Twins split with Red Sox

GCL Twins 4 at GCL Red Sox 10

W: M. Lennox (1-2, 5.00); L: A. Sanchez (2-2, 3.38)
HR: RSX: R. Feliz (7).

A 5-run sixth inning broke open a close game and gave the GCL Red Sox a huge win the in the completion of the game that was suspended on Sunday, July 27.

Angelo Sanchez had taken the start and would be back on the mound when the game resumed.

Juan Sanchez would reach in the top of the 3rd on a play that took Jon Goncalves out at home. Aaron Hicks, who had singled his way on to base, would move to 3rd on the play. Sanchez advanced to 2nd when short stop Derrik Gibson missed the throw on a caught stealing attempt. Danny Ortiz would ground out, moving Sanchez to 3rd and Hicks would score on the play. A Mike Gonzales single then sent Sanchez home to give the Twins a two run lead early.

Joantoni Garcia walked in the bottom of the 3rd and Kenneth Roque singled to move him to second. A walk to Christian Vazquez loaded the bags but Angelo would get Wilfred Pichardo out on strikes. Derrik Gibson ground into a force out that put Garcia over the plate and took Vazquez out at 3nd. Bryan Peterson went down on strikes to end the inning.

Tyler Ladendorf singled and stole second. Danny Rohlfing would be called out on strikes before Javier Brown singled to move Ladendorf to 3rd. Goncalves would ground into a force out that took Brown out at 2nd, but allowed Ladendorf to score. Hicks would triple Goncalves in to make it 4-1 Twins.

Roberto Feliz homered in the bottom of the 4th, a solo shot to cut the lead in half.

Michael Lennoz would replace Wang-Yi Lin in the top of the 5th. Despite a double to Gonzales and a wild pitch, the Twins could not convert. In the bottom of the stanza Pichardo tripled and came home on a Gibson single to make it 4-3 Twins.

Then came the bottom of the sixth. Chih-Hsiang Huang and Andrew Frezza both took singles off Sanchez to start. Garcia would move the pair on a sac-bunt, and Roque singled to score Huang. Vazquez ground into a force out that plated Frezza but took Roque out at 2nd. Pichardo would steal second and Gibson walked. Peterson then singled, which - combined with a missing catch error by Ladendorf at short and a throwing error by Hicks in center - cleaned off the bags, to make it 8-4 Red Sox.

Sloppy play boys! Sloppy play!

The Red Sox iced their cake in the bottom of the eighth with Roque singling. After Vazquez flew out, Pichardo singled. The two runners then orchestrated a double steal. Gibson would double out to left to bring in the pair.

Angelo Sanchez would take the loss, giving up 8 runs, six earned on 10 hits and 3 walks. He would fan 9 over six innings however.

Gonzales was 4-for-5 at the plate with a double and a RBI. Hicks was 2-for-4 with a triple, a run and RBI. Juan Sanchez, Ladendorf and Goncalves were all 1-for-4 with a run, Goncalves with a run scored as well. Brown, 1-for-3 would share the one hit wonder title with pinch hitters Hyeong-rok Choi and Jakub Hajtmar, both of which singled in the top of the ninth. A wild pitch would move the pair but Gonzales would strike out, ending the contest.

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GCL Red Sox 1 at GCL Twins 4

W: K. Nanney (2-0, 1.50); L: C. Cabral (1-3, 6.03)
HR: None.

The Twins got a bit of revenge in the regularly scheduled game, which was shortened to 7 innings. A pair of errors by Red Sox pitcher Cesar Cabral would lead to a 3-run sixth inning to give the GCL Twins a 4-1 win.

Mike Gonzales and Hyeong-rok Choi hit back-to-back doubles off Cabral in the bottom of the 2nd to open the scoring.

The Red Sox would tie it right back up however, with Wilfred Pichardo singling then stealing 2nd. Gibson would steal 3rd, and a throwing error by Josmil Pinto would allow Pichardo to score.

It would stay that way though until the bottom of the sixth. Danny Ortiz singled and moved to second on a Tyler Ladendorf sac-bunt. A fielding error by Cabral allowed Ladendorf to reach 1st. Gonzales singled to drive in the speedy Ortiz and. Ladendorf would go to second, but Gonzales evidently though he was going to 3rd and kept running. He'd be taken out in between first and second by second baseman Kenneth Roque. A throwing error on a pick off attempt moved Ladendorf to 3rd. Rok would reach on a fielder's choice that took Ladendorf out at home. Pinto then tripled in Rok and a fielding error by Chih-Hsiang Huang allowed Jakub Hajtmar to reach and Pinto to score.

Gonzales was 2-for-3 with a run and a run scored in the designated hitter role. Ortiz, Rok and Pinto were all 1-for-3 with a run, Rok with a double and a run scored and Pinto with a RBI as well. Herbert Lara was 1-for-4 with a double. Hajtmar would end up as the one hit wonder, going 1-for-3.

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DSL Indians 2 at DSL Twins 4

W: E. Cardenas (5-1, 1.47); L: E. Araujo (3-2, 1.96); SV: L. Parra (1)
HR: None.

The DSL Twins doubled up the DSL Indians at home on Friday. Oswaldo Arcia would have two of the Twins four runs.

Danny Santana would lead off the bottom of the fourth with a line drive to left, then steal 2nd base. Jean Carlos Mercedes' sac bunt moved him to 3rd and Arcia singled to drive him in. Eliel Sierra singled, moving Arcia to 3rd. A wild pitch by Indian's starter Elvis Araujo plated Arcia and sent Sierra to 2nd. Manuel Soliman would pop out, but Jhonatan Arias singled to scored Sierra before Felix Caro ground out to end the inning.

Twins starter Eliecer Cardenas allowed only 2 hits over five innings, striking out 2. The tribe would score on him when Darling Read tripled, then came home on a Roman Vinicio ground out.

Leonardo Parra replaced Cardenas on the mound in the top of the sixth, and after getting Joly Fermin and Agustin Avila to strike out, allowed a triple to Argenis Martinez. Jesus Brito singled out to center to plate Martinez before Rolando Petit popped out to send the Twins back up to bat.

Arcia tripled off Indians' reliever Ramon Cespedes and one out later, came home on Soliman's line drive single to left.

The win was Cardenas' fifth of the season, Parra would record his first save, allowing 1 run on four hits while fanning 5 over four innings worth of work.

For the home boys, Santana and Arcia were both 2-for-4, Arcia with a RBI to go with his pair of runs, Santana with a run. Soliman, Arias and Yorby Martinez were all 1-for-3, the first two with RBIs, leaving Martinez to become the one hit wonder of the game. Sierra finished up 1-for-4 with a run.

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Homestead tops Newark on Negro League Appreciation Night

Whit Robbins shows off the new uniforms

Homestead 4 at Newark 0

W: M. German (2-1, 3.13); L: S. Steedley (0-2, 13.50)
HR: None.

A classic pitcher's duel came to an unhappy end for the Newark Eagles who fell, 4-0 to the Homestead Grays on Negro League Appreciation Night.

Quentin Berry singled off of reliever Spencer Steedley, then stole 2nd base. Watson would be hit by a pitch, but Michael Taylor ground into a double play, to take out Quenton and Taylor. A wild pitch by Steedley undid the great defensive work however, sending Watson to 3rd. Gus Milner was then intentionally walked and John Urick drew a walk to load the bags. At this point, Newark field manager Jeff Smith replaced Steedley with Matt Williams. A throwing error by Juan Portes at 3rd allowed Watson and Milner to score, and Kevin Mahar to reach. Tuffy Gosewisch then doubled in Urick and Mahar before Fidel Hernandez went down on strikes.

Newark would go down quietly to Homestead's Matt Smith in the bottom half of the stanza to conclude the contest.

After an offensive outburst the night before, Newark managed only six hits in the game. Wilson Ramos and Juan Portes were both 2-for-5. Ortiz was 1-for-3 with a walk, while Johnny Woodard was 1-for-4 with a walk.

Matt Fox worked six fine innings for the Eagles, allowing 8 hits and a walk while striking out 3 but giving up no runs. Jose Mijares worked a pair of innings in relief, as did Anthony Slama.

The rubber match of the series is Saturday on a Back-to-School backpack give away night.

Cole Devries (7-8, 2.97) will take to the hill for the home town team, while Drew Naylor (1-5, 6.87) will handle the pitching chores for the visitors.

