Yankees provide fireworks on a Soggy Saturday Night

Tampa 10 at Fort Myers 2

W: H. Sanchez (1-1, 3.38); L: D. Guerra (11-9, 5.47)
HR: None.

The Fort Myers Miracle left the park with 11 hits, but just couldn't get them strung together for runs, falling 10-2 to the Tampa Yankees.

The game would suffer a nearly 2 hour delay after a brief, but heavy, rain shower soaked the field before it could be tarped, turning 3rd base into a muddy mess that required extensive reconditioning.

Deolis Guerra continued to demonstrate his inconsistency. After a good outing last time, he was back to his old tricks before the home town audience. Seth Fortenberry singled, then moved to 2nd when Guerra unleashed a wild pitch. Andres Perez's fly out sent Fortenberry to 3rd, and Tommy Baldridge single brought him home to put the Yankees on the board to open the contest.

Fortenberry walked in the top of the 4th, and Perez doubled him in. A line drive single by Baldridge sent Perez home before Guerra would take Jose Gil down on strikes. Chris Kunda singled, which prompted field manager Jeff Smith to get Joe Testa out of the bullpen. Matthew Cusick singled off Testa, scoring Baldridge and Luis Nunez's grounder to left filled up the bags. Testa then got Kevin Smith to ground out, but it scored Kunda, making it 5-0 Tampa.

The Miracle took one back in the bottom of the stanza. Danny Santiesteban took a walk with one out on the board. Wilson Ramos ground into a force out. Johnny Woodard took a walk, putting Ramos on second, and he'd come home on Edward Ovalle's line drive single to left.

Testa would work the next two innings, giving up nothing else and striking out one. Dave Shinskie took over for the seventh.

Shinskie gave up back to back singles to Luis Nunez and Kevin Smith. Nunez would try to steal home, but it didn't happen as Lehmann was on the job. Josh Kreuzer singled to drive in Kevin Smith. Seth Fortenberry and Andres Perez both claimed singled off Shinskie, which drove in Kreuzer. Baldridge's line drive filled the bases. Gil would reach when Shinskie mis-threw the ball, and Lehmann could not get a glove on it. Fortenberry scored on the play while a Chris Kunda single brought in Baldridge. Matthew Curisck finally ground into a double play to end the inning. Well...the fans wanted fire works!

Shinskie would surrender 5 runs, 3 earned on seven hits in one innings worth of work.

Eddie Ovalle would be hit by a pitch in the 8th, advance on Garrett Olson's line drive single, and come home on a Juan Portes grounder, but it was the only run the Miracle could manage in the late going. And with a huge hole to climb out of, it wasn't enough.

Blair Erickson and Ozzie Sosa worked an inning each, giving up a hit each, Sosa allowing a pair of walks while Erickson struck out two.

Johnny Woodard was 2-for-4 at the plate with a walk; Portes and Singleton finished up 2-for-5, Portes with a RBI, Sing with a double. Olson and Ortiz were 1-for-2 each, both one hit wonders, while Ovalle going 1-for-3 had a double and a RBI.

Lehmann was 1-for-4 with a double, while Ramos at 1-for-5 had a run.

The two teams rematch Sunday for the final game of the regular season. Game time is 1:05 PM, weather permitting.

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Due to the delay in Starting Saturday night's Fan Appreciation Game and Festivities, the Miracle are inviting everyone with a ticket from Saturday's game to return for Sunday's final home game, or any of the FSL Playoff games to be played at Hammond Stadium during the upcoming week. All you need to do is bring your torn or untorn ticket to the Ticket Office window prior to the game you wish to attend and make the exchange. For more information, please call the Miracle office during regular business hours at 239-768-4210.

The New Britain Rock Cats defeated the Binghamton Mets, 7-1. Ryan Mullins picked up the win. Steve Tolleson cranked his 9th home run of the season over the left field wall in the fifth inning. Tolleson and Danny Valencia each had a pair of runs and a pair of RBIs in the contest (a href="http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3711267" target="newwin">Rock Cats/OSC). Fernando Martinez went yard for the B-Mets, but it was evidently forgotten by the Rock Cats at the time they wrote up their game report.

