Cats, Wings both lose

New Britain 4 at Bowie 6

W: Z. Clark (2-1, 3.57); L: J. Manship (1-6, 5.04); SV: J. Manon (27)
HR: None.

Since his promotion to the New Britain Rock Cats, Jeff Manship has picked up only one win. Sunday was not his day either as the gave up 6 runs, all earned, on 8 hits and 3 walks while striking out 5.

The Bowie Baysox wasted no time jumping on the Notre Dame grad, with Jonathan Tucker doubling out to center. A sac bunt moved him to 3rd before and Nolan Reimold's follow up single scored him to put the home team on the board first.

Blake Davis singled in the bottom of the 3rd. After Manship took Tucker and Rojas down on strikes, Davis would steal 2nd, then 3rd. Reimold singled him in for the second Baysox run. Matt Wieters walked, moving Reimold to 2nd. Ryan Finan singled out to center to plate Reimold, to give the Orioles' AA affiliate a 3-0 run lead.

Zach Clark would give up a walk in the top of the first to the Rock Cats, a double in the second, a single in the 3rd, and double in the 4th. The Cats just couldn't put anything together until the top of the 5th when Rocky Palacios singled then moved to second on Brandon Roberts ground out. Brian Dinkelman then double Palacios in for the first New Britain Run.

The Baysox answered back in the bottom of the fifth with Wieters taking a walk. Finan struck out, but Jeff Nettles drew a walk as well. Mike Rodriguez singled Wieters and Brian Peterson's follow up single drove in Nettles. Zach Ward would replace Manship on the mound at the point, and allow a ground ball single to Davis that brought in Rodriguez before getting Tucker to ground out.

David Winfree reached in the top of the sixth on Peterson's throwing error. Matt Moses and Danny Valencia hit back-to-back to singles to load up the bags. Felix Molina's ground out to would score Winfree, and Palacios doubled in Moses and Valencia.

Clark would give up a double to Dinkleman in the top of the 7th, but Wilfredo Perez would replace Clark on the mound, getting Martin to line out and Winfree to pop out to leave the runner stranded.

Davis would single in the bottom of the 7th and Jonthan Tucker hit a ground rule double. Carlos Rojas would hit into a fielder's choice however, as the Winfree threw the ball to Palacios to take Davis down at home, saving the run.

New Britain would see nothing more out of Bowie in the eighth or ninth, while Ben Julianel only allowed a single to Nettles in the eight to finish of the Baysox. The 6-4 score would stand, with Clark improving to 2-1 on the season.

Dinkelman finish up 3-for-4 for the Cats with a pair of doubles and a RBI, plus the only Rock Cats walk. Palacios was 2-for-4 with a double, a run, and 2 RBIs. Martin, Winfree, Moses and Vancia were all 1-for-4, with the last three also having a run, while Martin and Winfree hit for doubles.

The Rock Cats nap on Monday, they being a three-game series in Erie against the Sea Wolves on Tuesday.

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Indianopolis 6 at Rochester 4

W: T. Gorzelanny (2-1, 2.57); L: D. Graves (3-5, 5.96); SV: M. Salas (3)
HR: ROC: L. Hughes (2).

Danny Graves gave up four runs in the first inning and the Rochester Red Wings would not recover, falling 6-4 to the Indianapolis Indians at Frontier field.

Nyjer Morgan singled, but was taken out on Brian Bixler's force out. Andrew McCutchen then doubled Bixler in, and came home on Neil Walker's single to center. Ronny Paulino and Ryan Mulhern hit back-to-back doubles to add two more runs. After a brief pause during which Cliburn & Company had a word with their stater, Graves would get Jason Delaney out on strikes and Luis Cruz on a fly out.

Graves would work the next three in relative comfort. He'd walk Bixler in the top of the fifth and after getting McCutchen and Walker to fly out, would give up a single to Paulino. That finished it for Graves and Casey Daigle came in to get the final out.

Delaney tripled in the top of the sixth of Daigle however and Cruz took a walk, then stole 2nd. Carlos Maldonado would sacrifice in Dalaney and Morgan's double brought in Cruz to give the tribe six.

