Saturday, July 5, 2008

E-Twins rebound for win

Elizabethton Twins


Elizabethton 5 at Bristol 4

W: M. Hamburger (1-0, 3.86); L: K. Asselin (0-1, 3.38)
HR: ELI: M. Harrington (4), A. Morales (4). BRI: J. Castillo (1).

One day after being blanked by the Bristol Sox, the Elizabethton Twins bounced back to a 5-4 win over the same team...although the game would run to extra inning.

Dominic De La Osa, Nick Papasan and Jon Waltenbury all took walks to load the bases to start out the game. Evan Bigley would hit into a force out that took De La Osa out at home. Papasan however would come home on a throwing error by Sox catcher Shaydron Buckridge which also left runners on second and third. Michael Harrington singled out to right drive in the pair, giving the E-Twins an early 3 run lead.

Juan Silverio singled for the Sox in the bottom of the 5th. He'd be doubled in by Kenneth Gilbert to put Bristol on the board.

The E-Twins responded right away with Harrington putting one over the right center field wall in the top of the sixth. Despite a double to Angel Morales, that would be all Elizabethton would get in the inning.

Danny Rondon has not been finding the Appalachian League to his liking. The GCL Twins top closer from last season would see Buckridge knock a line drive single off him to start the bottom of the 8th. After getting Hancer Vargas out on strikes, Rondon would manage to pick off Buckridge. Justin Greene then singled off him and advanced to 2nd on a throwing error - Rondon's own. Jordan Kendall then doubled to score Greene at which time Mark Hamburger was brought into the game. Jorge Castillo greeted him with a home run that tied up the game.

Angel Morales 4th home run of the season would win the game in the extra innings for the E-Twins.

Hamburger would get the blown save, his first of the season, but also his first win, working 3.1 innings and allowing 1 run on 3 hits while fanning 3. Shooter Hunt made the start and worked 3 innings of goose eggs, fanning six.

Morales would go 3-for-5 at the plate to lead the scoring with a run and a run scored. De La Osa and Juan Richardson were both 2-for-5 as was Harrington, who also had a run and 3 RBIs to go with the multiple hits.

The series continues Saturday with a 7:00 PM start.

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Clinton 4 at Beloit 0

W: B. Beavan (5-5, 2.84); L: M. McCardell (5-2, 2.97)
HR: CLI: M. Alfonzo (3).

Beloit on the other hand, showed little interest in rebounding from Thursday's loss. Clinton starter Blake Beavan held the team to only 3 hits over seven innings. He issued no walks, and fanned five.

Jeanfred Brito, Marc Dolenc and Andrew Schmiesing were all one hit wonders, which is one hit more than the rest of their teammates had. Even Ben Revere found himself 0-for-3 on the night.

Miguel Alfonzo hit his 3rd home run of the season off Beloit stater Mike McCardell in the top of the 2nd to put Clinton on the board.

Engel Beltre would double in the top of the 3rd for the L-Kings. A throwing error by McCardell lead to Andrew Jones reaching and Beltre scoring. Jones would move to 3rd on the play and McCardell who has not having a good night on the mound, would be called on a balk, scoring James.

Beltre singled in the fifth moved to 2nd on Jone's sac-bunt, and was plated by Moreland's ground ball single to left.

3 of the 4 runs McCardell allowed would be earned, as he surrendered 8 hits and a walk over 7 innings while fanning 4.

Beloit is hoping a change of scenery will help Saturday as they travel over to Appleton to take on the Timber Rattlers. The first pitch will be tossed at 6:35 P.M. central time.

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Peterson puts 2 over the wall as Cats down Defenders, 5-3

Brock Peterson, New Britain Rock Cats


Connecticut 3 at New Britain 5

W: R. Mullins (7-6, 3.90); L: J. Waddell (0-2, 3.67); SV: B. Julianel (16)
HR: CT: E. Martinez-Esteve (4), P. Sandoval (1). NBR: L. Hughes (15), B. Peterson 2 (9).

New Britain's AA All-star game representatives came up big for the Rock Cats, but it was Brock Peterson who lead the home town team to 5-3 Independence Day victory over the Connecticut Defenders at New Britain Stadium.

David Winfree's 17th double of the season lead off the bottom of the 3rd inning for the Cats. Felix Molina pushed Winfree to third with a fly-ball single and Butera's ground ball would plate him for the Rock Cats' run.

The Defenders answered back though when Pablo Sandoval went yard on Jeff Manship, his first home run of the year clearing the right field wall. Eddy Martinez-Esteve followed that up with a single before Manship took Adam Witter out on strikes. Simon Klink then doubled out to right to score Martinez-Esteve putting the Defenders up by one.

It would not stay that way for long as Peterson clocked his 8th yard ball of the season over the left field fence in the bottom of the stanza, tying up the score.

With one out on the board in the bottom of the sixth, Brian Dinkelman took a walk. Peterson smacked his 24th double of 2008 out to left and Dustin Martin followed that up with 18th double for the Rock Cats, driving in Peterson to put the Cats on top.

The Defenders did not like that however, so Martinez-Esteve bashed a ball over the left field fence off Ryan Mullins in the top of the 8th to tie the contest up again.

Luke Hughes responded in the bottom of the inning with his 15th home run of the year to give New Britain the lead again. Following a line out to Dinkelman, Peterson sent number 9 over the center field wall for the insurance run.

Manship finish up allowing 2 earned run on 7 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4 in seven innings. Mullins picked up the win, allowing 1 run on 1 hit while fanning 2 in one inning. Ben Julienel picked up his 16 save of the season to finish off the game.

Peterson finished up 3-for-4 with 3 runs including the pair of homers, and 2 RBIs. Martin (1-for-4) and Winfree (1-for-3) both had doubles, Winfree picked up a run as well while Martin had a run scored. Drew Butera was 1-for-3 with a run score, while Matt Moses and Felix Molina shared the one hit wonder of the game title.

The two teams play the second of the four game series Saturday at 7:05 PM.

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The Rock Cats made three roster moves, place two players on the disabled list and recalling pitcher Jay Rainville from Fort Myers of the Florida State League.

Infielder Steve Tolleson has been placed on the Cat's disabled list, retroactive to June 30. The 24-year-old University of South Carolina product broke a bone in his right index finger last month and has been unable to play at full capacity since. The Knoxville, TN, resident has been among the league leaders in batting this year and, with a .335 BA, is currently tied with teammate Luke Hughes for third best in the circuit. His strong play earned Tolleson a spot on the 2008 Eastern League All-Star team, but the injury will prevent him from participating.

Pitcher Frank Mata joins Tolleson on the Rock Cats' disabled list with a pulled right hamstring. The 24-year-old Mata, a native of Barcelona, VZ, appeared in 6 games out of the New Britain bullpen this season, compiling a 1-0 record and 6.75 ERA;

Pitcher Jay Rainville, a 22-year-old native of Providence, RI, will rejoin the New Britain roster today from the Ft. Myers Miracle of Florida State League. The Naples, Fl, resident began the season with the Rock Cats, compiling a 5-6 W-L record and 7.00 ERA before his June 16th assignment to Ft. Myers. In three Florida State League appearances, the big righty was 1-1 with a 2.87 ERA. He is expected to start Saturday for the Rock Cats against the Connecticut Defenders. (Press Release)

Buffalo 1 at Rochester 8

W: B. Duensing (5-8, 4.02); L: J. Halama (4-2, 5.66); SV: C. Cali (2)
HR: ROC: G. Jones (8), T. Plouffe (3).

The Rochester Red Wings swung a hot bat Friday Night, thrilling the Independence Day crowd at Frontier Field with a 8-1 win over the Buffalo Bisons.

Brian Duensing picked up his fifth win of the season, allowing only 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4 over six innings.

Garrett Jones homered to lead off the bottom of the second inning for the Wings. Following a fly out to Randy Ruiz, Howie Clark singled. Matt Macri doubled to put runners on second and third before Bisons' starter John Halama unleashed a wild pitch. Clark would scamper home, but Macri would be taken out at 3rd on the play. Sergio Santos ground out ended the inning, with the Wings up by two.

With one out on the board in the 4th, Jones, Ruiz, Clark and Macri all singled, plating two. Santos sacrificed in Clark to make it 5-0 Wings. Ryan Jorgensen would single, but Tommy Watkins lined out to end the inning.

Trevor Plouffe added to the total with his 3rd AAA home run, going over the left field wall.

In the 7th, Tommy Watkins reached on a throwing error and Plouffe doubled a line drive out to right. Darnell McDonald would ground out and former Twin Juan Rincon would walk Garrett Jones. Rincon then got Ruiz out on strikes, but Clark singled to plate Watkins and Plouffe, making it 8-0 Twins. Randy Newsom would replace Rincon, who would be charged with two runs, neither earned, on 3 hits and 2 walks over 1.2 innings.