The AAA Yankees defeated the Rochester Red Wings 8-6 in extra innings at Frontier Field. Trevor Plouffe hit a grand slam home run for the Red Wings, who got runs from six different players (RD&C).

The Burlington Bees stung the Beloit Snappers 7-2. All three of the Twins affiliated teams finish up their seasons on Monday (Bees).

Gustav crossed Cuba and is off the Tip of Key West in the Gulf. High sustained winds were 125 miles, a Cat 3. It is expected to strengthen before it plows into Louisianna Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning.

Devries helps Miracle tame Tigers

Lakeland 3 at Fort Myers 6

W: C. Devries (10-9, 2.93); L: A. Figaro (0-5, 4.91); SV: C. Gutierrez (1)
HR: LAK: J. Laster (22), C. Iorg (10). FTM: S. Singleton (5).

Cole Devries and the Fort Myers Miracle would take the Lakeland Flying Tigers 6-3, and the didn't need the scripted bragging of little men to help them do it.

Cale Iorg would put the Tigers on the board first, putting his 10th home run of the year over the center field wall just as the game started. He was the second batter Devries faced, after retiring Justin Justice on strikes.

The Miracle would take it back though in the bottom of the inning. Yancarlos Ortiz singled then stole 2nd. Steve Singleton took a walk. After Rene Tosoni went down on strikes, Wilson Ramos singled to load the bags. Johnny Woodard then drew a walk, forcing in Ortiz.

In the top of the 3rd, Iorg would walk, then steal 2nd base. Danny Lehmann would overthrow the ball on the pick off attempt, leaving Iorg to scurry to 3rd. Michael Bertram would sacrifice Iorg in to put the Tigers on top again.

But not for long as Steve Singleton smacked his 5th home run of the season over the right field fence, tying the game up again in the bottom half of the stanza.

The game would cease to be a back and forth affair in the bottom of the fourths. Edward Ovalle would be hit by a pitched. Eli Tintor doubled putting runners on second and third. Lehmann's line drive brought Ovalle in, and a wild pitch by Alfredo Figaro allowed Tintor to to score. Garrett Olson would ground out moving Lehmann to 3rd. Ortiz would ground out as well, but as Singleton went down on strikes, Tiger's catcher Jeff Kunkel passed a ball, sending Sing to 1st and Lehmann home. Singleton would then steal 2nd, but Tosoni would fly out to end the inning.

Still three runs is a good little lead and with Devries on the mound, you don't need much of one. Devries would work five, allowing 2 runs, 1 earned, on 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out 8. Danny Santiesteban worked the next pair.

Jeramy Laster would see something he liked off Santiesteban in the top of the 7th, putting his 22nd home run of the year over the left field wall. The soon-to-be full time pitcher put in a good performance however, allowing only the one hit while striking out two during his time on the mound.

Lehmann would single off reliever Ryan Perry in the bottom of the 8th. Olson followed up with a single of his own. Ortiz would fly out, but Sing stroked a line drive out to right to fill the bases. Tosoni would sacrifice in Lehmann to make it 6-3 Miracle.

Singleton, Lehmann and Olson were all 2-for-4; Sing being the yard bird with a run and a run scored, while Lehmann had a pair of runs and a RBI. Tosoni was 1-for-3 with a walk and a RBI, while Ortiz, Ramos, and Tintor were 1-for-4 each. Ortiz would add a run to his total, Ramos a walk, and Tintor a double and run.

The Tampa Yankees now come to town for the final series of the regular season on the final happy-hour Friday of the 2008. It's also baseball give away night and the "Mightiest Miracle" will be announced as well as voted on by you, the Fort Myers Miracle faithful, during the course of the season.

Expect the mighty Matt Fox (7-7, 3.55) on the mound for the Miracle.

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Miguel Munoz gave up six runs, 5 earned, on 4 hits and 3 walks over .2 innings to end the GCL Twins championship hopes. The wild card Twins fell 10-5 to the GCL Nationals (GCL Twins).

The New Britain Rock Cats blanked the Portland Sea Dogs, 2-0 at Hadlock Field. Jeff Manship picked up his 3 run of the season, allowing only 3 hits and 2 walks over six innings of work while striking out seven. Toby Gardenhire was 0-for3 with a walk and a run, while Matt Tolbert finished the night 2-for-5 with a double, a run and a RBI (Sea Dogs).

