Twins double up Reds

GCL REds 3 at GCL Twins 6

W: J. Testa (1-0, 0.00); L: R. Ceballos (3-1, 8.18); SV: M. Schiavoni (1)
HR: TWI: D. Ortiz (1).

Joe Testa picked up his first professional win and Danny Ortiz went yard as the GCL Twins downed the GCL Reds in a game that saw the Reds use a plethora of pitchers.

One assumes it was a bull pen start and they were trying to use the whole bullpen.

The Reds got on the board first with Mauricio Pimentel singling off of Martire Garcia. Samuel Vasquez would fly out, but Yen-Wen Kuo took a walk, moving Pimentel to 2nd. Efrain Contreras' single scored Pimentel and Donald Lutz's follow up single plated Kuo. Frank Pfister would ground into a force out that took down Contreras. Eli Rimes walked to load the bags, but Garcia got Todd Waller to strike out swinging to strand the Reds runners.

After a fly out to Aaron Hicks and a ground out to Anderson Hidalgo, Danny Ortiz singled, then moved to 2nd on a wild pitch. Andres Diaz drew a walk. Efrain Rodriguez would be called for a balk moving the pair, and then unleashed a wild pitch that scored Ortiz. Mike Gonzales then singled in Diaz to tie up the game. Hyeong-rok Choi also singled, moving Gonzales to second. That marked the first pitching change as Matteo Pizziconi, one of two Italian pitchers on the Reds staff, replaced Rodriguez on the mound. Pizziconi would get Josmir Pinto out on strikes to end the inning.

(Oh, no wonder I'm confused. The Twins roster has him listed as Josmir, while MiLB has him down as Josmil. Poor kid!)

Garcia would walk Vasquez, but otherwise kept the top of the 2nd a short affair.

After a pair of ground outs, Aaron Hicks took a walk, then stole 2nd. Pizziconi would try to pick him off but put the ball into the outfield instead, moving Hicks to 3rd. Hidalgo took a walk, but Pizziconi got Ortiz to ground out, leaving Hicks stranded. This would become on ongoing theme through out the game, as Hicks simply could not get past 3rd.

Lutz singled off Garcia with one out on the board in the top of the 3rd, then stole 2nd base. Rimes doubled him in, putting the Reds back on top.

Luca Panerati, the other Italian on the Reds staff, replaced his countryman for the 3rd inning, getting Diaz to ground out and Gonzales and Rok to fly out.

Joe Testa would replace Garcia in the top of the 4th, and would work the next three innings, fanning 3.

Justin Walker showed up on the hill for the bottom of the fourth. Pinto Singled and Juan Sanchez took a walk. Herbert Lara would advance the pair on a sac-bunt. Following a pop out to Hicks, Hidalgo singled to plate Pinto. Sanchez would try to come home as well, but was called out at home, ending the inning with the game knotted up again.

The bottom of the fifth got Rafael Ceballos out to the hill. Ortiz greeted him with his first home run of the season, putting the ball over the right field fence. Funny, for a little guy, he sure has a lot of power. Diaz ground out but Gonzales singled. Rok would be hit by a pitch. Pinto would go down on strikes before Sanchez singled out to left to drive in Gonzales. A fielding error by Theodis Bowe in left advanced the runners. That did it for Ceballos as the Reds got David Torcise out of the bullpen. He'd get Lara to pop out to end the inning.

Torcise got to come back out for the bottom of the sixth. Hicks would reach on a throwing error and Hidalgo would move him on a sac-bunt. After Ortiz went down on strikes, Torcise unleashed a wild pitch that moved Hicks to 3rd. Sadly Diaz flew out, leaving Hicks stranded again.

The Twins put Ian Mopas on the mound for the top of the 7th. Ian has been complaining of a sore shoulder, but he got Bowe and Pimentel to ground out before allowing a single to Vasquez. Kuo would then pop out to end send the Twins out to bat again. "That went rather well," Mopas said after the game. Yes, it did.

Raul Rodriguez was the lucky recipient of a trip to the mound for the Reds in the bottom of the 7th. He'd allow walks to Gonzales and Rok but would get Pinto to line into a double play. Sanchez singled in Gonzales. I have to say, at 6'6" and 245 lbs, watching the former Diablo Valley Viking bear down on you the plate is a pretty daunting image for any catcher. I was sitting just to the right of the plate and got to see it twice. Glad he's on our team!

Mauro Schiavoni worked both the top of the 8th and the 9th for the Twins and did a fine job keeping the Reds hitless over the two, earning his first professional save.

Hector Santana would be the last of the Reds pitchers we'd have the pleasure of seeing, and he'd give up a triple to Aaron Hicks. Hicks was again left on base though as Hidalgo went down on strikes and Ortiz and Diaz then popped out.

Gonzales and Sanchez were both 2-for-3, Gonzales with a pair of runs and a RBI, and Sanchez with walk and 2 runs scored. Ortiz was 2-for-5 with 2 runs and a RBI, courtesy of the homer. Hicks and Pinto were each 1-for-4, hicks with a triple and walk and Pinto with a run. Hidalgo was 1-for-3 with a walk and a RBI. Rok was 1-for-2 with a walk, while Diaz, who finish up 0-for-4 with walk, chipped in a run as well.

The Twins face the Red Sox Sunday at the City of Palms Complex for a noon game. They rest on Monday.

Box
Log

Snappers fall to Silverhawks, E-Twin blast Astros

Beloit 4 at South Bend 5

W: J. Parker (9-5, 4.04); L: M. Tarsi (4-11, 5.67); SV: C. Zavada (2)
HR: SOU: T. Harbin (9).

The Beloit Snappers took an early lead against the South Bend Silverhawks on Friday, but could not hold off the home team's comeback, falling 5-4 at Coveleski Stadium.

With two outs on the board in the top of the second, Mark Dolenc singled, then stole 2nd. Greg Yersich followed that up with a line drive to right that plated Dolenc to open the scoring. Allan de San Miguel would get hit by a pitch and Jeanfred Brito tripled to bring the pair of catchers in. A missed catching error by second baseman Taylor Harbin got Brito over the plate as well. Ben Revere would walk, then be caught stealing 2nd to send Beloit out to field.

Snappers starter Henry Reyes would keep South Bend quiet until the bottom of the fourth inning. After getting Harbin out on strikes, Sean Coughlin doubled out to left. Chance Wheeless would go down on strikes, but Eli Rumler took a walk. Ramon Ramirez singled to score the pair, helped in part by Revere's fielding error. Ramirez would end up at second base and Jimmy Principe doubled him in before Reyes would get Matthew Oxendine out on strikes.

Harbin would tie up the game in the bottom of the 5th, sending a fly ball over the center field fence for this ninth home run of the season.

Mike Tarsi would replace Reyes in the bottom of the sixth, and after getting Wheeless out on strikes, allowed a single to Rumler. The runner would be advanced by Juan Richardson's throwing error. Ramirez singled to send Rumler to 3rd and Principe sacrificed him into put the Silverhawks on top.

Beloit would only manage five hits the game with only one coming after the sixth inning.

Yersich was 2-for-3 with a run and a run scored, Yangervis Solarte and Dolenc were 1-for-4 each, Dolenc with a run and Brito was 1-for-3 with a run, a triple and a pair of RBIs.

Reyes would work five innings allowing 4 runs, 3 earned on 5 hits and a walk while fanning five. Tarsi took the loss on 2 innings worth of work, allowing an unearned run on 3 hits while fanning 2.

The win the was the eighth straight for South Bend.

Having hawked enough silver, the Snappers now visit the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. The first pitch is set for 6:35 PM at Fox Cities Stadium.

Box
Log
Snappers
Bluffton News-Banner
South Bend Tribune
BDN
Friday:
BDN
BDN: Volunteers of the Month

---

Greeneville 7 at Elizabethton 10

W: B. Tippett (6-2, 2.92); L: J. Lyles (1-2, 4.40); SV: M. Hamburger (4)
HR: ELI: A. Soto 2 (9), A. Severino (1).

The Elizabethton Twins bats were back and booming as they downed the Greeneville Astros in a slug fest Friday night. The teams knocked out a combined 20 hits for 17 runs.

Greeneville took and early lead with Jose Altuve singling and stealing second. Wilton Infante went down on strikes before Jay Austin singled to drive in Altuve. Austin then stole second and come home on Renzo Tello's double out to left.

The E-Twins answered back with Adam Severino sending his first home run of the season over the right field wall.

Jon Waltenbury and Alex Soto hit back-to-back doubles in the bottom the fourth. Michael Harrington's double plated the pair to give the E-Twins the lead. After Evan Bigley went down on strikes during which time Harrington advanced to 3rd, Jeff Lanning sacrificed in the Twins left fielder.

