Yo Ho, Yo Ho, a Pirates' boy for me

Tyler Cox - 35th round


Jesus Aguilera - Non-drafted Free Agent


Ben Gonzalez - 7th Round


Jarek Cunningham - 18th Round


Andury Acevedo - Non drafted free agent


Craig Parry - 50th Round

The layout elements are from Yarrow's A Pirate's Life kit. The lettering is the standard Black Epoxy Alpha available from Free Digital Scrapbooking.

With the except of the Parry photo, which was taken on 29 June, 2008, these were all snapped at Saturday Morning's game (19 July 2008), which the GCL Twins won, 2-1.

New Hampshire slips past Rock Cats

New Britain 2 at New Hampshire 3

W: Z. Dials (2-2, 3.27); L: R. Delaney (1-1, 1.76)
HR: None.

One day after being annihilated by the New Britain Rock Cats at Automerchants.com Stadium, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats bounced back to pick up a 3-2 win.

The Rock Cats were facing one of the Toronto's top prospects in Ricky Romero on the mound, but still managed to get on the board first. Danny Valencia doubled with two outs on the board, and David Winfree would reach on a fielding error by Eric Neilsen. Valencia would waste no time, coming home on the play. Erik Lis doubled to moved Winfree to 3rd, but Brock Peterson would fly out to end the inning.

It would be a different story in the bottom of the 3rd with former Miracle Kyle Phillips singled off the Rock Cats' Anthony Swarzak to get on base. Andrew Pinckney doubled which moved Phillips to 3rd. A Ryan Klosterman ground out put the Fisher's first baseman over the plate tying up the game.

Travis Snider doubled off Swarzak in the bottom of the 4th and following a ground out to J.P. Arencibia, scored on a Brian Jeroloman single to right.

Neither starter game up much however, with Swarzak going 7 inning and allowing the 2 runs, both earned on 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5 for a quality start. Romero also worked 7 and returned for the 8th.

Dustin Martin would double off of him before Seth Overbey was brought into the game. Martin moved to 3rd on a Valencia ground out, and Winfree reached on a fielder's choice that took Martin out at home. Daryl Harang would replace Overbey and allowed a single to Erik Lis. Not happy, New Hampshire then turned to Jared Gothreaux to preserve their slender lead. Peterson would single off of him, to score Winfree before Toby Gardenhire ground out to end retire the Rock Cats with the score tied.

Rob Delaney worked the 8th and returned for the ninth, allowing a walk to Snider before getting Arencibia to fly out. Jeroloman drew a walk, and David Smith's line drive brought in Snider to give the Fishers the go ahead run and the game.

Lis was 2-for-3 in the contest with a double and a walk. Valencia was 2-for-5 with a double and a run. Martin as 1-for-5 at the plate with a double, while Peterson, Gardenhire and Moses were all 1-for-4. Peterson had a RBI, while the other two share the one hit wonder title.

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Fisher Cats/OSC
Rock Cats
Union Leader
WMUR
Concord Monitor
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Courant: Fundraiser

West Michigan rallies past Beloit

West Michigan 4 at Beloit 3

W: R. Darrow (4-2, 1.89); L: L. Van Mil (2-2, 3.22); SV: S. Green (1)
HR: BEL: M. Dolenc (2).

The West Michigan Whitecaps took 3 runs off reliever Loek Van Mil in the eighth inning to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Beloit Snappers at Pohlman Field.

John Tucker would reach on a fielding error by Estarlin De Los Santos. Kody Kaiser then doubled off the Dutchman, moving Tucker to 3rd. Jordan Newton drew a walk to load the bags. A wild pitch by Van Mil scored Tucker, and Keith Stein sacrificed in Kaiser to tie up the score. Another wild pitch by Van Mil moved Newton to 3rd, and Adrian Casanova sacrificed him in for the game winning run.

West Michigan had gotten on the board first with Tucker doubling off starter David Bromberg with one out on the board. After Kaiser went down on strikes, Newton took walk. Keith Stein's ground ball to center scored Tucker. Stein would try to reach 2nd, but didn't make it, with Ben Revere relaying the ball to Deibinson Romero who fired it Jeanfred Brito.

Romero would leave the game in the top of the 4th with a broken leg. As a result, Bromberg, who made quite a name for himself as a hitter in JuCo, took over for Romero in the clean up role, batting fourth.

De Los Santos flew out to start the bottom of the fourth, but Chris Cates took a walk. A wild pitch by Whitecaps starter Maurico Robles moved Cates to 2nd. Revere would go down on strikes before a second wild pitch moved Cates to 3rd. Bromberg then took a walk. Mark Dolenc would lift a ball over the center field wall for his second home run of the year, giving the Snappers three.

While the loss of Romero hit the team hard, it was a potentially fun night for the pitchers, who never get to bat. Only Craig Anderson got a single in his at bat, although Bromberg had the walk and the run.

Not much in the way of hitting for any of the Snappers though as De Lo and Revere were both 1-for-4, while Dolenc and Allan de San Miguel were 1-for-3 each, Dolenc with the run and 3 RBIs.

The Timber Rattlers now come into town to pay the Snappers a visit. Steve Hirschfeld (5-2, 2.82) will throw out the first pitch for Beloit at 7:00 Central Time. Wisconsin will counter with Brett Lorin (0-0, 0.00)

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Snappers
Whitecaps
GR Press
BDN
Gazette Xtra
Roger's Minor League Report

Romero heads to the DL for the second time this season after hitting .264 with three home runs and 18 RBIs in 39 games. Deibinson was coming off a left knee injury that sidelined him from April 28th to June 18th earlier this season.

Signed by the Twins as a non-drafted free agent in July of 2004, Romero was key in the Snappers 2007 playoff run. Deibinson was promoted to Beloit from E-town last season on September 2nd, one week before Beloit entered the postseason. He helped lead the Snappers all the way to the Midwest League Finals where they would eventually fall to the West Michigan Whitecaps.

To replace Romero on the roster the Minnesota Twins have promoted Juan Richardson from the Elizabethton Twins.

Richardson comes to Beloit after spending 15 games with the Elizabethton Twins. While in E-town, Richardson hit .250 with three doubles and 10 RBIs in 60 at-bats.

Richardson was signed by the Twins as a non-drafted free agent in February of ’07. Juan spent 2007 with the GCL Twins where he hit .317 with 64 hits in 202 at-bats. Richardson also notched 10 doubles and 33 RBIs in 54 games. (Snappers)

(Note: I apologize for the delay in my game recaps. For some reason the game this morning took more out of me than usual. Probably because sitting in the sun for the first half.)

Singleton and Solarte sink Cubs

Fort Myers 10 at Daytona 4

W: D. Guerra (10-4, 4.42); L: R. Hill (0-1, 10.38)
HR: FTM: Y. Solarte (3). DAY: J. Adduci (2).

An eight-run fifth inning lead to the Deolis Guerra's 10th win of 2008 as the Fort Myers Miracle overcame the Daytona Cubs 10-4.

The big Venezuelan got off to a bad start with Tony Thomas leading off the bottom of the 1st with a single, and James Adduci then taking him yard to put a pair of runs on the board. Adduci's 2nd of the season end over the right center field fence. Ty Wright followed that up with a double, then moved to 3rd on Steve Clevenger's single. Guerra would then plunk Marquez Smith with a pitch. Robinson Chirinos singled to plate Wright, but Guerra finally got Ryan Harvey out on strikes and induced Jonathan Mota to hit into a double play to end the inning.

Wilson Ramos took a walk in the top of the 2nd, the moved to 2nd on a passed ball. After Eli Tintor and Steve Singleton went down on strikes, Garrett Olson singled to bring in the Miracle's catcher.

Ramos would single in the top of the 4th and move to 3rd on Eli Tintor's double. Singleton's line drive plated Ramos to cut the Daytona lead to just one run.