Christy would walk for the Wings in the bottom of the sixth. Jason Pridie singled and following a fly out to Alejando Machado, Howie Clark would single to load up the bags. Garrett Jones would go down on strikes, but Luke Hughes doubled to clean off the bases, putting the wings on the board.

Luke Hughes second AAA homer gave the wings one more run in the bottom of the ninth but it was brief rally as Matt Macri ground out and Trevor Plouffe and Brock Peterson flew out to end the contest.

Daigle worked 3.1 innings allowing 2 earned runs on 4 hits and a walk while strike out 3. Julio Depaula pitched the ninth for the Wings.

Clark would go 3-for-4 with a run, while yard bird Luke Hughes was 2-for-4 with a double, a run and 4 RBIs. Pridie and Machado were each 1-for-4, Pridie with a run, leaving Machado to become the one hit wonder.

The two teams play at 12:05 pm matinee game on Monday. Tom Shearn (7-2, 2.88) will take the start on Monday against Indy's Daniel McCutchen (5-8, 3.73).

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Alejandro Machado now has a 18-game hitting streak, the second longest streak by a Red Wing this season (Randy Ruiz, 24-game hitting streak).

Red Wings closer Bobby Korecky recorded his 20th save of the season Friday night. With that save Korecky becomes the first Red Wings pitcher to ever post 20 or more saves in back-to-back seasons (saves became an official stat in the International League in 1969). If Korecky can over take Toledo’s Blaine Neal for the IL lead in saves (currently Neal has 25) he will become the first ever pitcher to lead the International League in saves in back-to-back season. Korecky holds the Red Wings record for saves in a season with 35 set in 2007.

Outfielder Jason Pridie leads the IL with 16 triples. Pridie is the first Red Wing to hit 16 triples in one season since Ray Pepper hit 20 in 1931. The last Red Wings player to lead the IL in triples was outfielder Wayne Kirby (tied with Scranton shortstop Jimmy Rollins with 11) in 2000. The last time a player in the IL had more than 15 triples in a season was 2005 when Shane Victorino of Scranton had 16. The Red Wings record (since 1929 when the Rochester became the Red Wings) for triples in a season is 20 by Pepper in 1931, but the franchise record is 28 set by William Lush back in 1895.

For Cats, 2-out-of-3 ain't bad

The New Britain Rock Cats took 2-of-3 games this weekend against the Binghamton Mets posting a loss on Friday and Wins on Saturday and Sunday.



Friday: Binghamton 4 at New Britain 3

W: R. Parnell (10-6, 4.33); L: K. Aselton (4-5, 4.42); SV: E. Kunz (27)
HR: NBR: B. Peterson (14), E. Lis (11).

Kyle Aselton took the start, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks while fanning 4 over five innings worth of work.

New Britain drew first blood in the bottom of the 2nd, with Brock Peterson putting his 14th home run of the year over the left field wall. The run came off B-Met's starter Bob Parnell, who would allow all three New Britain runs on 7 hits while fanning 2 over six innings.

The lead would not last long though as Jose Coronado singled off Aselton in the top of the 3rd and Jonathan Malo took a walk. Mike Carp tripled the pair in and a throwing error by Toby Gardenhire allowed Carp to cross the plate as well, giving the Mets 3. Aselton would allow a singled to Ambriorix Concepcion one out later, but picked Conception off trying to steal 2nd before taking Shawn Bowman out on strikes to end sent the Cats up to bat.

Jose Coronado doubled in the top of the 5th, and would move to 3rd on a Jonathan Malo sac-bunt. Mike Carp then sacrificed in Coronado to make it 4-1 Mets.

Erik Lis went yard in the bottom half of the inning, the solo shot home run over the left field wall was his 11th of the season. Peterson would follow that up with a single, then steal 2nd. Gardenhire singled Peterson to 3rd, but would be caught stealing 2nd. Drew Butera's ground out plated Peterson to give the Cat's three, cutting the Mets lead to one.

But one would be all they'd need as New Britain managed only 2 hits and a pair of walks in the final three innings of the game.

