Snappers stun Wizards

Beloit 13 at Fort Wayne 2

W: D. Bromberg (6-6, 5.03); L: W. Pelzer (7-4, 3.39)
HR: None.

The Beloit Snapper offense erupted for 13 run on 13 hits to bury the Fort Wayne Wizards, 13-2.

David Bromberg worked seven scoreless innings for Beloit, allowing only 3 hits and a walk while striking out 9 - the sort of performance that got him named to the All-star game, but which as been lacking of late.

The Snaps began their offensive onslaught in the second inning, with Deibinson Romero reaching on a throwing error by Lance Zawadzki. Reve Leveret singled to move him to second and Mark Dolenc would get hit by a pitch. Allan de San Miguel hit into a force out that brought Romero and Leveret home, but took Dolenc out at 2nd. A throwing error by Lawadzki moved Dirty to 2nd. Andrew Schmiesing then reached on a fielding error that scored the Snappers Aussie catcher. Estarlin de Los Santos ground out and Jeanfred Brito struck out to end the inning.

Chris Cates opened the bottom of the 3rd with a line drive to right, and Ben Revere followed it up with a line drive to left. Romero would reach on force attempt to load the bags. Leveret hit into a force out that scored Cates and took Romero out at 2nd. Dolenc would go down on strikes before Dirty's line drive plated Revere. A throwing error by Danny Payne advanced the runners and Schmiesing doubled them in. De Lo took a walk but Brito ground out to give the Wizards a chance.

Cates opened the bottom of the 4th by reaching on a fielding error - one of seven the Wizards would make over the course of the game. Revere then singled and Romero would get hit by a pitch to load the bags up again. The Wizards finally called for a pitching change, replacing the heavily hit Wynn Petzer with Matt Teague. Teague did not fair much better however, as Leveret double off of him to clean off the bases. Dolenc would single to put two men on before Dirty lined out. Schmeising walked and De Lo would get hit by a pitch to again load up the baggies. Omar Gutierrez was pulled out of the bullpen to replace Teague and would get Brito to hit into a ground out that scored Dolenc. As the team batted around the order, Cates then ground out to end retire the Snappers with the score 12-0.

Things would calm down after that, and the Snappers would not score again until the top of the sixth with De Lo taking a walk with one out on the board. Brito flew out and Cates reached on a throwing error that also put De Lo over the plate.

The bottom of the 8th saw Dutchmen Loek Van Mil come into replace Bromberg. He'd get Yetri Carvajal to line out before waking Parrino. Anthony Contreras singled and wild pitch from Van Mil advanced the pair. Luis Martinez walked before Brad Chalk reached on a force attempt. A throwing error by Van Mil allowed Parrino to score and spoiled Beloit's shut out. Robert Perry would then sacrifice in Cantreras. Zawadzki would walk to load the bags before Van Mil would get Danny Payne to line to end the inning.

Danny Hernandez came in to close the game for the Snappers, striking out two.

Revere and Leveret where 3-for-5 at the plate, Revere with a walk and a pair of runs and Leveret with a double, 3 runs and 4 RBIs. Dolenc was 2-for-4 with a run and a run scored. Brito, Cates, Romero, and Dirty all had singles, while Schmeising had a double.

Having had their full of Wizards, the Beloit continues their trip through the realms of Myth to take on the Dragons in Daytona on Saturday. First pitch is due at 6:00 PM.

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Elizabethton 3 at Johnson City 4

W: S. Maertz (2-0, 4.00); L: L. Martin (2-1, 5.27)
HR: None.

It would take 15 innings, but the Johnson City Cardinals slipped by the Elizabethton Twins 4-3.

The E-Twins got onto the board first when Dominic De La Osa singled, Nick Romero took a walk and Jon Waltenbury singled to load the bags. After Danny Rams went down on strikes, Michael Harrington sacrificed in De La Osa.

Shooter Hunt took the start on the mound for the Elizabethton and dealt through five innings, walking only 2 and striking out 10. Thom Wright would take over the sixth and the Cards saw their first hit when Brett Lilley singled. He'd not go far as Guillermo Toribio ground into a force out, Nico Vasquez's ground out to Toribio at 2nd, and Rams passed a ball, moving him to 3rd. Curt Smith then singled out to left to score Toribio, tying up the game.

And it would stay tied until the 14th inning. Santo Maertz came onto the mound for the Cards, and after a pop out to Bigley, Juan Richardson took a single off of him. A throwing error on the pick off attempt saw Richardson to 3rd. Angel Morales would get plunked by a pitch before James Beresford singled to drive in Richardson putting the Twins on top. But baseball is not sudden death. So the Cards got a chance.

Mark Hamburger was on the mound for the Twins and pitching well. He'd take Ivan Castro down on strikes before Edgar Lara singled. Jarred Bogany replaced Lara as a pinch runner, and Hamburger walked Osvaldo Morales. A passed ball by Alex Soto moved the pair, and a Paul Cruz ground out put Bogany over the plate.

On to the fifteenth inning. Waltenbury walked and Soto double. Harrington was issued an intentional walk to load the plate before Bigley went down on strikes. Richardson would single to drive in Waltenbury, but Soto would be taken out at home and Morales would strike out before more damage could be down.

Lee Martin replaced Hamburger on the mound and allowed a single to Lilley and walk to Toribio. Vasquez advanced the runners with a sac bunt, Martin then intentionally walked Curtis Smith. Invan Castro singled out to center to bring in Lilley and Toribio, ending the game as the Cards had home field advantage.

The teams rematch on Saturday, hopefully for a somewhat shorter contest, as I'm sure they are all worn out from this one. Game time is 7:00 PM Eastern.

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Teams play two, Sunday at Noon

Take me out to ballpark,
No, they won't play in the rain.
Buy me a beer before we leave again,
Dry or soggy it's all the same.
For I got me my stadium blanket,
So the teams didn't play - what a shame.
But that that was one, big, ugly thunder-storm,
Washed out the Fort Myers Miracle game!


Miss Diamond really liked her new Miracle blanket

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Meet the Miracle: Danny Lehmann
Let's go Miracle Blog

Cats slip by struggling Sea Dogs

Portland 3 at New Britain 4

W: A. Gabino (4-4, 3.16); L: M. James (2-3, 4.33); SV: B. Julianel (19)
HR: None.

The New Britain Rock Cats squeaked by the Portland Seadogs 4-3 with a late inning rally at New Britain Stadium.

Danny Valencia and Erik Lis took back-to-back singles in the bottom of the 4th which turned into a pair of runs when David Winfree tripled them.

Anthony Swarzak worked five good innings but found some trouble in the sixth. He'd get the first two outs but allowed a single to Sandy Madera and a double to John Otness that put one on the board for the Dogs. Jorge Jimenez then tripled to bring in Otness. Iggy Suarez singled to plate Jimenez before Ryan Mullins was brought in to get the last out. Swarzak's final line was 3 runs, earned, on 8 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3 in 5.2 innings.

Lis doubled in the bottom of the 7th to start out the rally. Following a strike outs to Winfree and Felix Molina, Toby Gardenhire singled out to left to drive in Lis. He'd advance on a fielding error, but a pitching change, with Michael James replacing Kris Johnson on the mound, left him stranded as James got Drew Butera to strike out to end the inning.

Dustin Martin singled off James in the bottom of the 8th and moved to second on Matt Moses' sac-bunt. Brock Peterson then doubled him in for the game winning run.

Ben Julianel worked the 9th inning, striking out one for this 19th save of the season.

Valencia and Lis were both 2-for-4 in the contest, Valencia with a run and Lis with a double and a pair of runs.

Martin and Peterson were both 1-for-4, Martin with a run, Peterson with a double and a run scored. Winfree, Molina and Gardenhire all finished up 1-for-3, Winfree with a triple and a pair of RBIs, Molina with a double, and Gardenhire with a run scored.

The two teams rematch Saturday night for a pair, playing a previously rained out game. First pitch is set for 5:35 PM. Zach Ward (2-5, 3.45) will take the start in the first game against Portland's Kyle Jackson (5-1, 4.84). Game two starts approximately 1/2 hour after the conclusion of game 1.

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Rochester 1 at Durham 2

W: M. Talbot (8-7, 4.64); L: J. DePaula (1-4, 5.80); SV: S. Dohmann (10)
HR: ROC: R. Ruiz (13).

