought in a run to put the Sea Dogs up on top again.

Tolleson's double in the bottom of the stanza was wasted as he was left stranded. Kyle Aselton took over the New Britain mound in the 8th, and Andrew Pinckney greeted him with a double. Ryan Khoury's fly out moved the runner to 3rd, and he was sacrificed in by Mickey Hall.

Daniel Bard struck out Hughes, Lis and Peterson in the bottom of the 8th. After Corsaletti had been called out on strikes to open the top of the ninth, Suarez took a walk from Aselton, then stole 2nd. Daeges doubled him in giving the Dogs a 3 run lead.

Beau Vaughan took over the mound for the Boston farm in the bottom of the 9th, and allowed a walk to Matt Moses. Trevor Plouffe double out to right. Following a fly out to Felix Molina, David Winfree, pinch hitting for Christy singled to bring in Moses. Tolleson then singled to drive in Plouffe but that was all the Cats could manage. Martin would strike out and Hughes would fly out to end the game.

Tolleson finished up 3-for-5 with 1 RBI. Peterson was 2-for-4 with a run and a RBI, and Plouffe was also 2-for-4 with a run. Martin, who parlayed a walk into a run but was 0-for-4 at the plate also had 3 strike outs. Lis and Peterson took a pair of K's each.

The Harrisburgh Senators comes to the New Britain Stadium on Monday for a 6:35 PM game. Former Rock Cat Tristan Crawford (1-0, 3.79) is on the Harrisburgh roster and is scheduled to pitch on Tuesday against his former club.

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The International League game between the Rochester Red Wings and the Syracuse Chiefs was suspended by rain, and will be completed as part of a double header on Monday starting at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Syracuse had a one run lead at the time the game was stopped.

Snappers sweep Chiefs

Peoria 4 at Beloit 5

W: D. Bromberg (2-2, 4.69); L: T. Blackford (0-1, 2.89); SV: M. Williams (4)
HR: None.

David Bromberg picked up his second win of the season, allowing 3 runs, 2 earned, on 7 hits and 2 walks with 6 strike outs for a quality start.

The Chiefs would get on the scoreboard in the second inning, when Bromberg walked Cliff Anderson. Brandon Guyer followed that up with ground bunt single. A missed catch by Ramon Santana on a pick off attempt allowed the runners to advance. Bromberg would take Luis Bautista out on strikes before a Mario Mercedes single to left brought the runners home.

Beloit snapped right back however, with catcher Jair Fernandez reaching on a fielding error by Marquez Smith. Joe Benson followed him onto the bags with a line drive single. Ozzie Lewis single loaded the bases. Greg Yersich would pop out before Santana's line drive brought in the lead off pair. Santana would try to stretch the play for a double, but was taken out at 2nd base.

The Snappers seemed to like Todd Blackford who replaced Kevin Kreier at the bottom of the 5th. With the score tied, and one out on the board, Mark Dolenc singled, then moved to 2nd on a balk. He then stole third. Garrett Olson would strike out, and Chris Parmelee and Fernandez drew walks to load the bags. Joe Benson would then double out to left to drive in the runners. Benson would be stranded on Lewis' ground out, but he'd brought in what would evenutally be the game winning runs.

Bautista doubled with 2 outs on the board in the sixth, then came home when Mercedes line drive deflected off Bromberg and into right field. Bromberg would unleash a wild pitch to move Mercedes to second, but he got Dylan Johnson to ground out to end retire the side.

Loek Van Mil would take over in the top of the 7th, going 3-up, 3 down. In the top of the 8th, he'd walk Guyer. Bautista's double moved Guyer to 3rd, and he'd be plated by a Mercedes sac fly. Bautista would try to make it to 3rd and failed, and a pop out to Johnston ended the scoring threat.

Aussie Matt Williams took care of three Chiefs in order to pick up his fourth save of the season in the ninth.

Benson was 3-for-4 with a run and 3 RBIs. Ben Revere has taken a couple of days off to handle some personal matters and will return to the line up shortly. Having swept the Chiefs off their home field, the Snappers will take to the road Monday for a four-game series against the Western Division leading Clinton Lumberkings at Alliant Energy Field. First pitch is sent for 7:00 P.M.

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McCardell Activated from DL; Petsch Released

A Beloit Snappers Press Release

The Minnesota Twins have activated Snappers right-handed pitcher Michael McCardell from the disabled list and released infielder Ben Petsch, both effective today.

McCardell was placed on the DL on April 28th with a right elbow injury. Before his injury he had posted a 0-1 record with a 2.53 ERA. Michael also sported 24 strikeouts in just 21.1 innings pitched.

The right-hander from West Chester, Pennsylvania was the Twins’ 6th round pick in the 2007 First-Year Player draft. He attended Kutztown University where he was named Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division Pitcher of the Year in 2006.