Todd Linden would draw a walk off Carmen Cali in the top of the 9th. Morgen Ensberg then doubled. Jason Cooper's ground out scored Linden, but Brad Snyder's soft ground out kept Ensberg pinned at 3rd, and Yamid Haad ground out to end the game.

Clark was 4-for-4 for the Wings with 2 runs and 3 RBIs, Jones was 2-for-3 with a walk, 2 runs and a run scored. Plouffe was 3-for-5 with a pair of runs and a run scored. Macri finished up 2-for-2 with a pair of walks, a double and a RBI. Jorgenson was the one hit wonder of the game.

The final game of the set is Saturday at 7:05 PM with lefty Francisco Liriano (5-2, 4.07 ERA) taking on Bisons right hander Jeff Harris (3-5, 5.09).

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With his single in the fourth inning, Randy Ruiz extended his hitting streak to 13 games and is hitting .392 over that stretch. He has hit safely in 16 of his last 17 games.

Garrett Jones' home run in the 2nd inning was his eighth of the season and the 66th of his Red Wing career, tying him with Luke Easter and John Valle for 10th all-time on the Red Wing home run list.

Friday's crowd of 11,416 was the largest Fourth of July crowd since 1980, when the Wings daily records began.

Former Twins prospect Terry Tiffee was named to the Pacific Coast League All-star sqad, representing the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s. Tiffee leads the PCL in hitting (.383) and was promoted to the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this season.

Friday, July 4, 2008

Ovalle leads Miracle to 7th Straight

Fort Myers Miracle


Fort Myers 2 at Lakeland 1

W: B. Erickson (2-0, 2.25); L: N. Martin (2-3, 4.05)
HR: FTM: E. Ovalle (7).

A lot of so called experts have written that Cole Devries is not a legitimate MLB prospect because he doesn't have a "money" pitch. The former Golden Gopher does have great control and terrific mound poise however, and evidently didn't get the memo about not being a "real" prospect. If he's not real, then all I can say is he's doing a great imitation of one.

Devries surrendered only 3 hits and one walk over six innings while fanning six. He'd take a no decision against the Lakeland Flying Tigers as the Fort Myers Miracle could not find the game winning run until the 14th inning of a very long game at Joker Marchent Stadium.

The Miracle had only six hits in the contest, and Edward Ovalle at least showed some love for his starter by going yard in the 4th inning, bashing a fly ball over the right field wall. It would be the Miracle first hit of the game, as Tiger's starter Guillermo Moscoso only allowed 3 over the seven innings he'd work. He'd walk one - Danny Berg in the second inning - and fanned six.

The only thing marring Devries performance would be Cale Iorg's ground rule double in the bottom of the first. Ozzie Sosa would take over in the 7th inning and after getting Ryan Strieby out on strikes, allowed back-to-back-to-back singles to Michael Bertram, Santo De Leon, and Justin Justice to give the Tigers a run. Carmelo Jaime would ground into a double play however ending the inning before Lakeland pushed a few more runners over the plate.

And the game would stay tied at one each for another 7 innings.

Jose Lugo would work the next three, allowing 2 hits to go with his pair of strike outs. Blair Erickson took the next four, walking four and fanning 2.

Derek Witt and Jay Sborz would work one each for the Tigs, before Ramon Garcia came in to pull the long haul of the next four.

Lakeland field manager Andy Barkett would get Nick Martin out of the bullpen for the top of the 14th inning. Steve Singleton's fly ball to right got him on base, and he'd follow that up by stealing 2nd. Ovalle then whipped his own fly ball, this one to center to drive in Sing for the game winning run. Martin would walk Danny Berg to get at Yangervis Solarte and was able to induce the Miracle rookie to line into a double play to retire the side.

Erickson however, would take De Leon and Justice down on strikes and get pinch hitter Devin Thomas to ground out to end the game.

The two teams rematch tomorrow for Firework's game #2, with a start time of 6:00 PM (Eastern).

Earlier in the day, Dunedin defeated Clearwater 8-6, so the Miracle still trail by one game in the standings, despite winning their seventh straight. While the Miracle already have their playoff berth locked up, it would be nice to face a team other than Dunedin in the playoffs for once.

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Jay Rainville was promoted to New Britain Friday while former Miracle Steve Tolleson and Frank Mata were placed on the DL. Rainville is expected to start Saturday's game at New Britain Stadium against the Connecticut Defenders. (Press Release)

The Miracle Charity Golf Classic will be held Aug. 24 at a site to be determined. The tournament benefits the Foundation Fighting Blindness. For information, contact Terry Simon at 239-768-4210 or tsimon@miraclebaseball.com

GCL Twins BBQ GCL Pirates, 17-3

GCL Twins


GCL Twins 17 at GCL Pirates 3

W. A.Sachez (1-1, 1.84) L: G.Alvarado (0-1, 5.50)
HR: TWN: A.Hicks (1)

Evidently the GCL Twins wanted to get the fireworks going early on America's Birthday, and so they set off some of their own, putting up 17 runs on 20 hits as they pounded the GCL Pirates into submission at Pirate City in Bradenton.

Leading the attack was Aaron Hicks who went 4-for-7 at the plate with 3 runs, and four RBIs, falling a triple short of the cycle. Not far behind was catcher Josmir Pinto, who was 3-for-6 with 2 runs and 2 RBIs. He did get the triple, but lacked the home run.

GCL Pirates Jon Goncalves and Hicks opened up the contest with back-to-back doubles, putting one on the board right away. Following a ground out to Danny Ortiz and a fly out to Tyler Ladendorf that scored Hicks, Mike Gonzalez and Hyeoung-rok Choi singled. Pinto followed that up with a double to drive in Gonzalez. Juan Sanchez's ground ball single pushed Rocky over the plate for the 4th run and Herbert Lara brought in Pinto and Sanchez for the fifth and the sixth. Having batted around the order, Goncalves took a walk which finished it up for big Gabriel Alvarado. Melvin Vaszquez came in and got Hicks to strike out to let the Pirates have a chance.

Jarek Cunningham would single and make his way to 3rd on a passed ball by Pinto, but with two outs on the board, he'd be stranded when Craig Perry, the Pirates 50th round pick, hit into a force out.

Vasquez would keep the Twins in check for the second and third innings. The Pirates mustered some offense in the bottom of the 3rd, with Kyle Sauldo and Ben Gonzalez taking back-to-back singles off Sanchez. Frezier Pedron lined into a double play, but Cunningham doubled to move Gonzalez to 3rd. Miguel Mendez would get plunked by a pitch before Perry ground out (again) to strand the runners.

The Twins had the bases loaded in the top of the 4th, but Ortiz flew out and Ladendorf ground out that also took Hicks down at 2nd to end the inning. Ortiz and Ladendorf would finish up the game 0-for-4 each, being replaced in the later innings as field manager Jake Mauer tried to muster up a little bit more offense.

The Pirates meekly came up to bat, and equally meekly went to sit down in the bottom of the stanza, much to Tom Prince's chagrin.

Zach Foster would replace Vasquez on the mound in the top of the 5th, and Gonzalez took advantage of the pitching change to hit a double. Rocky would fly out, but Pinto got his triple to score the Twin's clean up man. Juan Sanchez singled in Pinto. Lara would lined out, and Goncalves took a walk. Hicks then went yard over the left field wall - er fence - to drive in 3 more, making it 11-0 Twins.

The sixth inning was a relatively quiet affair, despite the fact that the Twins had the bases loaded and could not capitalize again. They really need to work on that. Jean Mijares would replace Sanchez on the mound and allow a walk to Mendez, but got Perry to hit into a double play.

Carlos Teller would strike out Lara to start the 7th, but Goncalves took a walk and Hicks singled to move him to 2nd. Hyun-Wook Choi would take over Ortiz's spot in the batting order, hitting into a ground out that scored Goncalves. Ladendorf would reach on a fielding error that also scored Hicks, and Gonzalez would sacrifice in Wook to make it 14-0. Rocky took a walk before Pinto flew out to retire the side.

Kyle Sauldo got a single off Mijares in bottom of the seventh for the Pirates, who would manage a total of 9 hits in the game.

Matthew Foust took over the mound for the Pirates in the top of the 8th, and got Sanchez to ground out. Hildago Anderson would come into the game for Lara, who finished up 2-for-4 in the contest with a pair of RBIs. Hidalgo singled and Goncalves took another walk. Hicks went down on strikes before Wook singled in Hidalgo. Jakub Hajtmar would replace Ladendorf, and the Czech reached on a fielding error by Jarek Cunningham that also allowed Goncalves to score. Gonzalez would fly out to end the inning.