The top of the sixth saw Altuve take a walk, then move to 2nd on a wild pitch by E-Twins starter Brad Tippett. Infante's ground out advanced him to 3rd and he'd score on Jay Austin's fly ball single to center to cut the Twins lead to one.

James Beresford singled in the bottom half of the stanza however and advanced to 2nd on Austin's fielding error. Dominic De La Osa's ground out saw him to 3rd and Nick Romero singled to plate the Aussie. This would signal a pitching change for the Astros, who brought in David Dinelli to replace Jordan Lyles. Waltenbury singled out center before Alex Soto went yard, his 8th of the year over the center field wall to bring in the pair of runners with him.

An 8-3 lead seemed to do little to dent the Astro's enthusiasm. Ricardo Bonfante doubled in the top of the 7th and moved to 3rd on a Altuve fly out. The Twins would take the opportunity to replace Brad Tippett with Kyle Carr. Carr would unleash a wild pitch however, allowing Bonfante to score.

Tippett would leave the contest, having allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out 5 in 6.2 innings.

Waltenbury took a walk in the bottom of the 7th, and Soto took advantage of the thin mountain air to homered him in with his second yard ball of the contest, his 9th of the season.

Tello tripled off Carr in the top of the 8th, and would come home, one out later on Kody Hinze line drive single.

Lee Martin replaced Carr in the top of the 9th. He'd walk Fredrico Hernandez and Bonfante. A single by Altuve brought in the first runner before Mark Hamburger was brought in from the bullpen. He'd get Infante to ground out, but Bonfante scored on the play. Then took Austin out on strikes and got Tello to ground out to end the inning, and the game.

Soto was 3-for-4 in the slug fest with 3 runs and 5 RBIs. Waltenburh was 2-for-3 with a walk and three runs. Romero and Severino were both 1-for-4 with a run and a run scored, Severino with a triple. Harrington was 1-for-3 with a double, a run and 2 RBIs, while Beresford was 1-for-2 with a pair of walks and a run.

The E-Twins host the Kingport Mets for a pair of game on Saturday, making out a previous rain out. First pitch for the first game is due out at 6:00 PM Eastern time.

Box
Log
Friday:
MiLB

Odds and Ends

Mostly Miracle & GCL related but...

Johnny Woodard was pulled off the field prior to today's game against the GCL Reds and activated to the Miracle. Andres Diaz took his place in the line up.

Once a New Britain pitcher is promoted to Rochester to replace the Beijing bound Brian Duensing, Jose Mijares will be sent to New Britain. Names batting about include Ryan Mullins and Anthony Swarzak although Yohan Pino's last outing certainly makes him a candidate for the Red Wings.

Tyler Robertson says he has the same thing wrong with his shoulder that Kyle Waldrop has, but in Wally's case it's been building up over the last two years. They caught it early enough with Tyler that the condition can be corrected with physical therapy as opposed to surgery. As a result, he expects to be pitching again in two weeks, probably for a brief stint in GCL and will be back with the Miracle for the playoffs.

Jake Mauer said they may just go with a bull pen start every fifth day in GCL to give the kids more innings as opposed to moving someone into the rotation to replace Alex Curry. They used Andrei Lovanov yesterday, but have had mixed results with him as a starter.

The GCL Twins have added a new permanent assistant coach, Ramon Borrego, who had previously been with the Venezuelan Academy.

Rock Cats win pitcher's duel at Dodd

New Britain 2 at Connecticut 1

W: Y. Pino (4-4, 4.26); L: D. McKae (6-5, 4.14); SV: B. Julianel (22)
HR: None.

There haven't been too many pitching duels for the New Britain Rock Cats, but they won one Friday night against the Connecticut Defenders.

Yohan Pino worked 7 solid innings, allowing only 1 run, earned, on 2 hits and pair of walks while fanning two. For their state rivals, Dave McKae also allowed 1 earned run on 8 hits and no walks while striking out 3 over seven innings. It was the unearned run that did him in.

Adam Witter walked in the bottom of the 2nd inning for the Defenders, as did Eddy Martinez-Esteve. Following a fly out to Carlos Sosa, and a pop out to Ryan Rohlinger, Simon Klink singled to drive in Witter. A throwing error by David Winfree in right field put runners on second and third, but Pino got Kyle Haines to ground out, ending the threat.

Drew Butera was hit with a pitch in the top of the 3rd, and a throwing error by Rohlinger allowed Matt Moses to reach on a force attempt. The runners would advance on the play and following a pop out to Steve Tolleson, Luke Hughes would ground out, plating Butera.

Danny Valencia doubled in to the top of the 4th and two outs later was singled in by Felix Molina. Molina would try to steal 2nd, but was caught, retiring the side.

Dustin Martin would get on base on a ground bunt single in the top of the sixth and Valencia would double again, but Martin was taken down at home as the Defenders saved the extra run.

Rob Delaney replaced Pino in the bottom of the 8th and allowed a single to Haines. He'd not be able to advance however as Delaney made quick work of the other three batters he faced.

Ben Julianel gets the job done as closer but he likes to make it interesting. After getting Pablo Sandoval to pop out, Witter and Martinez-Esteve took walks off of him. Carlos Sosa would go down on strikes and a wild pitch would advance the runners. Rohlinger then ground out, stranding his teammates and ending the contest.

Valencia was 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and a run. Winfree was 2-for-4 with a double. Molina was 1-for-3 with a RBI and Tolleson, Hughes and Martin were all 1-for-4, Hughes with a RBI, the other two being one hit wonders.

Butera was 0-for-2 at the plate with a run.

The save was Julianel's 22nd of the season.

Game two of the series is Saturday night at the Dodd. First pitch is set for 6:35 PM with Ben Snyder (1-2, 7.66) on the hill for Connecticut, while the Rock Cats counter with Jeff Manship (1-5, 4.50).

Box
Log
Rock Cats
Defenders
Bulletin
Celebrity Home Run Derby
Courant
WFSB: Rock Cats Super Fan

Note: While there has been no word as to which Rock Cat will be replacing Brian Duensing on the Rochester Red Wings staff, it is expected that the outgoing Cat will be replaced in New Britain by Jose Mijares.

---

Rochester 3 at Scanton/WB 7

W: J. Karstens (6-4, 3.80); L: B. Duensing (5-11, 4.32)
HR: SWB: M. Carson (6), A. Gonzalez (3).

Brian Duensing's last start prior to his departure for Beijing was less then memorable as the Rochester Red Wings blew a 3 run lead and ended up losing 7-3.

Duensing allowed 5 runs, all earned on 10 hits and a walk and fanned only 2 in 6.1 innings to record his 11th loss of the season.

Adam Everett would get things rolling for the Wings with a soft line drive to center. Darnell McDonald then doubled to move Everett to 3rd. Garrett Jones would go down on strikes before Randy Ruiz doubled in the pair to give the Wings a two run lead.

Matt Macri would walk in the top of the 2nd and after a pop out to Alejandro Machado, advanced to second on a Ryan Jorgenson single. Jason Pridie's single moved Macri to 3rd and following a coaching visit to the mound, Everett would knock a line drive to right to plate him.

Matt Carson homered for the Yankees in the bottom of th 4th. Juan Miranda singled and Cody Ransom walked. One out later. JD Closser singled to load up the bags. Chris Stewart then sent a ball to Everett at short that saw Miranda come home. Nick Green sacrificed in Ransom to tie up the game.

Alberto Gonzalez singled in the bottom of the 5th and advanced to second on McDonald's throwing error. Carson's sac-bunt moved him to 3rd. Miranda's line drive to right plated him to give the Yankees the lead.

Macri would double with two outs in the top of the sixth, but could not convert as Machado ground out to send the Wings back on Defense.

Following a strike out to Bernie Castro, Alberto Gonzalez homered in the bottom of 7th. That would finish it for Duensing with Julio Depaula taking over. Depaula would take Carson out on strikes, but walked Miranada. Ransom then doubled to score Miranda and a Broussard line drive single brought in Ransom.

Everett and Garrett Jones were both 2-for-4 at the plate, Everett with a run and a RBI. Macri was 1-for-2 with a pair of walks, a double and a run

Howie Clark (1-for-4) and Pridie (1-for-5) were the one hit wonders, while McDonald and Ruiz were 1-for-4 with doubles, Ruiz with 2 RBIs as well; Machado and Jorgensen were 1-for-3, Machado with a double, Jorgensen with a walk.

Jeff Karstens took the win for the Yankees, his sixth of the season, allowing 3 runs, earned on 9 hits and a pair of walks while striking out 5.

The two teams rematch Saturday at 7:00 PM.

Box
Log
Red Wings
Times-Tribune
RD&C
Pending Pinstripes Blog

Reliever Carmen Cali (5-0, 3.38 ERA) will make the spot start Saturday night against Kei Igawa (9-5, 3.80) .