Mike Tarsi picked up the win as Beloit topped Kane County 3-2. Mike McCardell gave up only 1 unearned run while scattering five hits and a walk over seven innings, fanning four, but left with the no decision. Jeanfred Brito, Mark Dolenc and Greg Yersich were all 2-for-4; Dolenc and Yersich with a run each (Snappers).

Elizabethton topped Pulaski 7-4 in game one of the Appalachian League Championship series. The DSL Twins however, were shut out by the DSL Mariners, 1-0, for fall in the first round of the DSL playoffs.

The Rochester Red Wings were idle on Thursday. The Twins play two against the Scranton/WB Yankees on Friday and Saturday and end their season by hosting Buffalo for a pair on Sunday and Monday.

Twins, Reds split two

Fort Myers 11 at Sarasota 3

W: C. Gutierrez (2-0, 2.35); L: S. Carroll (6-5, 3.51)
HR: SAR: J. Francisco (18).

The Fort Myers Miracle found their bats late in the suspended contest against the Sarasota Reds, coming away with an 11-4 victory against their I-75 rival.

Scott Carroll would replace Rafael Gonzalez, who threw only one inning before the game was interrupted by rain. Juan Portes would come in for the Miracle to replace Brandon Roberts, who had played in the first inning of the suspended game, getting as far as 3rd base before being left stranded.

In the top of the 2nd inning, Danny Berg would take a walk to start out. Danny Lehmann then singled, and a sac-bunt by Yancarlos Ortiz moved the pair of runners. Portes would sacrifice in Berg. Edward Ovalle followed that up with line drive to right to plate Lehmann, giving the Miracle a 2 run lead early.

Wilson Ramos would walk off Carroll in the top of the third. Following a fly out to Johnny Woodard, Eli Tintor tripled to drive in Ramos. Berg singled in Tintor, but Lehmann would ground into a force out that took Berg out at second and Ortiz lined out before they could do anything more with the inning.

Alex Burnett would allow back-to-back singled to Eddy Rodriguez and Yuber Rodriguez. Chris Heisey ground into a force out that took E-Rod out at 3rd and moved Y-Rod to 2nd. After Justin Tordi was retired on strikes, Juan Francsico went yard for his 18th of the season, launching a ball over the left field fence to give the Sara-Reds 3.

Carroll would work five innings, and was still on the mound in the top of the six to issue another walk to Berg. Lehmann singled and Ortiz reached on a force attempt when Carroll mis-threw the ball. Berg would come in, to make it 5-3 Miracle. Portes would pop out before Ovalle doubled to score Lehmann. Steve Singleton's line drive to right plated Ortiz and Ovalle, helped out by a Daniel Perales throwing error. Singleton thought he could make it to 3rd while the Reds tried to recover the ball, but was mistaken, as E-Rod fired the ball to Francisco to take him down at 3rd. Ramos would single before Woodard popped out to send the Reds up to bat.

Burnett worked four, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits while fanning 5. Carlos Gutierrez would come in for the next three, giving up a pair of runs and a walk while striking out 3.

Dan Zeffro would replace Carroll in the top of the 7th, giving up a lead off double to Tintor. Berg singled Tint to 3rd, and Lehmann's sac-fly put him over the plate. Ortiz's ground out moved Berg to second and a Portes line drive saw him over the plate to make the score 10-3, Fort Myers.

The teams would exchange runs in the 8th inning, with Woodard tripling in Ramos for the Miracle and Logan Parker doubling in Francisco for the Reds, but that would pretty much finish off the game.

Gutierrez got the credit for the win, improving to 2-0 on the season. Matt Williams worked the final two innings for the Fort Myers squad.

Berg finished up 2-for-2 with a pair of walks, 3 runs and a run scored. Ramos and Lehmann were both 2-for-4 with a pair of runs each, Ramos with a walk and Lehmann with a RBI. Titnor was 2-for-5 with a double and a triple, a pair of runs and a RBI. Ovalle was 2-for-6 with a run and 2 RBIs. Portes and Woodard were both 1-for-4, Portes with 2 RBIs, Woodard with a walk, a triple and 1 RBI. Singleton was 1-for-5 with a RBI. Ortiz, who finished up 0-for-4 at the plate, chipped in a run.

