Miracle rained out, Rock Cats slip by Aeros

Friday's game between the Fort Myers Miracle and the Lakeland Flying Tigers has been postponed. The two teams will attempt to play a doubleheader on Wednesday, in Fort Myers, beginning at 5:05 PM.

Thundershowers through out the day made field at Joker Marchant Stadium unplayable.

The Miracle now travel to Clearwater although I'm sure they'd find place called "clear weather" more to their liking. The three-contest set against the Thresher is their last road series of the regular season. Lefty Spencer Steedley (1-3, 7.83) will take the start against Threshers right hander Drew Naylor (2-7, 5.63).

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Akron 2 at New Britain 3

W: K. Aselton (6-6, 4.78); L: R. Edell (6-8, 3.96); SV: R. Delaney (3)
HR: NBR: D. Winfree (19).

The New Britain Rock Cats took a one run lead over the Akron Aeros in the bottom of the fifth, and hung through 3 1/2 more innings to pick up a win at New Britain Stadium.

The top of the 4th saw the Indians AA farm team jump to a two run lead. Stephen Head singled on a line drive and Matthew Whitney doubled. Back-to-back singles to Bronson Sardinha and Damaso Espino brought in the pair of runners. Nathan Panther would move the pair left on base with a sac bunt, but Jarad Head popped out and Josh Rodriguez struck out to retire the side.

Kyle Aselton would work six innings for the Rock Cats, allowing 2 runs on 7 hits and a pair of walks while fanning 4 to pick up the win.

David Winfree doubled in the bottom of the inning. Following a strike out to Dustin Martin, Danny Berg would reach on a throwing error as Winfree advanced to 3rd. Toby Gardenhire would go down on strikes, but Rocky Palacios singled to score Winfree.

With two outs on the board in the bottom of the fifth, Danny Valencia would double Aeros' starter Ryan Edell. Winfree then launched his 19th home run of the season over the center field wall to give the Rock Cats two more runs.

Zach Ward would work 1.1 innings of relief for the Cats, giving way to Jose Mijares in the top of the 8th. Mija would strike out Panther in the top of the 9th, but walked J-Head. Rodriguez struck out swinging as well. The Cats then put Rob Delaney on the mound for the final pitch, as he got Brandon Pinckney to fly out to pick up only his 3rd AA save.

Winfree finished up 2-for-4 with a pair of runs and a pair of RBIs. Matt Tolbert, Steve Tolleson, Valencia, and Martin were all 1-for-4, Tolleson and Martin with doubles, Valencia with a double and a run. Palacios was 1-for-3, with a RBI.

The two teams rematch on Saturday for a 7:05 game.

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In Triple-A play, the Rochester Red Wings topped the Pawtucket Red Sox 5-1 at Frontier Field. Former Miracle Garrett Jones knocked his 21st home run of the season over the left field wall in the top of the 5th.

Burlington again came way with a win against the Beloit Snappers, a 4-2 victory. Shooter Hunt surrendered all 4 runs on six hits and five (!) walks while fanning 3 over four innings. It was his 3rd loss in a Snappers Uniform. (Bees)

Team USA gave up six runs in the 9th inning, leading to a 10-2 loss in Olympic play for the boys wearing the Red, White and Blue. This lands them in the bronze medal game against Japan, which is scheduled for 10:30 PM on Friday Night. (USA Baseball)

The Jays clinched the their playoff berth by routing Tampa 11-0 on Friday. A.J. Wideman worked six innings for the Jays. Despite their playoff record against the Fort Myers Miracle, Dunedin has never won a FSL championship. (MiLB.com)

Danny Valencia, Steve Tolleson, Dustin Martin, Rob Delaney, Anthony Slama and Tim Lahey will all play for Red Wings' field manager Stan Cliburn in this year's Arizona Fall League. Cliburn was earlier named manager of the Twins affiliated Pheonix Desert Dogs.

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.

Cats, wings both winners

New Britain 7 at Bowie 2

W: Y. Pino (5-5, 4.75); L: C. Tillman (7-4, 3.67); SV: R. Delaney (1)
HR: NBR: D. Winfree (15), S. Tolleson (6). BOW: J. Tucker (6).