In the top of the 5th, Yangervis Solarte and Danny Santiesteban hit back-to-back singles. Juan Portes' sac-fly would plate Solarte before Danny Berg and Edward Ovalle both took free passes off Rich Hill. Micheal Phelps was called out to the mound to replace the rehabbing major leaguer, and got Ramos to pop out. Tintor walked to force in Santiesteban before Singleton's triple cleared off the bags. Garrett Olson got plunked with a pitch to get on base and Solate hit his 3rd home run of the season over the right field wall to drive in 3 more. Santiesteban would single for his 2nd at bat in the fifth, and Portes popped out to retire the Miracle.

Clevenger and Smith hit back-to-back doubles off Guerra to take one run back, but that pretty much finished it for the Daytona offense.

Guerra left the game having allowed 4 runs on 8 hits while striking out one over 5 innings. Jose Lugo worked a pair of innings, walking one and striking out 3. Blair Erickson worked a hitless eighth and Spencer Steeley the ninth to finish off the contest.

Ramos and Santiesteban were 2-for-4, Ramos with a walk and a pair of runs, with just one run. Singleton and Solarte were both 2-for-5, Sing with one run and 4 RBIs and Solarte with a pair of runs and 3 RBIs. Ovalle and Tintor were both 1-for-4 with a run each, Tint with a RBI as well.

The teams play a pair of 7-inning games tomorrow as a double header to make up for the rained out contest on Thursday. Marco Carrillo (6-6, 3.17) will throw the first pitch for the Cubbies at 6:05 PM, the Miracle will counter with Ozzie Sosa (1-0, 3.06), the second game, which will start a half hour after the conclusion of the first will feature the Cub's Billy Muldowney (4-2, 3.24) against the Miracle's Matt Fox (5-4, 3.72).

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Tampa Bay running back Earnest Graham, a Cape Coral-Mariner High School graduate, will take batting practice and sign autographs before the Fort Myers Miracle's game at Hammond Stadium on Sunday.

The Fort Myers native is making an appearance at Hammond Stadium, on behalf of his non-profit organization Earnest Giving.

Earnest Giving, Inc. is a non-profit 501c3 Charitable Organization launched in 2007 with a commitment to assisting young people achieve their goals and grow into productive adults. (NDN)

Mariners slip by E-Twins, 4-3

Pulaski 4 at Elizabethton 3

W: B. Mohr (3-1, 2.83); L: D. Osterbrock (2-2, 3.78); SV: B. Nation (4)
HR: PUL: K. Sams (8), D. Britton (2).

The Pulaski Mariners tagged Dan Osterbrock for 4 runs in the top of the 5th inning to go on to defeat the Elizabethton Twins, 4-3.

Dominic De La Osa and Nicholas Romero hit back to back doubles off Brooks Mohr to open up the bottom of the first. After Jon Waltenbury went down on strikes, Alex Soto took a walk. Michael Harrington ground out before Evan Bigley doubled to bring in two more runs. Danny Rams would get called on strikes to end the inning.

And after that the E-Twins offense just stopped.

Mohr scattered 8 hits and a walk over 5 innings while striking out 7. Three Mariner relievers combined to one hit the the E-Twins for the last four.

Meanwhile, Pulaski's attack on Osterbrook started when Kalian Sams homered, his 8th of the of the season over the center field wall. Jonathan Arias and Blake Tinkler hit back-to-back singles and a wild pitch by Osterbrock advanced the pair. Dwight Briton then homered, his second of the season, over the left field wall to put the Mariners on top.

Bigley was 2-for-4 with a double and 2 RBIs. Bereford was 2-for-3 but did not factor into the scoring. Rams (1-for-4) and Angel Morales (1-for-3) were both one hit wonders.

Harrington and Waltenbury both went hitless in the contest.

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Tri-Cities.com
Jerm Talk Blog
Thursday:
E-Star
G-Sun

New Britain clubs Fisher Cats, 15 - 3

New Britain 15 at New Hampshire 3

W: J. Rainville (7-7, 6.27); L: J. Machi (0-4, 6.03)
HR: NBR: D. Butera (5). NHM: B. Jeroloman (5).

The New Britain Rock Cats must have rested well during the All-Star break, as they came back to work ready to go, destroying the New Hampshire Fisher Cats 15-3 at Merchantsauto.com Stadium.

New Hampshire's Brett Cecil worked 3 innings, with Dustin Martin taking a double off of him in the top of the 3rd. A wild pitch moved Martin so 3rd, and David Winfree singled to plated him. After Erik Lis went down on strikes, Winfree moved to 3nd on a passed ball, and Brock Peterson would take a walk. Toby Gardenhire would go down on strikes however to give the Fisher Cats a chance.

With two outs on the board, David Smith doubled off Jay Rainville. Brian Jeroloman then went deep, sending a home run over the right field wall to make it 2-1 Fisher Cats.

Keny Rodrgiuez replaced Cecil in the top of the fourth and following a pop out to Drew Butera, Felix Molina and Dustin Martin hit back-to-back singles. A wild pitch by Rodrigues advanced the pair. Danny Valencia ground into a force out that took a Molina out at home, but a throwing error by J.P. Arencibia allowed Hughes to score and advanced the runners. Winfree would walk to load the bags before Lis flew out to left.

For the fifth inning, Jean Machi would take over for the Fisher Cats, and allowed a lead off walk to Peterson. Gardenhire singled and Butera advanced the pair on a sac bunt. Molina double to drive the two runners in. Hughes flew out to left before Martin singled a ground ball to right that plated Molina, for a 5-2 Rock Cats advantage.

Zach Ward took over for Rainville in the sixth, and walked Jeroloman. Butler singled to move the slugger to 3rd and Andrew Pinchney ground into a double play that saw him home, for the Fisher Cats 3rd run.

Jared Gothreaux replaced Machi in the sixth inning and allowed a walk to Molina in the seventh. Hughes walked and Martin singled to load up the bags. Danny Valencia double to clean them off and Winfree's single moved the Florida native over to 3rd. Lis would fly into a double play that took out out Winfree, but allowed Valencia to score, making it 9-3 Rock Cats.

Gardenhire took a walk off Orlando Roman in the top of the 7th, moved to 2nd on Butera's single to third when Hughes was plunked by a pitch. Martin was then walked by Orlando to force in a run.

The Fisher Cats looked to Seth Overbey to get them out of this game, but Overbey walked Winfree and Lis. Peterson singled in Winfree and Gardenhire followed that up with his own single to load the bags. Butera then lifted a ball over the left field wall for a grad slam home run. Julio Pinto was finally called in to get three outs, while Frank Mata was tagged to finish things up for the Rock Cats.

Martin was 4-for-4 with 3 walks, a pair of run and a pair of runs scored. Gardenhire was 3-for-5 with a pair of walks and 3 runs, While Butera and Molina were each 3-for-5 Butera with a run and 4 RBIs and Molina with a walk, a pair of runs and a pair of RBIs. Winfree went 2-for-3 with 3 walks, a run and a run scored.

Game two of the series is Friday at 7:05 PM. Ricky Romero (5-5, 5.61) gets the nod for the Fishers on the mound vs. Anthony Swarzak (3-7, 5.99) for the Rock Cats.

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Dog Days with the Cats

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Norfolk 4 at Rochester 7

W: F. Liriano (8-2, 3.34); L: H. Penn (4-5, 5.40); SV: B. Korecky (13)
HR: ROC: G. Jones (10).

Francisco Liriano is reportedly unhappy to still find himself in the minors after pitching quite well recently. Liriano picked up the win, allowing only 1 run on 7 hits and striking out 8 over 8 innings. Ricky Barrett would be tagged for three on two runs and a walk in .2 innings as the Rochester Red Wings rose above the Tide, 7-4.

Trevor Plouffe walked and Darnell McDonald doubled out to right. Garrett Jones would sacrifice in Plouffe, and Randy Ruiz extended his hit streak by singling in McDonald. To give the Red Wings an early lead.