Manager Stan Cliburn entered Friday's game with 999 wins as a minor league manager; Cliburn has a 1,252-1,206 overall managerial record, with 253 of those wins in the Independent Texas/Louisiana League from 1995-1999. Dave Machemer is the only former Red Wings manager to have 1,000 or more minor league wins on the active manager list.

Friday's game ended a streak in which the Red Wings had hit at least one home run in 12 straight games (19 home runs during a 12-game stretch). Alejandro Machado just missed extending the homer streak, doubling off the top of the fence in the ninth inning. Rochester hit 12 home runs during the just completed eight-game homestand, out-slugging the IL home run leaders (Toledo) 8-4 during a four-game series. The 96 home runs Rochester has hit so far this season is the most in one season since 2005 (139).

The Twins lost OF Carlos Gomez after he was injured colliding with the outfield wall making a catch. Gomez needed to be carted off the field after injuring his back, and was taken to a hospital for tests.

Rain, curfew suspends Miracle game

Fort Myers 2 at Clearwater 2 - Suspended

Pitching: M. Williams (FTM); Batting: F. Hernandez (CLE)
HR: None.

The game between the Fort Myers Miracle and the Clearwater Threshers was suspended after 14 innings and a lengthy rain delay.

With two outs on the board in the top of the 2nd inning, Danny Lehmann drew a walk off Joe Savery. Danny Santiesteban laced a line drive to left to plate the Miracle catcher. A missed catch by Orlando Guevara behind the Thresher plate saw Santiesteban home as well to give the Miracle two.

John Urick walked off Miracle starter Ozzie Sosa in the bottom half of the stanza. Kevin Maher singled him to second and Michael Taylor hit into a force out to put him at 3rd. Guevara then singled to bring him in. A wild pitch would put Thresher runners on second and third, but Sosa got Fidel Hernandez to ground out to end the inning.

It would stay that way until the bottom of the ninth, when Anthony Slama gave up a single to Taylor. Gary Cates sac-bunt moved him and pinch hitter Alan Robbins reached on a throwing error by Garrett Olson. A sac-fly by Hernandez plated Taylor to tie up the game. Quintin Berry singled and advanced to 2nd on defensive indifference before Slama would get Robert Watson to ground out to end the inning.

The conclusion of the game will begin at 5:00 PM on Saturday. The regular contest will follow at 6:30 and will be nine innings. Both teams will be restricted to a depleted bench and bullpen when the game resumes.

The game was suspended at 1:00 AM under the Florida State League curfew rule.

Box
Log
Miracle
Threshers
NDN

Click it for Ticket

The Florida Department of Transportation Safety Office has partnered with the Fort Myers Miracle to encourage Miracle fans to buckle up. Local law enforcement will be “ticketing” motorist and their passengers for wearing their seat belts in the “You have been ticketed” promotion.

Local law enforcement personnel will be on hand at the August 1st game to distribute tickets to a future Miracle game to fans that are caught wearing their seat belt by the law enforcement officials.

In addition on August 29th the first 1,000 people into the stadium for the Miracle versus Tampa Yankees, who pledge to wear their seat belt every trip, every time, day and night will receive a Miracle buckle up logo baseball. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. and the gates open at 6 p.m.

Twins drop two to Orioles

The GCL Orioles haven't won too many games this season, but two of those wins came when they captured both halves a double header at the Lee County Sportsplex on Friday.

GCL Orioles 3 at GCL Twins 1

W: M. Moore (2-0, 0.00); L: M. Munoz (3-2, 3.30)
HR: None.

In game one, Xavier Avery greeted Twins starter Miguel Munoz with a double. A wild pitch by Munoz sent Avery to 3rd. After Garbez Rosa struck out, Jerome Hoes would ground out to plate Avery.

The Twins answered back though in the bottom half of the first, with Danny Ortiz tripling, then coming home on Johnny Woodard's follow up single.

The game would stay tied up until the top of the 5th, when Rosa singled with two outs on the board. Hoes' line drive moved Rosa to 3rd and a Omar Casamayor ground ball single put him over the plate.

Avery doubled in the top of the 7th moved to 3rd one out later on a Hoes single and was scored by a Casamayor ground ball to right.

Justin Moore and Marcus Moore would scatter seven Twins hits over the seven inning contest.

Their best scoring chance came in the bottom of the 3rd when Aaron Hicks singled, stole 2nd and moved to 3rd on Johnny Woodard's force out. Henry Sanchez would then walk to load the bases, but Tyler Ladendorf flew out to strand the runners.

Munoz would surrender 2 runs on eight hits while fanning 8 over five innings. Kohl Nanney worked the last two, giving up one run on 4 hits while striking out one.

Ortiz and Choi were 2-for-3 a the plate, Ortiz with a double, a triple and a run. Woodard and Ladendorf were 1-for-3, Woodard with a RBI, Ladendorf with a double. Hicks finish up 1-for-4.

Box
Log

GCL Orioles 8 at GCL Twins 5

W: J. Almanzar (1-2, 8.16); L: J. Mijares (0-2, 5.56); SV: J. Reyes (2)
HR: None.

Andrei Lobanov, Jean Mijares and Kelvin Mota all got a bit of shelling in the second game, although the GCL Twins almost got as many as they gave up. Still the GCL Orioles went on to a 8-5 win to finish off the afternoon.

In the top of the third inning, Francsico Mejia singled and Xavier Avery doubled off the Twins Russian starter. A sac-fly by Javier Santana allowed Mejia to score. Jerome Hoes would follow that up with a triple that drove in Avery. Omar Casamayor then singled in Hoes to give the Birds a 3 run lead.

Javier Brown walked in the bottom half of the stanza and moved to 2nd on Herbert Lara's single one out later. Anderson Hidalgo singled to drive in Brown to make it 3-1 O's.

Jean Mijares would take over in to top of the fourth for Lovanov, who left the game after surrendering 3 runs on six hits in three innings. Edwin Cintron reached on a fielding error by Mike Gonzales with one out on the board. Mejia's ground out moved him to second and an Avery single plated him.

Tyler Ladendorf would reach on a fielding error by Javier Santana, then move to 2nd on wild pitch by the O's Sam Taveras. After Danny Rohlfing went down on strikes, another wild pitch moved Ladendorf to 3rd. Reggie Williams ground out served to score him before Brown ground out to end the inning.

Jon Goncalves walked in the bottom of the 5th off reliever Jorge Almanzar. Lara ground out, moving Goncalves to 2nd and Hidalgo doubled him in. Danny Ortiz followed up with is own double to plate Hidalgo. Ortiz would move to 3rd on a Gonzales ground out. Almanzar would then let go of a wild pitch that allowed Ortiz to cross the plate, to make it 5-4 Twins.

The O's answered back in the of the sixth though with Justin Martin singling with one out on the board. Grolmann Gonazlez would replace Martin as a pinch runner. Edwin Cintron walked and a wild pitch by Mijares put Gonzalez at 3rd. Kevin Mota would come in to replace Jean Mijares. Dennis Perez, pinch hitting for Mejia, took a walk off Mota and Avery singled to drive in Gonzalez. Following a pop out by Santana, Hoes singled to bring in Citron and Perez, making it 7-5 Orioles.

Edinho Mayer doubled off Mota on the top of the 7th, moved to 3rd on Michael Gioioso's bunt single and scored on wild pitch by Mota to give the O's 8.

Hidalgo was 2-for-4 for the Twins with a run and 2 RBIs. Ortis was 1-for-2 with a walk a run and a run scored. Lara (1-for-4) and Rohlfing (1-for-3) each had a single. Brown and Goncalves were both 0-for-2 with a walk and a run each, Ladendorf was 0-for-3 with a run and Williams was 0-for-3 with a run scored.

Box
Log

---

DSL Cubs1 at DSL Twins 2

W: H. Mayora (3-2, 1.62); L: P. Guerra (5-2, 2.20); SV: A. Florentino (6)
HR: None.

Pedro Guerra has pitched well for the DSL Twins this season, but he'd take the loss Friday against the DSL Cubs1, who took 3 runs off of him, only 1 earned, on 7 hits over 7 innings, he'd fan 9.

Carlos Carrillo surrendered 2 more hits, both earned on 3 hits and a pair of walks in the last two innings.

The Twins got off to a good start with Danny Santana singling then stealing 2nd. Jhonatan Arias and Manuel Soliman would then go down on strikes before Oswaldo Arcia reach on a fielding error by Cubs shortstop Robert Bautista that also scored Santana.

In the bottom of the second, Eliel Sierra doubled, then came home, two outs later, on Santana's triple.

But they could not solve Hector Mayor after that. The Twins would get 10 hits, but were unable to string together a successful attack.