Nick Lobanov took over for Mijares in the bottom of the stanza, and allow a walk to Pedron. Cunningham and Mendez both singled to load up the bases, and Perry would reach on throwing error by Rocky, which also brought in two runs. Joe Munoz ground into a force out to which scored Mendez and took Perry out at 2nd. Carlos Silva (remember him from last season?) ground into a double play to end the inning. GCL Pirates

The Twins really didn't need any more runs but saw no reason to leave Victor Igsema out of the slaughter, so Rocky lead off with walk and Pinto doubled to move him to 3rd. Sanchez went down on strikes before Hidalgo singled to score Rocky for the 17th and final run of the game.

Kyle Carr worked the ninth inning for the Twins, allowing a single to Ben Gonzalez, but that was all the Pirates would get as Pedron ground out to send the boys out to celebrate Independence Day.

Nice fireworks kids! Keep it up!

The Twins are back at the Lee County Sportsplex Saturday against the Orioles and Sunday against the Reds. Both games start at noon - weather permitting.

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From NDN: So far, the deep ball belongs to Andres Diaz. The Lake Worth native has two home runs, which is two more than the rest of the GCL Twins active roster. Diaz is a 43rd round draft choice by the Twins.

Now it would be ONE more than the rest of his teammates, however, word has it that Diaz holds the unofficial record for the longest home run hit by a GCL Twins player. Supposedly it landed somewhere near the left field lake. "What lake?" you say. You know, the one on the other side of the parking lot.

Fireworks


DSL Cubs1 1 at DSL Twins 2

W: A. Salcedo (1-2, 1.93); L: M. Coletto (1-2, 2.11); SV: E. Alvarez (8)
HR: None.

The host DSL Twins doubled up the DSL Cubs1 Friday, keeping the Cubs off the board until the 9th inning and then allowing only 1 run.

Adrian Salcedo worked five innings for the Twins, allowing only 3 hits and 1 walk while fanning five for his first win of the 2008 season. He'd give way to Jose Gozalez for the next two, who gave up only 1 hit while striking out 4.

Willy Gil would reach on a fielding error by Cub Robert Bautista, then steal 2nd. Following a pop out to Juan Blanco and a line out to Danny Santana, Oswaldo Arcia singled to move Gil to 3rd. A wild pitch by Cubs starter Miguel Coletto put Gil over the plate for the first Twins run.

The Twins would only manage five hits in the game, but made the most of their limited opportunties. With Jose Tineo on the mound for the Cubs and one out on the board, Jairo Rodriguez singled. He'd be lifted from the game in favor of pinch runner Yancarlo Franco. Randy Pina singled to move Franco to 2nd, and Carlos Vasquez would get plunked by a pitch, loading the bags. Gil sacrificed in Franco to give the Twins 2 before Blanco ground out to end the inning.

Edison Alverez allowed a walk to Juan Medina and a single to Albert Hernandez to lead off in the top of the 9th. He'd get Juan Pena to ground into a force out that took down Medina at 3rd. Ramon Bonilla likewise ground into a force out, but a throwing error by Carlos Vasquez at 2nd base proved costly as Hernandez was able to cross the plate. Marcos Perez ground out however, without further damage, and the game went to the Twins.

Pina, the Twins catcher, was 2-for-2 in the contest, the only Twin with a multi-hit game.

The DSL Twins finish up their week on the road against the DSL Reds, with the start coming at 10:30 AM, Dominican time, as always.

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The sounds of silence?

GCL Twins


Elizabethton 0 at Greeneville 3

W: C. Pitkin (1-0, 0.60); L: B. Tippett (3-1, 2.25)
HR: None.

Greeneville's Henry Villar and Colton Pitkin combined to hold the Elizabethton Twins to only 4 hits, no walks - and most importantly no runs - Thursday night at Pioneer Park.

Nick Romero, Jon Waltenbury, and Danny Rams were all one hit wonders for the E-Twins, who aren't used to such struggles. Michael Harrinton was 1-for-3 at the plate with a double.

Brad Tippett would take the start for the E-Twins and was equally as daunting on the mound. In the 7th however, he'd allowed a single to Kory Hinze and a double to Renzo Tello. Richardo Bonfante knocked them both in with a line drive to left.

Nathon Fritz would replace Tippy on the mound for the 8th, and allowed a single to Wilton Infante. Infante would be caught trying to steal, but Jay Austin took a free pass off Fritz. Jose Alluve singled, moving Austin to 3rd, and the freeloader was sacrificed in by Ebert Rosario.

The E-Twins, after an unusual 1-2 series against the Astros, head over to Bristol to face face the Chicago White Sox affiliate there. Game time for the Independence day contest is 7:00 PM.

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DSL Twins 8 at DSL DiamondbackReds 0

W: E. Cardenas (3-1, 1.29); L: T. Gutierrez (0-2, 5.40)
HR: None.

Danny Santana was 3-for-5 at the plate with a run and 2 RBIs as the visiting DSL Twins banged out 8 runs on 14 hits blanking the DSL DiamondbackReds, 8-0.

Eliecer Cardenas scattered 5 hits and a walk over six innings in his start for the Twins. He'd strike out 8 Dia-Reds players during his tenure on the mound. Carlos Carrillo and Renzo Reverol finished up the contest.

Eliel Sierra doubled and Manuel Soliman and Jhontan Arias hit back-to-back singles which plate Sierra to open up the scoring for the D-Twins. A wild pitch by Teo Gutierrez put Soliman on 3rd. 2 outs later, Santana's single would score Soliman, while Arias high tailed it home on the throw in from right by Jose Victor.

Arias doubled in the top of the fourth Yancarlo Franco drew a walk. Xavier Gonzalez would be taken out on strikes before Santana walked to load up the bases. Lesther Galvan then walked to force in Arias, making it 4-0 D-Twins.

Felix Caro would single in the top of the seventh, then be replaced by pinch runner Yorby Martinez. Oswaldo Arcia and Siera hit back-to-back singles that scored Martinez, for the D-Twins 5th run.

Franco triple to lead off the top of the eighth. After Gonzalez when down on strikes Santana doubled to score Franco. Galvan singled and following a pitcher change that saw Victor Navarro to the mound, a passed ball by Alberto Restrepo moved Galvin to 2nd. Martinez would ground out, but Santana came home on the play. Galvin would score on Arcia's follow up single. Sierra and Soliman would both be hit by pitches, but Arias lined into the final out to retire the side.

Siera and Arias were both 2-for-4, Sierra with a run and a RBI, Arias with a pair of runs and a walk. Arcia was 2-for-5 with a RBI. Galvan, Soliman and Franco were all 1-for-4 with a run, Galvan and Soliman with RBIs as well.

The D-Twins host the DSL Cubs1 for a 10:30 AM Dominican time game on Friday.

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Road kill continues in Reading

Fort Myers Miracle


New Britain 2 at Reading 6

W: J. Durbin (3-4, 2.60); L: Y. Pino (2-3, 3.93); SV: J. Outman (1)
HR: REA: L. Marson (4), L. Appert (3), J. Moran (1).

Former Miracle J.D. "The Real Deal" Durbin is back and pitching in AA, a level he seems better able to handle. He dealt well enough against the New Britain Rock Cats, allowing 2 runs, 1 earned, on 5 hits and a pair of walks while striking out six in 6.2 innings. Josh Outman would finish up the final 2.1 frames for his first save of the season.

Yohan Pino took the start and lasted 3.1 innings, allowing 5 runs on six hits and 3 walks while striking out 2.

With one out on the board, Brian Dinkelman and Dustin Martin hit back-to-back singles to get the game underway. Erik Lis ground into a force out, but Dinkelman scored on the play to put New Britain up early.

Ater taking Moses down on strikes, Durbin allowed a triple to Felix Molina. Toby Gardenhire's follow up single plated Molina for Rock Cats run number two.

Reading answered back through with Lou Marson taking a walk and Jeremy Slayden singling out to right. Joey Hammond ground into a double play, but Marson scored on the deal, making it 2-1 Cats.

Luke Appert walked of Pino in the bottom of the 3rd, but was caught when Mike Spidale ground into a double play. Good thing too, because it meant that Javon Moran's first home run of the season would be a solo shot affair over the left field wall. Jason Donald then singled and stole 2nd. Brad Harmon walked, and a single by Marson plated Donald to make it 3-2 Phils.

Pino would retire Hammond on strikes in the bottom of the 4th, but he then gave up a double to Mike Eylward before Appert put his third home run of the season over the right field wall. Kyle Aselton would replace Pino at that point, with the score 5-2 Phils.