Julio Depaula gave up 2 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks in 3.2 innings while striking out three, taking the loss for the largely offense less Rochester Red Wings.

Mitch Talbot scattered 5 hits over 6.2 innings, allowing only one Red Wing home run, to Randy Ruiz who tied the Red Wings franchise record with a 20 game hitting streak.

It was the only run for the Ruiz, but it was the only one that counted, coming in the 7th inning with one out and no one on.

Jon Weber doubled for Durham in the bottom of the 1st, then came home on Dan Johnson's ground out. Depaula walked Nathan Haynes and Andy Cannizaro in the 4th, and got Mike DiFelice out on strikes before Mariano Gomez came into replace DePaula. Gomez gave up a single to Fernando Perez that scored Nathan Haynes for the game winning run.

Omir Santos of Norfolk had a 21 game streak going earlier this season, so Ruiz will try to match that as the Wings take on the Bulls again Saturday night for a 7:05 PM game. Jeff Niemann (6-3, 3.82) will take the start for Durham against Rochester's Danny Graves (3-3, 5.06).

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Miracle win pitchers' duel

Jupiter 0 at Fort Myers 1

W: D. Guerra (9-4, 4.28); L: J. Allison (5-7, 4.39); SV: A. Slama (19)
HR: FTM: S. Singleton (2).

The Fort Myers Miracle came out on the winning end of a pitchers duel against the Jupiter Hammerheads, thanks to Steve Singleton's solo shot home run over the right field wall in the bottom of the first.

Neither team got much in the way of hits and neither team really threatened throughout the game.

Edward Ovalle, Danny Lehmann and Yancarlos Ortiz all had singles in the game.

Deolis Guerra worked 6.1 innings scattering 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3. Jose Lugo worked the next 1.1 inning before giving way to Anthony Slama who finished of the contest, doing what he's best at.

Of more interest was the injury report. Johnny Woodard was in the stands tonight and reported he was two to three weeks away from playing again, but probably closer to two than three. Whit Robbins is off the DL and says he is playing Saturday. Rene Tosoni said he went for another X-ray on this foot and that it has not healed up properly over the last two weeks, so that it will likely be a bit longer before he returns.

Tyler Robertson went for an MRI today. He says he thinks it's going to be clean but won't know the results until tomorrow. In any case, Ozzie Sosa (1-0, 4.26) will be taking his place in the rotation, pitching tomorrow against the Marlin's Graham Taylor (8-5, 3.10).

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NDN: Sporttrail

I stopped Foxy in the concourse and I said, "I just have to ask but, have you guys been calling Olson and Berg the Weasley Twins down in the clubhouse." He said they have not - yet - but thought that was a good one.

I'm dead tired right now and have to get up early as we have a 10:00 AM start down in GCL, so I probably won't get to the rest of the write ups until sometime tomorrow afternoon.

Rock Cats "Rain" over Harrisburg

New Britain 4 at Harrisburg 1

W: J. Rainville (6-7, 6.45); L: A. Alaniz (0-2, 4.24); SV: B. Julianel (18)
HR: HAR: B. Rhinehart (2).

Harrisburg's Bill Rhinehart homered in the bottom of the sixth inning, but was the only run the Senators would get as the New Britain Rocks Cats downed the Harrisburg Senators 4-1.

Jay Rainville worked six innings scattering 4 hits and a pair of walks whil striking out 4 to pick up his sixth win the of season. The Cats offense came out to support him as well, finding 4 runs on 10 hits.

Danny Valencia singled in the top of the second inning, then came home on a Matt Moses double. A throwing error by the Sens' William Bergolla moved him to 3rd. David Winfree triple to drive in Moses and, following a ground out to Toby Gardenhire, Rodolfo Palacios singled to plate Winfree, giving the Cats a 3 runs lead.

They'd hang on to it until Rhinehart's solo shot in the sixth, made it 3-1.

New Britain added an extra run in the ninth when Steve Schmoll walked Winfree, then hit Gardenhire with a pitch. After Palacios was retired on strikes, Luke Hughes singled to bring in Winfree.

Ben Julianel replaced Rob Delaney for the bottom of the 9th and allowed a single and a walk, but former Miracle Garrett Guzman would be taken down at 2nd by Palacios, and Julianel would use a pair of fly outs to end the contest.

Winfree was 1-for-2 on the evening with a pair of walks, a pair of runs, and a RBI. Moses finished up 2-for-4 with a run and a run scored; Hughes and Brock Peterson were both 2-for-5, Hughes with a RBI as well. Gardenhire would be the one hit wonder of the night, while Palacios had a single and a RBI, and Valencia had a single and a run.

The Cats return home on Friday to face the Portland Sea Dogs for a four-game series.

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Rochester 14 at Durham 1

W: F. Liriano (7-2, 3.53); L: B. Hendrickson (7-6, 4.52)
HR: ROC: R. Ruiz (12), D. McDonald (11), S. Santos (3).

Randy Ruiz advanced his hitting streak to 19 games with a with a 2-run home run in the first inning to help lead the Rochester Red Wings on a 14-run rampage over the Durham Bulls.

Jason Pridie, Darnell McDonald and Sergio Santos were all 2-for-5 at the plate with a pair of runs each, McDonald and Santos each with 4 RBIs as well. Garrett Jones, Ruiz and Matt Macri were all 2-for-5 with a run, Macri with 1 run scored and Ruiz with 3.

Howie Clark was 4-for-4 in the contest with 4 runs and a double. Tommy Watkins laced a triple out to right in the top of the 8th, coming home on a McDonald ground out, while Ryan Jorgenson kept the hits coming with a single, a walk, and run scored.

Francisco Liriano held the Bulls to 3 hits and a walk over 7 innings while striking out 8. Carmen Cali gave up the lone Bulls run in the bottom of the 8th by allowing a double to Fernando Perez and a triple to Jon Weber.

Ruiz’s 19-game hitting streak is tied for the 2nd longest in Triple-A this season (Omir Santos of Norfolk had a 21-game hitting streak).

The Wings and Bulls continue their series at 7:05 p.m. tonight. Righthander Julio DePaula (1-3, 5.86 ERA) is expected to start against Durham's Mitch Talbot (7-7, 4.85).

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Infielder Trevor Plouffe is day-to-day after fouling a ball off his foot in Charlotte.

Minnesota Twins shortstop Adam Everett will begin a rehab stint with the Class A Ft. Myers Miracle on Saturday. The infielder is scheduled to play in three games during the Miracle’s upcoming home stand.

Photos from the Red Wings' Fourth of July game against the Buffalo Bisons can be found online at Flickr I ran across this yesterday. DHPhoto has a number of Wings pictures in her photostream baseball collection so be sure to stop by and visit.

McCardell leaves Wizards spellbound

Beloit 6 at Fort Wayne 1

W: M. McCardell (6-2, 2.72); L: J. McBryde (3-6, 5.15)
HR: BEL: O. Lewis (4).

Mike McCardell pitched 7 innings of shut out baseball, scattering a pair of hits and a walk while striking out 9 to lead the Beloit Snappers to a 6-1 win over the Fort Wayne Wizards.

Chris Cates singled the the top of the fourth, right before Wizard's starter Jeremy McBryde hit Ben Revere with a pitch. Cates moved to 3rd on Deibinson Romero's fly out, which allowed the speedy Revere to steal 2nd. Rene Leverett's fly ball single to right drove the pair in to give the Snappers two.

That would be all they'd need with McCardell on the mound, but the Snappers helped themselves to a few more, just in case.

Mark Dolenc singled to lead off the top of the fifth. Estarlin De Los Santos went down on strikes before Jeanfred Brito singled to third. Cates would then hit a fly ball to right that drove in Dolenc and moved Brito to 3rd. He'd score off Revere's grounder to center, making it 4-0 Beloit.

Colt Hynes joined the game for the Wizards in the top of the sixth, and would get Leverett out on strikes and Ozzie Lewis to fly out before Greg Yersich belted a double. Dolenc's single to center would put Yerich over the plate to make it 5-0. Lewis would go yard in the top of the eighth to finish off the scoring for the Snappers.

Blake Martin replaced McCardell for the 8th and was greeted with a single by Yefri Carvajal. Andrew Parrino reached on a force attempt when Brito missed the catch. Martin would then get Luis Martinez to fly out and Brad Chalk to pop out before Robert Perry's single scored Carvajal for the Wizard's lone run.