Dustin Martin and Peterson both went 2-for-4, Martin with a double, Peterson with a pair of runs and a run scored courtesy of the home run. Lis was 2-for-3 with a walk, a run and a RBI. Steve Tolleson was 1-for-3 as was Gardenhire, although Tolleson added a walk as well. David Winfree, pinch hitting for Gardenhire in the ninth was 1-for-1 with a double.

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Saturday: Binghamton 5 at New Britain 8

W: J. Rainville (8-8, 6.19); L: J. Sanchez (10-6, 4.24); SV: Z. Ward (1)
HR: BIN: M. Carp (13).

Jay Rainville would allow only one run, earned, on 4 hits and a pair of walks while striking out six over six innings to pick up his 8th win of the season. Zach Ward would be credited with the save, despite allowing 4 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks in 3 innings. He'd fan four during his time on the mound.

The Cats were more offensively minded on Saturday, taking advantage of B-Met's starter Jose Sanchez early.

Dustin Martin doubled with one out on the board in the bottom of the first and moved to 3rd on Brock Peterson's fly out. David Winfree singled in Martin and Erik Lis advanced Winfree with a single of his own. Danny Valencia then tripled in the pair and would, in turn, be plated by Matt Moses' double.

Mike Carp would take his 13th home run of the season off Rainville in the top of the 3rd, putting a line drive over the right field wall.

New Britain took the point back in the bottom of the stanza when Winfree reached on a fielding error. One out later, Valencia would reach on an error as well that allowed Valencia to score.

Following a double to Felix Molina in the bottom of the six, Casey Hoorelbeke would come in to replace Sanchez. Martin would reach on a fielding error by Carp in the bottom of the 7th and Peterson followed that up with a double. A Winfree ground out brought Martin home, to make it 6-1 Cats.

With Elvys Quezada on the mound in the bottom of the 8th, Valencia doubled. Moses' ground out moved him ot 3rd and Drew Butera sacrificed him in. Felix Molina would single and Steve Tolleson would be hit by a pitch putting two runners on. Martin's line drive got Molina to the plate, but Tolleson would be thrown out at 3rd. to end the inning.

There would be one out on the board in the top of the 9th when Caleb Stewart drew a walk off Ward to begin a B-Met's rally. Ambiorix Concepcion struck out, but Shawn Bowman and Saloman Manriquez both singled, plating Stewart. Josh Peterson then doubled to bring in Bowman and Jonathan Malo would single to drive in Manriguez before Ward could get Jose Coronado to strike out, ending the game.

Valencia and Molina were both 2-for-4 for the Cats, Valencia with a pair of runs and a pair of RBIs, while Molina had a double and a run. Martin finished up 3-for-5 with a double, a pair of runs and a RBI. Tolleson, Peterson, Winfree and Moses were all 1-for-4 at the plate, Winfree with a pair of runs and a pair of RBIs, Moses with a run scored. Peterson had a double, leaving Tolleson to be the one hit wonder, with 3 strike outs on the side.

Lis finished up 1-for-3 with a walk and a run.

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Sunday: Binghamton 5 at New Britain 6

W: B. Julianel (2-2, 2.37); L: T. Lavigne (2-3, 4.86)
HR: None.

The Cats would rally back late to tie up the game in the eighth, and pick up the game winner in the ninth to finish off the first half of their six-game homestand.

Shawn Bowman doubled off Ryan Mullins in the top of the 2nd. Following a fly out to Josh Petersen, Salvador Paniagua singled to drive in Bowman.

Ambriorix Concepcion singled in the top of the fourth, and Bowman took a walk. After a fly out to Petersen and line out to Paniagua, Anderson Machado doubled to plate Concepcion, giving the B-Mets an early 2 run lead.

Bowman would double again, in the top fo the sixth, and Petersen followed it up with a triple. Following a Paniagua ground out, Machado singled to score Petersen. Machado would be taken out at 2nd though, when Jose Coronado ground into a double play.