A big 9th inning gave the New Britain Rock Cats a lot of insurance, but solid pitching and a first inning home run by Steve Tolleson saw the Cats take a win over Bowie in Prince George's stadium.

Brian Dinkelman drew a lead off walk, and Tolleson put a Chris Tillman pitch over the left field wall for his sixth home run of the year, to give the Cats an early 2 run lead.

Sebastien Boucher would reach on a fielding error by Dinkelman and Carlos Rojas took a walk. After Nolan Reimold went down on strikes, Matt Wieters singled out to left to score Boucher, cutting the Cats lead to one.

Dinkelman's bunt single in the top of the sith got him to 2nd base when combined with a throwing error by Wieters. Tolleson and Dustin Martin followed up with back-to-back singles of their own that plated Dinkelman. A wild pitch moved Martin to 2nd. Winfree would ground out however, and after an intentional walk to Matt Moses, Danny Valencia and Felix Molina both struck out to give the Baysox a chance at the plate.

Jose Mijares came into replace Yohan Pino for the bottom of the sixth. Pino left after allowing only one run, unearned, on six hits and a pair of walks, while striking out 4.

Mijares immediately allowed a solo shot home run to Jonathan Tucker to make it 3-2 Rock Cats. That's all they'd get off the Venezeluan speed baller through, despite a single to Boucher and a walk to Rojas.

Drew Butera drew a single off Chad Thall in the top of the 8th. Toby Gardenhire moved him with a sac-bunt, and Dinkelman's ground out put him on 3rd. Tolleson doubled him in. Martin would single putting two men on before David Winfree went yard, his 15 of the year going over the left field fence to finish things off for the cats.

Pino win was his fifth of the season. Rob Delaney picked up his first AA save on two innings worth of work.

The two yard birds, Tolleson and Winfree, were 3-for-5 each, Tolley with a double of pair of runs and 3 RBIs, Winfree with a run and 3 RBIs as well. Martin finished up 2-for-5 with a run and a run scored, Dinkelman was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs. Butera was 1-for-4 with a run. Gardenhire finished up 1-for-3 to become the one hit wonder of the contest.

The Cats finish off Sunday at 6:05 at Prince George's Stadium. Zach Clark (1-1, 4.03 ERA) takes the start for the Baysox while the Cats will send RHP Jeff Manship (1-5, 4.50 ERA) to the hill. They nap on Monday and begin a 3 game series in Erie against the Sea Wolves on Tuesday.

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Indianapolis 5 at Rochester 6

W: M. Gomez (4-2, 2.35); L: J. Chavez (1-4, 3.84)
HR: IND: R. Mulhern (9), L. Ordaz (3). ROC: H. Clark (5).

The Rochester Red wings took an early lead over the Indianapolis Indians, then managed to hang on for a 6-5 win at Frontier Field.

Jason Pridie led off with a walk and Alejandro Machado singling him to 3rd. Howie Clark's grounder to right plated Pridie and move Machado to 3rd. Garrett Jones would hit into a ground out that served to score Machado, giving the Wings two.

Anthony Swarzak pitched six scoreless innings for the Rock Cats. He'd return for the seventh and allowed a home run to Ryan Mulhern. Luis Cruz then singled and after a coaching visit to the mound, Nyjer Morgan doubled to drive in Cruz, tying up the game.

Tim Lahey replaced Swarzak in the top of the 8th, and allowed a single to Neil Walker who was then doubled in by Ronny Paulino. Matt Kata's ground out sent Paulino to 3rd. and a Jason Dalaney single plated him to put the Indians up on top.

Machado walked in the bottom of the 8th off Juan Perez, who then saw Clark put one of his pitches over the right field fence for a two run homer, Clark's fifth yard ball of the AAA season.

Luis Ordaz homered off Mariano Gomez in the top of the 9th and it looked like the Indians may have had the game wrapped up.

Jesse Chavez came in to close out the game however, and allowed back to back singles to Trevor Plouffe and Sergio Santos. Jeff Christy's ground bunt took Plouffe out at 3rd, but Pridie tripled, sending Santos and Christy over the plate to end the game.