AA All-star Ben Julianel would allow a solo shot more run to Marson in the bottom of the 8th, his 4th of the year to finish off the scoring.

Dinkelman was 2-for-4 in the contest with a run, while Martin, Danny Valencia, Gardenhire, and Rocky Palacios each hit a single. Molina was 1-for-3 with the triple, a walk and a run.

Enough is enough! Having been thoroughly beaten and now humiliated by losing to a man who, with a 3-4, 2.60 record, can no longer be called "The Real Deal" even at the Double A level, the Rock Cats now return to the somewhat friendly confines of New Britain Stadium to host the Connecticut Defenders. The 4th of July start is slated for 4:05 PM.

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New Britain Rock Cats


Rochester 7 at Buffalo 6

W: R. Barrett (3-3, 2.39); L: E. Buzachero (3-3, 2.78); SV: J. DePaula (2)
HR: ROC: M. Macri (4), T. Plouffe (2). BUF: T. Linden (5).

It would take 13 innings, but the Rochester Red Wings finally found the go ahead run to defeat the Buffalo Bisons (again) at Dunn Tire Park.

With two outs on the board to open the game, Triple-A All-star Darnell McDonald singled then stole second. Garrett Jones would single to plate the Rochester slugger, giving the Wings the early lead.

In the bottom of the second, Todd Linden would go yard off Kevin Mulvey for his 5th home run of the season. It was the lead off hit for the inning, and Mulvey got Jordan Brown to pop out before allowing a follow up single to Chris Gimenez. Morgan Ensberg ground into a force out that took down Gimenez, then stole second. Brad Snider singled to drive in Ensberg, making it 2-1 Bisons.

Mulvey would go on to work seven inning, allowing only those 2 runs on five hits and 2 walks while fanning 5. Buffalo's Matt Ginter would stay a little bit too long on the mound however.

In the top of the seventh, he'd plunk Sergio Santos with a pitch. Santos then stole 2nd and moved to 3rd on Ryan Jorgensen's ground out. Tommy Watkin's ground ball to center plated Santos to tie up the game.

The top of the 8th would see Jones single with one out on the board. Randy Ruiz followed it up with a single of his own, but Howie Clark would ground into a force out that took Ruiz out at second. Matt Macri then put a ball over the center field fence to score 3, this 4th home run of the season. Ginter would be gone as well, replaced by Edward Buzzachero.

Jorgensen and Watkins hit back-to-back singles in the top of the 9th, and would be moved by Trevor Plouffe's sac bunt. But a throwing error by herd catcher Chris Gimenez allowed Jorgensen to cross the plate for an extra Wings marker. They'd need it.

Tim Lahey would plunk Gimenez with a pitch to start out the bottom of the ninth. Ensberg doubled and Snyder walked, filling up the bags. Mario Gomez would be brought into the game instead of his normally stellar stuff, he'd allow Jason Cooper to single to score Gimenez, and keep the bags still full to boot. Asdrubal Cabrera then walked to force in Ensberg as well as a pitching change with Bobby Korecky coming in. Andy Gonzalez singled to score Snyder but after a coaching visit, one of many this inning, Korecky would get Michael Aubrey to ground into a force out that snagged Cooper at home and save a run. A Todd Linden ground out would score Cabrera however, tying up the game. Korecky would intentionally walk Jordan Brown to get at Gimenez who politely ground out to end the inning.

On to overtime...

Buffalo would threaten in the 11th and the 12th. The Wings however took action in the 13th when Plouffe put his second AAA home run ball over the left center field wall to hand Rochester the win.

Jones and Macri finished up 3-for-6 with a run each. Jones a had walk and a RBI as well, while Macri had 3 RBIs. Plouffe and Ruiz were 2-for-6, Plouffe with a walk, a run and a RBI, Ruiz with 3 strike outs. Tommy Watkins was 3-for-7 with a RBI. McDonald and Jorgensen each had a single.

Buffalo now brings their shaggy pelts over to the Frontier Field for the back end of the home-and-home four-game series which kicks off at 7:05 on 4th of July Friday. Red Wing Brian Duensing (4-8, 4.25) will oppose the herd's John Halama (4-1, 4.80) on the mound.

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How sweep it is

Fort Myers Miracle


Tampa 1 at Fort Myers 2

W: M. Fox (4-3, 3.65); L: I. Nova (3-10, 4.92); SV: A. Slama (17)
HR: FTM: E. Tintor (3).

After 24 scoreless innings dating back to the June 30th game against the Palm Beach Cardinals, the Tampa Yankees were VERY happy to see C.J. Henry cross the plate at Hammond Stadium Thursday night in front of a sold out Independence Day crowd.

The Fort Myers Miracle didn't exactly sympathize with their joy.

Henry would take a walk off the Miracle's Matt Fox. After Fox got Tim Battle to strike out and Edwardo Nunez to fly out, Henry would steal 2nd. Luis Nunez tripled to drive him in amidst much celebration in the Yankees dugout.

The run however tied up the game. The Miracle had take a slim lead in the bottom of the 4th, when Edward Ovalle singled, then stole 2nd. Danny Berg took a walk before Eli Tintor singled to score Ovalle.

The Yankees happiness was short lived however. Tintor put this 3rd home run of the year over the left field wall in the seventh to give the Miracle the lead again.

Reliever Ozzie Sosa and closer Anthony Slama would ensure that they kept it.

Fox would pick up the win, allowing only 1 run on 3 hits and a walk while striking out 3 over 7 innings. For Slama it would his FSL leading 17th save of the season.

Tintor finished up 3-for-3 at the plate with a pair of RBIs. Ovalle was 1-for-4 with a run. Steve Singleton was 1-for-3 with a walk. Olson was also 1-for-3 and took one for the team when Tampa's Ivan Nova plunked him with a pitch in the 7th.

With the sweep, and their sixth straight win, the Miracle are now 8-6 in the second half, good for 2nd place in the FSL West division and trailing Dunedin by one game.

While the Miracle faithful will finish up their three-day holiday with Bar-B-Ques and Red, White and BOOM over the river, the Miracle will head over to Lakeland to face the Flying Tigers for three days worth of fireworks games. Friday's contest kicks off at 5:00 PM with Cole Devries (6-6, 2.77) on the mound for the Miracle.

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NDN - Notes

Correction: I reported yesterday that Whit Robbins had not been put on the DL. I was in fact incorrect and missed the transaction. He was placed on the 7 day DL on June 27th.

Fireworks


Clinton 7 at Beloit 2

W: J. Ortiz (1-0, 2.25); L: L. Van Mil (2-1, 3.03)
HR: CLI: J. Greene (12), M. Lawson (3).

Loek Van Mil might be 7'1" tall, but right now he probably feels somewhat shorter than a yard stick after giving up 4 runs on a pair of hit and a pair of walks in .2 innings.

The funny thing is, he pitch well enough in the 8th, allowing only one single and striking out 1.

The offensive outburst from the Clinton Lumber Kings gave them a 7-2 lead in the 9th inning, good for the win as the Beloit Snappers couldn't find five runs in the bottom of the final stanza to counter them with.

Clinton would get on the board first when Mike Tarsi would hit Jonathan Greene with a pitch. Timothy Smith singled and Christian Santana doubled to plate Greene before Tarsi could find the final two outs.

The Snapper answered back however with Allen de san Miguel singling his way onto base and moving to second on an Andrew Schmiesing single. Chris Cates sac-bunt moved the runners into scoring position, and a single by newcomer Jeanfred Brito pushed Dirty over the plate.

Greene would take Tarsi yard in the top of the seventh for this 12th home run of the year, putting the ball over the left field fence.

Fabio Castillo would replace Clinton's Derek Holland on the mound for the bottom of the inning and after getting Dirty out on strikes, walked Schmiesing and Cates. A wild pitch move the pair. Birto would line out and Estarlin De Los Santos would take a walk. Deibinson Romero's line drive would plate Schmiesing to tie up the game again.

Then came the top of the 9th. Mitchell Moreland would fly out before Greene took a walk off Van Mil. Timothy Smith flew out. Greene would then steal 2nd. Van Mil would walk Santana and then allowing a single to Carlos Domingues that scored Greene for the game winning run. A second single, this one to Kyle Murch brought in Santana. Danny Hernandez would then be called in from the bullpen and allowed a home run to Matthew Lawson. The ball, which cleared the left field fence, would mark Lawson's 3rd round trip of the season. Two of the runners were inherited and counted on Van Mil, Hernandez was only charged for Lawson's yarder.

Beloit managed only 4 hits in the game with Rene Leveret picking up the one hit wonder title without factoring into the scoring.