Juan Perez was 3-for-4 but did not factor into the scoring. Arias and Sierra were both 2-for-4, Sierra with a double and a run. Santana was 2-for-5 with a triple, a run and RBI while Felix Caro was 1-for-4, the one hit wonder of the contest.

Box
Log

Snappers fall in 10, ETwins win

Beloit 3 at South Bend 4

W: W. Spottiswood (3-3, 2.27); L: S. Arias (5-5, 3.50)
HR: SOU: J. Batten (1).

It's almost to the point where if they can get through a game without anyone getting hurt, you have to consider it a victory. However, despite a tied game in the 7th, the Beloit Snappers lost in 10 innings Thursday to the South Bend Silverhawks.

Santos Arias took the loss, working out of the bullpen, perhaps to make room for Shooter Hunt in the rotation. Steve Hirschfield took the start working 6.1 innings.

Mark Dolnec singled off South Bend's Tom Layne in the top of the 2nd, followed Allan de San Miguel's line drive to left. Andrew Schmiesing reached on a force attempt, but a throwing error by shortstop Matthew Oxendine allowed Dolenc to score for the first Snappers run.

Joseph Batten homered in the bottom of the third to put the Silverhawks on the board.

In the bottom of the fifth, Jimmy Principe walked and Oxendine doubled to plate him, putting the Silverhawks on top.

Jeff Dietz replaced Layne in the 7th and after Dolenc lined out, hit de San Miguel with a pitch. Schmiesing reached on a fielding error. Jeanfred Brito came in as a pinch runner for Dirty, and Estarlin De Los Santos ground into a force out that moved Brito to 3rd and took out Schmiesing at second. De Lo then stole 2nd and a Ben Revere single plated the pair.

Oxendine would single off Hirschfeld in the bottom of the 7th and Batten followed suite. That would finish it for Hirschfeld, as Charles Nolte came in, looking for the final two outs in the inning. Collin Cowgill singled off the newcomer however, plating Oxendine to tie up the contest.

Martin would take over for Nolte and work the 8th, giving way to Arias with one out in the ninth. In the tenth, Arias would walk Chance Wheeless, and a bunt single by Elijah Rumle moved him to 3nd. A sac-bunt saw Wheeless to 3rd, and one out later, Oxendine singled to bring him in for the game winning run.

Revere was 3-for-5 with 2 RBIs, and Dolence was 2-for-4 with a run. Dirty was 1-for-2 at the plate, having the only other hit in the game for the Snappers.

The final game of the series is Friday at 7:30 pm as Silverbend looks for a sweep at Coveleski Stadium.

Box
Log
Snappers
Silverhawks
Tribune
Thursday:
BDN

---

Greeneville 1 at Elizabethton 6

W: D. Osterbrock (3-2, 3.12); L: H. Villar (1-3, 4.24)
HR: None.

A strong outing by Dan Osterbrock and a five-run sixth inning put the Elizabethton Twins back in the win column Thursday night as they downed the Greeneville Astros 6-1.

Osterbrock worked 7 innings, giving up only 1 hit and a pair of walks during that time, while fanning a dozen.

Nick Romero would get plunked by a pitch to start out the bottom of the sixth, then found himself crossing the plate after Jon Waltenbury tripled him in. Mike Harrington doubled to plate Waltenbury before Evan Bigley went down on strikes. The Astros would gring in Arcenio Leon to replace Henry Villar on the mound, and Leon gave up a single to Jeff Lanning to drive in Harrington. A balk by Leon and a pair of wild pitches moved Lanning around the diamond and saw him score before Danny Rams drew a walk. Adam Severino singled, and Rams advanced to 3rd on a fielding error by Devon Torrence. James Beresford would go down on strikes before a wild pitch plated Rams for the fifth run.

Romero lead off the bottom of the 7th with a line drive double, and Waltenbury advanced him with a single. After Harrington went down on strikes a wild pitch by Leon scored Romero. Bigley would be hit by a pitch and Lanning walk before Rams ground into a double play to end the inning.

Scott Blevins would work a scoreless eighth, giving way to Mark Hamburger in the ninth. Torrence would take a walk to start out the inning and after a fly out to Albert Cartwright, Almonte walked as well. Heinze would go down on strikes before Ebert Rosario singled to scored Torrence, ending the E-Twins shut out bid.

Jeff Lanning was 2-for-2 with a walk, a run and a RBI, while Romero was 2-for-3 with a walk and a pair of runs. Sevarino went 2-for-4 while Waltenbury was 2-for-5 with a triple a run and a RBI. Harrington and Beresford were both 1-for-4 with doubles, Harrington with a run and a RBI as well, while Dominic De La Osa finished up 1-for-5, good for the one hit wonder of the game title.

The rubber match is Friday at 7:00 at Joe O'Brien Stadium. The E-Twins then host the Kingsport Mets for a three game series starting on Saturday.

Box
Log
Twins
Thursday:
G-Sun
E-Star

Fourth inning dooms Rock Cats

Reading 7 at New Britain 3

W: F. Castro (8-1, 4.20); L: R. Mullins (7-7, 4.28)
HR: REA: B. Harman (9). NBR: D. Martin (7), D. Valencia (1).

Home runs by Dustin Martin and Danny Valencia were not enough to overcome the Reading Phillies, who used a 4-run fourth inning to top the New Britain Rock Cats 7-3.

Valencia homered - his first in a Rock Cats uniform - in the bottom of the 2nd inning with one out on the board. Luke Hughes followed that up by bunting his way to base, and Felix Molina took a walk. Toby Gardenhire's fly out moved Hughes to 3rd, and he'd come home on a Drew Butera single to give the Rock Cats an early 2 run lead.

Ryan Mullins was back as a starter after a stint in the bulllpen and allowed singles to Clay Harris, Jake Blalock, Mike Spidale and Jason Donald in the top of the 3rd, to give the Phillies one. Blalock would try to go home as well, but was taken out at the plate. Greg Golson would strike out to end the scoring threat.

Lou Marson started out the top of the 4th with a walk for the Phils, then after Jeremy Slayden went down on strikes, Neil Sellers doubled. Brad Harmon blasted his 9th home run of the season over the left field wall to give Reading a two run lead. Harris walked and moved to 2nd on Blalock's single. After a pop out to Mike Spidale, Donald walked to load the bags. Jason Miller then walked out to the mound to replace Mullins, whose name was recently mentioned as being a candidate for promotion to AAA when Brian Duensing goes to the olympics. Miller would walk Golson to force in a run before getting Marson to strike out swinging.

Valencia would single in the 4th and make it all the way to 3rd, only to be stranded when Gardenhire popped out and Drew Butera ground out. He was then removed from the game, with Erik Lis replacing him in the line up, which also sent off a chain reaction switch amongst the infielders.

Slayden would single to start out the top of the fifth, and Sellers took a walk. Harman would go down on strikes before Harris walked to load the bags. Miller would then take Blalock down on strikes and get Spidale to fly out to get out of the inning safely.

He would not fair so well in the top of the sixth with Donald tripling and Golson walking. Golson then stole 2nd and Marson would go down on strikes before Slayden reached on a fielder's choice. the play at the plate didn't work however, as Butera never had control of the ball, and Donald scored on a controversial call that saw Rock Cats field manager Bobby Cuellar ejected from the game. Sellers would reach on a force attempt that scored Golson, and caused a pitching change, with Kyle Aselton replacing J-Mill. Aselton would take Harmon down on strikes and get Harris to fly out to retire the side.

Jason Anderson would replace Fabio Castro in the bottom of the 8th. Castro left after allowing a pair of runs, earned, on 5 hits and walk while fanning five. Anderson would get Steve Tolleson to ground out before giving up a home run to Dustin Martin, who smacked a line drive over the right field fence. It was the sluggers 7th of the year for New Britain.

It was also all the Rock Cats could manage.

Mullins took the loss, his 7th of the season. Hitting wise, Hughes was 2-for-4 at the plate with a run, while Valencia was 2-for-2 with a run and a RBI. Martin, Winfree, and Butera were each 1-for-4, Martin with a run and a RBI, Butera with a RBI leaving Winfree to be the one hit wonder of the contest.

The Cats fall to 42-62 on the season, 5th in the six team Northern Division, 22.5 games behind division leading Trenton. They now head over to Norwich for a series against the Connecticut Defenders, a team they trail by only 11 games.

Box
Log
Rock Cats/OSC
R-Phils
Courant
Eagle
Philly Inquirer
Phuture Phillies Blog

Thresher edge out Miracle

Fort Myers 3 at Clearwater 4

W: D. Byrd (1-4, 6.35); L: D. Guerra (10-5, 4.56); SV: M. German (3)
HR: CLE: T. Gosewisch (2).