Gomez would get the win, his 4th of the season. Machado and Clark were both 2-for-3 with a walk each, Machado with a pair of runs, Clark with just one, but with 3 RBIs. Pridie went 2-for-4 at the plate with a triple a run and a pair of RBIs. Santos was 1-for-3 with a walk and a run. Plouffe was the one hit wonder on the night, finishing up 1-for-4 at the plate, and Jeff Christy, despite being 0-for-4 at the plate, chipped in with a run.

The homestand continues as Danny Graves (3-4, 5.85 ERA) takes the start for the Wings Sunday, tossing out the first pitch at 1:35 PM. The Indians will counter with LHP Tom Gorzelanny (1-1, 2.01).

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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).

1B Brock Peterson was promoted to Rochester from Double-A New Britain Saturday. Peterson was batting .264 with 14 home runs and 67 RBI in 109 games for the Rock Cats. Peterson will wear uniform #17. OF Brandon Roberts was promoted to New Britain from Class-A Ft. Myers.

The six game winning streak is the longest of the season for the Wings.

This is the first time Rochester has won 10 straight home games since July 16-August 5, 1992, when they won 12 straight at Silver Stadium.

Saturday's post-game Diamond Dig was postponed when a steady rain started right after the game, and rescheduled for Aug. 23. The fireworks were also postponed, and rescheduled for Aug. 27.

Cats fall to Bowie, Wings slip by Indians

New Britain 1 at Bowie 10

W: D. Hernandez (7-4, 2.55); L: R. Mullins (7-9, 4.63)
HR: BOW: M. Wieters 2 (9).

Brock Peterson would take a walk in the top of the six off Bowie's David Hernandez. David Winfree tripled him in. That was pretty much it for the Rock Cats' offense.

Ryan Mullins would take the start and work six inning for the New Brtian Rock Cats. He'd give up four runs, all in the fifth inning.

Blake Davis took a walk and Jonathan Tucker singled. Carlos Rojas single out to left scored the pair. Following a Nolan Reimold fly out, Matt Wieters launched his 8th home run of the season over the center field wall to two more.

The six runs, four earned, that Frank Mata allowed were largely inconsequential as New Britain seemed disinterested in hitting the ball, managing only five against 3 Bowie pitchers.

Aside from Winfree, who finished up 1-for-4 with a triple, Steve Tolleson and Dustin Martin were also 1-for-4, both end up as the one hit wonders of the contest. Drew Butera and Brian Dinkelman were 1-for-3 each with a double down at the bottom of the order.

Game three of the four game series is Saturday night at 7:05 PM. RHP Chris Tillman (7-3, 3.63 ERA) Will throw out the first pitch for Bowie, while the Rock Cats send RHP Yohan Pino (4-5, 5.04 ERA) to the mound.

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Indianapolis 2 at Rochester 3

W: K. Mulvey (5-8, 3.78); L: R. Ohlendorf (2-3, 4.29); SV: B. Korecky (20)
HR: IND: M. Kata (8), N. Morgan (1).

The Rochester Red Wings managed to slip by the Indianapolis Indians, 3-2 at Frontier Field Friday night.

The Indians would claim first blood when Nyjer Morgan homered, his AAA first of the year over the right field wall.

The Wings answered back in the bottom of the second with Trevor Plouffe doubling then coming home on a Jeff Christy single.

In the bottom of the fourth, Luke Hughes singled before Matt Macri went down on strikes. Plouffe then doubled Hughes in.

Matt Kata claimed his 8th home run off Kevin Mulvey in the top of the fifth, knocking the solo-shot over the right field wall. Jason Pridie and Alejandro Machado hit back to back singles in the bottom of the inning. Sergio Santos bunt pop would double Machado off first, but Garrett Jones singled to drive in Pridie. Jones would try to go to second, and was taken out on the throw, but the run stood for the game winner.

Mulvey allowed 2 runs on six hits and 3 walks while striking out 7 over 6.2 innings. Ricky Barrett and Bobby Korecky worked the mop up chores, with Korecky earning his 20th save in the process.

Plouffe would finish up 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles, a run and a run batted in. Jones went 3-for-4 at the plate with a RBI, while Pridie and Machado were each 2-for-4, Pridie with a run. Hughes (1-for-4) added a run, and Macri and Christy went 1-for-3 each, Christy with a RBI, leaving Macri to be the one hit wonder of the game.