Charles Nolte allowed a pair of singles in the bottom of the 9th, but kept the Wizards off the board, getting Parrino out on strikes to end the contest.

Cates, Lewis and Dolenc were all 2-for-4 with a run and a run scored in the contest.

The two teams rematch Friday night for a 6:00 PM Firework's game at Memorial Stadium. Wizard Wynn Pelzer (7-3, 3.16) will make his 15th start of the season for Fort Wayne, while David Bromberg (5-6, 5.42) goes to the mound for the Snappers.

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Kingsport at Elizabethton - Suspended

The Appalachian League game between the Elizabethton Twins and the Kingsport Mets was postponed due to rain. It will be made up as part of a double header on July 26th. The first game will start at 6:00 PM with the second game starting about 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first. Both games will be 7 innings in length.

The Twins travel to Johnson City to face the J.C. Cardinals on Friday, with the first pitch set for 7:00 PM

The usual suspects

Fort Myers 1 at Vero Beach 12

W: H. Rollins (5-7, 3.46); L: A. Burnett (6-3, 3.69)
HR: VER: M. Fields (14), J. Callender (1).

Rounding up the usual suspects to pin this blow out on would not be hard. The Miracle bullpen has been suspect all season. While Alex Burnett was quietly good prior to the All-star break, he's struggled in the second half, with the exception of a very good game against Brevard County.

Burnett would exit early, lasting only three innings after surrendering 7 runs, 3 earned, on 8 hits. Garrett Groce and John Matulia singled to start out the Rays offense in the bottom of the 1st. Groce however would be picked off and caught stealing by Miracle catcher Danny Lehmann. Neil Walton then hit a double to score Matulia. Walton would go to 3rd on Nevin Ashley's ground out, then come home on a Cesar Suarz single to give the Rays an early two run lead.

Al Reyes made a rehab start for the Rays and was replaced in the top of the second by Heath Rollins. Yangervis Solarte singled off of him, but the Miracle offense was nearly as listless as the pitching, managing only 6 hits to Vero Beach's 16.

Burnett got three quick outs in the bottom of the 2nd and in the top of the third, Yancarlos Ortiz singled out to center, then stole 2nd. Edward Ovalle would reach on throwing error by Matthew Hall at short that allowed Ortiz to score for the Miracle's lone run in the game.

Groce and Matulia singled in the bottom of the 3rd and Walton reached on a force attempt, but a fielding error by Ortiz allowed Groce to score and put Matulia on 2nd. Ashely hit into a force out to nab Walton at 2nd, which left runners at the corners. Suarez drove in Maulia and Ashley with a single to right that Ovalle threw past Solarte at third. Following a line out to 3rd, Joey Callender homered to bring in Suarez. Burnett would get Lopez to ground out, but it would be Spencer Steedley who trotted out to the mound in the 4th.

Groce singled and Matulia doubled to greet the new sitting duck pitcher. Walton's ground ball to center brought in the pair. Steedley would then get Ashley to fly out and Suarez to strike out. Despite loading the bags in the fifth, he'd manage to get out of the inning without additional damage.

Matt Williams replaced Steedley in sixth and walked Walton, then hit Ashley with a pitch. After Suarez went down on strikes, a wild pitch moved the pair. Matt Fields then doubled out to left to drive them in, making it 11-1.

Matt Hall would hit a ground rule double in the bottom of the second, but Williams was able to get out of the inning, despite hitting pinch hitter Craig Albernaz with a pitch. Fields would homer off Williams in the 8th to make it 12-1.

Ovalle was 2-for-4 while Wilson Ramos, Solarte, Lehmann and Ortiz all had singles in the game, making them, each and every one, one hit wonders. No one walked, and the Rays pitching staff struck out a combined total of eight.

The Miracle leave town with a split and return home to Hammond Stadium for a 4-game set against the Jupiter Hammerheads. It is Dog Daze III, plus Happy Hour Friday, so bring your Pooch to the Park and treat him or her to some free hot dogs from 6 until 7 PM. I doubt the Chips and Salsa would be much to their liking.

Deolis Guerra (8-4, 4.58) will hopefully be to the liking of the home town crowd as he'll be on the mound against Jupiter's Jeff Allison (5-6, 4.56). First pitch is due right after the free dogs stop, at 7:05 PM.

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Homestand Happenings: Saturday is Miracle Stadium Blanket Giveaway with the first 750 fans being treated to a stadium blanket from Gator Country 101.9 FM and Mix 104.7 FM. The Miracle also honor the first year inductees into the Topps Professional Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame. Sunday is family Funday at the ball park with 4 general admission tickets, 4 dogs and 4 sodas, plus a program for only $20. Monday night is "Miracle Mystery Night" where you'll find yourself asking "Who did it?"

One night after being blown out by the Boston Red Sox 18-5, the Minnesota Twins bounced back to pick up a win over the Detroit Tigers, 7-6. Former Miracle Justin Moneau was 5-for-5 at the plate with a pair of runs including a home run to lead the Twins attack. Tampa Bay native Denard Span, who played for the Miracle in 2005, was 4-for-4 with a walk and a pair of runs as well.

Twin use Orioles mistakes for win

GCL Twins 7 at GCL Orioles 4

W: A. Sanchez (2-1, 1.83); L: S. Taveras (0-3, 8.59); SV: K. Nanney (1)
HR: None.

Herbert Lara had 3 runs and Jonathan Goncalves picked up a pair as the GCL Twins downed the GCL Orioles, 7-4

Angelo Sanchez worked 5 innings, allowing 1 run, earned on six hits and a walk while striking out 2 to collect his second win of the season.

Lara would reach on a fielding error in the top of the 3rd, and moved to 2nd. A passed ball by Janesis Guerrero moved him to 3rd. Goncalves would take a walk and Aaron Hicks would follow that up with a single to score Lara. Adam Everett, on rehab assignment from the Major League Twins singled to load up the bags. Danny Ortiz would hit a sac fly out to right to plate Goncalves, and Ladendorf followed with a sac-fly to left to bring in Hicks.

Brian Anderson would replace Sam Taveras in the top of the 4th, and got Reggie Williams to ground out before hitting Lara with a pitch. Goncalves would reach on a fielding error that put Lara on 2nd, and a walk to Hicks got him to 3rd. Everett then sacrificed him in to make it 4-0 Twins.

The O's answered back in the bottom of the inning with Dennis Perez doubling. Sanchez then plunked Michael Gioioso with a pitch. Guerrero hit into a force out to short that took Gioioso out at 2nd, but Perez came home on the play, giving 1 to the birds.

Luiyi Batista replaced Anderson in the top of the sixth. Lara and Goncalves hit back-to-back singles and Hicks walked to load up the bags again. A wild pitch by Batista brought in Lara and Juan Sanchez, pinch hitting for Everett, knocked a line drive to center to score the remaining two runners.

Jose Mijares worked a scoreless sixth, and gave way to Steve Blevins in the seventh. Xavier Avery singled, then moved to second on Garabez Rosa's ground out. Jerome Hoes then tripled to score Avery, while a Dashenko Ricardo ground out would plate Hoes.

The O's final run came in the bottom of the 8th. Kyle Carr would hit Michael Gioioso with a pitch, then unleash a wild pitch to put him on second. Guerrero would ground out, moving Gioiso to 3rd and a fielding error by Reggie Williams saw Grohmann Gonzalez reach and Gioioso score.

Newcomer Khol Nanney replaced Carr for the Ninth and used a pair of ground outs and a fly out to finish off the O's.

Everett finished up 2-for-2 with a RBI, while Sanchez was 1-for-2 as a replacement, knocking in a pair. Mike Gonzales was also 2-for-2 with a walk as well, but did not factor into the scoring.

The Twins take on the GCL Reds at the City of Sarasota Complex on Friday. They return home on Saturday for a morning game with the Red Sox.

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DSL Twins 2 at DSL White Sox 3

W: L. Teis (6-1, 1.58); L: A. Salcedo (1-3, 2.55); SV: J. Rojas (5)
HR: None.

After being shut out for seven innings, the DSL Twins attempted a late inning rally but fell short, losing 3-2 to the DSL White Sox.

Adrian Salcedo took the start for the Twins, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits while striking out 2 over five innings. It was a quality start, unfortunately, the Twins could find little offense against the White Sox's Luis Teis, who scattered five hits over six innings to keep the Twins off the board.