Michael was also named Twins’ Minor League Player of the Week (8/31 – 9/6) last year going 2-0 with only five hits allowed and 15 strikeouts. McCardell also enjoyed Twins’ Minor League Pitcher of the Month honors last season for August, going 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA and 44 strikeouts.

Ben Petsch was the Twins’ 19th round pick in 2007 and was hitting .224 in 21 games played this season.

The moves leave the Beloit active roster at 25.

Rochester fails to hold Syracuse rally

Rochester 2 at Syracuse 3

W: J. De Jong (2-1, 3.91); L: T. Lahey (1-3, 3.94)
HR: None.

The Rochester Red Wings lost what can only be called a pitching duel on Saturday. Danny Graves took the start for Twins farm and allowed 1 run on six hits over 4 innings.

Denard Span opened up the game with a double, but it was wasted as the wings stranded Span on 3rd. Rochester would not break the eggs until Sergio Santos doubled in the second inning with 2 outs, then came home on a Tommy Watkins fly ball to left field.

In the bottom of the fourth, Graves allowed back-to-back-to-back singles to Buck Coats, Curtis Thigpen and Chip Cannon, the last one served to plate Coats for the Chief's first run.

The score would then remain tied through a number of relievers, with the game going into extra innings.

Mike Gallo would step onto the mound for Syracuse, and would hit Randy Ruiz with a pitch. Chris Basak replaced Ruiz as a pinch runner. Garrett Jones' fly ball to center moved Basak to 3d, and a Jose Morales double plated him. Jones would try to go home, and would be taken out at the plate. Jordan de Jong was then inserted into the game to get the last two outs and retiring the side.

It would be up to Tim Lahey to prove his mettle as Rochester top closer. He'd get Cannon to fly out, but Erik Krantz singled. He'd be replaced by Eric Nielsen as a pinch runner. A fielding error by former Miracle Garrett Jones allowed Marcos Cabral to reach. Wings field manager Stan Cliburn felt it prudent to replace Lahey at this point, bringing in Carmen Cali, who - after a coaching visit to the mound - allowed a double which brought in the runners, ending the game.

Lahey would be charged with the loss, his 3rd of the season, Cali earned the blown save.

Span was 2-for-2 at the plate with 3 walks, but got no support from his teammates. Morales was 3-for-5 with an RBI and Watkins was 2-for-5 with an RBI.

Brian Buscher stretched his hitting streak to nine games with a one-out double in the third inning.

The Red Wings and Syracuse Chiefs play in the Cooperstown Classic Sunday, featuring Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk. First pitch is due at 2:00 PM, Eastern Time.

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Beloit outslugs Chiefs

Peoria 8 at Beloit 9

W: B. Erickson (1-3, 3.52); L: D. Sasser (0-4, 1.42)
HR: None.

The Beloit Snappers won a slug fest Saturday, pounding out 18 hits for 9 runs to overcome the Peoria Chiefs, 9-8. To a certain extend however, the Snappers were their own worst enemy, putting five errors on the board.

Santos Arias, who pitched last season for the GCL Twins, took the start, and worked 5.2 innings. He'd give up 5 runs - only three earned - on 6 hits and two walks while striking out 4.

Arias walked Jovan Rosa to start the second inning. He then got Cliff Anderson out on strikes, but Rosa would steal 2nd. Marquez Smith then doubled out to left to drive in Rosa. A fly ball single by Mario Mercedes brought in Smith. Mercedes would try to stretch the hit for a double, but was taken out at 2nd base.

The Snappers would take one back in the bottom of the 3rd. Mark Dolenc took a walk, then stole 2nd. Ben Revere's single moved Dolenc to 3rd and Chris Cate's ground ball bunt would score the Beloit left fielder.

Following back-to-back strike outs to Chris Parmelee and Joe Benson in the 4th, Steve Singleton would triple his way on to the bags. Danny Lehman's fly ball to center served ot plate him. Greg Yersich then doubled to score Lehmann, giving Beloit the lead.

It would a short lived one however, as Nate Samson reached on a throwing error by Snappers 3rd baseman Garrett Olson. Josh Donaldson and Rosa then hit back-to-back doubles off Santos. Rosa's would drive in two. He would try to make it to 3rd, but Benson rifled the ball in from right to get allow Olson to get the tag on Rosa.

The Daytona Cubs-to-be then added another point in the top of the 6th, with Anderson doubling. He'd move to 3rd on Smith's ground out. Mercees reached on a fielder's choice that had Anderson out at home. It would also take Arias out of the game, as Matt Williams came into replace the Dominican Republic native.

With one out on the board in the bottom of the sixth, Yersich singled. Revere and Cates then drew back-to-back walks to load the bags. Olson singled to drive in two to tie up the game again.

In the bottom of the 8th with Steve Vento on the mound for the Cubs affiliate, Benson would double, then cross the plate on a Singlton line drive to left to give Beloit the lead. That one run would prove to be the difference in the contest.