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Fisher's romp over Rock Cats

New Hampshire 12 at New Britain 4

W: R. Ray (6-4, 3.19); L: Y. Pino (4-5, 5.04)
HR: NHM: D. Smith (10), A. Pinckney (7). NBR: D. Winfree (14).

It's official. The New Britain Rock are now cellar dwellers with a 46-68 record, 23.5 games behind the division leading Trenton Thunder. Not even two of three against the B-Mets could save them.

Before you ask, they have 26 games left to play in the season. They're not mathematically eliminated, but not even a Miracle or two could save them now.

Monday night's game didn't turn ugly until late, but Yohan Pino's outing on the mound - 5 runs on three hits and 6 walks while fanning 4 in 3.1 innings - is certainly not something you'd like to write home about.

New Hampshire started out with Ryan Klosterman singling, then stealing 2nd. A throwing error by catcher Drew Butera, who tried to stop him, allowed Klosterman to advance to 3rd. Chris Gutierrez drew a walk before Klosterman scored on a wild pitch by Pino. Travis Snider also drew a walk, although Pino did get J.P. Arencibia to fly out. Andrew Pinckney then put this 7th home run of the season over the right field wall to added 3 more to the total. David Smith and former Miracle Kyle Phillips both walked before Jack Bulter went down on strikes and Jonathan Diaz ground out to bring the Rock Cats up to bat.

New Britain didn't actually make use of their bats until the bottom of the 3rd however, when Brock Peterson doubled, then moved to 3rd on a wild pitch by the Fisher's Rob Ray. Erik Lis drew a walk, and David Winfree blasted his 14th home run of the season over the right field wall, to make the score a repsectable 4-3 in favor of the Fishers.

Phillips would walk in the top of the 4th and Buttler doubled out to left to move him to 3rd. Diaz would walk as well before Klosterman's sac fly to right scored Phillips, to make it 5-3 New Hampshire. Armando Gabino replaced Pino at that point and things quieted down until the top of the 7th.

With one out on the board, Snider walked and Arencibia singled to put a pair of runners on base. Pinckney would fly out before Smith put his 10th Fisher Cat home run over the left field wall, driving in 3 to add to the total.

Steve Tolleson singled in the bottom half of the inning and one out later, moved to 3rd when Brock Peterson reached on a throwing error by Snider. Lis would single in Tolleson, but Peterson would be taking out at the plate for the 3rd out.

Frank Mata took over in the top of the 8th and issued walks to Butler and Diaz. A sac-bunt by Klosterman moved the pair, and Gutierrez then doubled them in as the Fisher Cats pulled out to a 10-4 lead.

Pinckney walked in the top of the ninth and Smith doubled him to 3rd. Phillips' single plated Pinckney and Butler walked to load the bags. Diaz would go down on strikes before Klosterman would be hit by a pitch, forcing in Smith for the final run.

Lis finished up 3-for-3 for the Rock Cats with a run and a run scored. Peterson, 1-for-4, chipped in with a double and a run. Tolleson, Valencia, Mostes and Butera were all 1-for-4 as well, all with singles. Tolleson had a walk and a run to go with his hit single, while the other three would go down as one hit wonders.

Winfree was the best 1-for-4 player at the plate by far, with a run and 3 RBIs, courtesy of the home run.

Game two is Tuesday night at New Britain Stadium. Jeff Manship (1-5, 4.32) will take the start for the Rock Cats against the Fisher's Marty McLeary (0-0,0.00) who is making his AA debut.

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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)

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.

Defenders, weather, claim games from Rock Cats

Saturday: New Britain 7 at Connecticut 8

W: R. Ray (4-1, 3.31); L: A. Gabino (5-5, 3.26); SV: J. Hedrick (5)
HR: CT: P. Sandoval (6).

The New Britain Rock Cats came back from a 6-1 deficit to tie Saturday's game against the Connecticut Defenders, but a pair of runs in the 7th inning doomed to them in the end.

Danny Valencia singled and David Winfree doubled to bring him home, giving the Rock cats a 1-0 lead in the top of the first.