After a bit of field grooming and a break in which the dogs attending the game got to go walkies or perhaps get a dog of their own to wolf down, the two teams set up for the rematch.

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Fort Myers 0 at Sarasota 8

W: L. Ondrusek (1-5, 4.19); L: D. Guerra (10-7, 4.93)
HR: SAR: J. Francisco (19), L. Parker (4).

The last time the Fort Myers Miracle bats when whiz, wham, boom and they took a big blow out win, they were shut out in the following game. Such as the case at Ed Smith Stadium on Saturday as the Miracle forgot to swing in the second game, letting the Sarasota Reds blank them 8-0.

Yuber Rodriguez took a walk off Deolis Guerra to start. One out later, Juan Francisco went yard, for his 19th of the season to put 2 on the board. Todd Frazier would go down on strikes before Logan Parker's 4th of the season, made it 3-0 Reds.

Y-Rod singled in the bottom of the 3rd and came home on a Chris Heisey triple. Francisco then singled in Heisey. Guerra was able to induce Todd Frazier to hit into a double play. He'd then walk Parker before Carson Kainer popped out to end the inning.

Jose Lugo replaced Guerra on the bottom of the sixth. He'd get Justin Tordi to strike out before Jacob Long singled. Y-Rod hit a follow up single and Heisey was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Francisco hit into a force out that took Long out at home, but left the bases load. Frazier doubled to drive in two. Parker and Kainer each drew a walk to force in the 8th run.

Whit Robbins was 2-for-3 with a double for the light hitting Miracle. Juan Portes was 1-for-3 with a double. Tintor was also 1-for-3, good for the One hit wonder of the game title.

Logan Ondrusek picked up the win for Sarasota during a bull pen start. He worked five innings for his first win of the year.

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There was a posse report this morning at Gulf Coast League that Pat Neshak would be pitching for the Miracle on Monday. I showed a great deal of doubt about that one, so it was amended to "he'd be at the game" in some capacity or other. LEN3 is reporting in his blog that Neshak as begun a throwing program but that he won't work himself up to throwing from a mound until later this month.

It's possible, depending upon his progress, that Neshak might pitch in Fall Instructional League, then get ready for 2009 spring training. The Twins probably won't want to risk his health by pushing for his recovery too soon.

On a more immediate note, Tyler Robertson played a session long catch this morning prior to the GCL game. He'll may take a GCL start by the end of the next week if all goes as planned.

I wasn't keeping score, but I believe the GCL Orioles were leading when their game against the Twins at the Lee County Sportsplex was suspended due to rain and lightning in the area. Joe Testa had just finished pitching the top of the fifth, starter Martire Garcia was struggling with his control early in the contest.

It's possible the game resumed - I don't think it rained all that long - but it did chase the very small crowd away. I left at that point as well. The GCL Twins play on the road tomorrow against the GCL Reds, while the GCL Red Sox host the division leading Pirates at the City of Palms Complex.

Note: Ah...they did resume! The Twins rallied back for a 5-3 win! Way to go Twins!

Evidently, the GCL has gone to a wild card format. There will be no more buy for the highest ranked team. Instead they highest ranked team will play the wild card - the team with the best record after the Division Leaders. At this point, that would be the Twins, but not if they keep taking losses to the O's the Pirates.

Miracle out hit, but can't out run, Jays

Fort Myers 3 at Dunedin 7

W: A. Wideman (4-4, 4.95); L: C. Devries (7-8, 2.97); SV: C. Falkenbach (19)
HR: None.

I was hoping that the Fort Myers Miracle would want to use this series a warm up for a potential play off match, but the Dunedin Blue Jays showed nothing but contempt for the 1st half west division champs as they strolled over them to 7-3 win Sunday at Knology Park.

Marcos Cabral took a double off Miracle ace Cole Devries in the bottom of the first, and Cory Patton singled him in. Brian Dopirak doubled as well to plate Patton and after Anthony Hatch went down on strikes, Jesus Gonzalez singled out to center to bring in Dopirak, giving the Jays an early 3 run lead.