Hector Eusebio took over the pitching chores for the White Sox in the top of the 7th and despite a walk to Oswaldo Arcia and a double to Jairo Rodriguez, kept the goose eggs in tact. He'd not fair so well in the 8th.

Xavier Gonzalez and Danny Santana both singled. Lesther Galvin would hit into a force out that took Gonzalez out at 3rd, but walk to Manuel Soliman loaded the bases. Yancarlo Franco's ground out scored Santana but Eliel Sierra ground out to end the inning.

The top of the ninth saw Jhonatan Arias single before a pitching change brought Juan Rojas to the mound. Rodriguez took a single off of him as would Juan Blanco to drive in Arias. But Gonzalez, Santana and Galvan all went down on strikes to end the contest.

Rodrigues, Blanco, Gonzalez and Arias were all 2-for-4, Arias with a run, Blanco with a run scored and Rodriguez with a double. Santana was 2-for-5 with a run. Arcia was 1-for-2 with a walk to round out the hitting, while Franco was 0-for-1 at the plate, but drove in one.

The DSL Twins host the DSL Indians on Friday. Start time is 10:30 AM Dominican Time, as always.

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Allen Fills Beloit Roster

Beloit Snappers Press Release

The Beloit Snappers’ pitching staff has received a boost as the Minnesota Twins have demoted pitcher Michael Allen from the Fort Myers Miracle. Allen will join the Snappers in time for tonight’s game against the Fort Wayne Wizards at 7:00pm.

Drafted by the Twins in the 13th round of the 2005 First-Year player draft, Allen attended Arlington County Day School in Jacksonville, FL.

Despite making just one appearance for the Miracle this year, Allen is coming off a great 2007 campaign for the Elizabethton Twins where he pitched in 13 games, posting a 4-2 record to go with a 3.47 ERA. More astounding was the 70:11 strikeout to walk ratio amassed over 62.1 innings of work for Elizabethton.

The move, effective today, leaves the Beloit active roster at 25.

Note: They didn't actually demote him because he was taken off the roster and placed on the restricted (suspended) list for Elizabethton. However they want to word it. So now I'm wondered what the something was that happened that got him suspended in the first place. Oh well...

Zawadski's grand slam leaves Snappers short

Beloit 6 at Fort Wayne 7

W: R. Woodard (3-4, 3.25); L: D. Hernandez (0-1, 7.71); SV: J. Quezada (16)
HR: FTW: A. Parrino (6), L. Zawadzki (3).

Reliever Danny Hernandez gave up 5 runs - 4 in the sixth inning - on four hits and a walk while striking out 2 to give the Fort Wayne Wizards a lead the Beloit Snappers could not overcome. Fort Wayne would take the game, 7-6.

It had been a close contest up until that point.

The Snappers got on the board first with Allan de San Miguel taking a walk in the top of the 3rd. Andrew Schmiesing reached on a force attempt and Mark Dolenc out reach on a fielder's choice that did not see any of the runners taken down. with the bags loaded, Jeanfred Brito ground into a force out. Dirty would attempt to go home, but would be taken down at the plate. Chris Cates ground out would score Schmiesing however, before Ben Revere ground out to retire the side.

Mike Tarsi took the start for Beloit and the lefty would allow a triple to Lance Zawadzki with one out on the board. Justin Baum sacrificed him in to tie up the game.

Deibinson Romero took a walk to lead off the top of the fourth, then moved to 3rd on a Rene Leverett single. After Ozzie Lewis went down on strikes, Dirty would sacrifice in Romero to give the Snappers 2.

Doubles by Luis Martinez and Robert Perry in the bottom of the stanza lead to a tied game again.

The Snappers took the lead in the 5th, with Dolenc singling and moving to second on Brito's sac bunt. Cates then singled in Dolenc.

They'd add to it in the top of the sixth with Leveret singling off reliever Brandon Gomes. Lewis would ground into a force out, but Dirty's fly ball single got Lewis to 2nd, and Schmiesing would bat him to 3rd with a fly ball single to left. Dolenc ground out with the bases loaded to plate Lewis, but Brito then ground out as well to end the Snappers' chances.

Hernandez, just a year out of surgery, allowed a single to Felix Carrasco, walked Lewis Martinez and gave up a single to Luis Durango. Robert Perry would pop out, but Zawadski would launch a ball over the right field fence for a grand slam giving the Wizards a 2-run lead. Andrew Parrino would also homer in the bottom of the 7th, to extend the lead to three runs.

With Jackson Quezada on the hill for the Wizards in the ninth and two outs on board, back-to-back singles to Cates and Revere gave the Snappers some hope. Romero then single to bring in Cates, and Leveret's single drove in Revere, but Lewis would ground out, ending the contest with the Snappers still down by one and the tying run on base.

Dirty finished up 2-for-2 with a walk and a run scored, Leveret was 3-for-4 with a walk and a run scored, while Romero was 2-for-4 with a walk, a run and a RBI. Cates would go 2-for-5 with a run and a pair of RBIs.

Tarsi worked 5 allowing 2 runs, earned, on six hits and 3 walks while while striking out 2. Chris Anderson pitched the 8th for the Snappers, striking out 1.

The two teams rematch Thursday.

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Wizards
Journal Gazette
Wednesday:
BDN

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Kingsport 4 at Elizabethton 5

W: C. Leavitt (3-1, 4.91); L: P. Orta (0-2, 0.90); SV: M. Hamburger (3)
HR: ELI: M. Harrington (5), E. Bigley (3), J. Lanning (2).

The Elizabethton Twins saw three different players go yard to secure a 5-4 win over the Kingsport Mets in game one of a double header at Joe O'Brien Stadium.

The Mets opened up the scoring, when Stefan Welch singled with 2 outs on the board, moved to 2nd on a wild pitch by Danny Berlind, then came home on a Charles Doyle ground ball single to center.

Imbewer Alvarez walked in the top of the fifth and was doubled in by Justin Garber to make it 2-0 Mets. Elizabethton would answer back however, with Evan Bigley going yard over the left field wall, his 3rd of the season for the E-Twins.

Joshua Satin singled off Berlind in the top of the 5th, then moved to 3rd on a wild pitch. Berlind would get Pedro Zapata out on strikes before giving up a single to Rafael Fernandez that scored Satin. Fernendez would steal 2nd and, following a strike out by Alvarez, came home on a Garber line drive to center. Curtis Leavitt would replace Berlind at that point, with the struggling starter giving up 4 runs on 11 hits and 2 walks in 4.2 innings. He would strike out 9 however, an interesting contrast in his performance.

The bottom of the fifth saw Nick Romero single with one out on the board. Erik Turgeon would replace starter John Holdzkom on the mound. He'd attempt a pick off on Romero, but a throwing error cost him as the Twins runner advanced to 2nd. A wild pitch then moved Romero to 3rd. John Waltnebury would double to score Romero. One out later, Mike Harrington hit his 5th for Elizabethton over the right center field fence to tie up the game.

Jeff Lanning's blast in the bottom of the sixth put the Twins on top, his second of the year coming off Mets reliever Phillips Orta.

Mark Hamburger would allow a double to Satin in the seventh but induced Rafael Fernandez to hit into a double play that took Satin down at home to end the contest.

Harrington was the only Twin with a multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 with a run and pair of runs scored. Romero was 1-for-4 with a a single and run, but struck out 3 times. Designated hitter Danny Rams also found three strikes, going 0-for-3 at the plate.

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Kingsport 1 at Elizabethton 3

W: B. Tippett (4-1, 2.03); L: R. Batis (1-1, 4.82)
HR: KNG: D. McNulty (1). ELI: A. Soto (6).

Brad Tippett worked all seven inning in game two, picking up his fourth win of the season while allowing 1 run, earned, on a pair of hits while striking out 4. Douglas McNulty hit a solo-shot home run off the Twin's Aussie starter in the top of the 3rd inning, his first of the year of the K-Mets.

Alex Soto hit his six of the year for the E-Twins in the bottom of the 2nd. Angel Morales followed it up with a strike out, but Adam Severino took a walk, then advanced to 2nd on a balk. Nat Hanson then singled Severino in to give the Twins a 2-0 lead.

Elizabethton picked up an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth, when Morales singled with 2 outs on the board, then stole 2nd. Severino then singled him in with a line drive to left. The E-Twins would load the bases before Dominic De La Osa struck out to end the scoring threat.