Jones homered to lead off the bottom of the 4th and following a Ruiz ground out, Clark singled then stoled second base. Matt Macri took a walk before Sergio Santos doubled to plated Clark and Macri. After Ryan Jorgenson ground out, Jason Pridie doubled to bring in Santos.

The Wings finished off their scoring in the bottom of the 8th with Ruiz doubling off Jim Miller, then coming home on a Howie Clark single.

Ruiz was 2-for-4 with a run and a run scored, while Clark was 2-for-3 with a walk, a run and a RBI.

The series continues Friday at 6:05 PM with post game fireworks at Frontier Field. Rochester's Danny Graves (3-3, 5.18 ERA) will take on the Tides LHP Randy Keisler (0-1, 4.18).

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Red Wings
Tide
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With Ruiz' hitting streak at 23 games, we note that Michael Jones of the Greenville Drive (Class A South Atlantic League, Boston affiliate) had a 28-game streak, tops in the minors so far this season. (Ah, our old GCL buddy Michael Jones!)

The Red Wings' 45-54 record at the All-Star break is the first losing record Rochester has had at the All-Star break since 2003.

Miracle find rain, Beloit finds win

Fort Myers at Daytona - Postponed

The game between the Fort Myers Miracle and the Daytona Cubs was postponed due to rain. The teams will attempt to play a double header on Saturday at 6:05 PM, weather permitting. Friday's game is still set for 7:05 PM.

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Cubs
Breeze
NDN



West Michigan 7 at Beloit 11

W: M. McCardell (7-2, 3.08); L: P. Nardozzi (3-5, 4.67); SV: B. Martin (1)
HR: WMI: B. Douglas (1).

It is odd for Mike McCardell to give up any runs, let alone five, but that is exactly what happened during a slug fest between the Beloit Snappers and the West Michigan Whitecaps.

Jordan Newton doubled for the Whitecaps off McCardell with one out in the top of the 2nd inning. Hayton Parrott would go down on strikes before McCardell hit Keith Stein with a pitch. Justin Henry's grounder out to center scored Newton, and Brandon Douglas followed it up with a home run out to left, to give West Michigan 4 runs. Ron Bourquin took a walk before Alex Avila flew out to give Beloit a chance to bat.

With two outs on the board in the bottom of the 3rd, Estarlin De Los Santos singled off West Michigan's Paul Nardozzi. Chris Cates then drew a walk. Ben Revere doubled to drive in the pair, cutting the Whitecaps' lead in half.

Mark Dolenc and Ramon Santana would hit back-to-back singles in the bottom of the 4th before Greg Yersich went down on strikes. Allan de San Miguel would get plunked by a pitch to load the bags, and Andrew Schmiesing walked to force in a run. De Lo singles, driving in Santana and Dirty. Andrew Hess replaced Nardozzi at that point and would get Chris Cates to ground out before allowing a double to Revere that cleaned off the bags, making it 7-4 Beloit.

The Whitecaps came charging back with Douglas singling and Bourquin doubling to put two men on. Avila would go down on a sac-fly to score Douglas.

In the bottom of the stanza, Dolenc went down on strikes before Santana was hit by a pitch. Yersich then doubled putting a pair of men in scoring position. Dirty would pop out before Schmiesing walked to load the bags. De Lo would reach on a fielding error by Douglas that scored Santana and Yersich to give the Snappers 9, a four run lead over the Tiger's farm team.

Charles Nolte would take over the mound in the top of the sixth and get two men out before Henry doubled. Douglas would reach on a throwing error by Cates that also brought Henry home, cutting Beloit's lead to three.

The Snappers would lose the recently returned Santana to a leg injury in the 7th inning. Jeanfred Brito would replace Santana as designed hitter, but it was a blow to already heavily injured Snappers squad.

With one out on the board, Henry would single off Blake Martin. Douglas doubled him in to make it 9-7 Beloit.

The Snappers would take advantage of Noah Krol however, with De Lo singling and Cates getting plunked by a pitch to follow him onto base. The pair would advance on Revere's ground out and a wild pitch by Krol saw De Lo across the plate. Deibinson Romero singled to plate Cates before Dolenc poped into a double play to end the inning.

Martin would strike out two of the four batters he faced in the top of the 9th to end the contest.

De Lo was 3-for-5 with 3 runs and a pair of RBIs to lead the team offensively. Santana was right behind him, going 2-for-3 with a pair of runs before his injury. Revere and Romero were both 2-for-5, Revere with 4 RBIs and Romero with 1. Yersich finished off 1-for-4 with a double and a run, and Dolenc was 1-for-5 wit a run.

The Snappers look to sweep the three-game series on Friday at Pohlman Field, first pitch is due at 7:05 central time.

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Twins top Red Sox, 3-1

GCL Twins 3 at GCL Red Sox 1

W: J. Mijares (2-1, 0.82); L: M. Jimenez (0-1, 0.00); SV: K. Mota (5)
HR: None.

Tyler Ladendorf went 2-for-4 with a run Thursday a the GCL Twins topped the GCL Red Sox, 3-1 at the City of Palms Complex. The Twins second round pick in the 2008 first year player draft has been struggling at the plate, and it was good to see the Illinois native his game going.

Ladendorf hit a line drive off Red Sox start Wang-Yi Lin. Mike Gonzales would reach on a fielding error by Roberto Feliz out in left, which allowed Ladendorf time to slip over the plate for the first run of the game. Gonzales would find himself at 2nd and then move to 3rd on a wild pitch by Wang-Yi Lin. Andres Diaz walked, but Reggie Williams ground into a double play that took Gonazales out at home. Diaz would end up at 3rd, but Lin got Josmil Pinto out on strikes to strand the runner.

The bottom of the 3rd saw Christan Vazquez take a walk of Angelo Sanchez. Kenneth Roque also picked up a free pass and Wilfrend Pichardo would be taken out on a sac bunt that advanced the runners. Andrew Frezza singled to plate Vazquez, tying up the game, before Michael Almanzar ground into a double play to end the inning.

Sanchez would work five innings for the Twins and aside from the one run allowed only 3 hits and 3 walks while fanning five before giving way to Jose Mijares.

Lin would work 4 allowing 3 hits and 1 walks while striking out 4 before giving way to Michael Lennox. Manuel Jimenez would get the nod for the seventh inning.

Jimenez got Diaz to pop out before allowing a walk to Williams. Pinto then singled, and a passed ball by Vazquez moved Williams to 3rd and Pinto to 2nd. Following a ground out to Herbert Lara, a fielding error by Red Sox shortstop Joantoni Garcia allowed Brandon Roberts to reach and Williams to score. It would prove to be the game winning run, and Mijares would pick up his second win.

With Anatanaer Batista on the mound for the top of the 9th, Pinto would take a walk with one out on the board. Juan Sanchez then replaced Pinto as a pinch runner, but Lara would ground into a force out that took Sanchez out at 2nd. Jon Goncalves then singled out to left moving Lara to 3rd. Javier Brown would reach on a fielding error by Garcia. Lara would score on the play, but Goncalves would be caught at 3rd, trying to take an extra base.

Kelvin Mota would pick up his 5th save of the season for the GCL Twins, working the 8th and 9th innings, and allowing only 1 run while striking out one.

Goncalves, Javier Brown, Aaron Hicks and Pinto all had singles. Pinto had a walk as well while the other three share in the one hit wonder of the game title.

The Twins rest on Friday and host the GCL Pirates at home on Friday for a 10 AM contest.

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Herald Tribune
Dugout Central Blog

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DSL Twins 6 at DSL Rockies 2

W: C. Ciurcina (2-2, 5.14); L: V. Mayo (1-3, 5.96)
HR: None.

The DSL Twins pounded the DSL Rockies for six hits in the first half of the game, then blanked them from the fifth inning on to pick up a big win on the road.