Darren Byrd held the Fort Myers Miracle scoreless through 8 innings to lead the last placed Clearwater Threshers to a a 4-3 win over the first half division champions.

Michael Taylor doubled in the bottom of the 2nd to get on base. Clearwater's Tuffy Gosewisch then hit his 2nd home run of the season over the left field wall to give the Threshers a two-run lead.

A walk to Taylor and doubles to Gosewisch and Gary Cates lead to two more runs in the bottom of the 4th. Deolis Guerra would finish off allowing 4 runs on five hits and a walk while striking out five over five innings.

Danny Berg singled to lead off the top of the ninth and Steve Singleton doubled him in. Edward Ovalle would go down on strikes, but Wilson Ramos followed that up with a double that brought in Sing. Ben Pfinsgraff would then come in to replace Byrd and allowed a single to Garrett Olson that scored Ramos. Eli Tintor would go down on strikes and Matt German would take over on the mound to get Danny Santiesteban to hit into a ground out to protect the Clearwater lead and end the contest.

Singleton was 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, a run and a run batted in to lead the Miracle offense. Tintor was 2-for-4 with a double but did not factor into the scoring. Wilson Ramos was 1-for-2 with a double, a pair of walks, a run and a run batted in. Berg, Olson and Santiesteban were all 1-for-4, Berg with a run and Olson with a RBI to leave Santiesteban as the one hit wonder of the night.

The two teams rematch on Friday with Oswaldo Sosa (2-0, 3.57) on the mound against Clearwater's Joe Savery (5-8, 3.85), who will toss out the first pitch at 7:00 PM.

Box
Log
Miracle
Threshers
Breeze
News Press
NDN
Jeff Crupper Blog
Phuture Phillies

Twins enjoy a wild time in Pirate City

GCL Twins 11 at GCL Pirates 1

W: E. Ibarra (1-0, 3.24); L: N. Pereira (1-2, 1.50)
HR: TWI: A. Hicks (2).

The GCL Twins knocked out 11 runs on 14 hits to thump the GCL Pirates, 11-1 at McKechnie Field in Bradenton Thursday.

Edgar Ibarra limited the Pirates to only 1 run on three hits and a pair of walks while fanning 3 over 5 innings.

Adenson Chourio would walk in the the bottom of the 1st, then steal 2nd and 3rd base. A throwing error by Josmil Pinto allowed Chourio to cross the plate for the Pirates lone run. Brian Friday would walk. Two outs later, Miguel Mendez doubled him over to 3rd but he'd be left stranded when Alex Vargas ground out to end the inning.

The Twins offensive onslaught began in the top of the 3rd with Aaron Hicks hitting his second home run of the season, a solo shot over the left field wall. Following a ground out to Juan Sanchez, Danny Ortiz doubled. Johnny Woodard, playing on a rehab assignment from the High-A Fort Myers Miracle, reached on on a fielding error by Pirates shortstop Ben Gonzalez. Andres Diaz would come into to replace Henry Sanchez. Sanchez was also playing on a rehab assignment and as the grounds were damp, they felt it prudent to remove him from the game rather than risk re-injuring his knee. Diaz would go down on strikes, but Tyler Ladendorf doubled to bring in Ortiz and Woodard.

The Pirates would put lefty Tyler Cox into the game at the top of the 5th inning. Ladendorf doubled off him in the top of the sixth. Javier Brown ground out, but Pinto doubled to plate Ladendorf. Following a ground out to Herbert Lara, Aaron Hicks would single his way onto base to drive in Pinto. The Twins 1st round pick the 2008 draft would then steal 2nd base. Sanchez would be hit by a pitch before Ortiz's fly ball single brought Hicks home.

With one out on the board in the top of the 7th, Ladendorf took a walk then moved to second on a wild pitch. Brown would pop out, but another fielding error by Gonzalez allowed Pinto to reach and Ladendorf to score.

Carolos Teller would replace Cox on the hill for the Pirates in the top of the 8th, and Hicks would draw a walk from him. Teller then unleashed a wild pitch that moved Hicks to 2nd. The Nicaragian lefty would get Sanchez to fly out, but then hit Ortiz with a pitch as he struggled with his control. Woodard would take a single off him to score Hicks and Diaz followed up with a single of his own to plate Ortiz. With the Twins sporting a big lead, Jakub Hajtmar would be brought in to replace Ladendorf. But Teller uncorked yet another wild pitch to move the runners. Hajtmar would go down on strikes and Teller would go down to the dugout in favor of Jorge Charry, who managed to get Brown out on strikes to strand the runners.

Field manager Jake Mauer would make several more changes in the bottom of the 8th, putting Jon Goncalves in for Hicks and Hyun-wook Choi in for Ortiz. The Pirates also made a change, replacing Charry with Carlos Silva.

Normally a 3rd baseman, Silva would give up back-to-back doubles to Pinto and Lara to add one more to the Twins total. After Goncalves ground out and Sanchez flew out, Wook singled out to center to bring in Lara, finishing off the Twins scoring.

Bruce Pugh would work three innings of relief for the Twins, allowing a double to Vargas in the seventh, and a walk to Chourio in the 8th. He'd fan four before giving way to Ian Mopas for the final inning, who used a ground out, a pop out and a line out to finish the game.

Ortiz and Ladendorf finished off the game 2-for-3, Ortiz with a walk, a double, a pair of runs and a run scored, while Ladendorf had a walk, two doubles and two runs to go with his pair of RBIs. Hicks was 2-for-4 with a walk, 3 runs and 2 RBIs. Pinto was 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles and two runs, as well as a run scored.

Lara and Sanchez were both 1-for-5 at the plate with a double, Lara with a run and a run scored as well. Woodard was also 1-for-5, with a run and a run scored, but added a walk instead of a double. Diaz was 1-for-4 with a RBI and Choi was 1-for-1 with a RBI.

The Twins play a pair against the Orioles a the Lee County Sportsplex on Friday, July 24, starting at 11:00 AM, and remain at home Saturday against the Reds.

Box
Log

---

DSL Twins 9 at DSL Diamondback/Reds 8

W: R. Reverol (3-1, 4.12); L: R. Quezada (0-1, 7.36)
HR: DSL TWI: O. Arcia (2).

It would take extra innings for the Twins to find the game winning run to give them a victory over the DSL Diamonback/Reds on the road, but find it they did.

With two outs on the board in the top of the 12, Oswaldo Arcia singled and Jean Carlos Mercedes reached on a force attempt that moved Arcia to 2nd. Teo Gutierrez would replace Radhames Quezada on the mound, and Eliel Sierra greeting him with a single out to center that brought in Arcia.

The Twins opened the scoring in the top of the first, with Danny Santana tripling. Yorby Martinez hit into a ground out before Manuel Soliman singled to plate Santana. Arcia then went yard, his second home run of the season going over the right field fence to give the Twins a 3-0 lead.

The Diamondback/Reds would tie the game up in the fourth. Arcia would be hit by a pitch in the top of the sixth and moved to 3rd on a throwing error by Michael Noboa, which also allowed Mercedes to reach on a force attempt. Sierra would hit into a ground out that served to plate Arcia, putting the Twins on top again.

Pesky, the Dia-Reds answered back in the seventh. The top of the 8th saw Arcia single with one out on the board, then steal 2nd. A throwing error by catcher Alberto Restrepo advanced him to 3rd, and he would score on Mercedes ground ball single. Mercedes then stole 2nd. Sierra would go down on strikes before the Dia-Reds made a pitching change, bringing in Eddy Santana. Yancarlo Franco would single off the new arrival, and Jairo Rodriguez double. Juan Blanco then doubled to plate the pair giving the Twins a four run lead.

Still that wasn't enough to keep the Dia-Reds down as they came back in the bottom of the 9th to add four runs of their own, taking three doubles off ace closer Edison Alvarez.

That would set the stage for the Twins' 12th inning victory.

Arcia was 4-for-5 with four runs and 2 RBIs. Sierra and Rodriguez were both 2-for-4, Sierra with a pair of walks and a pair of runs scored, Rodriguez with a double and a run. Blanco (1-for-4) also had a double and pair of RBIs, while Santana (1-for-5) had a walk a triple and a run.

Soliman (1-for-3), Mercedes (1-for-6), Felix Caro (1-for-3), Franco (1-for-3) and Blanco (1-for-4) all had singles in the contest.

Box
Log

Runs, rain finish off Hens

Photo courtesy of Nancy Zinni at Sandlot Swashbucklers.

Toledo 1 at Rochester 6 (5 innings)

W: K. Mulvey (4-8, 3.87); L: C. Lambert (10-6, 3.42)
HR: TOL: M. Hollimon (14). ROC: G. Jones (13), S. Santos (4).