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Devries wanted to wear the new stylin' duds, but as he wasn't playing in the game, he was disappointed. He'd try to practice in them, but Raz made him go back to clubhouse and take them off. Raz suggested he could wear them in the stands while charting and REALLY make a fashion statement, but he declined that one.


Johnny Woodard


Danny Berg


Jose Mijares and Alex Burnett (I think)

All photos © 2008 Animal Antix Designs. Use without permission prohibited.

Franchise

As expected, the Minnesota Twins announced that they have recalled lefthanded pitcher Francisco Liriano and selected the contract of first baseman/designated hitter Randy Ruiz from Triple-A Rochester.

Liriano was 10-2, 3.28 (118.0 ip, 43 er), allowing 102 hits with 31 walks and 113 strikeouts and an opponents' batting-average-against of .231 (102-for-441) in 19 starts for the Red Wings this season. In his last 11 starts with Rochester, he was 10-0, 2.67 (70.2 ip, 21 er) with 13 walks and 80 strikeouts.

Ruiz batted .320 (133-for-416) with 33 doubles, three triples, 17 home runs and 68 RBIs in 111 games with the Red Wings this season. He led the International League in hits, was tied for the league lead in batting, and was second in doubles and extra-base hits (53). Ruiz led the club in games, hits, doubles, home runs and RBIs, and was second in at-bats. He will wear uniform number 56.

To make room for Liriano and Ruiz on the 25-man roster, the Twins have designated righthanded pitcher Livan Hernandez and outfielder Craig Monroe for release or assignment.

Newcomer Thomas Shearn, a free agent signee, too the start in Friday's night contest instead of Liriano, allowing 1 run on 3 hits and pair of walks while striking ou 5 over five innings. The Wings fell late to the Pawtucket Red Sox 8-7.

Snappers sweep in extra innings

Great Lakes 2 at Beloit 3

W: C. Nolte (4-2, 2.33); L: M. Ramirez (2-8, 4.04)
HR: BEL: G. Yersich (8), M. Dolenc (3).

A triple by Estarlin De Los Santos and a single by Yangervis Solarte combined to give the Beloit Snappers the game winning run in the bottom of the 11th and a sweep of the Great Lakes Loons at Pohlman Field on Thursday night.

Great Lakes would get on the board first, with Preston Mattingly doubling off Shooter Hunt in the third inning. Hunt would then walk Parker Dalton, and a sac-bunt by Jovanny Rosario moved the pair. Erik Kanaby reached on a fielder's choice as Juan Richardson tried to make the play at the plate, but he was charged with an interference error and Mattingly scored. Hunt would walk Andrew Lambo, before getting Edwardo Perez to fly into a double play that took Dalton out at the plate.

Greg Yersich blasted his 8th home run of the season over the right field wall for Beloit, putting them on the board in the top of the fifth. Chris Cates would follow that up with a double, but Andrew Schmiesing and Jeanfred Brito both ground out to bring Great Lakes up to bat again.

Hunt would work five innings allowing only a pair of hits while fanning 9, but he'd walk five, and unleash a wild pitch in the fifth. That nearly cost him another run. He'd walk Rosario to start the inning, and then the Loons right fielder stole 2nd. After Kanaby was taken out on strikes, Rosario moved to 3rd on Hunt's wild pitch. Lambo would reach on a fielder's choice, with Richardson throwing the ball to Yersich to take Rosario out at home.

So Hunt owed the great Snappers' defense a couple of thank yous when Mike Allen took over in the sixth.

Mark Dolenc went yard in the bottom of the 7th, putting his 3rd of the season over the left center field wall.

The Loons tied it up in the top of the 8th though with Lambo and Perez taking back-to-back singles off Mike Allen. Blake Martin took over at that point, and Alfredo Silverio laid down a lovely sac-bunt to advance his runners. Kenley Jansen's ground out served to score Lambo for the equalizing run.

That sent the game into extra innings until De Lo and Soley connected for the Snappers win.

Allen would allow 3 hits and a walk while fanning three over 2 innings. He'd be charged for Lambo's run in the 8th. Martin would be changed with the blown save although he allowed only 1 hit and a pair of walks while fanning 3 over 2.2 innings. Charles Nolte picked up the win, his fourth of the season, pitching the last 1.1 innings of the game, during which time he struck out one.

The feisty little (5'3") Cates would go 2-for-3 at the plate with a walk and a pair of doubles. Solarte and Dolenc were both 2-for-4, Dolenc with a run and a run scored courtesy of his yard ball. Yersich also had a run and a run scored for the same reason, but he was 1-for-4 at he plate as was Schmeising, who would become the game's one hit wonder. De Lo finished up 2-for-5 at the plate with a triple and a run.

With the Loons shot down, the Lansing Lugnut lug themselves into town for the next three games. Friday's contest features post game fireworks sponsored in part by Suds O'Hananhan's Irish Pub. The first pitch goes out at 7:00 PM, central time.

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Thursday:
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Thursday's game between the Elizabethton Twins and the Greeneville Astros was suspended by rain. It will be made up on Friday, August 1, as part of a double header starting at 6:00 PM eastern time.

The contest will be played through to the regulation 9 innings and will be followed by the regularly scheduled game, which will be shortened to 7 innings.

There was no score at the time the game was suspended.

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Peterson takes win over Bowie

New Britain 3 at Bowie 2

W: A. Gabino (6-5, 3.11); L: G. Casadiego (5-5, 3.34); SV: B. Julianel (23)
HR: NBR: B. Peterson 2 (13).

A pair of home runs by Brock Peterson helped the New Britain Rock Cats to a 3-2 win over the Bowie Baysox, concluding the road series which Bowie took, 3 games to 1. New Britain returns home to fireworks Friday night at New Britain Stadium.

Jeff Manship worked six innings allowing only 2 runs, 1 earned on 3 hits and a walk while fanning 4 but would get the no decision. Manship would put two outs on the board in the first inning before allowing a single to Luis Montanez. A passed ball by Drew Butera moved Montanez to 2nd, and Nolan Reimold's line drive to left, combined with a Danny Valencia throwing error, plated him.

Valencia would single in the top of the 4th as would Erik Lis, who sent the speedy Valencia to 3rd. Brock Peterson then drove Valencia in with a grounder to third to tie up the game.

Sebastien Boucher would get plunked by a pitch in the bottom of the sixth, then moved to 3rd on a Carlos Rojas single. A wild pitch by Manship allowed Boucher across the plate for the Baysox second run.

Peterson answered back by hitting is 12th home run of the year over the left field fence in the top of the 7th.

Armando Gabino replaced Manship for the bottom of the seventh inning, and Gerardo Casadiego replaced Zach Clark in the top of the 8th. Singles to Rojas and Montanez and a walk to Reimold loaded the bases for Bowie in the bottom of the eight, but after Steve Torrealba popped out, Mike Rodriguez would ground into a force out and Toby Gardenhire would relay the ball to Butera, who took Rojas out at home. Jeff Nettles would fly out to get the Cats out of the inning unscathed.

Peterson would launch his 13th home run over the center field wall in the top of the ninth.

Ben Julianel came in to close the game and gave up singles to Blake Davis and Matt Wieters. But he'd take Rojas and Montanez out on strikes to end the game.

Peterson was 3-for-4 at the plates with a pair of runs and all three Rock Cats RBIs. Valencia and Gardenhire were 1-for-4 each, Valencia with a run, and Lis was 1-for-3 with a walk.

The Rock Cats will now face off against the B-Mets for three, with the first pitch due out at 7:05 PM. Aside from Fireworks, ESPN will be at the park filming a commercial for their upcoming SportCenter AM show. (Rock Cats)

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Pawsox slip past Wings late

Rochester 6 at Pawtucket 7

W: J. Switzer (5-1, 5.37); L: B. Korecky (5-4, 3.36)
HR: ROC: R. Ruiz (17), R. Jorgensen (8). PAW: C. Carter (23).

The Pawtucket Red Sox rallied past the Rochester Red Wings in the ninth inning to win 7-6 at McCoy Stadium Thursday night.

Carmen Cali, making a spot start, was jumped on early by Jeff Bailey who took a double off of him to lead off the bottom of the first. Jeff Natale ground out, but Bailey moved to 3rd on the play and scored on Keith Ginter's single. Chris Carter then went yard over the right field fence for his 23 home run of the season to give the Pawsox two more. A pair of fly outs would Cali out of the first inning.

Randy Ruiz blasted his 17th home run of the season over the right field wall to put Rochester on the board in the top of the 2nd.

Bailey doubled in the bottom of the second and came home on a Natale line drive single to make it 4-1 Pawsox.