The Snappers will seek their Independence over Clinton on Friday with a 7:00 PM Fireworks game. Then then head out on the road for a three-game set against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

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Wednesday:
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Thursday, July 3, 2008

Cats run down by Phillies again

New Britain Rock Cats


New Britain 2 at Reading 9

W: P. Overholt (3-3, 3.98); L: Z. Ward (2-4, 3.43)
HR: REA: J. Donald (10), B. Harman (8).

Checking the New Britain scores is as much a chore as checking Elizabethton is a joy. The Rock Cats are not playing up to their potential at all. This year's version of the Reading Phillies contains much of the best of last year's FSL champion, the Clearwater Threshers.

The New Britain Rock Cats looked more like last year's version of the Fort Myers Miracle than as a collection of the best prospects in the Twins minor league system.

Zack Ward gave up 8 runs on 9 hits and 4 walks while fanning 4 over 5.1 innings. He'd lead off the game with walks to Javon Moran, Jason Donald and Brad Harman to load the bags. Lou Marson's ground out brought in Moran before Ward could get Joey Hammond to strike out and Neil Sellers to ground out to end the inning.

David Winfree singled in the second and got over to 3rd one out later on a Danny Valencia line drive, but Brian Dinkelman would fly out to strand him.

In the bottom of the second, Mike Eylward doubled, moved to 3rd on Luke Appert's ground out and was sacrificed in by Mike Spidale.

Drew Butera walked in the top of the 3rd, moved to 2nd on a Luke Hughes' line drive and to 3rd on a Dustin Martin ground out. But Brock Peterson would pop out and Erik Lis fly out and Butera was left on base.

Reading would not score in the 3rd, but made up for it in the 4th. With one out on the board, Appert and Spidale hit back-to-back singles. Moran's ground out moved the runners, and a line drive by Jason Donald drove in the pair.

Pat Overholt would stymie the Cats in the fourth, fifth and six innings, allowing only a walk to Winfree.

Eylward singled in the bottom of the six, and following a strike out to Appert, Spidale and Moran hit a pair of ground ball singles that drove in Elyard. Donald then went yard, his 10th of the season, over the left field wall. That finished it for Ward, and Rob Delaney came into the game. He'd immediately surrender a solo-shot home run to Harmon and a single to Marson before finding the last two outs.

With two outs in the top of the 7th, Butera would get plunked with a pitch. Hughes then singled to put runners at the corners. Martin doubled to drive in the pair, ending the scoring for both teams.

Delaney gave up 1 run on 2 hits and struck out 6 over 2.2 innings.

Hughes was 2-for-4 in the game with a run. Martin was 1-for-4 with a double and 2 RBIs. Winfree was 1-for-3 with a walk, while Valencia became the one hit wonder, going 1-for-4 at the plate. Both former Miracle players are posting a .196 average with the Cats.

The Cats have one more game in Reading, Thursday, July 3rd with a 7:05 PM start time.

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Rock Cats
R-Phils
Courant
Reading Eagle

Rochester 5 at Buffalo 4

W: C. Cali (5-0, 3.38); L: R. Newsom (0-1, 4.50)
HR: ROC: R. Jorgensen (5), M. Macri (3). BUF: B. Snyder 2 (7).

It took 12 innings, but the Rochester Red Wings managed to skid past the Buffalo Bisons.

Danny Graves worked the first 5 for the wings, allowing 3 earned runs on six hits and a pair of walks while fanning 2.

Ryan Jorgenson doubled in the top of the 3rd, move to third on a Tommy Watkins single, and come in on a Trevor Plouffe single to open the scoring and putting the Wings up early. That wouldn't last though as the Bisons used a pair of doubles in the bottom half the stanza to put 2 runs on the board.

Brad Snyder then went yard in the bottom of the 4th for the herd, with a fly ball out to left.

Jorgensen hit his own home run in the top of the fifth, his fifth of the season over the left field wall.

Matt Macri would do the same in the top sixth for his 3rd home run of the year.

The score would stay tied at 3 until the top of the ninth. With Jensen Lewis on the mound for the herd, Sergio Santos singled then move to second on a Jorgensen sac-bunt. Watkins also hit a sac bunt and Pouffe's sac-fly would score Santos.

Bobby Korecky would handle the pitching chores for the Wings in the bottom of the stanza, but Buffalo responded with Snider hitting his 7th homer of the season over the right field wall.

On to extra innings. All-star Darnell McDonald and Garrett Jones hit back-to-back singles, and passed ball put McDonald on 3rd. Randy Ruiz struck out and Jones would advance to 2nd on defensive indifference before Howie Clark was intentionally walked to load the bases. Macri then singled to drive in McDonald for the game winning run.

Jorgensen was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs and a run scored. Jones and Macri were 2-for-6, Macri with a run and 2 RBIs. Plouffe was 1-for-4 with a walk and 2 RBIs.

The two teams rematch Thursday in Buffalo at Dunn Tire park with a 6:05 PM game.

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Bisons
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RD&C 2
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B-News 2

GCL Twins rally past GCL Red Sox

GCL Twins


GCL Red Sox 5 at GCL Twins 6

W: B. Pugh (1-0, 0.00); L: S. Huijer (1-1, 2.25); SV: K. Mota (3)
HR: TWI: H. Choi (1).

The GCL Twins came back to win the game late, after surrendering an early lead to the GCL Red Sox Wednesday at Lee County Sportsplex.

Wilfred Pichardo opened up for the Red Sox by singling off Twins starter Edgar Ibera, stealing 2nd, and then coming home on a passed ball by Daniel Rohlfing.

The Twins answered back in the bottom of the 2nd when Andres Diaz took a walk, then moved to 2nd on Tyler Ladendorf's single. Following a strike out to Hyoing-rock Choi, Danny Rohlfing sent a fly ball single to center that served to plate Diaz.

The top of the 3rd started off badly with Christian Vazquez, Pichardo, and Andrew Frezza all drawing walks to load the bags. Following a fly out to Michael Almanzar, Tyler Yockey singled out to right and with the help of a fielding error by Jon Goncalves, cleaned off the bases. Bryan Paterson few out before Fort Myers native Thomas De Benedetto doubled to score Yockey.

Rocky homered to lead off the bottom of the 4th for the Twins, sending a ball over the right field wall. Ryan Pressly would then hit Danny Rohlfing with a pitch. Anderson Hidalgo singled out to center to move Rohlfing to second, and he'd progress to 3rd on a Herbert Lara ground out. With runners on the corners, Goncalves would then double to score the pair, making it 5-4 Red Sox.

The tying run eluded the Twins until the bottom of the 6th, when Goncalves singled his way onto base with one out, then stole 2nd. Aaron Hicks' ground out moved Goncalves to 3rd, and he'd score on a Danny Ortiz fly ball to right.

With Swen Hujer on the mound for the Red Sox, Hidalgo singled his way onto base. Juan Sanchez would replace him as a pinch runner, and he'd move to 2nd on a sac-bunt by Lara. One out later, Aaron Hicks tripled to plate the Venezuelan for the go ahead run.

Iberra would end up giving up 5 runs, 4 earned on 4 hits and 3 walks while striking out 3 over 3 innings. Andres Lovanov worked the next two innings before giving way to Bruce Pugh, who'd pick up his first professional win, allowing only 1 hit while striking out 2 over 3 innings worth of work. Kelvin Mota mopped up, collecting his 3 win in 1 inning worth of work.

Rocky and Hidalgo were both 2-for-4, Rocky with a run and a run batted in on a double and a home run. Goncalves finished up 2-for-5 with a double, a run and 2 runs scored. Hicks and Rohlfing were 1-for-3 each at the plate, Hicks with a pair of walks, a triple and a run batted in, Rohlfing with a run and a RBI. Ortiz was 1-for-4 with walk and a RBI, while Ladendorf, who was also 1-for-4, was the one hit wonder of the game.

The Twins rest on Thursday, and face then travel to Bradenton for a 10:00 AM game against the GCL Pirates on Independence Day.

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Herald Tribune

DSL Yankees2 1 at DSL Twins 0

The DSL Yankees2 held the DSL Twins to only three hits Wednesday, and while Pedro Guerra was outstanding, he was victimized by a Carlos Vasquez fielding error in the second inning, which lead to an unearned run on a double and a single. Guerra would allow only 3 hits, and strike out 4 in six innings. Jose Gonzalez and Leonardo Parra finished up the last three innings, combining to strike out six.

Jairo Rodriguez was 2-for-3 for the Twins, while Eliel Sierra was 1-for-4 with a double.

The Twins visit the Diamondbacks/Reds on the Thursday for a 10:30 AM Dominican Time game.

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Robertson near perfect through five

Minnesota Twins


Tampa 0 at Fort Myers 4

W: T. Robertson (5-2, 2.75); L: J. Stephens (2-1, 1.06)
HR: None.