Following a Samson fly out, Donaldson would single out to center, and Rosa would reach on a throwing error by Ramon Santana. Donaldson would score on the play when Lehmann added his own throwing error. Anderson then singled to dive in Rosa. Blair Erickson would be brought to the mound to relieve Spencer Steedley, issuing a walk to Smith. A Mercedes single out to center would score Anderson, giving the Chief's eight runs on the board.

Dustin Sasser was told to close the game for the Chiefs, but Santana took a single off of him to start out the bottom of the stanza. Dolenc then reached on a force attempt that was foiled on a throwing error by Rosa. Revere's bunt single moved the pair around and loaded the bases. Cates would ground into a double play that plated Santana, and Olson would then double to bring in Dolenc. Pamelee's line drive to center would bring in Anderson, giving the Snappers the win and ending the contest.

Revere was 3-for-4 with a pair of walks and a run. Dolenc was 2-for-3 with a pair of walks and 3 runs. Singleton was 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI, and Olson was 3-for-6 with a run and 3 RBIs. Cates would go 2-for-5 with a RBI, and Parmelee would finish up 2-for-6 with an RBI.

The Snappers look for a sweep today at 2:00 PM central at Pohlman Field.

Boxscore
Log
Snappers
Snappers
P.J. Star

Manship, Slama shine as Miracle nearly shut out Yanks

Tampa 2 at Fort Myers 3

W: J. Manship (5-1, 3.62); L: C. Garcia (0-1, 1.93); SV: A. Slama (7)
HR: None.

Friday, as we were leaving the park, I told Jeff Manship I wanted a shut out. After all, both Tyler Robertson on Thursday and Cole Devries on Friday had pitched excellent games against this same Yankee's team.

Sadly, I had forgotten to mention to Mr. Lugo that I was looking for a shut out.

Manship however pitched a stellar game, giving up only 3 hits and 1 walk over 6.2 innings while striking out six, more than earning his barbed wire*, Lugo put up the 2 Yankees runs, unearned, on 2 hits and a great, big error, while striking out 2 in .2 innings worth of work.

Both the Miracle and the Yankees would go scoreless through the first four innings. In the bottom of the fifth, with one out on the board, Brian Dinkelman singled his way onto the bags. Whit Robbins followed up with a line drive which got Dink to third. A wild pitch by Christian Garcia moved Robbins to 2nd. Juan Portes sent a ground ball to left field to bring in Dinkelman. A passed ball by Yankees catcher Kyle Anson made it 2-0 Miracle.

Manship would work the 6th and would get to within one out of seven innings before his pitch count was up. Jeff Smith would bring in Jose Lugo who got Kevin Smith to swing for the final out.

Dinkelman would hit a triple, and Robbins would follow him onto base again, this time with a walk. Portes would ground into a double play, which allowed Dinkelman to score, making it 3-0 Miracle.

The problem started in the top of the 8th when a fielding error by Mr. Lugo allowed Luis Nunez on base. Damon Sublett then singled his way on as well. After Mitch Hillgoss struck out swinging, James Cooper would double a ball out to Portes, which eluded the Miracle left fielder, allowing both Nunez and Sublett to cross the plate, and put the tying run on 3rd. Smith wasted no time going to the Miracle bullpen for closer Anthony Slama, who would get Andrew Perez - who did not sign an autograph for me - and Seth Fortenberry - who did - out on strikes.

The Miracle would get nothing out of Tampa's Jose Valdez in the bottom of the 8th, and Slama would strike out 2, including taking Kevin Smith out after he hung one through a number of foul balls, to end the game.

Dinkelman would go 3-for-4 at the plate with 2 runs to lead the Miracle offense. Danny Valencia, still not in the line up, did a great job of dugout cheerleading.

The Miracle jump on the bus tomorrow morning and will play a 4:05 PM game in Jupiter, Florida, against the Hammerheads. Deolis Guerra (4-1, 4.93 ERA) will get the start against the Marlin's Christhian Martinez (0-0, 0.00). Martinez was 4-1 with a 4.67 ERA record with Greensboro of the Sally League, and is making his first High A start.

Boxscore
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Miracle
News Press
NP - Miracle Alumni Chad Moeller
NDN
Pending Pinstripes

* When I had Alex Burnett sign the last 8 x 10 I'd done of him, Jeff was there and said "You put barbed wire on his picture? I want barbed wire on my picture!" I couldn't tell if he was joking or not, but evidently, he thinks it looks "manly".

Visit Rookie Whites for the rest of scores from around the Twins minor league system. Former Miracle Steve Tolleson was 4-for-4 at the plate and Luke Hughes had his 17-game hitting streak snapped as the New Britain Rock Cats doubled up the Portland Sea Dogs in game one of a double header Saturday afternoon.