In the top of the 4th, Howie Clark hit a ground rule double. Following a fly out by Garrett Jones, Ruiz singled out to center to drive in Clark, cutting the Pawsox lead to two.

Danny Graves would take over for Cali in the bottom of the 4th and would work the next three, allowing the Pawsox only 1 hit.

Ryan Jorgensen's 8th home run for the Wings in the top of the 5th cut the Pawsox lead to one. Jones would doubled in the top of the sixth and come home on Ruiz ground ball to center to tie up the contest. After Macri went down on strikes, Luke Hughes would single, moving Ruiz to 2nd. Trevor Plouffe and sent a ground ball to right field to plate Ruiz, putting the Wings on top.

Keith Ginter took a walk off Mariano Gomez in the bottom of the seventh inning and moved to second on Chris Carter's ground out. George Kottaras singled to center to drive in Ginter and the game was even again.

With Jon Switzer on the mound in the top of the ninth, Ajejandro Machado singled. Clark doubled to move him to 3rd and after a coaching visit to the mound, Garrett Jones singled to plate Machado. Randy Ruiz would get hit by a pitch, but the Wings would leave two runners stranded as Macri popped out and Hughes flew out to bring the Pawsox up to the plate.

Bobby Korecky would be called in to close the game, but issued a walk to Bailey. Natale would bunt into a force out, but Korecky then hit Ginter with a pitch. A throwing error by Macri allowed Carter to reach and Natale to scored to even up the contest again. But the Pawsox were not done. George Kottaras took a single off Korecky to score Ginter, putting the Pawsox on top and ending the game.

Ruiz finished up 3-for-4 with a pair of runs and 3 RBIs. Jones was 2-for-4 with a walk, a double, a run and a run scored. Clark was 2-for-5 with a pair of doubles and a run. Machado and Plouffe were both 1-for-4, Machado with a run, Plouffe with an RBI; Jorgenson was 1-for-3 with a walk, a run and a run scored.

Pridie, Macri and Hughes were all 1-for-5, Pridie with a double.

The Wings will look for a split in the series Friday night at 7:05 PM. Francisco Liriano (10-2, 3.82) is scheduled to take the start for Rochester, but word has it that won't happen, that Frankie is going to Minnesota. Stay tuned for further updates...

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TwinsBaseball.com reported that second baseman Alexi Casilla will not immediately undergo surgery to repair the torn ligament in his right thumb, but the option for surgery has not been completely ruled out.

Photos of Randy Ruiz and Garrett Jones by Nancy Zinni.

Twins turn trick for win in 10th

GCL Twins 3 at GCL Reds 2

W: M. Schiavoni (1-1, 1.66); L: B. Gardner (0-1, 4.85)
HR: None.

Aaron Hicks, Anderson Hidalgo and Juan Sanchez were all 2-for-5 at the plate as the GCL Twins slipped past the GCL Reds, 3-2 in extra innings, at the City of Sarasota Complex on Thursday afternoon.

Miguel Munoz would keep the Reds off the board for five innings, but finally surrendered a pair of runs in the sixth inning. Alexis Oliveras would be hit by a pitch. Following a fly out to Maurico Pimentel, Darrick Hale singled to move the Reds runner to 2nd. Efrain Contreras doubled in the pair before Munoz could take Sean Conner down on strikes and get Donald Lutz to ground out.

The Twins would get onto the board in the top of the 4th with Raul Rodriguez replacing Hugo Calderon on the mound for Reds. A fielding error by Lutz at first base would allow Danny Ortiz to reach. He'd advance to second on Mike Gonazles ground out the Reds would go for a fielder's choice, trying to get Ortiz out, but a throwing error by Brodie Pullen at 3rd allow Jae-Hyung Jang to reach and Ortiz to score.

The top of the 7th saw the Twins tie up the game. Reliever Rafael Ceballos would get the first two batters he faced out, but Sanchez, Javier Brown and Herbert Lara all took singles off of him which plated Sanchez for the equalizer.

Mauro Schiavoni would work four scoreless innings for the Twins, fanning five. Despite having men on the corners with one out in the top of the eighth the Twins could not capitalize as the J.J. and Reggie Williams both went down on ground outs.

Lara would get as far as 2nd base in the top of the 9th before Hidalgo ground out to retire the side.

Bryan Gardner would allow a single to Ortiz in the top of the 10th inning. After getting Gonzales out on strikes, J.J. would move Ortiz to 2nd on a ground out. Tyler Ladendorf, pinch-hitting for Williams, took a walk. The Reds would send David Torcise to the hill to finish off the Twins, but instead he allowed a single to Sanchez that put Ortiz over the plate for the game winning run.

Schiavoni would strike out 2 of the 3 batters he faced in the 10th to earn the win, his first of the season.

Sanchez would add a run and a RBI to his batting totals, while Ortiz, who was 1-for-5 at the plate, added a pair of runs. Lara would finish up 3-for-4 with a double and a RBI. Gonzales 1-for-4 with a double and a walk while Javier Brown, 1-for-5, was the one hit wonder with a single.

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DSL Twins 13 at DSL White Sox1 3

W: P. Guerra (6-2, 2.27); L: A. Medina (6-3, 1.99)
HR: DSL TWI: O. Arcia (3), L. Galvan (1).

The DSL Twins knocked out 13 runs on 12 hits, 5 walks and 3 White Sox1 errors to destroy the south division leading team 13-3 on the road.

Jairo Perez was 3-for-3 a the plate with a walk, a double, a run and a run batted in, but it was Danny Santana, 1-for-4 with a walk, who racked up three runs for the Twins. Wifly Gil was 2-for-4 with a double and a pair of runs while everyone in the original batting order had a hit except for short stop Carlos Vasquez, who was 0-for-5 with a run.

Lesther Galvan would ground out to start the top of the fifth inning, but Vasquez reached on a fielding error. Gil would get plunked by a pitch and Santana took a walk to load the bags. Jose Rosario would come up to the mound to try to work out of the jam and got Juan Blanco to fly out. Oswaldo Arcia then hit a grand slam over the center field wall, his 3 yarder of the year.

Perez would walk and Jairo Rodriguez would single. Manuel Soliman then took a walk as well, loading up the bags again, Batting around the order, Galvan stepped up to the plate and launched one over the center field wall for the second grand slam of the inning. It was his first of the year. Amazingly enough, they left Rosario in there to finish off the inning, and he would get Vasquez to ground out to send the White Sox1 up to bat.

Pedro Guerra picked up his sixth win of the season, allowing only 2 runs on 10 hits while fanning 4 over six innings worth of work.

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Miracle pick up savory win

Clearwater 4 at Fort Myers 15

W: C. Gutierrez (1-0, 2.70); L: J. Savery (5-9, 4.46)
HR: None.

The boys were wondering how I was going to handle this write up and to be honest, I myself am wondering the same thing. All pitchers are entitled to bad games, but for Joe Savery, this may well rank as one of the worst game of his career.

The Clearwater lefty allowed 8 runs - all earned - on 8 hits and 4 walks while striking out one. He'd work one inning and pitch to 5 batters without recording an out before being pulled in favor of Dan Brauer.

For the Fort Myers Miracle faithful, it was a very long, but very fun night at the ballpark as the Miracle romped over the Clearwater Threshers 15-4. And that was without Danny Berg's phantom home run.

Steve Singleton and Edward Ovalle both took walks to lead off the offense for the Miracle. Wilson Ramos' line drive knocked in Singleton, but Ovalle would be taken out at 3rd on the throw in from left field. Whit Robbins then doubled to drive in Ramos and Whit might have made it to third, but he hesitated between second and third on the basepaths trying to locate the ball and that cost him any chance of beating the throw in. (Note to Whit: Watch Jeff. If he's telling you to run, RUN!) Juan Portes singled, then stole 2nd base. Johnny Woodard singled out to right to plate Portes and Berg doubled to move Woodard to 3rd. Danny Santiesteban was called out on strikes though, much to the disappointment of the Thirsty Thursday Night crowd.

Yancarlos Ortiz and Singleton both batted their way onto the basepaths before Ovalle walked to load the bags. A wild pitch by Savery brought in Ortiz and a catching error by Alan Robbins allowed Singleton to score. Ramos doubled to drive in Ovalle who'd move to 3rd on the previous play and Whit drew a walk before Razor Shine finally caught a clue and got Savery off the mound. Brauer would allow a line drive to Portes that plated Ramos but finally found an out when Woodard poped a ball foul and Al caught it behind the plate. (Here in after, their Robbins is "Al", and our Robbins is "Whit". This game report is going to be convoluted enough as it is.) After Berg's phantom home run was waved off, he'd hit a sac fly to center to score Whit. Santiesteban's line drive brought in Portes before Ortiz, batting around the line up, ground out to end the inning.