Mother Nature helped the Rochester Red Wings take a win over the Toledo Mud Hens Thursday morning when rain interrupted the game after five innings of play.

Kevin Mulvey would pick up the win, his 4th of the season, after giving up 1 run, earned, on 4 hits while fanning 2.

Mike Hollimon launched is 14th home run of the season over the right field all off Mulvey in the top of the 2nd inning.

Sergio Santos answered back with a homer of his own, his fourth of the year, which went over the left field wall off Chris Lambert.

The bottom of the fifth saw Alejando Machado double, and move to 3rd on a Jeff Christy bunt. Jason Pridie would go down on strikes, but Adam Everett, playing on a rehab assignment, singled to score Machado. Darnell McDonald also singled, driving in Christy before Jones ripped his 13th home run of the season over the right field wall.

An announced crowd of 11,314 would wait out the 1 hour, six minute rain delay before the game was finally called.

Everett and McDonald had singles for the Wings, while Machado and Christy picked up doubles.

Box
Log
Red Wings
Mud Hens
RD&C

Jason Pridie struck out three times, ending a nine-game hitting streak in which he batted .419 (18-for-43) with three doubles, two triples, six home runs, 12 RBI and 10 runs scored. Pridie had five-multi hits games during this nine-game hitting streak.

Pridie had just one home run on June 1st (first 59 games played) but has hit 10 home runs in his last 42 games. Pridie is the only Red Wings player to hit two home runs in a game this season (has done it twice).

This is the second time that Mulvey and Lambert have locked horns in 2008. In the first matchup, on May 3 in Toledo, Lambert allowed four hits in a 4-0 Hens win.

Minnesota Twins infielder Adam Everett joined the Red Wings on a Major League rehab assignment. Everett was placed on the disabled list May 22 with a right shoulder strain. Everett is batting .300 (6-for-20) for both the Gulf Coast League Twins and the Ft. Myers Miracle on this rehab assignment.

The Red Wings won their first four-game series vs. Toledo at Frontier Field since July 28-31, 2001 (Toledo has a 20-12 record at Frontier Field since 2001). Rochester has not won a season series from Toledo since 1997.

Reading sneaks past Cats; Wings hold off Hens

Reading 4 at New Britain 3

W: C. Carrasco (6-7, 4.05); L: A. Swarzak (3-8, 5.67); SV: J. Pope (5)
HR: REA: G. Golson (9). NBR: D. Winfree (13).

The Reading Phillies slipped by the New Britain Rock Cats in the 4th inning and hung on to win, 4-3 at New Britain Stadium.

Luke Hughes doubled off Carlos Carrasco to lead off in the bottom of the first. Following fly outs to Dustin Martin and Danny Valencia, Erik Lis singled to put men on the corners. David Winfree then cracked his 13th home run of the season over the left field wall to give the Cats a 3 run lead.

A throwing error by Toby Gardenhire put Lou Marson on board on the top of the 2nd. He would advance to second as the ball when into the dugout on the throw to first. Jeremy Slayden would pop out before Neil Sellers' ground out moved Marson to 3rd. A passed ball by Drew Butera would plate the Phillies catcher.

Greg Golson would go yard in the top of the 4th, his ninth of the year going over the left field wall to cut the Rock Cats lead to one. Marson singled and following a fly out to Slayden, so did Sellers. Brad Harmon's grounder to center plated Marson to tie up the game and Mike Eylward sacrifice brought in Sellers to put Reading on top.

The Rock Cats would only managed a total of five hits in the game, three off Carrasco and a pair off Sam Walls. Carrasco went on to strike out 7 over six innings for the win.

Anthony Swarzak worked six innings as well, giving up all four runs, 3 earned, on 7 hits and a pair of walks. Zack Ward and Rob Delaney would split the final 3 innings.

Dustin Martin (1-for-3 with a walk) and Brock Peterson (1-for-4) had the other two hits for New Britain.

The final game of the series is Thursday night, with southpaw Ryan Mullins (7-6, 3.99) throwing out the first pitch at 7:05 PM. Reading counters with Fabio Castro (7-1, 4.33).

Box
Log
Rock Cats/OSC
R-Phils
Courant
NB Herald
NB Herald: Cuellar
Morning Call
Philly Inquirer
Depth of Field Blog

The New Britain Rock Cats announced prior to the game that Steve Tolleson (broken finger) had been activated and infielder Brian Dinkelman (elbow) was placed on the disabled list.

Tolleson, who has started games at second base, shortstop and center field this season, was batting .335 with five homers and 34 RBI when he went down June 27.

Dinkelman, also a second baseman/shortstop, is batting .247 with a homer and six RBI since arriving from Class A Fort Myers on June 16.

---

Toledo 6 at Rochester 9

W: P. Humber (5-7, 5.55); L: A. Martinez (2-3, 5.13); SV: B. Korecky (14)
HR: ROC: J. Pridie 2 (11), R. Jorgensen (7).

The Rochester Red Wings weathered a late six-run inning by the Toledo Mud Hens to hang on to win 9-6 at Frontier Field Wednesday night.

Alejandro Machado doubled in the bottom of the 3rd, then came home on a Ryan Jorgenson single combined with a Mike Hessman throwing error.

Darnell McDonald followed suite, doubling in the bottom of the 4th, and Garrett Jones then doubled to trade places with him. A Randy Ruiz single moved Jones to 3rd and after a coaching visit to the mound a wild pitch by Anastacio Martinez allowed Jones to score. Ruiz would advance to 2nd as well, in perfect position to be doubled in by Matt Macri. Trevor Plouffe would hit a sac bunt to move Macri and following a pop out to Machado, Ryan Jorgenson would double Macri in. Jason Pridie then cracked a ball over the right field wall for his 10th home run of the season, making it 7-0 Wings.

Jogensen and Pridie would hit back to back home runs in the bottom of the 7th, both going over the left field wall.

Phil Humber picked up the win, working five innings for the Wings, scattering 5 hits and a pair of walks while striking out 5. Mariano Gomez worked the next two before giving way to Danny Graves at the top of the 8th.

Graves would hit Brett Clevlen with a pitch to start out, then walked Jeff Larish. A visit from the coach did little, as Graves then hit Mike Hessman, loading the bases. Mike Holliman took a single off him to score Clevlan. Kody Kirland then walked to force in Larish, which also forced Stan Cliburn to remove him from the mound. Tim Lahey would come in, and get Max St. Pierre to line into a double play. He then walked Derek Wathan to fill up the bags again. Freddy Guzman doubled to clean off the bases and a Timo Perez double brought in Guzman before Bobby Korckey was called from the bullpen to get the final out.

Pridie was 3-for-5 with a pair of runs and 3 RBIs, Jorgenson as 3-for-4 with a double, two runs and two RBIs. Machado and Ruiz were 2-for-4 with a run each, while McDonald, Jones and Macri all chipped in with doubles.

Korckey picked up his 14th save of the season on 1.1 innings worth of work.

The two teams rematch Thursday for an 11:05 morning contest on Summer Camp day. Right hander Kevin Mulvey (3-8, 3.97 ERA) will start against Toledo's Chris Lambert (10-5, 3.10).

Box
Log
Red Wings
Mud Hens
RD&C
RD&C: Notebook
R-News
Toledo Blade
Take I-75 North Blog

With the victory, the Wings are one win away from securing their first series win over the Mud Hens since 2001.

By scoring seven runs, the Wings earned their 41st victory in which they scored four or more runs this season.

Former Red Sox and Expos star Bill "Spaceman" Lee was at the game, as part of a promotion for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield's Healthy Blue plan. Lee signed autographs for fans, and pitched to two Healthy Blue members on the field before the game.

Wings, Hens split first half of series

Monday: Toledo 6 at Rochester 4

W: E. Bonine (10-2, 4.30); L: J. DePaula (1-5, 6.39); SV: B. Neal (24)
HR: TOL: B. Clevlen 2 (19), T. Perez (11). ROC: G. Jones (12), J. Pridie (9).

The Toledo Mud Hens took game one of their 4-game series against the Rochester Red Wings, 6-4, at Frontier Field. Brett Clevlan homered twice for the Mud Hens.

The Mud Hens wasted no time going after Wings starter Julio DePaula. Clevlan would hit his 18th yarder of the year over the left field fence in the top of the first to put the Hens on the board.

The top of the second saw Kody Kirland and Dane Sardinha hitting back-to-back singles. A double by Fredy Guzman brought in Kirkland and a sac-fly by Timo Perez scored Sardinha. Guzman would then steal 2nd, but Clevlen went yard again for number 19, making it 5-0 Hens

Garrett Jones would homer for the Wings in the bottom of the stanza to give them their first run of the night.