That was about the time the Rock Cats started feeling feisty. Brian Dinkelman, recently returned from the D.L. (Press Release), doubled a line drive out to left. Steve Tolleson's fly out moved him to 3rd. Dustin Martin would go down on strikes before Brock Peterson doubled in Dinkelman. David Winfree would reach on a fielding error by Coronado that scored Peterson. Erik Lis and Danny Valencia hit back-to-back singles that plated Winfree and also saw the B-Mets replace pitcher Eric Brown with reliever Edgar Alfonzo. Matt Moses would ground into a force out to finish off the inning with the Cats still down by one.

Jason Miller replaced Mullins in the top of the 7th, and walked Jonathan Malo. Mike Carp would ground out, moving Malo to 2nd, and a Caleb Stewart single scored the B-Mets 3rd baseman. Stewart would steal 2nd, but Conception lined into a double play to give New Britain a turn at the plate.

Dinkelman would be hit by a pitch and Tolleson and Martin would draw walks, loading the bags, the but Cats wasted the chance as Rocky Palacios, Peterson and Winfree all struck out.

So it would be Lis' double in the bottom of the 8th that started things rolling again. Valencia reached on a fielding error, but Moses went down on strikes. Felix Molina, pinch hitting for Palacios who has dropped to .200 at the AA level, singled in Lis. Dinkelman's double drove in Valencia for the tying run. Tolleson would pop out and Joe Hietpas would intentionally walk Martin, getting Peterson to pop out to end the inning with the game even.

Ben Julianel worked an uncharacteristically quick top of the 9th, letting Tim Lavigne come up to pitch for the B-Mets in the bottom half of the stanza. Winfree would double and Lavigne would intentionally walk Lis to get at Valencia, who singled to load the bags. Moses ground into a force out that saw Winfree taken out at the plate. Butera would ground into a force out as well, but this time Moses was taken out at 2nd and Lis scored, ending the contest.

Dinkelman finished up 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles, a run and a run scored at the bottom of the order. Tolleson and Lis would both go 2-for-4, Tolleson with a walk, Lis with a walk, a double and a pair of runs. Valencia was 2-for-5 at the plate with a run and a RBI, while Peterson and Winfree were both 1-for-5 with a double and a run, Peterson with a run scored as well. Molina was 1-for-1 with a RBI.

The Cats now host the Dunedin Blue Jays New Hampshire Fisher Cats for three games, the first being played Monday night with a 7:05 start time.

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Former Rock Cats manager Stan Cliburn has been named by Major League Baseball to manage the Phoenix Desert Dogs in the Arizona Fall League when his season (when) the Rochester Red Wings conclude.

Cliburn will manage a team of prospects stocked by the Twins, A's, Diamondbacks, Rockies and Blue Jays.

"It's me representing the Minnesota Twins which means the most to me because Major League Baseball selects this," Cliburn said. "You only have six teams and to be one of six managers named out of all the managers in Minor League Baseball is quite an honor." (NB Herald)

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).

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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.

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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).

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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.

Dinkelman Rocks, Manship Rocked

Portland 9 at New Britain 5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Rock Cats, Red Wings, both defeated

Connecticut 5 at New Britain 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Rochester 3 at Charlotte 7

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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From MiLB.com:

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

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

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

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

Cats pounce late, fall short

Connecticut 6 at New Britain 5

W: G. Broshuis (8-6, 3.34); L: A. Swarzak (3-7, 6.07); SV: K. Pichardo (6)
HR: CT: A. Witter (13), O. Rosario (5).

The New Britain Rock Cats mounted a late inning come back to avoid another shut out, but could not muster enough offense for the win, falling 6-5 to the Connecticut Defenders.

Anthony Swarzak took another beating on the mound, allowing 5 runs on 12 hits. He'd strike out only 1 over six innings.

Olmo Rosario homered in the lead off spot in the first inning to greet Swarzak. Yes, it was going to beone of those days.

Back-to-back doubled by Eddy Martinez-Esteve and Adam Witter led to another Defenders run in the 4th.

Carlos Sosa and David Maroul hit back-to-back singles in the top of the 5th. Jake Wald's sac bunt moved the pair. Following a pop out to Rosario, Antoan Richarson singled out to left to score Sosa. Maroul would be taken out at home on the play to save at least one run.

Pablo Sandoval singled in the top of the sixth and following a fly out by Martinez-Esteve, Witter went yard over the right field line to bring in two more.