Juan Richardson and Jon Waltenbury were the only two Twins to go without at least a single in the game. Soto's homer was the only extra base hit, and Severino had the only walk in the contest.

The teams rematch Thursday as Elizabethton looks for a sweep before heading over to Johnson City for face the Cardinals. Game time is 7:00 PM.

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Rainy night in Charlotte

Rochester 1 at Charlotte 4

W: C. Richard (6-0, 2.37); L: K. Mulvey (3-8, 3.84); SV: J. Childers (6)
HR: ROC: T. Plouffe (4). CHA: F. Cortez (2).

The Rochester Red Wings dropped a double header the Charlotte Knights on Wednesday, with their offense being as soggy as the weather. After a rain delay game one got underway and way the Knights took 3 runs in the first inning off Kevin Mulvey. Mulvey would hit Royce Huffman with a pitch, then commit a throwing error that brought in two.

Meanwhile the Wings offense looked droopy, managing only four hits off winning pitcher Clayton Richard. Their only run would come off the long ball, with Trevor Plouffe going yard for his 4th in Wings uniform, a solo shot in the third inning.

Plouffe would go 2-for-3 in the 7 inning contest while Randy Ruiz extended his hitting streak to 17-games with a single, finishing up 1-for-2 with a walk. Ryan Jorgenson had the only other single, a one hit wonder indeed in the top of the fifth.

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Rochester 0 at Charlotte 4

W: J. Egbert (3-6, 4.67); L: B. Duensing (5-9, 4.11)
HR: None.

Game two would see the Rochester offense halved, with Randy Ruiz getting the only hits, going 2-for-3 with a double. His 18-game hitting streak is the longest since Luis Rodriguez went 19 games in 2004. The franchise record is 20 games, held by Mark Smith who did it in 1993.

Charlotte on the other hand would take 3 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks off Brian Duensing, who suffered his 9th loss of the season, lasting only 4 innings.

Bobby Korecky would surrender the fourth Knights run in the sixth, on 3 hits. He'd strike 2 during his one inning on the mound.

The Wings pick up their sticks and head over to a four game series against the Tampa Bay affiliated Bulls, who are leading the South Division with a 49-45 record. Thursday's first pitch is due out at 7:00 PM.

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Red Wings
RD&C

Pirates plunder Twins bullpen, pick up 7-4 win

Pirates 7 at Twins 4

W: G. Alvarado (1-1, 4.97); L: M. Schiavoni (0-1, 3.38); SV: M. Vasquez (2)
HR: TWI: M. Gonzales (2), H. Choi (1).

Despite home runs by Mike Gonzales and Hyun-wook Choi, the GCL Twins still fell 7-4 to the GCL Pirates as bullpen woes plagued the team.

The Pirates jumped to an early lead when Edward Garcia triple off Twins starter Edgar Ibera. Craig Parry got plunked with a pitch before Andury Acevedo and Frazier Pedron when down on strikes. Jesus Aguilera then singled out to center to score Garcia and move Parry to 3rd. Edwin Roman drew a walk to load the bags before Adenson Chourio singled Parry in. Ibera finally got Benjamin Gonzalez to ground into a force out that took Roman down at 3rd to end the inning.

Tyler Ladendorf took a walk, and a wild pitch by Pirate's starter Serguey Linares moved him to 2nd. Gonzales and Hyeong-rok Choi ground both ground out, scoring Ladendorf. Josmil Pinto also took a ground out to end the inning.

Wook then homered in the bottom of the 3rd to tie the game up. It was the first of the season for the Twins left fielder.

Gonzales would put one over the right field fence for his second of the year, briefly giving the Twins the lead in the bottom of the sixth.

Mauro Schiavoni would be on the mound for the top of the six but lead off the top of the seventh by hitting Roman with a pitch. Chourio then singled on a bunt but the Twins defense took Roman out at 3rd base. Gonzalez would fly out to center before Chourio stole 2nd. Vargas then took a walk off the Argentinian reliever before Garcia singled to bring in Chourio. Parry followed up by lacing a grounder to right to bring in Vargas and Garcia. Jarek Cunningham would ground out to retire the side.

Matthew Foust replaced Gabriel Alvarado in the bottom of the stanza and Wook singled off him. Following a fly out to Jake Hajtmar, Jon Goncalves and Juan Sanchez both singled. Aaron Hicks would hit into a ground out that scored Wook, but it would be all the Twins would manage, as Ladendorf flew out to leave the bases loaded.

Jose Mijares continued his rehab, working the 8th inning, allowing a triple to Roman to striking out the other 3 batters he faced.

Jean Mijares replaced Jose for the top of the ninth. A fielding error by Ladendorf allowed Gonzalez to reach and a wild pitch moved him to 2nd. Vargas' single put Gonzalez at 3rd, and he'd come home on a wild pitch by the Twins Venezuelan rookie reliever. Garcia then singled out to right to plate Gonzalez. Parry would take a walk before Cunningham flew out, and a second wild pitch by Mijares plated Vargas. The tall lefty would then get Pedron and Aguilera out on strikes to finish the side.

Malvin Vasquez took over in the ninth for the Pirates and despite hitting Goncalves with a pitch, made short work of the Twins.

Adam Everett played five inning at short on a rehab assignment from the major league Twins going 1-for-3 before being replaces by Sanchez. Gonzales, Wook and Hajtmar were all 2-for-4, Gonzales with a run and a RBI, Wook with a pair of runs and a run scored.

The Twins travel over to Twin Lakes Park Thursday for a noon game against the Orioles and stay on the road in Sarasota on Friday to take on the Reds.

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DSL Orioles 5 at DSL Twins 4

W: S. Jean (2-2, 3.89); L: C. Carrillo (0-1, 6.19); SV: H. Hodge (1)
HR: None.

The DSL Orioles took a rain shortened game from the DSL Twins. Eliecer Cardenas pitched well through the first four innings, but allowed a run each in the four and fifth innings.

The Twins out get on the board in the bottom of the second however, when Rafael Sanchez and Juan Blanco lead off with walks. After Jhonatan Arias went down swinging, Wilfy Gil would walk to load the bags. Yancarlo Franco reached on a fielding error by Oriole Larry Rivera which forced in Sanchez. Yorby Martinez drew a walk to push Blanco over. Lesther Galvan then singled to bring in Gil and Franco, but was taken out at 2nd, trying to stretch the hit for a double. Ozzie Arcia would go down on strikes to end the inning.

Carlos Carrillo took the blown save and the loss, allowing 2 runs on a hit and walk, plus a hit batter.

The Twins were limited to 3 hits in the game with Franco, Martinez and Galvan all picking up singles.

The DSL Twins take on the DSL White Sox on the road, Thursday for a 10:30 AM Dominican time contest.

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Devries de-rails Rays

Fort Myers 6 at Vero Beach 1

W: C. Devries (7-6, 2.45); L: W. Noel (1-2, 3.86)
HR: FTM: W. Ramos 2 (10), J. Portes (9). VER: N. Ashley (1).

Cole Devries has been excellent so far this season for the Fort Myers Miracle. Wednesday night, he took the meaning of the word to a whole new level.

Devries allowed 1 run while scattering 4 hits and a walk and fanning six as he threw his first complete game, going the distance over the Vero Beach Devil Rays.

The Miracle exchanged home runs with the Rays in the 2nd inning. Juan Portes put his 9th of the season over the left field wall, while Nevil Ashley got his first of the year, over the center field wall.

Wilson Ramos put his 9th our of the park in the top of the 4th, going over the left field wall.

Steve Singleton's line drive to left got him on the bags in the top of the sixth and Edward Ovalle walked before Ramos blasted his 10th for the Miracle over the center field wall to add three more runs. One out later, Danny Berg walked which prompted a pitching change for the Rays, with the appropriately named Matthew Walker replacing Chris Kelly. Yangervis Solarte would go down on strikes, before Eli Tintor singled to move Berg to third. Yancarlos Ortis drew a walk to load the bags and Garrett Olson followed that up with a walk of his own to force in a run. Walker finally got Singleton to fly out to retire the side.

The teams play one more on Thursday before the Miracle return home to the Bill on Friday for Dog Daze III. It also include free dogs for you and your canine furrriend to munch on.

Alex Burnett (6-2, 3.52) will attempt to redeem himself after giving up ten (Yes 10!) hits to Lakeland Saturday. He will contend against Heath Rollins (4-7,3.87) who is the Florida State League's strike out leader. First pitch is due at 7:00 PM.