In the top of the third, Ozzie Sosa walked Quintin Berry and Rob Watson was hit by a pitch. Mike Taylor singled out to right to drive in Berry giving the Thresher a run before Gus Milner went down on strikes and Kevin Mahar flew out.

Sing would get hit by a pitch to start off the bottom of the 3rd, and Ovalle took a walk. Al passed a ball which advanced the two runners and Ramos would then single to drive the pair in. Whit and Portes would both get fly outs and Woody a strike out to give Clearwater a chance again.

John Urick and Fidel Hernandez drew walks from Sosa, who is down in the High A trying to learn to keep those walks to a minimum. Al would go down on strikes before Gary Cates singled to bring in Urick, helped in part by Berg's fielding error. Berry hit into a force out to score Hernandez. Barry was actually out, but was awarded first on a throwing error by Ortiz. Watson would strike out bringing the Elizabethton Twins Miracle back up to bat.

The bottom of the fourth saw Berg walk and Santiesteban single. ("And I have to wonder," I said to Ed, "When the holiday season comes around, if anyone ever calls him Danny Santiesteclaus.") Ortiz's line drive plated Berg and Sing's fly ball to right advanced the runners. A sac-fly by Ovalle brought in Santiesteban before Ramos and Whit went down on strikes.

Carlos Gutierrez replaced Sosa in the top of the fifth and allowed a walk to Taylor. A wild pitch moved the runner to 2nd and Milner's fly out advanced him ot 3rd. Mahar would then be called out on strikes - evidently much to his surprise - and Urick doubled to bring in Taylor.

Razor sent Ben Pfinsgraff out to the mound for the bottom of the 5th, and got three quick outs.

Our Thresher's buddy Al singled in the top of the sixth and Cates flew out to right. Cates is, by the way, the big brother of Twins prospect Chris Cates who is currently playing in Beloit and who will likely make the Miracle squad next season. Berry singled and a wild pitch by Gutierrez moved Al to 3rd. Berry got caught stealing 2nd however and Watson popped out to sent the Miracle back up to bat.

Having had some success in the fifth, Pfinsgraff was invited back out to the mound for the sixth. After getting Santiesteban to ground out, he'd give up back-to-back singles to Ortiz and Sing, and allowed a double to Ovalle that plated Ortiz. Ramos' ground ball to right drove in Sing adding two more the Miracle total.

That would actually do it for either side. Jose Lugo, Matt Williams and Blair Erickson all pitched an inning a piece for the Miracle, while Pfinsgraff worked the seventh and Ben Schlitter worked the eighth for Clearwater.

Sing was 3-for-4 with 4 runs and a walk, Ramos was 4-for-5 with a double, 2 runs and five RBIs. Ortiz was 3-for-5 with a pair of runs and an RBI while Santiesteban was 2-for-5 with a run and a run batted in.

Late minute defensive switches Danny Lehmann and Eli Tintor were the only players to go hitless, while Garrett Olson was the only one hit wonder in the game.

The fun continue tomorrow as the Miracle, a.k.a. the Newark Eagles, take on the Clearwater, a.k.a. the Homestead Grays on Negro Appreciation League Night. Matt Fox (5-6, 4.25) will be on the mound for the Miracle and throwing out the first pitch at 7:05 PM. Come early and enjoy free hotdogs from 6:00 to 7:00 as well as $1 beer and sodas on Happy Hour Friday.

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Joe Benson was at the game last night. He'd said he'd likely to be ready to play for instructs (which assumes, of course, that he'll be invited to instructs.) Brent was complaining because he'd only sign five things, but I never have any problems with Joe. In fact, he seemed quite happy to see me. I had actually pulled all the stuff I have for the players on the disabled list, since you never know who'll show up in the stands this time of year, but Brett inadvertently reminded me to check my Miracle card album and low and behold, I have things there that need autographs.

Rene Tosoni is still taking batting practice, but has not been cleared for running yet, pushing his return back again. At the rate he's going, he might end up being done for the season.

The Miracle and Threshers will be wearing Authentic Negro League uniforms for Friday night's game as it is Negro League Appreciation Night. (Miracle)

Former Miracle Luke Hughes was called up to AAA Rochester Thursday. He was 1-for-5 (w/ a single) in his first AAA game as Rochester lost to Pawtucket, 7-6. Another former Miracle, Anthony Swarzak, made his AAA debut on Wednesday night, picking up an 8-3 win over the Pawsox. LEN3 is reporting that Livan Hernandez will likely be cut loose by the Twins in order to make room for former Miracle Francisco Liriano to join the major league rotation. Liriano was part of the 2004 Miracle squad.

Speaking of Red Sox, the latest word is that they are now checking out Disney's Wide World of Sports, another slap in the face to the taxpayers of Lee county. We really need to have a dump the Red Sox night at Hammond Stadium.

McDonald done, Hughes Promoted

The Rochester Red Wings are reporting that outfielder Darnell McDonald is out for the season with a broken left hand. He suffered the injury when hit by a pitch in Wednesday’s 8-3 win in Pawtucket. He was hitting .268 with 11 HRs, 57 RBI and 19 stolen bases in 93 games.

Third baseman Luke Hughes was promoted from New Britain of the Double-A Eastern League to take McDonald’s roster spot. In 70 games at New Britain, Hughes has hit .319 with a team-leading 15 HRs and 40 RBI.

There hasn't been an announcement of a corresponding roster move from New Britain yet.

Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer took his first swings on the field in nearly five weeks on Wednesday afternoon, but he said that there still is no timetable for him to be sent on a Minor League rehabilitation assignment. Cuddyer has been on the 15-day disabled list since June 28 with a strained tendon in his left index finger.

RD&C

On a side note, Brian Kirwan was at the last Miracle home game, sitting in the stands, so I optimistically pulled the cards for the injured players that I need signed. Never know who might show up next around here. The number of players sitting out right now is staggering.

Photo of McDonald courtesy of Nancy Zinni.

Twins drop Orioles (twice!)

GCL Twins 5 at GCL Orioles 3

W: E. Ibarra (2-0, 3.30); L: J. Moore (1-1, 2.48); SV: K. Mota (8)
HR: None.

Anderson Hidalgo and Danny Ortiz were key players in propelling the GCL Twins to a 5-3 win Wednesday over the GCL Orioles at Twins Lakes Park.

Edgar Iberra took the start for the Twins, scattering seven hits and three walks over five innings to limit the Orioles to a pair of runs while striking out four.

The O's runs would come in the bottom of the 3rd inning, with Xavier Avery singling. He'd be taken out at second however on Luis Ramirez force out, and pinch runner Edwin Cinton replaced Ramirez on the basepaths. Jerome Hoes took a walk and Edinho Meyers singled to plate Cintron. Garabes Rosa's line drive to left scored Hoes before Dennis Perez ground out and and Dashenko Richardo struck out to end the inning.

The Twins were already leading by three at the point however, as they lost no time getting on the board against Orioles starter Justin Moore. Back-to-back-to-back doubles by Aaron Hicks, Hidalgo and Ortiz opened up the game to give the Twins a pair of runs in the opening stanza.

They'd add a third run in the top of the third with Hidalgo singling and Ortiz doubling him in.

In the top of the sixth, Henry Sanchez doubled and Hyeong-rok Choi reached on a fielder's choice that saw Sanchez to 3rd. Danny Rohlfing would line out before Hyun-wook Choi sacrificed in Sachez. Herbert Lara then hit a line drive single out to left to plate Rok for the Twins fifth run.

Joe Test replaced Iberra at the top of the sixth and took the first two batters he faced out on strikes while getting the third to ground out. The seventh inning proved a bit more difficult for the former Wagner College ace, as Avery singled off him to start off the inning. Cintron ground into a force out that took Avery down at 2nd but Cintron then stole second. Hoes would ground out, moving Cintron to 3rd and a passed ball by Danny Rohlfing brought the O's runner home.

Kelvin Mota worked the last two innings for the Twins, picking up his 8th save of the season.

Hidalgo finished up 3-for-4 with a double, a pair of runs and a RBI. Ortiz was 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles and a pair of RBIs. Henry Sanchez was 1-for-3 with a double and a run, Lara went 1-for-4 with a RBI and Hicks finished up 1-for-5 with a double and a run. Rok would contribute a run despite going 0-for-4 in the game.