Jhonatan Arias singled and was doubled in by Jean Carlos Mercedes in the top of the 2nd to put the Twins on the board. The Rockies answered back however, with Smit Valera reaching on a force out then stealing 2nd. Engels Castillo singled him in, helped in part by a throwing error charged to Yorby Martinez.

Wilfy Gil singled then stole 2nd. Kelvin De Jesus would try to catch him, but over threw the base allowing Gil to advance to 3rd. After a fly out by Juan Blanco, Danny Santana reached on a fielding error by Miguel Perez, and Gil scored on the play putting the Twins on top again.

Lesther Galvin opened up the top of the fourth with a walk then stole 2nd. After Arias went down on strikes, Mercedes would get plunked with a pitch. Martinez then doubled out to center to score the two runners prompting a pitching change with Scarly Morillo replacing Rockies' starter Vianney Mayo. Scarly Would walk Xavier Gonzalez, but to Wilfy Gil out on strikes to retire the Twins.

Cesar Ciurcina would walk John Rogers in the bottom of the fourth, and the Rockies right fielder would then steal 2nd. Two outs later, Engels Castillo would single, but Rogers would be taken out at the plate to save the run, ending the inning.

Juan Blanco reached on a fielding error by Jose Soto in the top of the 5th, then moved to second on a wild pitch from Morillo. Danny Santana reach on a throwing error which saw Blanco to 3rd. Another wild pitch by Morillo moved Santana to 2nd and Jairo Rodriguez drew a walk to load the bags. Jefri Hernandez came in to replace Morillo and got Galvan and Arias to hit into ground outs, but Blanco and Santana still scored on the plays. Hernadez would then get Mercedes out on strikes to retire the Twins offense.

In the bottom half of the stanza, Moises Charles singled with one out on the board. Robert De La Cruz doubled him in one out later to the final Rockies tally.

Gil and Santana were both 2-for-5 with a run each, Santana also had a RBI. Mercedes (1-for-3) and Martinez (1-for-4) each and a double, Mercedes with a run and a RBI, Martinez with a pair of runs scored.

The DSL Twins are back home on Friday against the DSL Diamondbacks for a 10:30 AM Dominican time contest.

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Delays and Postponements

More rain all over Southwest Florida forced the postponement of the game between the GCL Twins and the GCL Reds until July 21. The game, which was to be played at the City of Sarasota will now be played as part of two-game seven-inning double header on Monday, July 21 at the Lee County Sportsplex.

Happily the weather is clearing on Thursday so the game against the GCL Red Sox should be played as scheduled.



Much like the games over the last two days, 21-year old Javier Brown's professional baseball career got off to a postponed, and painful, start on June 19 when a foul ball flew into the dugout and hit him in the side of the face.

It was the kind of pain his father could relate to, as Javier Brown Sr. played professional baseball with the Milwaukee Brewer's organization. "Not only do you have to be able to play the game, but you have to be lucky and stay healthy," Brown Sr. was quoted as saying the Pacific Daily News. Luck was definitely not with Brown Jr. when the ball flew into his face.

Brown Sr. was not really keen on his son following in his footsteps, knowing the tremendous amount of stress his son would be under in his quest to make it to the big leagues. As a result, it was Javier's Mom, Jeanette, who was responsible for introducing her son to the game.

Once it became obvious that Brown Jr. had a talent for the game however, things changed. The older Brown would take his son out to the ballpark so he could learn from other professional ballplayers.

Academically ineligible to play for Grossmont Junior College, Brown Jr. would play in the Mexican Leagues instead. "I think (playing in Mexico has) been a big advantage for me," Brown Jr. said in the same article "It's helped me prepare a lot mentally and work on my off-speed pitches. They're real crafty there; they really hit their spots with their off-speed stuff."

Now, if you've gone over to read the article in the Pacific Daily News, you're probably wondering what a California native has to do with Guam. While Brown Jr. has never been to Guam, his grandparents are originally from the island. If he should ever make it to the major leagues and the money the MLB promises, Brown Jr. has a dream.

"I want to go to Guam and open up a baseball academy," Brown Jr. said in a sister article, also from the Pacific Daily News "I'm sure they have a lot of talent on the island and they just need the resources."

Javier has a way to go to realize his dreams though. The start of his career temporarily delayed by injury, Javier is only 2-for-5 through 2 games with 1 RBI. Still, he shows solid defensive skills, good speed and a potentially strong bat.

And while the path through to the majors is long, the goal is certainly not unreachable, as GCL alumni Justin Morneau demonstrated with his recent All-star game appearance.

Aside from picking up the hardware in the home run derby, Morneau crossed the plate with the game winning run in the 15-inning extravaganza that was played at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday.

So hang on in there Javi, and try not to hit any more balls with your face. Bats work so much better!

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DSL Reds 7 at DSL Twins 2

W: J. Aquino (5-1, 1.51); L: L. Parra (3-1, 1.61); SV: S. Gerson (2)
HR: None.

Adrian Salcedo scattered four hits and a walk over 6 inning while fanning 3 to blank the DSL Reds, but Leonardo Parra, in relief gave up 5 runs, 2 earned, on 4 hits in 1 inning as the Reds took advantage of Twins errors to notch a 7-2 win.

Lesther Galvan doubled in the bottom of the first with one out on the board and moved to 3rd on Jean Carlos Mercedes ground out. Oswaldo Arcia singled him in to give the Twins an early one run lead.

The top of the 7th would do them in however and they'd only take one more run in the bottom of that stanza. Manuel Soliman singled and advanced to 2nd on a fielding error by the Reds' Miguel Rodriguez. Eliel Sierra's ground ball to second plated him. Sierra would move to second on a throwing error, but Jhonatan Arias ground out and Randy Pina and Carlos Vasquez went down on strikes.

The Twins only managed five hits, with Galvan picking up the only extra base hit.

The DSL Twins face the DSL Rockies on the road on Thursday. Start time is 10:30 AM Dominican Time.

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Snappers wipe out Whitecaps

West Michigan 3 at Beloit 5

W: S. Arias (5-3, 3.08); L: T. Weber (0-2, 4.24); SV: C. Anderson (2)
HR: WMI: K. Kaiser (5). BEL: D. Romero (3).

Billed as the rematch of last year's finals series, it was good to see the Beloit Snappers get back on the winning track against Lakeland Tigers to be - West Michigan.

Thad Weber took the mound for the Detroit farm while Twins prospect Santos Arias handled the pitching for the Snappers. Both kept the opponent off the board through the first two innings.

In the top of the 3rd, Brandon Douglas singled with one out on the board, then moved to 3rd on a throwing error by Arias on the pick off attempt. Keith Stein would take a walk before Justin Henry ground into a force out that scored Douglas and took out Stein. Henry would to 2nd on a throwing error by Santos. The Twins young Dominican then unleashed a wild pitch that saw Henry try to come home but he'd be nabbed at the plate, retiring the side.

After Greg Yersich flew out to center, Andrew Schmiesing's line drive got him on board. Mark Dolenc singled to move Schmiesing to 2nd, and Jeanfred Brito would reach on a force attempt. The Whitecaps tried to catch Schmiesing, but to no avail, as he would score to tie up the game. Estarlin De Lo Santos ground into a force out that took down Brito and scored Dolenc. De Lo would advance to 2nd on a throwing error, but Ben Revere flew out to end the inning.

Kody Keiser took a home run off Arias in the top of the 4th to tie up the game again. His fifth of the season went over the left field fence.

Deibinson Romero then homered over the left field wall to take the lead back for the Snappers. Rene Leveret singled and, after Ramon Santana went down on strikes, Yersich would lace a line drive double to center. Allan de San Miguel would come into the game to run for Leveret, and a wild pitch by Weber scored the Aussie catcher. Schmiesing then sacrificed Yersich in. Dolenc would single before Emmanuel Miguelez replace Weber on the mound, getting Brito to pop out to end the inning.