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Miracle
News Press
NDN
NDN - Notebook
Breeze
TC Palm

Pitcher Carlos Gutierrez has been assigned to the Miracle. Gutierrez was the 27th overall pick in last month's draft by the Minnesota Twins after serving as the University of Miami's closer. NDN

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New Britain 0 at Harrisburg 9

W: J. Zimmermann (4-2, 3.68); L: J. Manship (1-3, 3.86)
HR: HAR: G. Guzman (7), L. Davis (4).

Despite eight hits, the New Britain Rock Cats were again shown to be clawless against the Harrisburg Senators, behaving like good little house kitties and catnapping through nine.

Jeff Manship gave up six runs, only 2 earned, on 13 hits and a pair of walks while striking out 2 in five innings. Errors by Felix Molina and Luke Hughes lead to the unearned runs.

Former Miracle Garrett Guzman was 3-for-4 with 3 runs and 3 RBIs for the Senators.

Danny Valencia was 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and Matt Moses was 2-for-4 with a double for the Rock Cats.

New Britain plays one more, Thursday, July 10th at Commerce Bank Park for a 6:35 PM contest before returning to New Britain Stadium to host the Portland Sea Dogs. (Upcoming Homestand)

Adrian Alaniz (0-1, 4.18 ERA) goes to the mound for the Sens against the Rock Cats' Jay Rainville (5-7, 6.88 ERA).

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Rock Cats
Senators
Pat News
The Sports Blog
Sens/OSC - Estrada
Lip Service Blog

Minnesota Twins Holding Tryout Camp at New Britain Stadium

New Britain Rock Cats Press Release



New Britain, CT - The American League's Minnesota Twins - in partnership with their Double-A, Eastern League affiliate, the New Britain Rock Cats - announced today that they will conduct an Tryout Camp for aspiring baseball players at New Britain Stadium on Saturday morning, July 19th. The tryout, which is available to players from ages 15 - 22 years, will run from 8:30 AM (registration) to approximately 1:00 PM. Professional scouts from the Minnesota organization - led by Twins' Area Scout Jay Weitzel - will be at the Stadium to meet, greet, and evaluate those players invited to appear to showcase their baseball skills. Position players will be asked to show their talents in hitting, fielding, running, and throwing; Pitchers will be invited to toss approximately 20 of their best offerings in the Rock Cats' bullpen. The actual length of this Open Tryout Camp will be determined by the number of participants who appear on the 19th.

All players wishing to participate in this by-invitation Tryout should contact Bob Dowling of the Rock Cats (860-224-8383) with a brief summary of their baseball experience. That information will be passed along to the Twins' evaluators for review and any subsequent action.

Those who do participate should enter the Main Gate of New Britain Stadium by 8:30 AM in uniform, with their own glove, bat and spikes. All potential participants who are current members of an American Legion team will need written permission from their coaches to take part.

In the last three years, two current American League All-Stars, Catcher Joe Mauer and 1B Justin Morneau, played for the Rock Cats on this very diamond. You could be next!

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Steedley Heading to Florida; Martin to Beloit

Beloit Snappers Press Release

Spencer Steedley's tenure as a Beloit Snapper has come to an end, as the left-hander has been promoted to the Twins' High-A Affiliate Fort Myers Miracle. Along with Steedley's promotion, the Twins have sent left-handed pitcher Blake Martin to the Snappers to fill Spencer's slot on the roster.

In 31 appearances this season, Steedley was 5-3 with a 2.14 ERA. Spencer struck out 59 batters while walking just 17. The left-hander also sported a 1.12 WHIP with opponents batting just .208 against him.

Steedley, a 2008 Midwest League Western Division All-Star, was the Twins' 25th round pick in the 2007 First-Year Player draft. Born in Salisbury, North Carolina, Steedley attended the University of North Carolina - Charlotte.

Blake Martin joins the Snappers after pitching in two games for the Elizabethton Twins this season. Blake was 0-0 with a 2.25 ERA in four innings pitched.

Drafted by the Twins in the 17th round of this year's draft, Martin attended Louisiana State University.

The moves leave Beloit's active roster at 24, one below the league maximum.

In a related move, David Coulon was removed from the Elizabethton roster. I believe that there was a problem with with his contract, although I don't know the specifics. Elizabethton is awaiting the arrival of Carlos Gutierrez, the Twins 1st round pick, 27th over all from the University of Miami. Gutierrez will be joining the team as soon as his contract is validated by MLB.

Joe Christensen reported in his blog that Gutierrez would report to Class A Fort Myers, but that seems very unlikely given the way the Twins work with their prospects.

Cats scratch out win on road

New Britain 4 at Harrisburg 2

W: R. Delaney (1-0, 1.64); L: B. Perez (3-4, 6.62); SV: B. Julianel (17)
HR: NBR: B. Peterson (10). HAR: E. Baez (1).

The New Britain Rock Cats rallied late to break at 2-2 tie and went on to win 4-2 against the Harrisburg Sentators at Commerce Bank Park.

New Britain got on the board first when Brock Peterson homered in the top of the 4th with one out up an no one on base. The single shot homer, his 10th of year, went over the left field wall. Following a Dustin Martin ground out, Danny Vanecia doubled, then came home on a Eric Lis fly-ball single to center.

Harrisburg took one back in the bottom of the inning, with Edgardo Baez hitting hit first home run of the season over the center field wall.

New Britain starter Yohan Pino worked 5.1 innings, being charged for both runs on six hits and a pair of walks while fanning six.

Pinto would get Bill Rhinehart to strike out before giving up a single Baez. New Britain field manager Bobby Cuellar then called for Rob Delaney out of the bullpen. Luis Antonio Jimenez hurt his former team by doubling off Delaney to score Baez. Delany was charge with the blown save, and would finish off the six and work the seventh.

Bobby Brownlie worked seven innings for Harrisburg, giving up both runs on six hits and three walks while striking out 4. Beltran Perez replaced him for the top of the eighth, getting Peterson to strike out swinging before giving up a single to Dustin Martin. Martin would be picked up and caught stealing second however, with Valencia the plate. The Boca Raton, Fl, native then took a walk. Lis doubled to drive him in to put the Cats on top again.

The Sens' Leonard Davis doubled in the bottom of the 8th, but that was all they would see out of All-star Ben Julianel, as he used a pair of pop outs and a ground out to end the inning.

With two outs in the 9th, Luke Hughes doubled and Brian Dinkelman took a walk. Petereron then singled Hughes in for the insurance run.

Julianel allowed a single to William Bergolia in the bottom of the 9th with one out on the board, but then used a pair of fly outs to end the contest.

Hughes, Lis and and Moses were all 2-for-4, Hughes with a run and a pair of doubles, Lis with a double and a RBI. Peterson was 2-for-5 with a run and a pair of RBIs. Valencia was 1-for-3 with a walk a double and 2 runs, while Martin was 1-for-4 with a walk.

The two teams rematch on Wednesday at 6:35 pm on Batman Movie Night. Jordon Zimmermann (3-2, 4.12 ERA) will be the Senators' Joker to Jeff Manship's (1-2, 3.91 ERA) Batman for New Britain.

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Patriot News

Tuesday's game in Charlotte between the Charlotte Knights and the Rochester Red Wings was postponed by rain, and will be made up as part of a doubleheader Wednesday beginning at 5:15 PM.

Miracle bats for distance in win over Vero Beach

Fort Myers 6 at Vero Beach 3

W: M. Fox (5-3, 3.78); L: R. Morse (2-5, 3.80); SV: A. Slama (18)
HR: FTM: J. Portes (8), D. Berg (4), E. Tintor (4).

Three Fort Myers Miracle players went yard while Matt Fox continued to throw well in a starting roll, as the Miracle downed the Vero Beach Devil Rays, 6-3.

On a side note, the Miracle received Spencer Steedley from the Beloit Snappers. The lefty reliever posted a 5-3 record with the Low A Snappers with a 2.14 ERA in 46.1 innings pitched. Steedley was the Twins 25th round pick in the 2007 First-year player draft. He spend 2007 with the Elizabethton Twins of the Appalachian League, where the 6'2" Charlotte, NC, native assembled a 2-3 record with a 2.92 ERA in 37.0 innings pitched.