Ryan Mullins would replace Swarak in the top of the 7th, and the Rock Cats ended Garrett Broshuis' perfect game in the bottom of that stanza when Brian Dinkelman singled. Dustin Martin had reached on a fielding error to open the inning. Brock Peterson would follow Dinkelman's single up with a double that drove in the pair of runners. A fly-out and a fielding error would put Peterson over the plate, to make it 5-3 Defenders.

Ronnie Ray took over the mound in the bottom of the 8th. Following a pop out to Toby Gardenhire, Rocky Palacios doubled. Martin went down on strikes before Dinkelman doubled out to left to plate Palacios giving the Cats 4.

Wald would walk in the top of the ninth, then move to 3on on a throwing error by Mullins in the pick off attempt. A wild pitch would then put Wald over the plate for the insurance run.

They'd need it, as Danny Valencia singled out to left and then moved to 2nd on David Winfree's single. Luke Hughes singled to load the bags, but Matt Moses would ground into a force out that took Hughes down at second. Still, Valencia scored on the play but the Cats needed one more. They'd not get it though, as Drew Butera went down swinging to end the contest.

Dinkelman was 2-for-4 in the game with a run and a RBI. The Cats mustered 7 hits total, all in the last 3 innings. None of the New Britain squad drew a walk in the contest.

The final game of the series is Monday at 7:05 PM. The Cats then head out on the road for three against the Harrisburg Senators.

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Rochester 1 at Charlotte 9

W: C.Haeger (7-7, 4.11); L: J.DePaula (1-3, 5.86)
HR: CHA: D. Richar (6), D. Cook (4), P. Phillips (1).

Rain in the eighth inning ended any chance of a Rochester Red Wings rally, not that there were any indications there would be one, as the Charlotte Knights scored early and often for a 9-1 win.

A struggling Phil Humber was moved into the bullpen and Julio DePaula was tapped to take his place in the starting rotation. The switch did not go as well as planned as DePaula allowed 5 runs, 4 earned, on 6 hits and 3 walks over 3.1 innings. He'd strike out 1, which is the exact same number Humber would strike out over the next 3.1 innings, as he allowed 4 runs, earned, on 5 hits and 2 walks.

Randy Ruiz doubled in the top of the second inning, moved to 3rd on Howie Clark's ground out and scored on Matt Macri's sacrifice fly for the Wings only run. The double extended Ruiz hitting streak, but not much else.

Charlie Haeger scattered seven hits over seven innings while on the mound for Charlotte. Jason Pride was 2-for-4 on the night, with Garrett Jones, Alejandro Machado and Jeff Christy each getting a single and Trevor Plouffe a double, none of which factored into the scoring.

Game two of the four game series is Monday with a 7:15 pm first pitch. The Red Wings now have a 4-1 record vs.Charlotte this season. If the Red Wings win two games in this four-game series, it would be the most wins (6) they’ve had in a season series vs. Charlotte since 1997 (8-6 record).

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Matt Macri is the Twins Minor League Player of the Week for June 28-July 4. Macri, 26, went 12-for-27 (.444) with 10 rbi, three home runs, two doubles, four walks and four runs scored. Macri, who made his Major League debut earlier this season, was acquired from the Rockies on August 15, 2007 in exchange for Ramon Ortiz. He was originally drafted in the fifth round of the 2004 First-Year Player draft by Colorado, Macri went 11-for-30 in 14 games with the Twins this season.

The Twins rallied to beat Cleveland 4-3 Sunday afternoon. Denard Span extended his career-high hit-streak to eight games; he has hit .400 (6-for-15) with five runs scored and two rbi since his recall from Triple-A Rochester. Alexi Casilla tied his career-long long hit-streak, hitting safely in 13 straight, dating back to June 20.

Twins catcher Joe Mauer led all catchers in voting and will start for the AL squad in next week's All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium. He’ll be joined on the team by teammates Justin Morneau, who was named to the team via the players' ballot, and Joe Nathan, who was selected by manager Terry Francona.
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Road kill continues in Reading

New Britain 2 at Reading 6

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Rochester 7 at Buffalo 6

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On to overtime...