Arias worked six innings allowing 2 runs, earned, on 5 hits and a pair of walks while striking out 9. Mike Allen worked the next two innings allowing 3 hits and striking out 2.

Craig Anderson would be on the mound for the ninth inning when Henry singled, then came home on Kaiser's double to give the Whitecaps one more. They would still end up a couple shy as Tucker went down on strikes to end the contest.

Dolenc finished off 2-for-3 with a run while Romero was 2-for-4 with a run and a run batted in. Leveret and Schmiesing each had a single, while Yersch was 1-for-4 with a double and a run.

Game two of the three-game series is Thursday at 7:00 on an Applebee's Kids Club Day.

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Wednesday:
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BDN

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Greeneville 6 at Elizabethton 4

W: C. Pitkin (2-0, 1.61); L: L. Martin (2-2, 6.00)
HR: GRE: K. Hinze (4). ELI: D. Rams (3).

Shooter Hunt worked a nice six innings, allowing 2 runs, one earned on a pair of hits while striking out - get this - 12. That's right - 12 strike outs and NO walks. Sadly, Hunt wasn't enough to get this game done as the Elizabethton Twins bullpen gave it up to the Greeneville Astros.

James Austin would reach on a throwing error by James Beresford, then stole 2nd and 3rd. A throwing error by catcher Jeff Lanning, who was attempting to catch him stealing allowing Austin to score. (Good going guys, way to support Shooter!)

The Twins would not tie it up until the bottom of the fifth, when Evan Bigley doubled off Austin starter Jose Trinidad, then moved to 3rd on Juan Richardson's ground out. Lanning would single one out later to score Bigley.

Greeneville responded in the top of the sixth with Jose Altuve doubling with one out on the board. A wild pitch by Hunt moved Altuve to 3rd and a second wild pitch would allow Altuve to score. Hunt just managed to miss the rare four-strike out inning when he got Ebert Rosario to ground into a force out to end it.

Jon Waltenbury doubled out to center off Trinidad, then came home on a Michael Herrington single. Bigley ground into a force out that nabbed Harrington at 2nd, then proceeded to steal 2nd. A throwing error by Astro's catcher Carlos Mojica allowed Bigley to advance to 3rd. Richardson would sacrifice him in, putting the E-Twins on top again.

Thom Wright replaced Hunt in the top of the 7th, and following a ground out to Devon Torrence, walked Carlos Mojica. Jorge De Leon singled and Wright would plunk Wilton Infante with a pitch to load the bags. Kyle Carr would come into take over from Wright, and walked Jay Austin to force in a run, tying the game. Lee Martin then stepped up to the mound and got Altuve to fly out and Frank Almonte to ground out to retire the Astros.

Colton Pitkin replaced Trinidad on the mound in the bottom of the stanza and after giving up a single to Lanning, induced Beresford to hit into a double play. He'd then take Dominic De La Osa out on strikes to end the inning.

Kyle Miller walked off Martin in the top of the 8th and would be replaced by Albert Cartwright as a pinch-runner. Cartwright then stole 2nd. Rosaro's single to right plated Cartwright. Rosario would then steal 2nd, and Torrence would take a walk. Mojica's sac-bunt advanced the runners but Rosario would be taken down at the plate, allowing Jorge De Leon to reach on a fielder's choice. A throwing error by Alex Soto on the pick off attempt moved Torrence to 3rd. Infante took a walk and a passed ball by Soto allowed Torrence to score. Steve Blevins would come in to replace Martin and unleashed a wild pitch that send De Leon to 3rd and Infante to 2nd. They'd be stranded there, as Austin ground out to first.

Kody Hinze homered in the top of the 9th, and Danny Rams did the same for the E-Twins in the bottom of the inning, but the Twins bats could not over come the 2-run deficit from the 8th inning.

Lanning was 2-for-3 with a RBI, Waltenbury was 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and Harrington was 2-for-4 with a RBI. Beresford was the one hit wonder of the game going 1-for-3 at the plate. Bigley and Rams were both 1-for-4, Bigley with a double and a pair of runs, and Rams with the home run (1 R, 1 RBI).

The E-Twins finish up the 3 game series 1-2, and host the Pulaski Mariners for a 3 game series starting on Thursday at 7:00 PM.

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Wednesday:
G-Sun
E-Star

Aussie powers Eastern League North win

South All-Stars 3 at North All-Stars 5

W: J. Martinez; L: P. Bresnehan; SV: B. Julianel
HR: EASS: G. Golson, R. Roberson. EASN: L. Hughes.

Luke Hughes hit a 3-run home run in the sixth inning to lead the Eastern League North All-Stars to a 5-3 over the South All-Stars at MerchantsAuto.com Stadium in Manchester.

Hughes finished up 1-for-4 at the plate with a run and 3 RBIs. Ben Julianel picked up the save in the game, while Ryan Mullins, also named to the All-Star game, did not make an appearance.

Steve Tolleson was selected to the All-Star team as well, but did not participate due to an injury.

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Rock Cats
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The New Britain Rock Cats begin a four-game set in New Hampshire on Thursday with the first pitch due at 7:05 PM.

PCL All-Stars 6 at INT All-Stars 5

W: L. Pena; L: B. Neal
HR: INTA: C. Carter

Rochester Red Wing Darnell McDonald was 1-for-2 at the plate as the PCL All-Stars edged the Int All-Stars 6-5 at Louisville Slugger Field. McDonald singled in the first inning. He reached on a fielder's choice in the third, then stole 2nd base.

The Pacific Coast League errupted for a six-run ninth inning to pick up the win after being shut out through eight.

Former Miracle Terry Tiffee was 0-for-4 with a pair of strike outs for the Pacific Coast League squad.

Detroit prospect Blaine Neal allowed all six Pacific Coast runs, five earned, on 4 hits and walk in .1 innings worth of work. He fanned only 1 and had a stellar 135.00 ERA while representing the Mud Hens in at the All-Star Game.

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The Red Wings host the Norfolk Tide for a four-game set starting on Friday. First pitch its 7:05 at Frontier Field. Southpaw Francisco Liriano (7-2, 3.53 ERA) will take on the Tides RHP Hayden Penn (4-4, 4.97).

Randy Ruiz will bring his 22-game hitting streak - tied for the club record - into Thursday night's contest.

Offense snoozes, Miracle loses to Daytona

Fort Myers 2 at Daytona 4

W: H. Chen (1-0, 3.47); L: A. Burnett (6-4, 3.78); SV: B. Parker (4)
HR: FTM: S. Singleton (3). DAY: D. Barney (3).

During the first half the the season, the Daytona cubs were not known for being a home team. It appears they've remedied that situation in the second half, and the Fort Myers Miracle found out the hard way, dropping game one of a four game series, 4-2 to the Cubs.

The Cubs would sent Hung-wen Chen to the mound, and he'd get a quick awakening when Steve Singleton took him yard over the right field fence. It was Sing's third home run of the season in a Miracle uniform.

In the bottom half of the lead off inning, Tony Thomas would single off Alex Burnett and then Darwin Barney homered off the Miracle right hander to put the Cubs up by one.

Ty Wright would take a walk off Burnett in the bottom of the fourth, and Steve Clevenger followed that up with a line drive to left. Marque Smith's line drive brought Wright in, and Yusef Carter sacrificed in Clevenger. Burnett would then get Russ Canzier to ground out and Ryan Harvey to strike out, stranding Smith.

On the whole, Burnett's performance wasn't bad. He'd allow 4 runs but on only 4 hits and a walk while fanning 7. The Miracle should have been able to deal with that, but with the exception of Sing, the offense was MIA.

Singleton tripled in the top of the sixth, and was sacrificed in by Wilson Ramos.

Sadly, that would be it for our boys in blue, as Dustin Sasser, Michael Cooper and Blake Parker blanked the Miracle through the next 3.1 innings.