With two outs in the bottom of the 2nd, Chris Emanuele doubled, and following a walk to Cabral, came home on a Patton single.

Dunedin's A.J. Wideman worked the first five innings as did Devries for Fort Myers. But the Miracle would not mount much of an offense until the fifth inning, then Garrett Olson singled. Wideman would pick him off at first though, so it was up to Danny Lehmann to lead the attack with a line drive to right. Danny Santiesteban singled and Yancarlos Oritz tripled to plate the pair. Steve Singleton's ground ball to short would drive in Ortiz befor Whit Robbins flew out and Eli Tintor ground out to send Fort Myers back on the defense.

With Devries still on the mound in the bottom of the sixth, Jesus Gonzalez walked, Matthew Liuzza reached on a force attempt that failed when Ortiz bobbled the ball and Gonzalez went to 3rd. Jeff Smith would call upon Jose Lugo to get the Miracle out of the jam, but he allowed a double to Caladrone that brought in Gonzalez. Luis Sanchez's single plated the other two runner before Chris Emanuele went down on strikes and Sanchez was caught stealing. Cabral drew a walk, but Patton lined out to end the inning.

While the next 4 innings saw the Miracle get 5 runs and a walk off the Jay's relievers, they could not put anything together.

Carlos Guierrez worked a couple of scoreless innings for the Miracle to finish off the game. Submariner Conner Falkenbach picked up his 19th save of the year for the Jays.

Lehmann was 3-for-4 with a run, Ortiz was 2-for-4 with a triple, a run and a pair of RBIs. Singleton was also 2-for-4 with a walk and a run.

Juan Portes and Robbins, both 1-for-5, and Eli Tintor, Garrett Olson and Santiesteban, each 1-for-4, had singles in the game, Santiesteban with run to leave the others as one hit wonders.

Lots of hit singles but no runs to show for them.

Alex Burnette (6-4, 3.74) will try to get some respect from the Miracle's division rivals as he goes up against Randy Boone (2-1, 4.45) Monday evening. First pitch is set for 7:00 PM.

With the loss, the Miracle fall to 8 games behind Dunedin, three games in front of the cellar dwelling Threshers.

The Miracle return home Thursday Night for a Thirsty Thursday against those same Threshers.

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Former Miracle Anthony Swarzak has been promoted from AA New Britain the the Rochester Red Wings and will make his first AAA start on Wednesay. Swarzak replaces Brian Duensing on the roster. Duensing, another former Miracle, is off to Beijing as part of Team USA to participate in the upcoming summer Olympic games.

As part of a going away gift for Duensing, Wings GM Dan Mason gave Duensing a plane ticket so that his wife, Lisa, may join him in Beijing. His teammates on the Red Wings have put together a silent auction that will take place at Rochester's Aug. 8 home game, the proceeds of which will help ofset the hotel costs for the tirp.

GCL Twins outfielder Aaron Hicks is the Twins' Minor League Player of the Week for July 19-25. Hicks, 18, batted .400 (8-for-20) with a double, home run, four RBI and four runs scored in five games. Hicks was drafted in the first round, 14th overall in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.

Miracle, Threshers split

Fort Myers 4 at Clearwater 2 - 15 Innings

W: M. Williams (1-2, 6.63); L: B. Pfinsgraff (0-1, 6.17); SV: S. Steedley (1)
HR: None.

In the end, it would take only one more inning to settle the game that was suspended under the Florida State League Curfew rule on Friday night.

The game had been tied at two each when it was suspended. To recap:

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

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

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

When the game resumed on Saturday, Ben Pfinsgraff would get on the mound for the Threshers. Eli Tintor hit a single to 3rd, then moved on a sac bunt by Garrett Olson. Danny Lehmann would hit into a ground out, but Danny Santiesteban singled to plate Tintor. A missed catch by Tuffy Gosewisch allowed the speedy Santiesteban to make his way to 3rd. Yancarlos Ortiz then singled the Miami native in for the insurance run. Ortiz would steal 2nd and attempt to come home on an Edward Ovalle line drive to right, but he would be tagged out at the plate as Gus Milner relayed the ball into Gosewisch for the third out.