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

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

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

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Super Dad Sunday

About 20 years ago, a number of fathers took their sons out on their lawn and taught them to play catch. 25 of those youngster became the young men we know today as the Fort Myers Miracle. To their Dads, and all Dads everywhere, Miraclefans.com would like to wish you all a Happy Fathers Day.

West All-stars 9 at East All-stars 3

W: R.Porcello (1-0, 9.00); L: R.Morse (0-1, 9.00)
HR: WST: Stubbs (1), Iorg (1)

Fort Myers Miracle All-star Brian Dinkelman was 2-for-6 at the plate with 2 runs and Danny Valencia was 2-for-5 with a triple, 1 run and 2 RBIs as the West Division All-Stars beat the East Division All-stars, 9-3.

Catcher Wilson Ramos was 0-1 for 1 at the plate with a walk. Both Valencia and Dinkelman played the whole contest, while Ramos split time with Dunedin's J.P. Arencibia, the only other West Division player with a multi-hit game.

Dinkelman would single to start off the game, then move to 2nd when Clearwater's Gus Milner walked. Valencia's fly out moved Dink to 3rd, and a passed ball by Palm Beach's Tony Cruz brought him home.

In the top of the six, Dinkelman would reach on a fielding error by Jupiter's Logan Morrison. Milner's single moved him to second and the pair would be tripled in by Valencia. Lakeland's Ryan Strieby would single out to left 2 outs later to score Valencia.

Jeff Manship worked the 3rd inning for the West, posting goose eggs on his line score by getting Daytona's Tony Thomas to ground out and Daytona's James Adduci to ground into a double play after Brevard County's Darren Ford reached on a fielding error by Valencia.

Slama worked the fifth inning, walking 2 and striking out 1, while ace closer Rob Delaney mopped up in the ninth, allowing 2 hits and striking out 1.

Sarasota's Drew Stubbs earned MVP honors by going 1-for-3 at the plate with a two-run homer in the 2nd inning.

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The Miracle take Sunday off and return to play on Monday as they head over to Dunedin for a three-game series against the Jays to finish off the first half of the FSL season.

Fort Myers may be a few players short on the trip as Manship, Valencia, Dinkelman and either Delaney or Slama (but not both) will be headed to AA New Britain. Catcher Rocky Palacios was already promoted to back up Rock Cat catcher Drew Butera. Former Miracle Jose Morales re-injured the ankle he hurt at the end of last season, and Fort Myers alumni Jeff Christy received the call to Rochester to replace him.

The Midwest League does not play their All-star game until Tuesday, so unless players are loaned to the Miracle from the GCL for the road trip, the roster will be a little light.

One of the players who may be assigned to the Miracle is former 2nd round draft pick Paul Kelly who has been rehabbing at the Lee County Sportsplex. Kelly had a single in the 7-inning scrimmage that was played between the GCL Twins and Elizabethton Twins Saturday Morning. CGL shut out E-Town, 2-0.

The Miracle return home on Thursday to open the 2nd half of the season against the Sarasota Reds. It is Dog Daze II as well as Thirsty Thursday. The GCL Twins also begin their season on Thursday with a Noon game against the Pirates at the Lee County Sportsplex.

Devries shines (again) in Miracle Win

Fort Myers 2 at Brevard County 0

W: C. Devries (5-5, 3.11); L: A. Periard (5-5, 4.41); SV: A. Slama (10)
HR: FTM: B. Dinkelman (2), E. Tintor (1).

I'm not sure if I should be more excited by yet another stellar pitching performance by Cole Devries, or by the fact that Eli Tintor knocked his first home run of the season over the left field wall in top of the sixth.

While Mr. Devries' showcase of strike outs is happening with more or less clockwork regularity, one can hope that the home run is the first of many that Sir Sweet Cheeks will clock over the wall in the second half of this season for the Miracle.

Oh yeah... and the Fort Myers Miracle blanked the Brevard County Manatee 2-0 to draw closer to that playoff berth.

While Devries has yet to go nine, he did work eight inning this time out, striking out five and limiting the Manatees to four hits. Anthony Slama would finish off on the mound, allowing 1 hit and strike out 2.