Casey Daigle would replace DePaula for the top of the 3rd. Despite giving up a single to Clete Thomas and a walk to Mike Holliman, he'd get out of the inning without allowing further damage.

The Wings made a stab at catching up in the bottom half of the stanza with Alejandro Machado doubling to lead off. Jeff Christy reached on a Holliman throwing error and Jason Pridie reached on a fielders choice when Jeff Larish threw the ball to Dane Sardinha in an attempt to get Machado out at the plate. Sardinha would miss the ball however, and Machado scored. Howie Clark and Darnell McDonald both ground into force outs that scored Jeff Christy, to make it 5-3 Hens.

Timo Perez would homer in the top of the 4th to give the Hens their sixth run.

Eddie Bonine would work 7.1 innings, allowing 4 runs - 2 earned - on five hits while striking out 5. Jason Pridie would homer off him in the bottom of the 8th, which also ended his tenure on the mound.

Pridie was 2-for-4 with a run and a RBI. Jones as 1-for-4 with a run and a RBI. Randy Ruiz and Matt Macri both hit singles, while Machado was good for a double and a run.

Box
Log
Red Wings/OSC
RD&C
RD&C
RD&C Notebook
Toledo Blade
R-News
Twins Geek Blog

Sunday night’s win was the 10th time this season the Red Wings have won a game in their final at-bat. (10-8 record). Since Rochester changed affiliations to the Minnesota Twins in 2003, the Red Wings have a 73-49 record in games decided in last at-bats.

LHP Brian Duensing is scheduled to make one more start for the Red Wings (July 25 in Scranton) before leaving the team on July 28th. Duensing will join the USA Olympic Team in preparation for next month's Summer Games in Beijing.

The Red Wings were held to six hits, after racking up 10 or more hits in each of their last three games.

DePaula is headed back to the Bullpen as is Danny Graves. Phil Humber returns to the rotation to take over Graves role, while Casey Daigle will take over for De Paula.

---

Tuesday: Toledo 0 at Rochester 13

W: F. Liriano (9-2, 3.13); L: V. Vasquez (6-10, 5.04)
HR: ROC: H. Clark (3).

Francisco Liriano worked seven innings scattering a pair of hits and a pair of walks while fanning 10 in route to a blanking of the visiting Toledo Mud Hens by the Rochester Red Wings. Carmen Cali worked the final two innings, allowing a pair of hits and a pair of walks, but no runs.

Jason Pridie tripled to lead off the bottom of the first. Howie Clark hit his third home run of the season to bring in two.

In the bottom of the 3rd, Clark reached on a fielding error and following a fly out by Darnell McDonald, Garrett Jones reached on a force attempt. Hens starter Virgil Vasquez would miss-field a ball, allowing Ruiz to reach and Clark to score. Matt Macri then double to bring in Jones. After a break for a coaching visit on the mound, Trevor Plouffe sacrificed in Ruiz. Alejandro Machado doubled to plate Macri. Ryan Jorgenson followed that up with a walk, but Jason Pridie would line out to end the inning.

Clark doubled in the bottom of the 4th and McDonald singled him in. A throwing error by Jeff Larish put McDonald at 2nd. He'd move to 3rd on a fly out by Jones, and come home on Ruiz's sac-fly. Macri would double before Jeremy Johnson came in to replace Vasquez. Plouffe would double off the new hurler to plate Macri before Macado went down on strikes.

Liriano struck out the first three batters he faced and would not allow a hit until Erick Almonte doubled in the 3rd. He'd walk Clevlen in the fourth, but strike out two in the fifth, with Clete Thomas grounding out.

Pridie doubled in the bottom of the 5th and made his way to 3rd on a Clark single, but McDonald and Jones went down on strikes to strand him.

Plouffe doubled in the second half of the sixth inning and came home on a throwing error by Mike Hessman that also allowed Machado to reach.

Liriano would allow a walk to Clevlan and a single to Larish in the top of the 7th, but got Hessman to fly out and Thomas to strike out to finish of his stint on the mound.

Brian Rogers took over the pitching chores for the Hens in the bottom of the 8th. Jones would take a walk off him to start things off and move to second on Randy Ruiz ground out. Macri then walked and Plouffe singled to score Jones. After Machado ground out, Ryan Jorgensen doubled to drive in Macri and Plouffe to finish off the Wings scoring.

Clark was 3-for-5 with 3 runs and a pair of RBIs. Plouffe was 3-for-4 with a pair of runs and 3 RBIs, and Macri was 2-for-4 with a walk, 3 runs and one run scored. Jorgensen was also 2-for-4 a the plate with a walk, a double and a pair of RBIs.

McDonald was 2-for-5 with a run, while Pride went 2-for-6 with a double and a triple, and one run. Ruiz was 1-for-3 with a run and a RBI, while Machado was 1-for-5 with a double and an RBI. Jones was the only Wing without a hit, but he had one walk and a pair of runs to make up for it.

Box
Log
Red Wings
RD&C
RD&C Notebook
R-News
Toledo Blade
Extra Bases Blog

In his last 10 starts Liriano is 9-0; Liriano at Frontier Field is now 6-2 and has allowed just five earned runs in his last 47.2 innings pitched at Frontier.

The Red Wings have not yet had a roster transaction in the month of July. The Red Wings' last transaction was June 30 when outfielder Denard Span was promoted to Minnesota and infielder Howie Clark was activated from the disabled list. The last time Rochester went an entire month without promoting a single player from their roster to the Major Leagues was April 1991. Rochester had eight transactions that month but none of them were Major League promotions (4 DL, 2 players released, 1 free agent signing and one Double-A promotion).

Outfielder Garrett Jones hit his 12th home run of the season Monday night, his 70th as a Red Wing. Jones is the first Rochester player to hit 70 home runs during his Red Wings career since Terry Crowley hit 87 home runs from (1968, 69, 71, 76-77). Jones’ 70 home runs put him 10th all-time on the Red Wings home run list and 5 away from tying Allie Clark for 9th all-time (75 home runs).

The Wings will receive a pitcher from New Britain to replace Olympic bound Brian Duensing. The top candidates are reported to be Ryan Mullins (7-6, 3.99 earned-run average) and Anthony Swarzak (3-7, 5.74).

Photos of Jason Pridie and Trevor Plouffe courtesy of Nancy Zinni at Sandlot Swashbucklers.

Snappers blanked, DSL Twins blank Yankees2

Beloit 0 at South Bend 3

W: J. Collmenter (11-5, 2.99); L: D. Bromberg (6-7, 4.51); SV: D. Stange (1)
HR: SOU: C. Wheeless (6).

Much like the Fort Myers Miracle, the Beloit Snappers lost their third straight, suffering a shut out at the hands of the South Bend Silverhawks.

Both teams would record five hits, but the difference was in the fielding for the Snappers as Beloit starter David Bromberg was changed with 2 runs, neither earned, on four hits and a pair of walks while striking out six.

The first four inning were a scoreless affair with both teams playing well. After taking Jimmy Principe and Matthew Oxendine out on strikes in the bottom of the fifth, Bromberg hit Joseph Batten with a pitch. Batten then stole second base and Collin Cowgill took a walk. A fielding error by Jeanfred Brito then allowed Taylor Harbin to reach and Batten to score.

Despite a single to Juan Richardson, a sac bunt by Mark Dolenc and a walk to Greg Yersich, the Snappers could not turn a run in the top of the 7th.

The bottom of the stanza would see Matthew Oxendine and Batten hit back-to-back singled. Batten would hit out to Mark Dolenc who over threw the ball back in from right, resulting in Oxendine crossing the plate for the second South Bend tally.

A pitching change, with Daniel Stange replacing Josh Collmenter for South Bend did nothing to improve the Snappers chances. Mike Allen would take over for Bromberg however, and the hard throwing Floridian would give up a home run to Chance Wheeless, with the ball clearing the right field wall.

Ben Revere was 1-for-4 with a double for the Snappers while Richardson, Yangervis Solarte, Andrew Schmiesing and Estarlin De Los Santos all having singles for Beloit.

Game two of the three game series is Thursday at 7:00 PM at Stanley Coveleski Regional Stadium.

Box
Log
Snappers
Silverhawks

From MiLB.com:

THE SEASON SO FAR: The Snappers are 17-11 in the second half and in second place in the Western Division.

WHO'S HOT: OF Mark Dolenc is batting .429 (15-for-35) with a home run, six RBIs and 14 runs scored over his last 10 games. In 77 games this season he's hitting .271 (62-for-229) with seven doubles, two triples, two home runs and 28 RBIs.

WHO'S NOT: C Allan de San Miguel is batting just .095 (2-for-21) over his last seven games to lower his season average to .237 (14-for-59) with 17 strikeouts in 20 games.