The Twins are currently tied for the Pirates for first in the GCL South Division as each team has posted a 20-13 record. The Twins are on the road Thursday against the GCL Reds, for a Noon game.

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DSL Orioles 2 at DSL Twins 7

W: O. Villaroel (3-3, 2.06); L: D. Mambru (0-2, 2.75); SV: L. Vargas (1)
HR: None.

The DSL Twins pounded out 7 runs on 8 hits as they routed the DSL Orioles Wednesday morning.

Jairo Perez would get hit by a pitch in the bottom of the second and Eliel Sierra walked to follow him onto the basepaths. Manuel Soliman flew out before Jhonatan Arias walked to fill the bases. Orioles starter Dionicio Mambru then walked Felix Caro and Carlos Vasquez to force in pair of runs. Danny Santana would go down on strikes before Jean Carlos Mercedes took a walk for force in Arias for the Twins 3rd run.

Needless to say, Mambru was not invited back to the mound for the bottom of the 3rd. Enrico Jimenez took over and despite a walk, a wild pitch and a single kept the Twins off the board for that inning at least.

He'd walk Carlos Vasquez in the bottom of the 4th and a sac bunt by Santana advanced him to 2nd. Mercedes singled but Vasquez would be taken out at home. Oswaldo Arcia doubled however to plate Mercedes, giving the Twins a 4-1 lead.

Cesar Ciurcina worked the first four innings for the Twins before giving way to Orlando Villaroel for the next three. Villaroel would give up 1 run on 3 hits and a pair of walks while striking out 2 to pick up his 3rd win of the season.

Jose Sosa would be throwing for the Orioles in the bottom of the 7th. Arcia took a single off of him, and advanced to 3rd on a throwing error by Moises Ciriaco. Perez then sacrificed him in for the Twins 5th run.

In the bottom of the 8th, Arias singles, then advanced to second when Sosa uncorked a wild pitch. A balk would see Arias to 3rd. Wilfy Gil would go down on strikes, and Vasquez would fly out before Santana tripled in Arias. Mercedes would be hit by a pitch before Arcia singled to plate Santana to top off the Twins scoring.

Lesmir Vargas picked up his first save of the season, working a pair of scoreless innings for the Twins.

Arcia was 3-for-5 with a run and a pair of RBIs and Arias was 2-for-3 with a walk, a double and a pair of runs. Mercedes (1-for-3) and Soliman (1-for-4) added singles, Mercedes with a run and a RBI was well. Santana finished up 1-for-4 with the triple, a run and a RBI. Perez (0-for-2) and Sierra (0-for-3) were hitless at the plate but both had walk and run in contest, Perez with a RBI as well.

The DSL Twins are on the road Thursday against the DSL Rockies for a 10:30 AM Dominican Time game.

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Beloit, E-Twins both win

Great Lakes 3 at Beloit 4

W: C. Anderson (2-0, 6.06); L: R. Blevins (2-5, 2.45)
HR: BEL: G. Yersich (7).

"Great Lakes" sounds much better than "Midland" for a team location - the Midland Loonies anyone? - but in either case, "Beloit Snappers take a win" sounds the best.

It took them 10 innings, but they did just that, defeating the Loons for a 4-3 victory.

Rene Leveret reached on a throwing error in the bottom of the 2nd and moved to 2nd on a passed ball. Mark Dolenc reached on a fielder's choice that took Leveret down at 3rd, but Juan Richardson then doubled, plating the speedy Dolenc to put the Snappers on the board.

Preston Mattingly singled and Parker Dalton walked off Snappers starter Henry Reyes. A wild pitch advanced the pair and an Erik Kanaby singled drove them both in. Kanaby would be picked off, but Francisco Lizarraga drew a walk. Andrew Lambo ground into a force out, taking Lizarraga out at 2nd. Eduard Perez drew a walk, moving Lambo to 2nd and a throwing error by Greg Yersich on a pick off attempt put the ball into the outfield and allowed Lambo to score. (Good job Greg.)

Yangervis Solarte drew a walk with 2 outs in the bottom of the fifth and moved to 2nd on a Leveret single. After a pitching change saw Rob Zimmermann replace Bryan Morris on the mound, a fielding error by Dalton allowed Dolenc to reach and Solarte to score.

Robert Blevins took over for Zimmermann in the bottom of the 8th. Yersich then made up for his earlier error by launching his 7th home run of the season over the center field wall to tie up the game.

Leveret doubled in the bottom of the 10th and would be replaced by pinch runner Allan de San Miguel. Dolenc would go down on strikes and Richardson would line out before a Yersich single drove in de San Miguel for the game winning run.

Chris Anderson picked up his second win of the season, working one inning in relief. Mike Tarsi and Santos Arias worked a pair each, scattering 3 hits and a pair of walks over four innings.

Yersich was 2-for-5 with a run and pair of RBIs. Leveret was 4-for-5, Dirty had the run for him. Solarte was 1-for-3 with a pair of walks and a run, and Richardson as 1-for-5 with a run batted in.

Game three of the series is Thursday night at Pohlman field as the Snappers look for a sweep. First pitch is due out at 7:00 PM Central Time.

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Elizabethton 10 at Greenville 4

W: D. Osterbrock (4-2, 3.23); L: H. Villar (1-4, 4.67)
HR: ELI: E. Bigley (8), D. Rams 2 (5).

Dan Osterbrock, Evan Bigley and Danny Rams were all instrumental in Elizabethton's 10-4 victory over the Greeneville Astros Wednesday night as they opened up a 3-game set at Pioneer Park. The win, coupled with a K-Mets loss, puts the the E-Twins back on top, 2 games ahead of Kingsport.

Osterbrock surrendered the first run in the game with Ebert Rosario reaching on a fielding error by Nathan Hanson. Federico Hernandez then doubled, moving Rosario to third. An Albert Cartwright sac-fly would bring in Rosario, putting Greeneville on the board.

Astro's starter Henry Villar would hold out until the top of the 4th inning. Michael Harrington took a walk before Danny Rams went yard, blasting his 4th of the year, a line drive, over the left field wall. Angel Morales would single, but then be caught stealing and Nat Hanson would fly out. James Beresford took a walk before Dominic De La Osa and Adam Severino hit back-to-back singles to plate Beresford.

Bigley would homer in the top of the 5th, his eighth of the year finding its way over the left center field fence. Villar then found his way back to the dugout, being replaced by David Dinelli.

Jorge De Leon doubled in the bottom of the 5th and Wilton Infante singled him in, to make the score 4-2 Elizabethton.

The top of the seventh would not go well for Patrick Urckfitz, who took over for Dinelli in the bottom of the sixth. He'd give up a home run to Rams, the second of the game for the Twins slugger and his fifth of the season, which went over the right center field wall. Morales would go down on strikes before Hanson singled and Bereford reached on Rosario's throwing error. De La Osa then walked to load the bases. Sevarino singled to plate Hanson and Breseford, while Urckfitz unleashed a wild pitch to advance De La Osa and Sevarino. Jon Waltenbury sacrificed in De La Osa and a Bigley line drive single scored Severino before Harrington lined out to give the Astros a turn at the plate.

Hernandez walked and Cartwright tripled him in. A wild pitch by Osterbrock brought in Cartwright but De Leon when down on strikes while Infante would ground out. Austin singled and advanced to second on a throwing error by De La Osa, but Renzo Tello struck out to end the inning, with the Twins leading 9-4.

Joel Romero pitched the 9th for Greeneville and Andrea Lucati replaced him for the top of the 9th. De La Osa drew a walk to lead off, then one out later, stole 2nd base. Waltenbury doubled him in to give the E-Twins an even 10.

Osterbrock finished off allowing 4 runs, 3 earned on six hits and one walk while striking out 12 over seven innings. Danny Rondon worked the last two scoreless innings for Elizabethton, scattering 3 hits and a walk while fanning 2.

Game two of the three game series is Thursday night starting at 7:00 PM. It s a Thirsy Thursday for the 'Stros as well as the Andrew Johnson bobble head give away.

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Cats drop 3rd straight to Bowie

New Britain 6 at Bowie 8

W: R. Keefer (2-4, 4.56); L: J. Miller (1-2, 5.15); SV: J. Manon (25)
HR: NBR: D. Valencia (2). BOW: L. Montanez (24), J. Nettles (20), C. Rojas (1).

The New Britain Rock Cats finally mounted an offense Wednesday evening at Prince Georges Stadium, but pitching proved to be the problem as they fell again, this time 8-6 to the Bowie Baysox.