Chen would pick up the win, Burnett would suffer his 4th loss of the season. Carlos Gutierrez finished up for the Miracle, allowing a pair of hits in the 8ths but no runs.

Singleton was 3-for-4 with a pair of runs and a RBI. Garrett Olson was 2-for-4 and Danny Lehmann was 1-for-3. Sort of makes you wonder where some of the big bats from the first half of the season were (i.e. Ovalle, Portes).

The two teams rematch tomorrow in what was a partly cloudy, but mostly dry Daytona Beach. The Miracle will try to locate their bats against lefty Rich Hill on a major league rehab assignment from Chicago. Deolis Guerra (9-4, 4.28) will counter for the Miracle.

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Cubs: Hill
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Dayton NJ

Mood Rings, Lava Lamps and Rubik's Cubes were all part of the fads of the 70's, and the Miracle will return home on Sunday, July 20th to 70's night at the Bill, sponsored by the Breeze Newspapers. Come dressed for the disco, gear yourself out in your glam, parade your Punk, or perhaps engage in a bit of streaking while the home town boys take on the St. Lucie Mets.

Tampa Bay Buccaneer running back Earnest Graham will be on hand to sign autographs to benefit the Earnest Giving Foundation, there will be a 70's car show on the mall, a pre-game concert by local band AsIz and a 70's costume contest (with prizes) as well. It's also a Fox 4 Miracle Kids' Club night. Pick up a coupon from the Breeze and get four reserved seating tickets for only $10! And, since it's 70's night, your pet rock gets in for Free!

FACTS about the 70's:
Population: 204,879,000
Unemployed in 1970: 4,088,000
National Debt: $382 billion
Average salary: $7,564
Food prices: milk, 33 cents a qt.; bread, 24 cents a loaf; round steak, $1.30 a pound
Life Expectancy: Male, 67.1; Female, 74.8

Among the top names in popular music were Aerosmith, the Bee Gees, David Bowie, Jackson Browne, Alice Cooper, Eagles, Electric Light Orchestra, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Fleetwood Mac, Billy Joel, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, John Lennon, Pink Floyd, Bob Seger, Bruce Springsteen, Rod Stewart, Three Dog Night, and The Who. "Easy listening" regained popularity with groups such as the Carpenters, and Bob Marley gained a huge core of fans in the U.S. performing Jamaican reggae music.

E-Twins bats fall short

Greenville 8 at Elizabethton 7

W: N. Pettus (1-1, 4.22); L: D. Rondon (1-1, 4.50)
HR: GRE: F. Almonte (3), K. Hinze (3), J. Altuve (1), E. Rosario (1). ELI: A. Soto (7), M. Harrington (6).

After a huge offensive onslaught out of the game, the Elizabethton Twins bats have cooled down of late. Tuesday night, they'd fall one short as the Greeneville Astros rallied back in the 9th to take one at Joe O'Brien Stadium.

Jay Austin opened up the game by taking a walk from Danny Berlind, then stealing 2nd. Berlind would get Joe Alluve to fly out to right before Frank Almonte singled to score Austin. After Kody Hinze went down on strikes, Ebert Rosario hit his first home run of the season over the center field wall to give the Astros a 3-0 lead.

The Twins were quick to respond though. Dominic De La Osa walked and two outs later, so would Alex Soto. Michael Harrington then belted one over the right field fence for his six home run of the brief season for the E-Twins, tying up the score.

Kody Hinze homered in the top of the 4th off Berlin, his third of the season. After a ground out to Rosario, Fredrico Hernandez took a walk. Nathan Metroka's ground ball single moved Fernandez to 2nd and a Kyle Miller line drive got him to 3rd. After taking Ricardo Bonfante out on strikes, Berlind would walk Jay Austin to force in a run. That did it for the E-Twins beleaguered starter, as Curtis Leavitt came in to replace Berlind, getting Jose Alluve out on strikes to end the inning.

Soto his his 7th homer run over the right field fence to take one back in the bottom of the 5th.

Jon Watenbury singled and Soto doubled to move him to 3rd. Following a ground out to Harrington, Evan Bigley singled to score Waltenbury. A wild pitch by Arcenio Leon plated Soto and a second wild pitch moved Bigley to 3rd. Jeff Lanning took a walk, and Angel Morales stuck out before yet another wild pitch by Leon finally plated Bigley. That put the Twins up on top, but the Astros had other plans.

Bonfante doubled in the top of the 9th, then stole 3rd base. Jose Alluve and Frank Almonte then hit back-to-back home runs off Danny Rondon to retake the lead. A strike out a ground out and a fly out finished off the Twins and the game.

Berlind allowed 5 runs, earned on 5 hits and 3 walks while striking out 5 over 3.2 innings. Leavitt worked the next four, allowing only 2 hits and a walk while striking out 3. Rondon would finish up the last 1.1 inning, allowing 3 earned runs on 3 hits while striking out 1.

Soto, Harrington and Morales were all 2-for-4 at the plate, Soto with 3 runs and a RBI, and Harrington with 1 run and 3 RBIs. Bigley was 2-for-5 with a run and a run scored. Waltenbury was 1-for-5 with a run. De La Osa was 0-for-2 at the plate but walked 3 times.

The rubber match of the three game series is Wednesday with a 7:00 PM start.

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Tuesday:
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DSL Twins 4 at DSL Cubs 3

W: E. Cardenas (4-1, 1.57); L: A. Quezada (2-1, 0.00); SV: E. Alvarez (9)
HR: DSL TWI: O. Arcia (1).

The DSL Twins picked up 4 runs on 9 hits to overcome the DSL Cubs on the road, 4-3.

Eliecer Cardenas took the start for the Twins, allowing only 1 run, earned, on 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 2.

Wilfy Gil singled off Marcos Perez in the top of the 5th, then stole 2nd base. A throwing error by catcher Juan Medina put Gil on 3rd. Danny Santana would reach on a fielder's choice when the Cubs tried to make the play at the plate and failed, Gil scored to put the Twins on the board.

A pitcher change brought Andres Quezada to the mound for the sixth and Manuel Soliman and Oswaldo Arcia both took singles off him. A throwing error by Quezeda on the pick off attempt advanced the runners. Jairo Rodriguez would go down on strikes before Eliel Sierra reached on a fielder's choice. Again the Cubs failed to make the play at the plate and a runner, this time Soliman, scored.

Soliman doubled his way onto base and Arica went yard off Arturo Florentino in the top of the 8th to give the Twins the game winning run.

Renzo Reverol worked 1 inning of relief, allowing 2 runs, unearned, on 1 hit and 1 walk while fanning 2. Edison Alvarez picked up his 9th save of the season, allowing 1 hit over the last 2 innings and striking out one.

Soliman, Arcia and Sierra were 2-for-4, Soliman with a pair of runs, Arcia with a run and 2 RBIs and Sierra with a RBI. Santana had a single and a walk, while Gil was 1-for-4 with a single and a run. Rodriguez was also 1-for-4, picking up the one hit wonder title.

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Morneau's All-Star Performance wins it for AL

Former Miracle Justin Morneau scored the winning run as the AL beat the NL 4-3 in 15 inn. to extend its All-Star game mark to 11-0-1 since '97. After winning the Home Run Derby on Monday, Morneau continued to rule the All-Star game, going 2-for-4 at the plate with 2 runs and a walk. Boston's J.D. Drew was the only other American League All-Star with a multi hit game, also going 2-for-4 at the plate, but with 1 run and 2 RBIs.

Joe Mauer was 1-for-1 with a walk, while the Twins' Joe Nathan pitched 1 inning, striking out 1.

Morneau would hit a a single to shallow center to get on board in the bottom of the 15th. He moved to second on Dioner Navarro's (Tampa Bay Rays) single and to 3rd on Drew's walk. Texas Ranger's shortstop Mike Young then sacrificed him in for the game winning run.