Lots of rain around the Florida State League tonight and it originally looked like we'd be playing two tomorrow, but the skies cleared and game got underway 1 minute late a 7:06 PM.

Tyler Robertson took the start, throwing a no hitter through five innings although he did labor a bit at one point walking 2. He would strike out 5, stifling the Yankees with a nice curve ball.

Garrett Olson doubled out to left to start off the Miracle offense. Yancarlos Ortiz would move him on sac-bunt, and he'd come home on a Steve Singleton double.

The Miracle would load the bags in the 3rd, but could not capitalize as Olson was called out on strikes and Ortiz flew out to end the inning.

Robertson would just keep chugging along through 3. However, in the bottom of th 3rd, Wilson Ramos went down after a final swing that struck him out, and had to be helped from the field. As Danny Lehmann was the designated hitter, the Miracle put Danny Berg behind the plate.

After getting Eduardo Nunez to ground out, Robertson would walk Luis Nunez and there seemed to be a bit of a communication problem in the way Berg was framing the plate for him. Robertson would sit Kevin Smith down on strikes, but walked Andres Perez. A bit of a conference on the mound with Berg a few adjustments and he's put Seth Fortenberry to rest on strikes as well.

There would be no such problems in the top of the fifth, as two of the three batters he faced added a couple more Ks to the Kwick Kopy "K" Korner.

In the bottom of the 5th with one out on the board, Olson would single but would get caught stealing. Ortiz drew a walk, and Singleton would pop out to put two outs on the board. Berg knocked a nice line drive to center to bring in Olson, and Juan Portes singled out to left to drive in Ortiz. Edward Ovalle's line drive to center plated Berg to make it 4-0.

Jose Lugo would take over for the top of the 6th and would allow a singled to Eddie Nunez. But this time, it seemed like Jeff Smith managed to get the GOOD Jose Lugo on the mound as we'd take no damage in the inning.

Lugo would also get through the seventh allowing a walk to Fortenberry.

Steve Singleton would smack a nice double off Tampa's Edgar Soto and would move to 3rd on Berg's ground out, but he'd end up stranded as Portes hit into a ground out as well.

Blair Erickson took over the top of the 8th, A fielding error by Portes would allow Eddie Nunez to make his way to 3rd, but with 2 outs on the board, Erickson was able to get Luis Nunez to line out send the Yankees back to the dugout with more goose eggs.

For a man who professes to like rock'n'roll, plays the guitar and named his dog David Bowie, Johnny Cash seems like a really strange selection to make for your mound music. But Cash started to "Run on for a long time" and Anthony Slama trotted on out to mound. One fly out, one single and a pair of strikes later, it was all over, as the slightly damp Miracle faithful made their way home with a happy feeling inside.

Olson, Singleton, and Ovalle were all 2-for-4, Olson with a pair of runs, Singleton and Ovalle each with a run scored. Berg was 1-for-2 with a run and a RBI; Portes was 1-for-4 with a RBI. Solarte and Lehman were the one hit wonders of the game.

The annual Independence Day Fireworks game kicks off Independence weekend Thursday night at Hammond Stadium. Matt Fox (3-3, 3.95) will kick off the on-field fireworks against Tampa's Ivan Nova (3-9, 5.10).

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Whit Robbins is not officially on the DL, but he is not playing because he has stress fractures in his back. This is the same problem that finished off the second half of last season for him. There's no return date for him, as the only cure is rest. He's been serving on and off as first base coach, spelling Slice.

With Berg catching the game, Danny Santiesteban got to serve as bullpen catcher.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Double and Triple A All-stars announced

New Britain Rock Cats


The Double-A Eastern League All-Star Game will also take place July 16, and three former Miracle will be in it. Left-handed pitcher Ryan Mullins, and infielders Luke Hughes and Steve Tolleson have all been named to the All-star game from the Rock Cats squad. They will be joined by pitcher Ben Julianel who was signed by the Twins as a minor league free agent.

The game is due to be played at Merchantsauto.com Stadium, home of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

Hughes, the Rock Cats' 23-year-old handyman extraordinaire who, despite a lengthy stay on New Britain's disabled list earlier this year, continues to either lead or be among the League leaders in several different offensive categories. At the time of today's announcement, the versatile (and now healthy) native of Perth, Australia is batting a lusty .340 with 14 Home Runs and a Slugging Percentage of .621. Earlier this week, Luke was notified of his selection to play for the World Team in the 2008 Futures Game scheduled for Yankee Stadium on Sunday, July 13th.

Tolleson, a 24-year-old University of South Carolina product, is one of 8 Infielders selected for the League's Mid-Summer Classic. Son of former big leaguer Wayne Tolleson - Steve has appeared in 58 games for the 2008 Rock Cats and, while both versatile and steady with the glove, he has shown significant offensive punch in his first trip to the Double-A, Eastern League. At the time of his selection, Steve was 4th in the League in Batting (.335), posting 21 Doubles, 5 HRs and 34 RBI in 58 total games.

Mullins, a 6'6”/202-pound product of Vanderbilt University, is one of just three left-handers on the Northern Division's glittering staff. The lanky 24-year-old native of Nashville, TN has been the Rock Cats most reliable starter in 2008. At the time of his selection, Ryan was 6-6 over 16 starts with an ERA of 3.84.

Julianel, a 28-year-old southpaw from Rancho Madera, CA, will work out of the Northern Division's bullpen – a location from which he has been outstanding for the 2008 Rock Cats. The 6'2”/184-pound lefty is among the Eastern League leaders in both appearances (35) and Saves (15), while his 2.66 ERA has consistently been among the best on entire New Britain staff.

In other news, outfielder Darnell McDonald has been elected to represent the Rochester Red Wings at the Triple-A All-Star Game which is also to be played on Wednesday, July 16, in Louisville. McDonald is in his second season in the Minnesota Twins organization, and is batting .307 (6th in IL) with 48 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 68 games for Rochester thus far this season.

Beloit, E-Twins both post wins

Fort Myers Miracle


Clinton 5 at Beloit 7

W: S. Steedley (4-3, 2.28); L: K. Gomez (8-4, 3.04)
HR: CLI: T. Smith (4). BEL: D. Romero (2).

Deibinson Romero's 2nd home run of he season helped power the Beloit Snappers past the Clinton Lumber Kings, 7-5, at Pohlman Field.

Clinton would open up the scoring in the top of the 3rd when Andres James reached on a fielding error by Estarlin De Los Santos. A missed catch by Rene Leveret on the pick off attempt sent James to 3rd, and he'd be plated by a Mitchell Moreland single. Jonathan Greene would also single before Timothy Smith went yard over the right field wall to make it 4-0 L-Kings.

The Snappers got down to work in the fourth when De Lo singled, and Romero homered out to center, to cut the L-King's lead in half.

Chris Cates would single in the bottom of the fifth, and be tripled in by Ben Revere. A wild pitch by Clinton's Kennil Gomez brought Revere across the plate for the tying run.

Jose Felix would single in the top of the sixth, then move to 2nd on a Kyle Murphy ground ball. Engel Beltre's grounder to center would bring Felix in to put the L-Kings back on top again.

That also finished it for starter Santos Arias, who allowed an uncharacteristic 5 runs, 4 earned on 9 hits and 2 walks while striking out four.

Ozzie Lewis would single in the bottom of the inning, and Leveret would reach on a fielding error by Beltre. Mark Dolenc would bunt into a force out that took Lewis down at 3rd, but Schmiesing moved the runners again with a ground out of his own. Allan de San Miguel singled out to center to bring in the pair, giving the Snappers the lead again.

The bottom of the 7th saw a pair of back-to-back doubles by Romero and Lewis that brought in one more run to finish things off.

Romero finished off 3-for-4 with a pair of runs and 2 RBIs. De Lo was 2-for-4 with a run while Lewis was 2-for-3 with a run scored.

Dolenc, Schmiesing, de San Miguel and Cates all singled, while Revere was 1-for-4 with a triple and a run.

Former Snappers' bat boy, Kyle Murphy, was 1-for-4 for the L-Kings.

The two teams rematch Wednesday at 7:00 PM at Pohlman Field.

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Snappers
Tuesday:
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Stillwater Gazette: Schmiesing

GCL Twins


Elizabethton 11 at Burlington 4

W: C. Leavitt (2-1, 5.29); L: C. Bryant (0-1, 7.20)
HR: ELI: N. Romero (3).

Ho-Hum. Another day, another 2 billion runs for the Elizabethton Twins, who finished sweeping Burlington with a 11-4 win on Tuesday.

Juan Richardson would hit into a force out that took down Danny Rams to get on base in the top of the 2nd. Dominic De La Osa then singled, moving Richardson to third. Following a strike out to Angel Morales and a steal by De La Osa, James Beresford's fly ball would score the pair to put the E-Twins on the board.