Spencer Steedley replaced Matt Williams on the mound for the Miracle, and got Quintin Berry out on strikes. Robert Watson took a double off of him, and moved to 3rd on Milner's ground out. But John Urick would hit into a ground out as well, finishing the contest.

Santiesteban was 3-for-7 with a double, a pair of runs and a RBI. Ortiz and Lehmann were 2-for-5 each, Oritz with a walk, a double and a RBI, and Lehmann with a pair of walks and a run. Ovalle was 4-for-8, all singles. Berg (1-for-7), Singleton and Tintor (1-for-6), and Ramos (1-for-5) all had singles as well, Sing and Tint with a walk each, and Ramos with a pair of walks. Tintor also added a run. Only Garrett Olson would go without a hit in the game.

Sosa worked 4 innings allowing 1 run on 4 hits and a walk while striking out one. Jose Mijares, Blair Erickson and Anthony Slama each worked a pair of innings, Slama allowing 1 unearned run on 3 hits and a walk while striking out 1. Chris Gutierrez worked 1 inning, allowing a hit and walk while striking out one, and Matt Williams went in for the long haul at the end of Saturday's game, allowing 3 hits and 3 walks while fanning 3 over three innings to pick up the win. Steedley got the save, his first of the season in a Miracle uniform.

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Fort Myers 6 at Clearwater 11

W: A. Carpenter (3-3, 2.98); L: M. Fox (5-6, 4.25); SV: D. Brauer (2)
HR: FTM: G. Olson (2).

In the regularly scheduled game, the Miracle would hit well, but the depleted bullpen got to them in the sixth, as Spencer Steedley allowed 5 runs, all earned, on 4 hits and walk without recording an out in the sixth inning.

Steve Singleton doubled to get the game underway and following a line out to Edward Ovalle, a Whit Robbins' fly ball to right move Sing to 3rd. Robbins would go to second on the throw and Wilson Ramos would scored the pair with his 17th double of the season. Johnny Woodard, who had been activated from rehab with the GCL Twins at 10:00 AM, singled to move Ramos to 3rd, and Danny Berg's soft fly ball to right drove in Ramos.

Quintin Berry took a walk from Matt Fox in the bottom half of the set, then stole 2nd base. With Tuffy Gosewisch out on strikes and John Urick out on a pop up, Berry then stole 3rd. Michael Taylor singled to drive him in to give the Threshers one.

Berry would be bothersome again in the bottom of the third, singling his way onto the bags, then, one out later, stealing 2nd. Berry's 39 stolen bases does not lead the Florida State League, by the way, that honor goes to Brevard County's Darren Ford, who has 48. Urick doubled Berry in, and Fox would hit Michael Taylor with a pitch. Gus Milner took a double off of Fox to drive in Urick. Alan Robbins walked before Garry Cates singled Taylor in. Milner was greedy and tried to go home as well, but was taken out a the plate by catcher Wilson Ramos.

Garrett Oslon homered in the top of the 4th to tie the contest back up.

Gosewisch would single and Taylor double in the bottom of the 5th to put the Threshers up on top. Then came the less then memorable sixth.

Fidel Hernandez singled and Jesus Villegas Andino walked. Barry singled to load up the bags, and Gosewisch took a double shot to bring in a pair. Urick followed that up with a double shot of his two to chase in two more at which point field manager Jeff Smith took Steedley off the mound in favor of his new bullpen ace, Danny Santiesteban. The outfielder would allow a single to Taylor but induced Milner to hit into a double play which had the unfortunate side effect of scoring Urick. He'd then Alan Robbins down on strikes to get out of the inning.

The Miracle showed their new ace some love in the top of seventh, with Danny Berg singing off Danny Brauer with one out on the board. Eli Tintor walked, and Olson reached on a fielding error to load the bags. Yancarlos Ortiz ground into a force out that took Berg out at home, but Steve Singleton would get plunked by a pitch to force in Tintor. Edward Ovalle singled out to right to drive in Olson before Whit Robbins ground out, cutting short the Miracle rally.