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Seen around the Miracle Dugout:


Rookie Carlos Gutierrez was friendly and chatted with all, signing autographs.


A more experienced Danny Santiesteban keeps an eye on the Florida weather.


"We're not playing while the field is still tarped again," Steve Singleton, Whit Robbins, et al on the bench.





Up Next:

The Miracle travel to historical Jackie Robinson Stadium to take on the Daytona Cubs. RHP Alex Burnett (6-3, 3.69) will start game one of the series for the Miracle, with the first pitch coming at 7:05 p.m. The Cubs are 14-10, 3rd in the East Division, while the Miracle are 13-12, also in third, but in the West Division. The Miracle have lost 6 of their last 10 games, while the Cubs have a 7-3 record over their last 10.

Fort Myers returns home on Sunday when they begin a 4-game homestand against the St. Lucie Mets. Tickets can be purchased at the Miracle boxoffice or on line at www.miraclebaseball.com.

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

GCL Orioles at GCL Twins - Postponed

Heavy rains blanketed Southwest Florida Tuesday morning and into late afternoon causing the game between the GCL Orioles and the GCL Twins to be postponed.

It will be made up as part of a double header on July 20th at Twin Lakes Park, starting at 11:00 AM. Both games of the double header will be shortened to 7 innings.

The second game will start approximately 1/2 hour after the completion of the first game.

The Twins are on the road Wednesday and Thursday. On Wednesday they will visit Sarasota to take on the Reds at the City of Sarasota Complex, and on Thursday they will take on the Red Sox in Fort Myers at the City of Palms Complex. Both games are to start at Noon, weather permitting.

Lee County Sports Complex

The GCL Twins play at the Lee County Sportsplex and those that do not live in Florida and are unfamiliar with the so called "complex" leagues, have wondered about the facilities available for the team. The GCL Twins, like all GCL Teams train and play in the facilities that their big league affiliate use for Spring Training. In the South Division, the Lee County Sportsplex and the City of Palms Complex rate as the two nicest and well kept of the facilities.

A $14 million undertaking, the Lee County Sports Complex was completed in February 1991. The 80 acre facility includes the 7,900 seat Hammond Stadium, four additional full size fields, two half fields, 10 covered batting cages, two observation towers and clubhouses.

The complex also features two soccer fields, a softball complex and other athletic facilities for use by Lee County organizations, plus an eight-acre water-management lake for public fishing.

The main stadium was renamed Bill Hammond Stadium, affectionately known as "The Bill", late in the 1994 spring season in honor of the County Commissioner who was instrumental in getting the complex built for the Twins.

The Stadium was renovated in 2007 to include additional "club" seating as well as a berm area, drink rail and party deck. New seating was added in 2008 to replace the old chairs and the fountain in the mall area as well as the clubhouse, was given a facelift.

Lescher and Mahoney, an architectural and engineering firm based in Tampa, Fla., were the lead architects for the project, with design assistance from Ellerbe-Becket of Kansas City, Mo. Case Contracting Company of Plant City, Fla., was the contractor. The Twins and Lee County had a 20-year agreement for use of the complex, which was recently extended to run through 2020. The Twins and Lee County then have two five-year options in the agreement, which would allow them to extended the deal through 2030.

The Twins pay an annual rental fee of $300,000 in exchange for all ticket, concessions and advertising revenues for the use of the complex.

The vast majority of the GCL Twins game are played on Field One of the training facility, although they have occasionally played in the main stadium bowl. The Stadium is used during the course of the season the by Twins High-A affiliate, the Fort Myers Miracle.

The fans attending GCL games can look forward to shaded bleacher seating, but they should pack there own refreshments as none are available at the facility itself.


The visitors grandstand seating area and dugout. The bullpens are located on the far side of the dugout.


The seating area on the home side. There is also a small grassy "berm" although it is actually a lawn, located on the visitors side between the bleachers and the charting table, which is located behind home plate.


The rest rooms and storage facilty. There used to be vending machines, but they were regularly being vandalized and were finally removed. The closes source of refreshments at this time is the Walgreens around the corner on Daniel's Parkway. There is also a Jason's Deli and a number of sub-shops in the general area.


One of the observation towers. It is also used for scoring during the games. Please note that the public is not allowed to visit the top of the tower.


The large white building is the new strength and conditioning facility, which also includes meeting rooms and a cafeteria/kitchen for the team. The building directly behind it houses five of the batting cages. Additional batting cages are located at the main stadium.

The field to the left in this shot (which is looking south) is one of the half-fields, the field to the right is field one where the games are played. On the other side of these buildings is a smaller building that houses the administrative offices for the team.


One of the fields used by the Fort Myers Miracle for training during the summer and by the Twins during spring training. Note the extended bleacher seating, as the spring training works outs are generally more heavily attended then the GCL games, which generally attract fewer then 35 spectators.


The stadium lights and scoreboard pictured in the background of this shot belong to the South Fort Myers High School stadium, which is located on the the other side of Plantation Drive. The school was constructed recently using revenues generated by MLB spring training in Fort Myers.

New batters eyes were installed following Hurricane Charley in 2004. The green canvas covers on the dugouts at the training facility were removed this year to increase airflow.

Merchandise is available at the Grand Stand Gift Shop located in Hammond Stadium. It is open during Miracle games. If you wish to visit at other time, pay a visit to the Fort Myers Miracle offices on the 3rd floor of Hammond Stadium and ask for Justin, he'll be happy to open it for you.

Thanks for visiting and remember...



'Nough said!

Dinkelman Rocks, Manship Rocked

Portland 9 at New Britain 5

W: M. James (3-3, 4.33); L: J. Manship (1-4, 5.06)
HR: POR: M. Hall (6), J. Otness (2). NBR: B. Dinkelman (1).

Poor Manny. I wonder if he's wishing for the greener pastures of Southwest Florida yet. Jeff Manship gave up 6 runs on 6 hits and 4 walks, lasting only 4 innings and striking out only 2 as the New Britain Rock Cats succumbed to the Portland Sea Dogs 9-5.

At least the Rock Cats made an effort to support their starters.

Manship would get Mickey Hall to fly out to open the top of the first, but would then issue walks to Iggy Suarez and Jeff Corsaletti. An Aaron Bates single scored Suarez, before Zach Daeges hit a ground rule double that brought in Corsaletti and moved Bates to 3rd. John Otness doubled in the pair before Jorge Jimenez would pop out. A wild pitch moved Otness to 3rd. He'd be plated by Sandy Madera's single to make it 5-0 Dogs to start.

Brian Dinkelman hit his first home run in a Rock Cats uni over the right field wall in the bottom of the 3rd to put the Cats on the board. The Dogs answered back immediately as Hall knocked his sixth of the season over the center field wall in the top of the 4th.

Former Twin prospect Dave Gassner worked four for the Sea Dogs. The bottom of the 4th saw Erik Lis walk and Brock Peterson double. A Felix Molina ground out scored Lis and Toby Gardenhire sacrificed in Peterson. Rocky Palacios and Dustin Martin hit back to back singles. Dinkelman's line drive then plated Palacios to make it 6-4 Dogs. Gassner would exit after allowing 4 runs, all earned, on 7 hits and a pair of walks while striking out 3.

Ryan Mullins replaced Manship in the top of the 5th and the Eastern League All-Star would allow a single to Daeges before Otness took a ball deep for his second home run of the season.

Michael James relieved Gassner and Winfree took a double off him to start out the bottom of the fifth. Two outs later, Molina doubled to bring in Winfree, making it 8-5.

The Dogs came back in the sixth though with Suarez walking with one out on the board. Corsaletti singled to advance him to 3rd and a wild pitch by Mullins saw him score.

Mullins would finish up allowing 3 earned runs on three hits and a pair of walks while fanning 2. Jason Miller worked the next 1.2 innings, allowing 2 hits and a walk while putting 2 K's up in the K-Korner.