The top of the 4th would see De La Osa single and then steal 2nd. Morales' single moved De La Osa to 3rd, and pitcher Carson Bryant would be replaced by Jacob Rodriguez. This made little difference as Beresford's ground out scored De La Osa. A passed ball by Miguel Moctezumo allowed Morales to move to 3rd. Adan Severino walked, but Rodriguez was then called for a balk which allowed Morales to score.

De La Osa walked in the sixth and used a single by Morales and a wild pitch by Rodriguez to get around to 3rd. A wild pitch would then bring him home.

Roque Colon bravely got on the mound in the top of the the seventh, and got Nick Romero to fly out. Jon Waltenbury would take a walk off him though, before he got Michael Harrington out on strikes. Rams then tripled to drive in Walt. Juan Richardson would go walkies on Colon as well, and De La Osa would reach on a fielding error by Fernando Cruz, which also plated Rams. Morales then double to clear off the bases, making it 9-1 E-Twins.

The Royals got a bit muscular on Danny Rondon, hitting him up for 3 runs, 2 earned on 3 hits and an error by Waltenbury.

Elizabethton's Romero then went yard over the right center field wall, and Rondon closed Burlington down in the 8th to take away any thoughts of a Royals rally.

Nathan Fritz replace Rondon for the 9th and allowed a single to Lifete Jones and a double to Angel Franco, but he'd get Julio Aparicio to pop out and Josh Vittek to ground out to strand the runners at second and third and end the game.

Curtis Leavitt earned the win, allowing only 1 run on 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out 6 in half a dozen innings.

Morales finished up 3-for-4 with a run and 2 RBIs, De La Osa was 2-for-4 with 4 runs. Beresford was 1-for-5 with a single, but picked up 3 RBIs in the contest.

Next up, the E-Twins look forward to pulverizing the Greeneville Astros Wednesday at Joe O'Brien Stadium. The game is set for 7:00 PM.

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Tuesday:
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Swarzak's road rocky at Reading

New Britain Rock Cats


New Britain 3 at Reading 7

W: F. Castro (5-1, 4.94); L: A. Swarzak (3-6, 5.96)
HR: NBR: L. Hughes (14). REA: J. Slayden (11), J. Hammond (3), L. Marson (3).

Anthony Swarzak gave up six runs on 7 hits and 4 walks while striking out 4 over five innings. He received little support as well from the New Britain Rock Cats' batters as New Britain fell to Reading, 7-3.

New Britain got on the board early, when Luke Hughes lead off with a singled. He'd try to steal 2nd but would be caught by Lou Marson. Dustin Martin then singled, and moved to 3rd on a Danny Valencia double. Brock Peterson sacrificed Martin in.

Martin would triple in the 3rd and following a strike out to Valencia and walk to Peterson, he'd be plated by Erik Lis sac-fly.

The bottom of the 3rd though saw the beginning of Swarzak's troubles. He lead off with a pair of fly-outs, but gave up a single to Javon Moran. Jason Donald then doubled to drive in Moran for Reading's first of the night.

Marson would lead of with a walk in the bottom of the fourth. Directly thereafter, Jeremy Slayden hit one over the right field fence to give the Phillies the tying and go ahead runs all at the same time. Joey Hammond followed that up with a walk, then moved to 3rd on Neil Seller's line drive single. Sellers would try for a double, but would thrown out at 2nd by Matt Moses in left field. Jake Blalock then singled to plate Hammond, making it 4-2 R-Phils.

With two outs in the bottom of the 5th, Swarzak would nail Slayden with a 93 MPH pitch. Luke Appert would then come in as a pinch runner, as Slayden left the game with an injury. Joey Hammond went yard over the center field wall to really make it hurt, bringing in two more runs.

The Cats would get offensive minded again, briefly, in the top of the 7th, when Luke Hughes hit a fly ball over the left field wall for his 14th home run of the season.

In exchange, Frank Mata would give up a home run to Lou Marson in the bottom of the stanza to finish up the scoring.

Hughes was 3-for-5 with a run and a RBI. Martin was 2-for-5 with a pair of runs. Valencia had a double and a pair of strike outs, while David Winfree and Matt Moses were both one hit wonders.

The teams rematch on Wednesday at First Energy Stadium at 7:05 PM.

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Log
R-Phils
Eagle
Courant

Note: Mata limped out of the game in the seventh with what appeared to be an injury to his right hamstring. He will be re-evaluated today.

Rochester Red Wings


Lehigh Vally 12 at Rochester 5

W: L. Walrond (2-7, 3.92); L: P. Humber (4-7, 6.00)
HR: LHV: J. Jaramillo (5), R. Thompson (3).

Speaking of getting rocked, Phil Humber can tell you all about it. The right hander lasted only 2.2 innings, allowing 8 runs, earned, on 10 hits and a pair of walks. The Rochester Red Wings would go on to lose, 12-5 to the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.

The Wings were already down by 8 when Randy Ruiz singled in the bottom of the fifth with one out on the board. Matt Macri would draw a walk and Sergio Santos singled to drive in Ruiz. Alejandro Machado then singled to plated Macri. Following a fly out to Ryan Jorgensen, Tommy Watkins then singled to drive in Santos, giving the Wings 3.

Jorgensen took a walk in the bottom of the 7th, then came home on a Tommy Watkins double.

The bottom of the 8th saw Garrett Jones single, and move to second on a Macri single one out later. Santos's line dive to center plated Jones to top of the Wings scoring.

Watkins and Santos were both 3-for-4 in the game, Watkins with a pair of doubles to go with his pair of RBIs, and Santos with a run and 2 RBIs. Jones and Machado were 2-for-4 each, Jones with a run, Machado with a run scored. Ruiz and Macri each had a single, a walk, and a run.

Mario Gomez worked the 9th inning, the only pitcher not to give up a run to Lehigh in the contest, although he did surrender a hit and a walk.

Julio DePaula struck out six in 3 1/3 innings, tying his season best for strikeouts (April 16 vs. Richmond).

The Wings now head over to Buffalo to face the Bisons. Former Twin Juan Rincon pitched last night for the Bisons, giving up 3 runs on four hits and walk in .2 innings. He'd strike out only 1, taking the loss, his first, with his new team.

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Manager Stan Cliburn won his 200th game as manager of the Rochester Red Wings Monday night. Cliburn holds a 200-182 record as Red Wings manager; Stan became only the sixth manager since 1963 to compile 200 wins in his first three seasons. Only Joe Altobelli (1971-73, 241 wins), Greg Biagini (1989-91, 237 wins), Darrell Johnson (1963-65, 230 wins), Marv Foley (1995-97, 228 wins) and Phil Roof (2003-05, 216 wins) have compiled 200 wins in their first three seasons as Red Wings manager (Rich Miller was interim manager for Roof for most of the 2005 season).

GCL Twins blank Reds, DSL Twins blank Indians

GCL Twins


GCL Twins 4 at GCL Reds 0

W: A. Curry (1-0, 1.86); L: S. Snowden (2-1, 1.20)
HR: None.

Wow! Deja Vu! Well almost.

Alex Curry worked only 5 innings and allowed 4 hits while striking out seven, but it was still a very impressive outing for the California native, as he lead the GCL Twins to a 4-0 blanking of the GCL Reds.

Shea Snowden would take the start for the Reds and was on the mound at the top of the 4th when Tyler Ladendorf would single with one out on the board, then steal 2nd. Mike Gonzalez would reach on a fielding error by the Reds Cody Puckett, which would also allowed Ladendorf to score. Reggie Williams moved Gonzlez to 3rd with a line drive and Josmil Pinto singled in the Twin's 9th round pick for run #2.

That would be all the Twins would see out of Snowden through, who only allowed 3 hits and a walk while striking out 3.

With Matteo Pizziconi on the mound in the top of the 7th, Brandon Roberts would single, then steal 2nd and then 3rd. Herbert Lara would go into the contest to replace Roberts who seemed intent upon re-injuring himself. Following a ground out to Danny Ortiz, Ladendorf doubled out to right to score Lara.

Lara and Aaron Hicks would take back-to-back singles off Mike Bohana with one out on the board in the top of the 9th. A wild pitch would move the pair, and Ortiz would sacrifice in Lara for the Twins 4th run.

Mauro Schiavoni and Steve Blevins would finish up on the mound for the Twins, with only Blevins allowing a hit.

Ladendorf was 2-for-5 in the game in the clean up position with 1 RBI, the only Twins with a multi-hit game. Roberts, Lara, Hicks, Williams and Pinto each had a single, with Hicks and Williams being one hit wonders of the game.