Santiesteban would use three straight outs to get Clearwater out in the eighth, but he was tiring. Smith would make a move to keep Garrett Olson in the game as pitcher and moved Berg in from left to cover 3rd. Whit Robbins, who had been DHing, moved to take over first and Woodard came out of the game to be replaced by Lehmann, who went into left field. Olson would strike out Berry, but allowed a triple to Gosewisch. Urick singled to score the Thresher's catcher, but Olson got Taylor out on strikes before walking Milner. Pinch hitter Kevin Mahar would fly out to end the inning.

Olson might have a career ahead of him in the National League as he singled in the top of the 9th, but got no support from his fellow batters with Singleton grounding into a force out to end the contest.

Ovalle finished up 2-for-3 with a walk and a RBI. Singleton and Robbins were both 2-for-4, Sing with a walk, a double, a run and a RBI, and Robbins with a walk and a run. Berg and Olson were both 2-for-5, Berg with a RBI and Olson with a pair of runs and a RBI, including the home run. Ramos, Woodard and Ortiz were all 1-for-5, Ramos with a run and a pair of RBIs. Tintor was 1-for-4 with a walk and a run.

Fort Myers now hops on the bus and heads just down the road to Knology Park to face the Dunedin Blue Jays Sunday afternoon for a 1:00 PM game. Cole Devries (7-7, 2.69) will take the start for the Miracle in a potential preview of the upcoming West Division Playoff round.

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St. Lucie long ball ropes Miracle

St. Lucie 5 at Fort Myers 2

W: E. Niesen (5-10, 4.70); L: M. Fox (5-5, 3.94)
HR: SLU: L. Duda (7), V. Mendez (3), S. Bowman (2).

Matt Fox doesn't give up too many hits. The problem is, when he does give up one, it generally goes out of the yard.

That was the case tonight at Rodeo night as three of the little buckaroos found their way out of the corral.

Shawn Bowman would put the first over the right field fence in the top of the second. Peeter Ramos would double in the top of the 3rd and two outs later, Lucas Duda put one over the right center field fence to add two more to the total. Victor Mendez then followed up with one of his own.

The four run hole would be too much for Fort Myers, even with a few Miracles to overcome.

And there were a few Miracles. Danny Berg made an incredible diving save and nearly ended up in the dugout for what to be the play of the game.

With two outs on the board in the fifth, Danny Lehmann would double and score on Danny Santiesteban's line drive to center.

Jose Mijares would enter the game in the sixth. The top of the seventh became interesting when Ezequiel Carrera went to bunt, and stepped into a Jose Mijares fast ball that nailed him on the hand. The umpire - correctly - ruled it a foul as the batter stepped into the pitch. He'd leave the game, possibly with a broken hand, and was replaced by Luis Rivas. Tim Toufel threw a wonderful temper tantrum, kicking dirt all of the plate and then tossing his helmet to the ground in disgust when he was tossed out of the game. Well, you know, Tim, you should not have told Carrera to bunt. Rivera and Tejada would both go down on strikes and Duda ground out to end the inning, stranding Braham Muldando and Ramos, who had both singled before the one field fireworks.

(Jeff never kicks dirt all over the plate when he's ejected.)

Matt Williams got on the mound in the 8th. With one out on the board, Josh Thole doubled out to center and moved to 3rd on a Bowman ground out. D.J.Wabick reached on a throwing error by Lehmann that scored Thole.

The Miracle answered back in the ninth, with Steve Singleton doubled, then moved to 3rd on Wilson Ramos' fly out. Whit Robbins would sacrifice him in, but the Miracle could get no more.

Five different Miracle players had hits. Two - Robbins and Lehmann had doubles. Two had runs and only one, Robbins had a RBI.

Cole Devries (7-7, 2.79) pitches tomorrow on “Salute to Harry Carey” night. Much as I like Cole, I'm not sure I'm going to make anything on Tuesday after spending Monday at the ball park (including a double header at the Gulf Coast League.) Still, there is a lot be said about the restorative powers of a good night's sleep, Irish Spring, and an omelette.

Box
Log
Miracle
News Press: Teufel
Breeze
NDN
TC Palm

A Note to the Street Crew: The trivia questions do not work. We in the audience cannot understand a single word you are saying. Try something else, like the dizzy bat or mascot race that does require speaking parts.