Frank Mata, just off the DL, finished up, striking out two.

Dinkelman was 3-for-5 with a run and 2 RBIs. Winfree would go 2-for-4 at the plate with walk and a run. Martin, Peterson, and Molina were all 2-for-5, Peterson with a run, and Molina with a pair of RBIs. Erik Lis put up a walk, a single and a run through four at bats, while Palacious had a single and a run in five at bats. Gardenhire went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk. Danny Valencia was the one hit wonder, going 1-for-5 with a single in the bottom of the first.

The Rock Cats now break for the All-star game, and will resume on Thursday at MerchantsAuto.com Stadium against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

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Blind man rules: Breaks go to Hammerheads

Jupiter 8 at Fort Myers 4

W: D. McCall (4-2, 3.93); L: C. Devries (7-7, 2.79)
HR: JUP: L. Morrison (8), S. Cousins (6), S. McDougall (6). FTM: D. Berg (5), E. Tintor (5).

Home plate umpire Jason Cooksey awarded a win to the Jupiter Hammerheads Monday night. He is either legal blind, or he was paid off by Jupiter. I believe it was the latter, as his buddy, Kelvin Bultron appeared to be in on the deal.

Cole Devries took the start for the Miracle and the fact that he didn't actually throw the ball down in disgust and stalk off the field shows what a true professional he is. It all started with Cooksey's inability to tell the difference between a ball and a strike.

Cooksey awarded walks to the first two batters Devries faced. Logan Morrison then laced a line drive to left to load up the bags. Vasili Spanos' line drive scored Scott Cousins and the Miracle took Greg Burns out at home on the play. I'm surprised he actually called the Marlins' prospect out, despite it being clearly obvious that he was, in view of the events yet to come. Kevin Randel then flew out to left and little Yancarlos Ortiz, playing at 3rd base, made one of the gutsiest defensive plays I've ever seen at that position to keep Morrison pinned at 3rd. Spike McDougal (what a great name!) flew out to right fielder Eli Tintor to retire the side.

Mr. Tintor has a bit of a sore throat and is feeling a little under the weather. I found that amusing as I am feeling the same way and I haven't been kissing on him at all. I think it's just the nasty, rainy, weather has us all feeling a bit on the crappy side.

Logan Morrison would take Devries deep in the top of the 3rd going over the right field wall to make it 2-0 Hammerheads. Following a ground out to Spanos, Randel singled out to center. McDougall then fouled out - except that no - Cooksey called it a home run. Aside from the fact that everyone on the first base side of the stadium could clearly see it was a foul and aside from the fact that the ball was found in the field BEHIND the bullpen, clearly and well to the left of the foul pole, Cooksey ruled it was a home run. Jeff Smith argued but to no avail, getting himself tossed. The crowd of 1,326 - all 325 that were sitting on the first base side, plus the other 1,001 that were sitting in sections 113 and 114 all argued with the umpire. Happily, he does not have the power to eject the fans. However, just to show his disapproval of the way the crowd was now behaving, he allowed Jacob Blackwood to walk. Chris Hatcher ground into a force out and Guillermo Martinez was called out on walks.

(On a side note, Cooksey first ruled McDougal fouled, but then changed his mind after Jupiter field manager Brandon Hyde walked over to remind Cooksey he'd paid him off to call the game in favor of the Hammerheads.)

Derell McCall replaced Kyle Winters in the bottom of the stanza. Winters probably decided he didn't want to be on the same field with Cooksey - although Cooksey was ruling the Marlin's favor - and refuse to go back out.

Adam Everett ground out, before Steve Singleton knocked a line drive to right to get on board. The blind man then gave Wilson Ramos a walk. Whit Robbins hit a single to load the bags. Edward Ovalle then tried for a grand slam, but instead went down one, two, three, on strikes. Juan Portes would be hit by a pitch to force in a run, and Danny Berg would go down swinging.

Cousins singled then moved to 2nd on Burns sac bunt. He advanced to 3rd on Morrison's ground out and Spanos singled to score Cousins.

It had started to rain by this point and much of the 1,001 fans in section 113 and 114 tried to cram themselves under the shallow overhang up in the rafters.

Matthew Williams came out for the fifth inning and would keep the Hammerheads off the board.

Wilson Ramos singled in the bottom of the fifth and Whit Robbins put one over the left field fence that was immediately ruled a foul ball, and instead settled for double to center to score Ramos.

Despite being under the weather, Eli Tintor nailed one over the left field wall for his fifth home run of the season. It would be a solo shot, off reliever Brad Stone who had just come in to take over for McCall.

Blackwood and Hatcher both singled in the top of the seventh and, one out later, Cousins belted a ball over the center field wall to add three more to the Hammerhead's total. There would be no discussion this time, as there isn't a foul pole anywhere near center field.

Danny Berg would get this home run in the bottom of the 8th to keep him tied with Tintor for five each.

Devries was give then loss by Cooksey and McCall got the win. Ramos was 2-for-3 in the game with a pair of walks and a run, Berg and Tintor were both 2-for-4 with home runs (which meant a run and a run batted in for each). Robbins was 2-for-5 with a run scored. Singleton was 1-for-3 with a pair of walks and a run.

The Miracle take All-star Tuesday off and then head out on the road for a four-game set at historic Jackie Robinson Stadium against the Daytona Cubs.

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Former Miracle Justin Morneau defeated a tired Josh Hamilton 5-3 in the final round of MLB's All-Star Home Run Derby, but it was Hamilton who was the story of the night. Hamilton hit a record 28 home runs in the first round of the contest before running out of gas. That broke Bobby Abreau's mark of 24 home runs set in the 2005 derby at Detroit's Comerica Park.

"It does seem kind of unfair that he didn't get to win the whole thing," Morneau was quoted as saying an an associated press article. "Anyone who was here won't forget that performance."

Morneau, the first Twin ever to win the Home Run Derby, hit a total of 22 home runs during the contest. He hit 8 in the first round to tie Astros first baseman Lance Berkman for second place behind Hamilton. He'd slug another 9 over the wall in the second round.

"I think it's good for kids growing up in Canada to see there's something we do other than play hockey, and we can do it at this level," Morneau was quoted as saying on twinsbaseball.com.

Morneau, Joe Mauer - another Miracle Alumni - and pitcher Joe Nathan will represent the Twins in Tuesday's MLB All-Star game at Yankee Stadium in New York, NY. The game will be aired on the FOX network and fans can vote online for the game's MVP. Visit www.mlb.com for more detials.

The First Miracle Mystery Night Question was "Who stole 2nd base?" The rather lame answer "The lead off hitter" was guessed by an out-of-towner who won a number of prizes from various local establishments. This was another promotion where pieces of paper were hung on the wall all over the stadium.

I waited about an hour and half - and was trampled on by innumerable kids - to get Adam Everett's autograph. Sort of makes me pine for the good old days when RonDL was rehabbing for the Miracle. However, I did get to hear the whole story of how Anthony Slama got his dog, David Bowie. As for the Johnny Cash music..."I love Johnny Cash," Slama explained.

There was a 15 minute rain delay to start the game, and portions of the contest were played in a light drizzle. The joke in the clubhouse was "I'm not playing any more games with the tarp on the field!"

Rochester Red Wing slugger Randy Ruiz was named the Twins minor league player for the month of June. Ruiz hit .360 with eight home runs and 22 RBIs in 29 games and had a .437 on-base percentage over that stretch.

Tyler Robertson says he has not yet heard back on the results of his MRI. I reminded him the internet is holding it's collective breath on this one and that bloggers are over the place are quite concerned his arm is going to fall off. "Noooooooooo!" he laughed. "It's nothin' like that." Rene Tosoni has now adopted Robertson's hair style - or perhaps I should say lack there of. Tyler keeps his head shaved, and I can't for the life of me, imagine what he would look like with hair.