Unlike last Monday's performance, Devries got some help from his team mates who did manage 10 hits. The only two runs however, came off home runs by Brian Dinkelman and Tintor.

Dinkelman put a ball over the right field fence to open up the top of the 3rd. Edward Ovalle and Danny Valencia would follow that with a pair of ground outs, but Whit Robbins singled and Wilson Ramos reached on a fielding error. Juan Portes singled to load the bags before Tintor lined out to end the inning.

Tintor would redeem himself by opening up the top of the 6th by going yard.

Dinkelman finished off the game 2-for-4 with a walk, a run and an RBI. Portes went 2-for-5 at the plate.

Valencia, Robbins, Rocky Palacios and Yancarlos Ortiz were all one hit wonders, Ramos picked up a double in the top of the 9th.

The two teams finish off the series on Sunday. The Miracle magic number is reduced to two. They can clinch with a win over Brevard and a Dunedin loss to Jupiter. (Go Marlins!)

Jeff Manship (7-2, 2.72) takes to the mound for the Miracle, his last start before the All-star break, possibly his last in a Miracle uniform, while the Manatees will counter with Josh Butler (1-7, 5.88).

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Despite Guerra's walk-fest, Miracle top Palm Beach

Palm Beach 3 at Fort Myers 5

W: D. Guerra (5-1, 4.56); L: B. Dickson (2-5, 3.64); SV: R. Delaney (11)
HR: None.

The Miracle picked up a 5-3 win Friday in a very long game to kick off the Memorial Day Weekend at Bill Hammond Stadium.

Brian Dinkelman singled in the bottom of the seventh. Juan Portes would fly out and Danny Valencia's line drive would put two men on. Whit Robbins then drew a walk to load the bags. Edward Ovalle doubled out to left to drive in two, Robbins would try to cross the plate as well, but was tagged out at home. Ovalle decided to run for three, but the ball was relayed back to second for the 3rd out. Still it proved to be the game inning runs for the Miracle.

Fort Myers actually got on the board first with Dinkelman walking. A missed catch on a pick off attempt moved Dink to 2nd. Portes would line out, but Valencia's line drive to center drove in Binkelman.

Deolis Guerra was struggling with his control early on. With two outs on the board, he'd walk Tony Cruz. Danny Descalso then doubled out to Danny Santiesteban in right to bring in Cruz, tying the game. Nick Derba would pop out to catcher Wilson Ramos, who made a great catch by the netting near the visitor's dugout to end the inning.

In the third Guerra walked Antonio DeJesus. James Rapoport would hit into what should have been a double play, but the umpire called Rapoport safe at first. Rapoport then stole second, but Donoval Solano would draw a walk off Guerra, who suddenly seemed to lose the strike zone. Following a ground out to Brian Cartie, Guerra issued walks to Brown and Jones to force in a run. He finally put one over the plate, which Cruz hit to the outfield and which was handled by Mr. Santiesteban.

Guerra would be tagged for 2 runs, both earned on 2 hits and 7 walks. He fanned only 2 and lasted 5 innings. I wasn't all that excited by his performance. Granted, it's a little hard to get his speed when Tyler Robertson is operating the gun, but I was only seeing speeds off him in the mid-to-lower 80s. Supposedly he throws 93, but I didn't see it.


Dear Mr. Robertson, please hold the gun still, some of us are trying to look at it!

Yancarlos Ortiz walked in the bottom of the fifth, and Dinkelman would double. Portes sac fly scored Ortiz, and Valencia would sacrifice Dinkelman home.

Frank Mata was pitching in the 90s, and would handle the sixth and seventh innings, giving way to Anthony Slama in the 8th. After striking out Brown, he would issue a walk to Jones. Cruz then reached on a force attempt when Ortiz flubbed the catch. Daniel Descalso then doubled off Slama to drive in Jones. Slama would get the next two batters out on strikes to preserve the Miracle lead.

Rob Delaney picked up his 11th save of the year, going three up and three down to finish of the game.

Santiesteban was pulled in the fourth inning, supposedly due to an injury. He did however return to the field as first base coach for the last two innings, so perhaps it was more of a precautionary move than anything.