Carlos Rojas knocked his first home run of the season over the left field wall and Luis Montenez put this 24th over the same left field wall off starter Yohan Pino in the bottom of the first with one out on the board. Nolan Reimold then took a free pass and Matt Wieters doubled out to right to plate Reimold. Wieters would make it to 3rd with men on the corners when Pino finally got Ryan Finan to ground out to end the inning.

Danny Valencia went yard in the top of the second, launching his 2nd of the year over the center field fence.

Rocky Palacios singled and Luke Hughes doubled in the top of the 3rd. Dustin Martin went down on strikes before Brock Peterson singled to plate the two runners, tying up the game. Erik Lis reached on a force attempt and Valencia drew a walk to load the bags. Matt Moses would ground into a force out which took Peterson out at home, but Steve Tolleson then drew a walk, forcing in Lis. Felix Molina would fly out to end the scoring threat.

Reimold doubled in the bottom of the 3rd but would try to make it a triple and was taken out at 3rd. Matt Wieters then doubled and came home on a Mike Rodriguez single. Rodriguez then stole 2nd and Jeff Nettles sent him over the plate with a ground ball to left.

Luke Hughes singled in the bottom of the fourth and went to 2nd on a wild pitch. Martin's ground out got him to 3rd and he'd come home on a Brock Peterson single to again tie up the game.

Jason Miller replaced Pino on the mound in the bottom of the fourth and set down 3 straight batters.

The top of the 5th saw Valencia single, then steal 2nd. Moses drew a walk. After Toleosn went down on strikes, Molina would be hit by a pitch to load the bags. Palacious sacrificed in Valencia, but Hughes struck out, ending the cat's threat.

Wieters would walk in the bottom of the 5th and Mike Gonzalez singled. Nettles then put his 20th home run of the year over the left center field wall to bring in 3, putting the Baysox on top for good.

The Cats had a good chance to tie up the game in the 7th with Moses on 3rd and Tolleson on 2nd but Molina popped out and Palacios ground out, leaving them stranded.

Pino end the game after giving up 5 runs, all earned, on 7 hits and a pair of walks while striking out 1 over 3 innings. Miller took his 2nd loss of the year, giving up 3 runs on 2 hits and a walk while fanning 3 over 3 innings. Rob Delaney worked the last two innings, giving up 3 hits, but no runs. He's strike out only one.

Hughes was 3-for-5 with a double and a pair of runs while Valencia and Tolleson were 2-for-4 each, Valencia with a walk, a pair of runs, and a run score, while Tolleson had a walk, a double and a RBI.

Peterson was 2-for-5 with 3 RBIs. Lis was 0-for-5 at the plate but contributed a run. Moses was 1-for-4 with a walk, while Palacios was 1-for-3 with a run and a run scored.

Bowie will look for brooms in an attempt to sweep the Cats out of town on Thursday night. New Britain returns home on Friday to fireworks and the Binghamton Mets for a three game set.

However they must get by Bowie's Zach Clark (1-0, 2.81) first and will look to Jeff Manship (1-5, 4.70) to give them a solid performance on the mound. Thursday's contest begins at 7:05 P.M.

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Swarzak, Rochester down Pawtucket

Rochester 8 at Pawtucket 3

W: A. Swarzak (1-0, 1.80); L: D. Pauley (12-4, 3.40); SV: B. Korecky (17)
HR: ROC: R. Ruiz (16), G. Jones (14). PAW: J. Natale (1).

Anthony Swarzak picked up his first win at the AAA level, allowing only 3 runs - one earned - on 4 hits and 3 walks. He'd strike out 2 over five innings. Coupled with an offensive explosion, the Rochester Red Wings took an 8-3 win over the Pawtucket Red Sox Wednesday afternoon.

Swarzk would be a little shaky to start, hitting Jeff Bailey with a pitch. Jeff Natale reached on a force attempt when Matt Macri missed a catch, moving Baily to second. Brandon Moss would line out before Chris Carter singled to score Bailey. Dusty Brown would sacrifice in Natale for the Pawsox second run. Keith Ginter singled and Jeff Corsaletti walked, but after a coaching visit to the mound, Swarzak would take Gil Valazquez out on strikes to give the Wings a chance at the plate.


Randy Ruiz made the most of that chance by doubling and Matt Macri singled him in to give the Wings their first run. Ruiz then homered in the top of the 4th, his 16th of the year going over the left field wall, to tie up the game.

Alejandro Machado singled in the top of the 5th, then stole 2nd. Darnell McDonald walked and Garrett Jones reach on a force attempt when Valazquez failed to field the ball. Machado would score on the play, putting the Wings on top. Ruiz then ground into a double play that plated McDonald for the insurance run.

Natale would hit his first home run of the season off Swarzak in the bottom of the fifth, launching a ball over the left field wall.

Jose Vaquedano replaced David Pauley on the Pawsox mound for the sixth inning and Julio DePaula came in for Swarzak.

After getting Matt Macri to pop out and Trevor Plouffe and Jeff Christy to strike out in the sixth, Vaquedano would be replace by Michael Tejera in the 7th. With two outs on the board, Sergio Santos walked. Jones then knocked his 14th home run over the right center field wall, give the Wings another pair of runs.

Eric Hull replaced Tejera in the eighth. Jason Pridie tripled off Hull in the top of the ninth. Back-to-back singles to Alejandro Machado and Sergio Santos put Pridie over the plate and Jones would single in Machado, to make the score 8-3.

Bobby Korckey took over for DePaula in the eighth and stuck around to get Corsaletti to fly out and Valazquez and Jonathan Van Every to strike out to end the contest.

The save would be Korckey's 17th of the season.

Machado finished up 3-for-5 at the plate with two runs; Jones and Ruiz were 2-for-5, Jones with a run and 3 RBIs and Ruiz with a pair of runs and 1 RBI. Macri and Plouffe were 1-for-4 with Macri contributing a RBI, while Pridie and Clark were each 1-for-5, Pridie with a run. Santos was 1-for-1 with a walk, a run and a run scored.

McDonald also provided a run, although he was 0-for-1 with a walk at the plate.

The series continues on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. with Michael Bowden (0-2) on the mound for the Pawsox against Rochester's Carmen Cali (5-0).

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The Minnesota Twins will place infielder Alexi Casilla on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, with a torn tendon in his right thumb. To replace Casilla on the 25-man roster, the Twins will reinstate infielder Adam Everett from the 15-day disabled list. Everett missed 58 games (May 22-July 29) during his recent stint on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain. He also missed 10 games with the same injury April 15-May 3.

Randy Ruiz photo courtesy of Nancy Zini.

Bowie boinks Cats; Wings Zinked in Pawtucket

New Britain 1 at Bowie 9

W: F. Romero (6-3, 3.25); L: R. Mullins (7-8, 4.49)
HR: BOW: M. Wieters (6), S. Torrealba (4).

Four different Bowie pitchers scattered nine hits over nine innings, holding the declawed New Britain Rock Cats to only 1 run.

After blanking the Cats on Monday, the Baysox wasted no time going after the Rock Cats starter Ryan Mullins. Matt Wieters doubled to lead off the second inning, and Steve Torrealba went yard, sending his fourth home run of the season over the left field fence. Despite singled to Jeff Nettles and Sebastien Bouchers, and a walk to Alex Cintron, the Cats were able to keep Bowie in check for the remainder of the inning.

Louis Montanez singled in the bottom of the 3rd and came home on a Nolan Reimond double, coupled with a throwing error by shortstop Toby Gardenhire that sent Reimold to 3rd. Wieters singled to bring in the runner and Torrealba drew a walk. Nettles ground into a double play however, and Jonathan Tucker went down on strikes to end the inning.

Zach Ward replaced Mullins in the bottom of the 4th, and walked Boucher. Alex Cintron singled out and tried to stretch it for a double. Boucher would make it to 3rd, but Cintron would be taken out at 2nd. Carlos Rojas went down on strikes before Montanez's line drive plated Boucher. A wild pitch move Montanez to 2nd and Reimold took a walk before Weiter launched his sixth home run of the season over the left field fence, adding 3 more to the Baysox total.

Despite an attempt by Dustin Martin to get some scoring going in the first inning, and getting David Winfree all the way to 3rd in the top of the fourth, nothing would happen for the Rock Cats until the top of the 6th. Winfree singled and advanced to 2nd on a balk by Felix Romero. Erik Lis' ground out saw him to 3rd and a Brock Peterson triple plated the Cats' outfielder. Peterson would be left stranded though as Steve Tolleson and Toby Gardenhire both went down on strikes.