In the top of the second inning, Ryan Morse replaced Al Reyes who had been making a rehab start with the club while recovering from tendinitis. With one out on the board, Danny Berg would go yard over the center field fence. Following a ground out to Steve Singleton, Eli Tintor blasted a ball over the left field fence. It as the fourth home run of the year for both players. Danny Santiesteban followed that up with a single, but would be caught stealing for the Miracle's 3rd out.

Nevin Ashley and and Ryan Royster took back-to-back singles from Fox. Following a strike out by Neil Walton, Ashley scored on Matt Field's ground out.

Juan Portes went yard, his 8th of the season, in the top of the 3rd, making it 3-1 Miracle.

Singles by Cesar Suarez, Ashley and Royster gave the Rays another run in the bottom fo the 4th. The Miracle took Ashley out on a fielder's choice at the plate. Fox then got Fields to ground into a double play to end the inning.

Tintor double in the top of the fifth, then scored on a Yancarlos Ortiz single to make it 4-2 Miracle.

Joey Callendar and Matt Hall knocked singles in the bottom of the fifth, then moved on a Garrett Groce sac bunt. John Matulia's line drive would score Callender, and Matulia would be taken out trying to make it to second. Suarez then lined out to end the Rays threat.

Ovalle singled and Wilson Ramos doubled in the top of the sixth before Kevin Lynn came into replace Morse. Lynn would unleash a wild pitch that scored Ovalle, while Berg's grounder to left plated Ramos to make it 6-3 Miracle.

Tintor was 2-for-3 with a walk, a pair of runs, and a run scored. Ortiz was also 2-for-3 with a run scored. Ovalle, Ramos and Berg all finish up 2-for-4 with a run, Berg with 2 RBIs as well.

Blair Erickson worked 2 innings of relief, striking out 1. Steedley worked .1 inning in the bottom of the eighth, walking Matulia and advancing him to 2nd on a wild pitch before getting Suarez to ground out. He'd then hit Ashley with a pitch, and Miracle field manager Jeff Smith got Anthony Slama out of the pen to finish of the game.

Game three of the series is Wednesday night at 7:00 PM with Miracle ace Cole Devries (6-6, 2.59) on the mound against the Rays Wilton Noel (1-1, 3.78).

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The Beloit Snappers and GCL Twins were off on Tuesday. The Snappers played their annual golf tournament before beginning a 4-game series against the Fort Wayne Wizards. The Appalachian League Elizabethton Twins were rained to Joe O'Brien field. They will play a pair on Wednesday against the Kingsport Mets starting at 6:00 PM.

DSL Twins 2 at DSL Diamondbacks 3

The DSL Twins dropped a close one on the road as the DSL Diamondbacks scored in the bottom of the ninth inning to win the contest.

Carlos Vasquez walked in the top of the 3rd, then was replaced by pinch runner Xavier Gonzalez. Gonzalez stole 2nd, but then had to wait while Juan Blanco flew out and Willy Gil struck out. Danny Santana took a walk before Oswaldo Arcia singled to drive in Gonzalez for the first Twins run.

In the top of the 7th Jean Carlos Mercedes reached on a throwing error, and move to 2nd on Jairo Rodriguez's single. A double by Blanco drove him in for the second of the Twins two runs

Arcia was 2-for-4 in the game with a RBI. Rodriguez had a single and Blanco a double for the only other two Twins hits.

Still no results for Monday's contest against the DSL Rockies. I'm assuming it was rained out at this point. The DSL Twins host the DSL Orioles Wednesday for a 10:30 AM Dominican time contest.

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Rain suspends Snappers

Beloit at Wisconsin

Monday's game between the Beloit Snappers and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers was suspended by rain. Wisconsin was leading 2-1 at the bottom of the second inning when play was stopped.

The two teams will resume the game on Saturday July 16th and 4:00 PM and play it out to it's conclusion as a 9-inning game. The second regularly scheduled game will be a seven-inning afair.

The Snappers take Tuesday off and begin a four-game series agains the Fort Wayne Wizards on Wednesday, July 9 at 6:00 PM.

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Timber Rattlers
Monday:
BDN

From MiLB.com:

THE SEASON SO FAR: The Snappers have an 11-6 record in the second half and are tied with Cedar Rapids and Peoria for first place in the Western Division.

WHO'S HOT: RHP Mike McCardell threw a complete game June 29, allowing just one run on five hits in a 2-1 victory over Cedar Rapids. McCardell, who improved to 5-2 with a 2.97 ERA, retired 15 consecutive batters from the fifth through ninth innings.

WHO'S NOT: SS Estarlin De Los Santos is batting .143 (5-for-35) over his last 10 games. In 20 games this season, he's hitting .200 (14-for-70) with 21 strikeouts.

DID YOU KNOW: LHP Michael Tarsi struck out a team-high 11 batters and allowed just two runs over seven innings Thursday, but the Snappers fell to Clinton, 7-2. ... Despite batting just .239 (54-for-226), 1B Chris Parmelee is tied for third in the league with 14 home runs.

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Elizabethton Twins - Idle

The Twins had Monday off. They begin a 2 games homestand against the Kingsport Mets on Tuesday, starting a 7:00 PM.

From MiLB.com:

WEEK IN REVIEW: What else is new? Elizabethton had the best week in the league, going 6-1 with a sweep in Burlington and wins over Greeneville and Bristol. The Twins improved to 15-4 and stretched their lead in the West to four games over the Sox.

WHO'S HOT: After two strong starts to open the season, Daniel Osterbrock finally got in the win column by throwing five two-hit innings in Burlington on Monday night. Osterbrock was even better Saturday in Bristol, going the distance on a three-hitter against the Sox. The southpaw gave up a lone run while striking out nine to move to 2-0 on the year.

DEEP IMPACT: The Twins' lineup can hurt you from anywhere -- Elizabethton is hitting an astounding .308 as a team through 19 games. The Twins have also hit a league-leading 30 home runs, helping them average nearly eight runs per contest.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "You're going to be on the delivering end of those types of games in the course of a 68-game season. You're going to be on the receiving end of those types of games in the course of a 68-game season. We could come out and get our tails handed to us [in the next game]." --Manager Ray Smith to the Burlington Times News after the Twins swept a doubleheader from the Royals by a combined score of 23-1 on Monday.

E-Star
E-Star (Sunday)

Rock Cats, Red Wings, both defeated

Connecticut 5 at New Britain 2

W: J. Martinez (6-6, 2.36); L: Z. Ward (2-5, 3.45); SV: J. Hedrick (3)
HR: None.

In the hopes of getting something going, the New Britain Rock Cats held a players only meeting last week. It does not appear to have been profitable. The Connecticut Defenders took another game from the Cats, this time 5-3.

Zach Ward took the start, working five, and was largely successful, allowing only 2 runs, earned, on seven hits and 4 walks while striking out 5.

The two runs came in the second when Carlos Sosa and Ryan Rohlinger both singled. Simon Klink's ground out moved the runners, and a sac-fly brought in Sosa. Kyle Haines walked before Brian Copeland singled to drive in Rohlinger.

The top of the sixth saw Kyle Aselton to the mound. He'd get Klink to strike out, before Rosario reached on a fielding error by Cat's third baseman Danny Valencia. Rosario stole second, and Kyle Haines then doubled to plate him. Copeland singled to plate Haines.

New Britain answered back with Brian Dinkleman getting on board on a bunt single. Brock Peterson's grounder to left moved him to 3rd, and he'd be plated by Dustin Martin's grounder to center. Valenica's sac fly brought in Peterson before Lis stuck out to end the inning.

Klink walked in the 8th and following a strike out by Rosario, moved to 3rd on Haines grounder to right. Copeland ground out to plate Klink. Hanes tried to come home on Pablo Sandoval's ground ball to center, but was taken out the plate, for the Defender's 3rd out.

Dinkelman doubled in the bottom half of the inning and advanced to 3rd on a fielding error by Sosa. Peterson then singled to drive in Dinkleman, finishing off the scoring in the game. Despite getting Valencia all the way to 3rd the Cats could not capitalize, falling short once again.

Dinkelman, Peterson and Lis were all 2-for-4 in the contest, Dinkelman with a pair of runs, and Peterson with a run and a run scored. Drew Butera was the one hit wonder of the night, while Matt Moses, David Winfree and Luke Hughes all went without.