Word around the stadium is that we are going to have Brandon Roberts for the remainder of the season. The speedy outfielder was place on the 7-Day DL for the Rock Cats with a reported left hamstring strain back on April 29. The problem limited him ot just 8-game appearances in 2008 for the Rock Cats.

A bunch of injured players have been showing up at the stadium with Beloit's Brian Kirwan being the most recent addition. It's beginning to look more like a hospital ward than a game.

It would appear that Dodgertown is serious negotiations to move the Baltimore Orioles from Twin Lakes Park to Dodgertown. The plans for the complex could include a Ripken Baseball youth baseball academy on the site of the former golf course. A move for the team, prior to 2010 however, seems unlikely. (TC Palms)

The Orioles and Brewers are also in discussion with the City of Sarasota, as are the Red Sox. Lee has not moved to court a major league team to replace Boston, should they be decide to skip out on the taxpayers of Lee County who so kindly built them a White Elephant Stadium and head over to Sara.

Rock Cats break up no hitter; go on to win

Connecticut 2 at New Britain 3

W: R. Mullins (5-3, 3.38); L: K. Pichardo (1-3, 3.09); SV: B. Julianel (9)
HR: None.

The New Britain Rock Cats rallied past the Connecticut Defenders in the 7th inning to give lefty Ryan Mullins his fifth win of the season.

With one out on the board in the fifth inning, Nestor Rojas and Jake Wald hit back-to-back singles. A wild pitch moved Rojas to 3rd, and a walk to Ben Copeland loaded the bases. Antoan Richardson then reached on a throwing error by Luke Hughes, allowing both Rojas and Wald to come in for a pair of unearned runs.

Mullins would allow a total of 5 hits and a pair of walks over seven innings while fanning 3. Kyle Aselton and Ben Julianel each worked an inning of relief and allowing only one run each to keep the Defenders at bay.

Kelvin Pichardo took over the mound in the bottom of the 7th. Erik Lis would hit a ground ball single, and then advance to 2nd on a throwing error. Following a fly out to David Winfree, Matt Moses and Brock Peterson hit back-to-back singles that brought in Lis. Dustin Martin took a walk, loading the bases, and Drew Butera would also draw a walk, forcing in a run to tie up the game. Steve Tolleson then hit into a sacrifice double play that allowed Peterson to cross the base for the game winning run.

It was only the 4th win for the Cats, who are two games under .500 on season, and trail the Defenders in the standings by a game, 8.5 games back from first placed Trenton.

Lis was 2-for-3 on the night with a walk and a run, the only Cat with a multiple hit game as the Cats only managed four hits in total.

Giant's prospect Nate Bump would carry a no-hitter through five, allowing only 2 walks. Josh Sharpless kept the Cats off the board in the sixth, allowing only a walk.

The Cats finish off the series with the Defenders Thursday with a 6:35 PM first pitch time. Anthony Swarzak (2-2, 4.29) will take the start on the mound for New Britain.

Boxscore
Log
Rock cats
Defenders
Bulletin
Courant

Beloit 0 at Clinton 1 - 10 Innings

W: J. Quintero (4-1, 5.40); L: S. Hirschfeld (4-1, 1.20)
HR: None.

Santos Arias and Spencer Steedly held the Clinton Lumber Kings off the board for 9 innings as the two teams engaged in a pitcher's duel.

Renny Osuna singled in the bottom of the 10th off Steven Hirschfeld. A wild pitch moved Osuna to 2nd. Hirschfield then intentionally walked Mitchell Moreland, and Ian Gac waited long enough to get a free pass of his own. With the bases loaded, Tim Smith hit a line drive single that scored Osuna, ending the game.

Kennil Gomez one hit the Snappers through 7 innings, allowing 3 walks and fanning 4. Arias would give up 5 hits and 6 walks while fanning 6 over seven.

Danny Lehmann went 2-for-4 at the plate for the Snappers, while Ramon Santana had the only other Beloit hit.

The two teams rematch Thursday for game two in the four game series with the first pitch due at 7:00 pm central time. David Bromberg (3-2, 4.70) will be on the mound for the Snappers.

Boxscore
Log
Snappers
Lumber Kings
Tuesday:
NDN
The Hawk Eye