Frank Mata would take over the mound from Ben Julianel in the top of the 8th and hit Rojas with a pitch to lead out. Montanez ground into a force out that took Rojas down, but Reimold followed up with a single. Wieters sent a grounder out to right to score Montanez to give the Baysox their ninth run of the night.

Winfree was 3-for-4 for the Cats with a run, Martin was 2-for-3 with a walk. Tolleson and Palacios, both 1-for-4, and Hughes, 1-for-5, had hit singles for the Cats, while Peterson finished up 1-for-4 with a triple and a RBI.

Game three of the four-game series is Wednesday at Price George's Stadium, with the first pitch due at 7:05 PM.

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Rochester 3 at Pawtucket 5

W: C. Zink (13-3, 2.76); L: R. Barrett (3-5, 3.21); SV: C. Smith (13)
HR: PAW: G. Velazquez (6).

Charlie Zink lead the Pawtucket Red Sox to yet another win over the Rochester Red Wings, although the Wings did manage to wiggle three runs from the stingy Mr. Zink.

Kevin Mulvey took the start for the Red Wings and the Pawsox jumped on him in the first inning with Jeff Baily doubling then moving to 3rd on a wild pitch. Mulvey then hit Jeff Natale with a pitch, but got Brandon Moss to hit into a force out. Bailey would score on the play that took Natale out at second base, but a throwing error by 2nd baseman Trevor Plouffe allowed Moss to advance to 2nd. Mulvey would then get Chris Carter to fly out and George Kottaras to line out to strand Moss.

Jason Pridie would double in the 3rd and Alejandro Machado followed up with a single. Matt Macri singled to bring in Pridie and Garrett Jones also singled to plate Machado. Randy Ruiz then doubled to drive in Macri. Jones would try to go home as well and would be taken out at the plate on the throw, which moved Ruiz to 3rd. But Howie Clark ground out, ending the inning.

That would be it for the Wings though as Zink allowed 9 hits and a walk while striking out 2 over seven innings for his 13th win of the season.

Former Red Wing Gil Valazquez homered, his sixth of the year, for the Pawsox in the bottom of the fifth, cutting the Cat's lead to one.

Jeff Corsaletti doubled in the bottom of the 7th and that would do it for Mulvey, who left the mound after allowing six hits and striking out 4 in 6.1 innings. Ricky Barrett took over, and allowed a single to Valazquez that plated Corsaeltti. Jonathan Van Every tripled to drive in Velazques, putting the Pawsox on top. Tim Lahey was then invited to step to the mound, and after a brief coaching visit, saw Jeff Bailey smack a line drive out to left to score Van Every for the insurance run.

Barrett would pick up both the blown save, his 2nd of the season, and the loss, his fifth.

Pridie, Machado and Ruiz were all 2-for-4, Pridie and Machado with runs and Ruiz with a RBI. Macri and Sergio Santos were both 1-for-4, Macri with a run and a RBI. Jones was 1-for-3, with a walk and a RBI.

The series continues Wednesday afternoon with newly promoted Anthony Swarzak making his first AAA start for the Wings. He will face David Pauley (12-3, 3.39). First pitch is due at 12:05 PM at McCoy Stadium.

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The Red Wings' 20-37 record away from Frontier Field this season is the 2nd worst road record in the International League (Richmond has the worst road record 19-35). Rochester has lost nine of their last 11 road games.

Despite the Red Wings' 52-60 record they’ve outscored their opponents 526-525.

Jason Pridie photo courtesy of Nancy Zinni.

Snappers like Loons, win 7-5

Great Lakes 5 at Beloit 7

W: S. Hirschfeld (7-3, 3.25); L: T. Melgarejo (2-5, 4.02); SV: B. Martin (2)
HR: GLL: B. Taylor (5).

The Beloit Snappers found the Great Lakes Loons rather to their liking as they took a 7-5 win over the visitors at Pohlman Field Monday night in game that featured a combined 27 hits by both teams.

Steve Hirschfled took the start for the Snappers, allowing 4 runs on 9 hits and 2 walks while fanning 3 in 5.2 innings. Beloit would get to Great Lakes' Thomas Melgarejo first however, snagging pair of runs in the first inning off the Dogers' affiliate.

With a pair of outs on the board, Yangervis Solarte singled and was doubled in by Rene Leveret. A wild pitch by Melgarejo moved Leveret to 3rd and a fielding error by Eduardo Perez allowed Mark Dolenc to reach and Leveret to score before Juan Richardson ground into a force out to end the inning.

Perez would single for the Loons in the top of the second, and Jaime Ortiz doubled. Kenley Johnson's ground out served to score Perez. After a fly out to Preston Mattingly, Brandon Taylor went yard to give Great Lakes a 3-2 lead.

The Snappers tie it up in the bottom of the 2nd when Chris Cates singled, moved to second on a Andrew Schmiesing single and came home on Jeanfred Brito's grounder to center.

They would extend their league in the bottom of the 3rd with Leveret and Dolenc both singling. Richardson hit into a force out which, combined with a throwing error Mattingly allowed Leveret to score. Allan de San Miguel doubled in Richardson and Cates singled to drive in Dirty.

The next couple of innings would be quiet. In the top of the sixth, Mattingly singled with a pair of outs on the board. A wild pitch by Hirschfeld put Mattingly on second and Taylor doubled him in. Parker Dalton would walk, and Snappers field manager Nelson Prada took a walk out to the mound, calling Charles Nolte in from the Snappers bullpen.

The top of the 8th saw Kenley Jansen double off Nolte and be replaced by pinch runner Jovanny Rosario. After Mattingly went down on strikes, Taylor singled to score Rosario, helped in part by Dolenc's fielding error. Dalton would go down on strikes and Prada called for another pitching change, putting Blake Martin on the mound.

The Snappers took the run back in the bottom of the eighth, with Dolenc singling, then moving to 3rd on Richardson's ground out. Dirty singled to score Dolenc. He'd try to get to second but would be tagged out at the base.

Melgarejo worked only 3 innings for Great Lakes before giving way to Miguel Sanfler, who finished the contest. Melgarejo still took the loss however, while Hirshfeld improved to 7-3 on the season.

Solarte, Leveret, Dolenc and Dirty were all 2-for-4, Solarte with a run, Leveret with a double, a pair of runs and a run scored, Dolenc and Dirty each with a run and Dirty with a double and a pair of RBIs as well. Cates was 3-for-4 with a run and a RBI. Brito finished up 1-for-4 with a RBI, and Schmiesing was 1-for-3, as the contest's one hit wonder.

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From MiLB.com:

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

WHO'S HOT: OF Ben Revere tied for sixth among league batting leaders last week, hitting .429 (9-for-21) with three RBIs and two runs scored in five games. In 69 games this season he's batting .399 (113-for-283) with 17 doubles, nine triples, 39 RBIs and 42 runs scored.

WHO'S NOT: LHP Michael Tarsi dropped to 4-11 with a 5.67 ERA after being tagged with a pair of losses last week. In 21 games (including 20 starts) he has allowed 84 runs (71 earned) on 151 hits (including 12 home runs) over 112 2/3 innings.

OLYMPIC GLORY: RHP Loek Van Mil left the team last week to represent his country -- the Netherlands -- in next month's Beijing Olympic Games. Van Mil (2-2, 3.22 ERA) is not expected to return to the Snappers until the last week of the season.

DID YOU KNOW: The 7-foot-1 Van Mil has struck out 42 batters while issuing 25 walks in 28 relief appearances. He was signed by the Twins as a non-drafted free agent in 2005. He and 5-foot-3 teammate Chris Cates are the tallest and shortest players in baseball.

ROSTER MOVES: RHP Shooter Hunt, the Twins' supplemental first-round pick and the 31st overall selection in the June Draft, joined the Snappers last week after going 0-0 with a 0.47 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 19 innings for the Rookie-level Elizabethton Twins. He struck out nine batters in his debut against Wisconsin on Saturday.

IF Yangervis Solarte was received from Class A Advanced Fort Myers to fill Van Mil's roster spot. In 42 games with the Miracle, he hit .259 with three home runs and 16 RBIs.

The Elizabethton Twins had Tuesday off. They return to work on Wednesday as they travel to Greeneville to face the Astros.