The Cats will try the road again, heading over to Harrisburg Tuesday for a 6:35 PM game against the Senators. Rock Cat Yohan Pino (2-3, 3.93) is expected to face Senator Bobby Brownlie (7-0, 3.45) on the mound.

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Rochester 3 at Charlotte 7

W: D. Carrasco (1-1, 2.38); L: C. Daigle (1-4, 3.60)
HR: ROC: G. Jones (9). CHA: J. Bourgeois (7), N. Hall (1).

Casey Daigle gave up four runs on 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out one to give the Charlotte Knights a 7-3 win over the Rochester Red Wings.

Both teams got 10 hits, the Wings just couldn't put them all together.

A Sergio Santos double in the top of the 3rd, plus singles to Ryan Jorgensen and Jason Pridie saw the Red Wings score their first run.

Jorgensen doubled in the top of the fifth, then used ground outs by Pridie and Trevor Plouffe to cross the plate for the Wings second run. Garrett Jones would go yard in the top of the sixth to finish off the the Wings three runs.

Danny Graves allowed 3 runs on 7 hits while striking out 1 over six inning in the start.

Jones was 3-for-4 in the contest with a run and a RBI, Pridie was 2-for-4 with a run scored and Jorgensen was 2-for-3 with a double and a run. Matt Macri and Randy Ruiz shared the one hit wonder title, while Santos picked up a double and a run on his one hit.

Ruiz’s 16-game hitting streak is the longest by a Red Wing since outfielder Jason Tyner had a 17-game hitting streak May 4-24, 2006.

The teams rematch on Tuesday for a 7:15 PM start.

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From MiLB.com:

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: The Red Wings won their final four games last week and five of seven overall to improve to 43-48. The Wings have moved into fourth in the IL's North Division, 14 games behind first-place Pawtucket. Rochester trails third-place Syracuse by 5 1/2 games but has a 2 1/2-game lead over fifth-place Buffalo.

WHO'S HOT AND WHO'S NOT: 3B Matt Macri has hit .364 in his last 10 games with three home runs, 11 RBIs and four runs scored. He begins the week in a 7-for-17 groove (.417). ... OF Darnell McDonald has hit just .091 in his last 10 games and begins the week in a 2-for-26 funk. ... IF Sergio Santos has batted just .133 in his last nine games and has only one hit in his last 17 at-bats.

RUIZ ROLLS: 1B Randy Ruiz probably was sad to see June end after hitting .360 for the month with eight home runs, 22 RBIs and 21 runs scored in 29 games. The eight home runs tied for second-best in the month, and the 22 RBIs were tied for fourth-best in the IL. On the season, Ruiz is hitting .300 with 11 home runs, 49 RBIs and 42 runs; he leads the team in homers and is tied for first in RBIs.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "The reports we're getting is that [Francisco Liriano's] slider has depth at the plate and we saw that. It's a lethal mix. When he's right like this, he's a Major Leaguer." --Buffalo manager Torey Lovullo to the Buffalo News on July 5 after the southpaw allowed the Bisons just three hits in six shutout innings. Liriano has won six of his last seven starts, and his last two starts he has surrendered just seven hits while fanning 16 in 13 shutout innings. On the season he is 6-2 with a 3.80 ERA.

Miracle falter on the road

Fort Myers 2 at Vero Beach 5

W: C. Tiffany (1-0, 2.25); L: T. Robertson (5-3, 2.72); SV: N. Frontz (19)
HR: None.

The Miracle dropped game one to the Vero Beach Rays as Tyler Robertson gave up four runs in the 2nd inning suffer just his 3rd loss of the season. The big lefty has beens suffering some control issues due to an arm ailment, and that seemed to be the problem Monday night.

Matthew Fields reached in the bottom of the second on a throwing error by shortstop Yancarlos Ortiz. Ryan Royster then singled and Nevin Ashely walked to load the bases. Neil Walton ground into a force out which scored Fields, and a wild pitch by Robertson put him on second base. Robertson got Jair De La Rosa out on strikes before Joey Callendar doubled to drive in two. Garrett Groce then singled to drive in Callender before John Matulia would ground out to end the inning.

Danny Lehman and Yancarlos Ortiz both took walks to lead off the the top of the 3rd. Following a fly out to Yangervis Solarte, Steve Singleton would sacrifice in Lehmann for the first Miracle run.

In the bottom of the 3rd Ceasr Suarez singled and stole 2nd. A throwing error by Lehmann put him on 3rd. He'd come in on Field's ground out. Ashley took another walk, one out later and stole 2nd, but Walton lined out to end the inning.

Solarte hit a grounder to short to get on base in the top of the 5th. Singleton then doubled him in to make it 5-2 Rays.

Jose Lugo worked 3 inning in relief of Robertson, who only lasted four, giving up 5 runs, 1 earned, on 5 hits and 3 walks while striking out 1. Danny Santiesteban was the surprise closer of the contest, striking out 2 in his first appearance on the mound.

Solarte went 2-for-5 at the plate for the Miracle with a run. Edward Ovalle and Danny Berg each had a walk and single, while Lehmann finished up 1-for-3 with a run and run scored. Singleton was 1-for-2 with a double, a walk and 2 RBIs.

Southpaw Ryan Morse (2-4, 3.32) will make the start for the Rays Tuesday against Miracle righty Matt Fox (4-3, 3.65). First pitch is due out at 7:00 PM. Fort Myers returns home on Friday to face the Jupiter Hammerheads.

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From MiLB.com:

THE WEEK THAT WAS: Fort Myers won the first five games of the week before dropping a pair. The strong week pulled the Miracle within 2 1/2 games of FSL West-leading Dunedin. Fort Myers is in second place, a half game ahead of third-place Lakeland.

WHO'S HOT, WHO'S NOT: DH Edward Ovalle is hitting at a pretty good clip lately. In the past 10 games the Dominican native has 11 hits in 34 at-bats for a .324 average. ... 2B Yangervis Solarte is having a tough time in recent games. In his past 36 plate appearances he only has four hits.

PLAYER TO WATCH: SP Tyler Robertson threw five hitless innings in a 4-0 home win July 2. The southpaw from California struck out five and walked two as he raised his record to 5-1 with a 2.73 ERA.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK: SP Deolis Guerra limited Tampa to three hits July 1 in a 4-0 Miracle win at Fort Myers. The native of Venezuela, acquired by Minnesota in the Johan Santana deal, recorded his first complete-game shutout and struck out four.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "I felt like I was locating the ball well," Robertson told MiLB.com. "[Tampa is] aggressive. They like to swing early and put the ball in play. I got ahead in the count and was able to put guys away. I lost a couple of games early on. I think I was over-thinking, trying to do too much. I looked at some video from last year, noticed some stuff in my mechanics, and cleaned that up pretty good."

Sarasota's Drew Stubbs was named the Player of the Week for the Florida State League. Stubbs used the short right field in Casa de Steinbrenner to hit a pair of home runs. They went along with his triple-a-game streak earlier in the week against the Dunedin Blue Jays and his .429 (9-21) batting average. The 23-year-old has had 26 stolen bases this season, only one during the week of June 30 through July 6.

The Atlanta Braves have sold the contract of Barron Collier High School star Chris Resop to the Hanshin Tigers of the Japanese central league. The right-hander had been sent to Triple A Richmond to be converted to a starter. He had a 5.89 ERA in 18 appearances out of the Braves Bullpen. The Naples, Florida, resident was a fourth-round draft pick of the Florida Marlins in the 2001 First-year Player Draft.

Former Miracle Denard Span extended his career-high hitting streak to eight games Sunday afternoon. He has hit .400 (6-for-15) with five runs scored and two RBI since his recall to Minnesota from Triple-A Rochester. Another Miracle alumni, Alexi Casilla, tied his career-long long hit-streak, hitting safely in 13 straight, dating back to June 20.

Twins catcher Joe Mauer led all catchers in voting and will start for the AL squad in next week's All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium. He’ll be joined on the team by teammates Justin Morneau, who was named to the team via the players' ballot, and Joe Nathan, who was selected by manager Terry Francona. Mauer and Morneau, the "M & M Boys", both played for the Miracle during their minor league career.

Buzzwords: The most used search phrases to find www.miraclefans.com are "steve singleton the minn miracles", "guillermo moscoso july 4", "minnesota twins whit robbins" "anthony slama miracle", "eddie Santiesteban baseball", "cincinnati reds scott carroll" and of course the ever popular "are you ready for a miracle" or some variation there of.