Dinkelman was 2-for-3 in the contest with 3 runs, Valencia was 3-for-3 with 1 run and 1 RBi. Ramos was 2-for-4 but did not factor into the scoring.

The homestand continues Saturday eveing with Alex Burnett (3-2, 3.16) tossing out the first pitch at 7:05 PM. Shaun Garceau (3-0, 1.93) will be on the mound for the Cards. Fireworks will provided by North Trail RV and Coors Light and - one hopes - by the Miracle bats.

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Jeff Manship and Yangervis Solarte sign autographs before the game

Note: TwinsBaseball.com reported Friday that RHP Scott Baker will make two minor league rehab starts beginning Monday at Extended Spring Training. The game, which is played at the Lee County Sportsplex, starts at 10:00 AM.

Manship, Slama shine as Miracle nearly shut out Yanks

Tampa 2 at Fort Myers 3

W: J. Manship (5-1, 3.62); L: C. Garcia (0-1, 1.93); SV: A. Slama (7)
HR: None.

Friday, as we were leaving the park, I told Jeff Manship I wanted a shut out. After all, both Tyler Robertson on Thursday and Cole Devries on Friday had pitched excellent games against this same Yankee's team.

Sadly, I had forgotten to mention to Mr. Lugo that I was looking for a shut out.

Manship however pitched a stellar game, giving up only 3 hits and 1 walk over 6.2 innings while striking out six, more than earning his barbed wire*, Lugo put up the 2 Yankees runs, unearned, on 2 hits and a great, big error, while striking out 2 in .2 innings worth of work.

Both the Miracle and the Yankees would go scoreless through the first four innings. In the bottom of the fifth, with one out on the board, Brian Dinkelman singled his way onto the bags. Whit Robbins followed up with a line drive which got Dink to third. A wild pitch by Christian Garcia moved Robbins to 2nd. Juan Portes sent a ground ball to left field to bring in Dinkelman. A passed ball by Yankees catcher Kyle Anson made it 2-0 Miracle.

Manship would work the 6th and would get to within one out of seven innings before his pitch count was up. Jeff Smith would bring in Jose Lugo who got Kevin Smith to swing for the final out.

Dinkelman would hit a triple, and Robbins would follow him onto base again, this time with a walk. Portes would ground into a double play, which allowed Dinkelman to score, making it 3-0 Miracle.

The problem started in the top of the 8th when a fielding error by Mr. Lugo allowed Luis Nunez on base. Damon Sublett then singled his way on as well. After Mitch Hillgoss struck out swinging, James Cooper would double a ball out to Portes, which eluded the Miracle left fielder, allowing both Nunez and Sublett to cross the plate, and put the tying run on 3rd. Smith wasted no time going to the Miracle bullpen for closer Anthony Slama, who would get Andrew Perez - who did not sign an autograph for me - and Seth Fortenberry - who did - out on strikes.

The Miracle would get nothing out of Tampa's Jose Valdez in the bottom of the 8th, and Slama would strike out 2, including taking Kevin Smith out after he hung one through a number of foul balls, to end the game.

Dinkelman would go 3-for-4 at the plate with 2 runs to lead the Miracle offense. Danny Valencia, still not in the line up, did a great job of dugout cheerleading.

The Miracle jump on the bus tomorrow morning and will play a 4:05 PM game in Jupiter, Florida, against the Hammerheads. Deolis Guerra (4-1, 4.93 ERA) will get the start against the Marlin's Christhian Martinez (0-0, 0.00). Martinez was 4-1 with a 4.67 ERA record with Greensboro of the Sally League, and is making his first High A start.

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* When I had Alex Burnett sign the last 8 x 10 I'd done of him, Jeff was there and said "You put barbed wire on his picture? I want barbed wire on my picture!" I couldn't tell if he was joking or not, but evidently, he thinks it looks "manly".

Visit Rookie Whites for the rest of scores from around the Twins minor league system. Former Miracle Steve Tolleson was 4-for-4 at the plate and Luke Hughes had his 17-game hitting streak snapped as the New Britain Rock Cats doubled up the Portland Sea Dogs in game one of a double header Saturday afternoon.