ROSTER MOVES: IF Deibinson Romero was placed on the disabled list Saturday with a fractured right leg injured while falling into the home dugout during Friday's game. To fill his spot on the roster, IF Juan Richardson joined the team from the Elizabethton Twins, where he batted .250 with three doubles and 10 RBIs in 15 games.

DID YOU KNOW: Romero is making his second disabled list stint this season after hitting .264 with three home runs and 18 RBIs in 39 games. He was coming off a left knee injury that had sidelined him from April 28 to June 18. Signed by the Twins as a non-drafted free agent in July 2004, Romero was key in the Snappers' 2007 playoff run. He was promoted to Beloit from Elizabethton last September, a week before the Snappers began the postseason, and helped lead the squad to the Midwest League Finals where they would eventually fall to the West Michigan Whitecaps.

---

Greenville 7 at Elizabethton 2

W: K. Greenwalt (5-1, 3.16); L: B. Lanigan (2-3, 3.38)
HR: GRE: F. Almonte (4), J. Altuve (2).

The skid continues for the Elizabethton Twins, now up to 4-games, as Bobby Lanigan gave up 4 runs, 3 earned, on 11 hits while striking out 3 over five innings, leading to a 7-2 loss to the Greeneville Astros.

Jose Aluve homered in the top of the 3rd to get the scoring started for the Astros. One out later, Renzo Tello singled and then advanced to 2nd on a throwing error by E-Twins shortstop James Beresford. Frank Almonte singled to drive in Tello, giving the 'Stros and early two run lead.

Tello would single in the top of the 5th, then watch Almonte put his 4th home run of the season over the left field fence to Greeneville.

Danny Rondon would replace Lanigan in the top of the 6th and after getting Devon Torrence out on strikes, would watch Torrence take 1st base anyway on a passed ball by Alex Soto. A pick off attempt went wrong and Torrence advanced to 2nd. He'd go to 3rd on Ricardo Bonfante's ground out, and a second error by Beresford allowed the Astros left fielder to score and Jose Alluve to reach. Alluve would go to second on the play and would cross the plate on Jay Austin's line drive single.

A fielding error by Jon Waltenbury allowed Kody Hinze on base in the top of the seven. After Ebert Rosario flew out, Pedro Gonzalez hit a grounder to center to advance Hinze to 2nd. Torrence would take a walk to load the bags, while Bonfante's ground out plated Hinze to finish off the Astro's scoring.

The E-Twins finally found some offense as Michael Harrington took a walk off Colton Ptkin. He'd move to 2nd on Evan Bigley's ground out, and Angel Morales walked to fill the space. Beresford then singled to plate Harrington, saving Elizabethton from a shut out.

They'd take one more in the bottom of the 8th, with Harrington doubling and Bigley tripling him in.

Beresford was 2-for-3 with a walk and a RBI, while Bigley was 2-for-4 Harrington had a pair of runs after going 1-for-3 at the plate with a walk. Adam Severino and Waltenbury each doubled for the E-Twins and Sevarino took a walk as well, but neither factored into the scoring.

Game two of the 3-game set is Thursday at 7:00 PM at Joe O'Brien Stadium.

Bog
Log

---

DSL Yankees2 0 at DSL Twins 3

W: L. Parra (4-1, 1.29); L: J. Ramirez (0-1, 3.80); SV: E. Alvarez (10)
HR: None.

The DSL Twins shut out the DSL Yankees2 proving that more is not better in terms of player development. Ramon Acosta worked 4 innings, scattering 3 hits and walk while striking out 4 to keep his 0.00 ERA. Leonardo Perra worked the next four innings, giving up a pair of hits and fanning two to pick up his 4th win of the season. Edison Alvarez logged his 10th save of the season.

Danny Santana would be hit by a pitch in the bottom of the first, then steal 2nd. He'd advance to 3rd on Jhonatan Arias' ground out and came home on another ground out, this one by Mauel Soliman.

Oswaldo Arcia singled in the bottom of the 4th, then moved to 2nd on Jair Rodriguez ground out. Jair Perez singled to move him to 3rd, a wild pitch by Yankees2 starter Jose Ramirez plated him.

Santana would single in the bottom of the seventh, and a throwing error on a pick off attempt saw Santana move to 3rd. Arias sacrificed him in for the Twins third run.

Jean Carlos Mercedes was 2-for-3 but did not factor into the scoring. Santana was 1-for-2 with a walk and two runs in the lead off position. Soliman had a double and Arcia and Jairo Perez each had a single.

The DSL Twins are on the road Thursday against the DSL Diamonback/Reds for a 10:30 AM Dominican time contest.

Box
Log

Rain Brings out the worst in everyone

St. Lucie 3 at Fort Myers 2

W: C. Hoorelbeke (1-3, 4.91); L: A. Slama (3-1, 0.67); SV: R. Coultas (4)
HR: None.

Rain broke over Hammond Stadium about the same time as the game started so Alex Burnett took to the mound in a light drizzle, much, I'm sure to the his disgust. As you know, he's a California boy and it never rains in the California.

Peeter Ramos singled , then stole 2nd. A wild pitch by Burnett due a rain slick ball moved Ramos to 3rd and he'd score on Ruben Tejada's ground out.

There was a brief 13 minute rain delay around the bottom of the 2nd, or the top of the 3rd, during which time the field didn't quite get tarped before the rain slackened off again and play resumed.

Shaw Bowman doubled in the top of the 5th, then moved to 3rd on D.J. Wabick's ground out. A ground out by Brahiam Maldonado plated him to put the Mets up by two.

The Miracle took one back when Jan Portes singled out to left, then moved to 2nd on a wild pitch by Nicholas Carr. Danny Berg would reach on a fielding error by Ramos that put Portes at 3rd. After Eli Tintor went down on strikes and Danny Lehmann lined out, Yancarlos Ortiz singled out to right to drive in Portes for the first Fort Myers run.

Things turned ugly in the bottom of the ninth when Emary Frederick drilled Juan Portes with a pitch. The pair exchanged words before Met's catcher Josh Thole stepped in and shoved Portes. That started a general brawl as the benches cleared and punches were exchanged. A total of eight players, four from each team, would be ejected from the game, including Portes. Danny Santiesteban took over at first base as the pinch runner for Portes, and would advance to 2nd when Garrett Olson drew a walk off Casey Hoorelbeke. Tintor then singled to plate Santiesteban, tying up the game. Lehmann lined into a double play that sent the game into overtime.

Thole - who somehow managed not to get ejected but should have been - drew a walk off Anthony Slama with one out on the board in the top of the 11th. Luis Rivera reached on a force attempt when Ortiz missed a catch. After Wabick went down on strikes, Maldonando singled to score Thole. The Mets would turn to Ryan Coultas to close the game, and he did so by striking out Santiesteban and Olson and getting Tintor to ground out.

The Miracle now head over to Bright House Networks Field to take on the Clearwater Threshers for a three game series. Deolis Guerra (10-4, 4.42) will handle the pitching for the Miracle. Thursday's gametime is 7:00 PM, and the play-by-play can be heard on WMYR AM-1410 and WCNZ AM-1660 with the voice of the Miracle, Sean Fox replaying clips of Wednesday's night's main event for you.

Box
Log
Miracle
Breeze
News Press
NDN
CU Photo Gallery
Michele Annelouise Cohen - NDN Photog

From MiLB.com:

THE WEEK THAT WAS: The Miracle won just two of five games last week with three games being rained out, including a doubleheader at Daytona on July 19. Fort Myers is now tied for third place in the FSL West with Sarasota, six games behind division-leading Dunedin and a half game behind second-place Lakeland.

WHO'S HOT, WHO'S NOT: 2B Steve Singleton is getting the job done lately with 10 hits in his last 33 at-bats for a .323 average while hitting eight RBIs and belting two homers. ... LF Juan Portes is begging for a few hits. He has a grand total of two hits in his last 34 plate appearances for an .059 average.

PLAYER TO WATCH: RP Jose Lugo is strong coming out of the Miracle bullpen of late. The left-hander from the Dominican Republic has not given up an earned run in his last 11 1/3 innings pitched. In that same span he has 11 strikeouts and two walks.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK: Singleton played a key role in the Miracle's 10-4 win at Daytona on July 18. The San Francisco native had four RBIs on two hits. The University of San Diego product plated a run in the top of the fourth with a single to center. In the fifth, Singleton cleared the bases with a three-run triple to right.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "It seems totally different from extended spring training," 2B Yangervis Solarte told the Fort Myers News-Press of how he has adjusted to the promotion. "When I first got here, I felt pretty good. It seemed like I was just playing baseball. Then I started to see how difficult the league is. Not difficult, but how strong it is. I think I might have learned a couple of more things. But I'm comfortable enough in my abilities to play every day, wherever they put me."