Kingsport Times News
E-Star

5-run fifth inning dooms Miracle

Fort Myers 6 at Dunedin 7

W: R. Gonzalez (9-3, 3.56); L: D. Guerra (10-6, 4.89); SV: C. Falkenbach (20)
HR: None.

Deolis Guerra would not make it out of the fifth inning, giving up 5 runs - a total of 7, 6 earned - on 9 hits and 4 walks. He'd strike out only one.

As a result, the Dunedin Blue Jays took a five run lead and were able to hold off the Fort Myers Miracle until the end of the contest, winning 7-6 at Knology Park.

Steve Singleton opened the game with a walk, then moved to 2nd on a wild pitch by Reider Gonzalez. After Danny Lehmann popped out, Wilson Ramos doubled Singleton in for an early Fort Myers lead.

Chris Emanuele singled in the bottom of the inning, then moved to 2nd on a wild pitch by Guerra. Brad Eamau took a walk and a passed ball by Lehmann advanced the pair. Cory Patton's ground out would score Emanuele, tying up the game.

In the bottom of the 2nd Adam Calderone walked, then stole 2nd. Al Quintana singled to move him to 3rd, and a Luis Sanchez sac-fly plated him for the Jay's second run of evening.

Juan Portes reached on a fielding error by Brad Emaus and moved to 2nd on Garrett Olson's single. Eli Tintor singled as well, loading the bags. Danny Santiesteban then hit into a force out that scored Portes to tie up the game again.

Patton lead off the bottom of the fifth with a walk. Brian Dopirak singled and Jesus Gonzalez doubled to plate the pair of runners. Marcos Cabral singled to bring in Gonzalez and Calderone tripled in Cabrial. At the point field manager brought Spencer Steedley into the game, replacing Guerra. Steedley allowed a single to Quitara which drove in Calderone but finally found an out as he got Sanchez to ground into a force out. Emanuele wold single before Emaus and Patton both ground out to end the inning with runners on second and third.

The Twins now had a lot of catch up work to do, so they got to it with Johnny Woodard and Portes hitting back-to-back singles. The Jays would then call for a pitching change bringing Chad Blackwell into the game to replace the outgoing Gonzalez. Blackwell would get Olson to ground into a force out that took Woodard down at 3rd. Tintor would fly out before Santiesteban singled to score Portes. Yancarlos Ortiz would reach on a throwing error that also plated Olson before Singleton popped out to finish off the top of the sixth.

In the top fo the 7th, Lehmann would be plunked by a pitch. Ramos and Woodard hit back-to-back singles to load the bags. Portes would go down on strikes, while Olson sacrificed in Lehmann. Tintor would go down on strikes as well to send the Jays up to bat again.

Steedley would work two innings for the Miracle, allowing just two hits. Matt Williams had the hill for the seventh and the eighth innings, allowing 3 hits and a walk, but otherwise keeping the Jays under control.

The top of the 9th would be do or die for the Miracle, and Wooodard opened up the crucial inning, going down on strikes. Portes would ground out before Whit Robbins was brought in as a pinch runner and drew a walk. Tintor and Santiesteban hit back-to-back singles score Robbins before Yancarlos Ortiz ground out, ending the contest.

Ramos, Woodard, Tintor and Santiesteban were all 2-for-5, Ramos with a double and a run scored and Santiesteban with 3 RBIs. Singleton was 1-for-4 with a run, and Olson was 1-for-3 with a run and a RBI. Portes was 1-for-5 with a pair of runs.

Dunedin claimed the series, 2 games to one. The Miracle take Wednesday off before returning home to Hammond Stadium on Thursday to face the Clearwater Threshers on a Thirsty Thursday. The Mighty Gonzalez with will on hand to perform stupid human tricks,

Oswaldo Sosa has the mound for the Miracle. Game time is 7:05 PM, gates open at 6:00.

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News Press
Cape Coral Daily Breeze
NDN

Pirates slide by Twins, take over Divison lead

GCL Pirates 4 at GCL Twins 3

W: J. Charry (2-1, 1.38); L: B. Pugh (1-2, 3.00)
HR: None.

The GCL Pirates slipped by the GCL Twins Tuesday at the Lee County Sportsplex to take the South Division lead from the Twins.

Adenson Chourio singled in the ninth inning and stole 2nd base. After Ben Gonzalez went down on strikes, Twins reliever Bruce Pugh got wild, unleashing a pitch that send Chourio to 3rd. The Twins would try to make a play at the plate, allowing Juan Garcia to reach, but were not fast enough as Chourio scored to tie up the game. Garcia then stole 2nd and moved to 3rd on Jarek Cunningham's fly out. A throwing error by Juan Sanchez at 3rd allowed Alex Vargas to reach and Garcia to score to give the Pirates the lead.

Chourio would start out the game too, reaching on fielding error by Andres Diaz at first and then moving to second on Gonzalez ground bunt single. Ronny Paulino took a walk off Twins starter Jean Mijares to load up the bags. Cunningham sacrificed in Chourio before Vargas ground into a force out and Garcia ground out to sent the Twins to the plate.

Andury Acevedo doubled in the top of the second after Edwin Roman struck out, Acevedo stole 3rd. Kyle Suakko took a walk before a Chourio singled plated Acevedo. Mijares would then get Gonzalez and Ronny Paulino to ground into force outs retiring the side.

Tyler Cox would work the first 4 innings for the Pirates, allowing the Twins only 3 hits and a pair of walks while fanning 3. Matthew Foust would take over the in bottom of the fifth inning and issue a walk to Jon Goncalves. Hicks ground into a double play however, so the Twins started all over with Juan Sanchez walking. Danny Ortiz then doubled out to right which scored Sanchez, putting the Twins on the board.

Diaz doubled in the bottom of the six and after Tyler Landendorf went down on strikes, Josmil Pinto singled and Jakub Hajtmar walked. Francisco Ortiz would then be called to the mound to get the Pirates out of their jam, but Ortiz allowed a single to Goncalves that scored Diaz. Hicks would hit a sac-fly to plate Pinto to give the Twins a 3-2 lead. And it would stay that way.

Until the ninth.

Jorge Charry worked the 8th and the 9th, striking out two Twins batters and getting Diaz to ground out to finish of the contest. Pugh would take the loss, his second of the season, as well as the blown save although one of the two runs he surrendered was unearned.

Goncalves was 2-for-3 for the Twins with a RBI, Pinto was 2-for-4 with a run while Ortiz and Diaz were both 2-for-5, Diaz with a double and a run, Ortiz with a pair of doubles and a run scored. Juan Sanchez was 0-for-4 with a walk and a run.

The Twins head to Twin Lakes Park on Wednesday to face the GCL Orioles for a Noon game. They play the Reds on Thursday in Sarasota before returning home on Friday against the Red Sox.

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Herald Tribune

I had hoped to get some autographs from both the Reds and the Pirates before this season is over but that seems unlikely at the present time unless I take time off from my day job and go to a game. The remainder of the weekend games at home are against the O's and the Red Sox and the cost of fuel is prohibiting me from going to away games this year. Ah well... There's always T.T.M.

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DSL Twins 2 at DSL Diamondbacks 3

W: D. Rosario (4-5, 4.21); L: E. Alvarez (0-2, 1.67)
HR: None.

The DSL Twins took a one run lead in the seventh inning, but were unable to hold on, falling 3-2 on the road to the DSL Diamondbacks.

Ramon Acosta allowed a run in the second inning, unearned. After striking out Jose Jose, Luis Brito would walk Gerson Montilla ground out, moving Brito to 2nd before Wilfy Gil failed to field the ball at center and allowed Pedro Arias to reach and Brito to score. Acosta would work four, allowing 1 hit and walking 3 while fanning five. His era remains at 0.00 on the season.

Raynard Doran and Renzo Reverol worked two innings each, limiting the Diamondbacks to only 1 hit and three walks.

With Ramon Mariano on the hill for the D-Backs and one out on the board, Jairo Rodriguez would single in the top of the seven, then score on a Juan Blanco double combined with a fielding error by Kelvin Javier. Randy Pina would ground out, but a throwing error by Raywilly Gomez at 3rd base allowed Xavier Gonzalaz to reach and Blanco to score, putting the Twins on top.

A single, a wild pitch and a double saw Edison Alvarez surrender the tying run in the bottom of the ninth.

Alvarez would then give up back-to-back singles in the tenth to Jose and Brito. After getting Gerson Montilla to ground into a force out, Pedro Arias would send a ground ball to center to drive in Brito to give the D-Backs the game.

The DSL Twins host the DSL Orioles on Wednesday for a 10:30 AM Dominican time game.

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