The Twins host the GCL Red Sox on Wednesday for a noon game at the Lee County Sportsplex.

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Herald Tribune




DSL Twins 6 at DSL Indians 0

W: R. Acosta (5-0, 0.00); L: J. Campos (0-2, 5.03)
HR: None.

Ramon Acosta would work all nine innings of a DSL Twins road game, allowing only 3 hits while fanning 7 to blank the DSL Indians.

Jose Campos took the start for the Indians, and would see Eliel Sierra reach on a fielding error, then move to 2nd on a balk. Jean Carlos Mercedes ground out moved him to third, and Manuel Soliman and Jhonatan Arias both took walks to load the bags. Willy Gil would then get hit by a pitch to force in a run, the only one the Twins would need.

Oswaldo Arcia singled in the top of the fourth, and Sierra doubled him in. Mercedes single sent Sierra to 3rd. Soliman would take a wlak and Arias would pop out before Gil took a walk to force in Sierra for a second run, making the score 3-0.

Danny Santana drew a walk off Alexander Torres to start out the top of the 7th. He moved to second on Juan Blanco's ground out then to 3rd on a Felix Cairo fly ball single. Arcia then singled to score Santana.

The last two runs came in the top of the eighth with Arias and Gil singling, and then Danny Santana doubling them in off Indian's reliever Jose Flores.

Aracia was 2-for-5 with a run and a RBI, the only Twin with multi-hit contest, yet everyone except Blanco and pinch runner Carlos Vasquez, who never saw an at bat, had a hit in the game. Sierra, Soliman and Sanata all had doubles, while Cairo and Mercedes were the one hit wonders.

The Twins host the DSL Yankees 2 for a 10:30 AM Dominican Time game.

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Viva Venezuela!

Fort Myers Miracle


Tampa 0 at Fort Myers 4

W: D. Guerra (8-4, 4.32); L: G. Duff (1-5, 3.27)
HR: None.

Deolis Guerra threw a complete nine-inning shut out, limiting the Tampa Yankees to only 3 hits and 3 walks while fanning 4 to lead the Fort Myers Miracle to a 4-0 blanking of the New York affiliate Tuesday night at Hammond Stadium.

If this performance does not win Senor Guerra Florida State League pitcher of the week, than I can't image what would.

Tampa is battling a number of injuries and is without All-star catcher Kyle Anson, but the squad still has some bite. Fortunately for the Miracle, they didn't get much more than a nibble out of Guerra.

Yancarlos Ortiz and Steve Singleton walked to start off the bottom of the 1st. Wilson Ramos then singled to load the bags. Juan Portes would hit into a sac-fly to plate Ortiz and Edward Ovalle would take a walk, but Berg out be taken out on strikes by Tampa starter Grant Duff to strand the men.

The bottom of the 3rd would see Ramos single and Portes double him in. Ovalle's sac bunt would move Portes to 3rd. Following a walk to Berg, Eli Tintor would single out to left to drive in Portes making it 3-0 Miracle.

It would stay that way for a while. Duff would give up 3 runs on six hits and 4 walks while striking out 3 in four innings before giving way to Phillip Bartleski. He'd keep the Miracle off the board for the next three.

Wilkins Arias would take over for the 8th, allowing a single to Berg and a double to Tintor. Yangervis Solarte would like out, but Garrett Olson took a walk to load the bags. Arias would then hit Yancarlos Ortiz with a pitch to force in Berg. He'd get Singleton and Ramos out on strikes however.

James Cooper would hit a laser in the top of the 8th that looked like it was headed for the outfield, but Ortiz, the Human Hoover, sucked it in somehow to pick up an unassisted double play. That kid is just stellar.

Tintor was 2-for-4 with a run batted in and Ramos was 2-for-5 with a run. Everyone else in the line up had at least a single, except for Olson and Ortiz, although both drew walks.

Tyler Robertson (4-2, 2.93) takes the start tomorrow against Tampa right hander Jason Stephens (2-0, 0.82). Ian Kennedy would then be in line to start for Tampa on Thursday, IF they decide to bring him over from Casa de Steinbrenner. He did not travel with the team for this road trip.

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I realize that click Sharpies are a relatively new invention, but the technology behind them has been around for a long, long time. I've had to show three different players how to use them this week, two at this game alone.

Needless to say, I did not get Kennedy's autograph. Nor did I get Anson's, Sublett's or Garcia's. But I did pretty well with the rest of the team.

If you ordered Beloit Cards (Ed, T.J.) they are in. Please see Iris to pick up your set.

A Rock Cats press release last week had indicated that reliever Jay Sawatski was on his way down to the Miracle. This is not the case. Sawatski has been placed on the DL.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Hurtin' Snappers blanked by Cedar Rapids

Beloit Snappers,GCL Twins


Cedar Rapids 7 at Beloit 0

W: E. Jimenez (3-2, 3.97); L: D. Bromberg (5-6, 5.31)
HR: CED: R. Groth (1).

David Bromberg allowed 6 runs, 5 earned on 8 hits and a walk while striking out four in 5.1 innings as the the Cedar Rapids Kernels went on to blank the Beloit Snappers, 7-0.

The Snappers showed little offensively recording only six hits in the game, with Ben Revere getting 3 of them, finishing up 3-for-4 at the plate. Chris Cates and Allen de San Miguel were both 1-for-3, Cates also had a walk, while Greg Yersich was 1-for-4.

Ryan Groth led off the contest with a home run, his first of the season over the center field wall, a pretty good indication things were not going to go the Snappers way. Andrew Romine then tripled, and came home on Hector Estrella's ground out to give the Kernels a pair of runs.

Romine would singled in the top of the 3rd then moved to 2nd on a throwing error by Marc Dolenc. Esterella then doubled him in to make it 3-0 Cedar Rapids.

In the top of the sixth, Jay Brossman would single with one out and Clay Fuller would get hit by a pitch. Julio Perez doubled to drive in 2 more. After Ariel De Los Santos was hit by a pitch, Nelson Prada would hit the bullpen up for Charles Nolte to replace Bromberg. Nolte would allow a single to Tyler Johnson which plated Perez before getting the final two outs.

Chris Anderson would come in for the top of the ninth and Estrella struck again, this time a double out to self. A wild pitch saw Elstrella to 3rd, and he'd be sacrificed in by Brossman for the Kernel's seventh and final run.

Having had enough popcorn for the home stand, the Snappers now welcome in the Clinton Lumberkings for a four game set, with Tueday's first pitch due out at 7:00 PM.

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Sunday:
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Jon Waltenbury


Elizabethton 12 at Burlington 0

W: D. Osterbrock (1-0, 1.93); L: G. De La Cruz (0-2, 12.10)
HR: ELI: N. Romero (2), N. Papasan (1).

The Burlington Royals probably preferred the rain. As it was, what they got was not a thunderstorm, but the thunder of the Elizabethton Twins bats as they pulverized the Royals in both halves of a double header.

Nick Romero and Nick Papasan recorded a pair of home runs in game one. Romero would finish up 1-for-3 with a pair of walks, a pair of runs and a RBI. Papasan and Evan Bigley were both 3-for-4, Papi with 3 runs and 3 RBIs, while Bigly settled for 1 run and 1 RBI.

Jon Waltenbury went 2-for-4 at the plate with a run and a run scored. Dominic De La Osa was 3-for-5 with a run and 2 RBIs while Michael Harrington was 2-for-5 with a run and a RBI. Everyone in the line up had at least one hit and all but James Beresford had at least one run.

Danny Osterbrock allowed 2 hits and a walk over 5 innings to confound the Royals, fanning 2 over that time frame. Lee Martin and Thom Wright finished up the last two.

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Elizabethton 11 at Burlington 1

W: B. Lanigan (1-1, 3.77); L: S. Garrido (0-1, 3.75)
HR: ELI: A. Soto (5).

An eight-run fourth inning put the Elizabethton Twins well over the top in the game two.

Alex Soto's solo shot home run was just a bit of special treat in the fifth.

Jon Waltenbury was 2-for-3 with a pair of runs and runs batted in. Evan Bigly and Alex Soto were both 2-for-4, Bigley with 2 RBIs, Soto with two runs and 4 RBIs. Jeanfred Brito was 2-for-5 with 2 runs. Everyone in the line up had a hit except for Danny Rams, who walked twice, and Adan Severino, a new addition from Broward Community College, who also drew a pair of walks.

Bobby Lanigan gave up 1 run on 1 hit and a walk while striking out 2. Danny Rondon and Mark Hamburger each worked an inning to finish up the contest.

Look for more thunder tonight at Burlington Athletic Stadium - thunder that won't be coming from the sky.

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Burlington Times
Sunday:
E-Star
Saturday:
E-Star