The bottom of the 3rd saw Simon Klink take a single off Rock Cat's starter Jeff Manship. After David Marout flew out to center, Kyle Haines singled and Antoan Richardson took a walk to load the bags. Ben Copeland would go down on strikes and it looked like Manship might get himself out of the jam when Pablo Sandoval saw something he liked and connected for a grand slam, his sixth home run of the season going over the right field wall.

Ryan Rohlinger would start out the bottom of the fourth with a single. After Klink went down on strikes David Marout reached on a force attempt. A double error on short stop Felix Molina, one for the fielding, one for throwing, put Rohlinger on 3rd and Marout on 2nd. Kyle Haines singled out to left to score the pair. Haines would try for 2nd base, but was taken down by Luke Hughes. A Richardson fly out ended the inning.

Toby Gardenhire singled to lead off the top of the 5th, then scampered over to 3rd on a Drew Butera line drive. Matt Moses and Steve Tollenson would both go down on strikes before Dustin Martin single to plate Gardenhire. Valencia followed that up with a line drive single to put Butera over the plate, and a fielding error by Richardson allowed Martin to score as well. Valencia ended up at 3rd. Winfree would take a walk before Ben Snyder's time on the Connecticut mound was ended. Ronnie Ray joined the game for the Giant's affiliate. He'd give up a double to Hughes that put Valencia and Winfree over the plate for two more runs, before getting Felix Molina to ground out, ending the inning.

Snyder left the game after giving up six runs, all earned on six hits and a pair of walks while striking out 2 over 4.2 innings worth of work. Manship would work six allowing six runs, 4 earned, on 7 hits and 2 walks while fanning four.

Dustin Martin lead off the top of the 7th inning with a double and would come home, one out later, on a David Winfree single to put the Cats up by one.

It was short lived.

With Armando Gabino on the hill for New Britain, Marout drew a walk. Haines would go down on strikes and Richardson ground into a force out. Copeland singled, and Richardson advanced to 3rd on a fielding error by Martin. Sandoval's single scored Richardson, and Adam Witter's line drive to right brought in Copeland, putting the Defenders on the top again.

Paul Oseguera took three Cats batters down on strikes in the eighth, and Justin Hedrick used a combination of outs to finish off the game.

Gabino would get hit with both the blown save, his first of the season, and the loss, his fifth.

Winfree finished up the contest 2-for-3 with a walk, a run and a pair of runs scored. Martin and Valencia were both 2-for-5 with a pair of runs and a RBI each. Hughes (1-for-3 with a walk) and Moses (1-for-4) both added doubles, Hughes with a pair of RBIs as well, while Gardenhire and Butera were each 1-for-4 with a run.

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Sunday: New Britain at Connecticut - Canceled

The Connecticut Defenders and the New Britain Rock Cats final matchup of the season was postponed due to wet grounds and unsafe playing conditions on Sunday afternoon.

The two teams will not make up the game in accordance to Eastern League rules. In great appreciation to the fans that showed up for the game, the Defenders are awarding two (2) tickets redeemable for any remaining 2008 home game in exchange for one ticket to Sunday's contest.

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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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Cats run down by Phillies again

New Britain 2 at Reading 9

W: P. Overholt (3-3, 3.98); L: Z. Ward (2-4, 3.43)
HR: REA: J. Donald (10), B. Harman (8).

Checking the New Britain scores is as much a chore as checking Elizabethton is a joy. The Rock Cats are not playing up to their potential at all. This year's version of the Reading Phillies contains much of the best of last year's FSL champion, the Clearwater Threshers.

The New Britain Rock Cats looked more like last year's version of the Fort Myers Miracle than as a collection of the best prospects in the Twins minor league system.

Zack Ward gave up 8 runs on 9 hits and 4 walks while fanning 4 over 5.1 innings. He'd lead off the game with walks to Javon Moran, Jason Donald and Brad Harman to load the bags. Lou Marson's ground out brought in Moran before Ward could get Joey Hammond to strike out and Neil Sellers to ground out to end the inning.

David Winfree singled in the second and got over to 3rd one out later on a Danny Valencia line drive, but Brian Dinkelman would fly out to strand him.

In the bottom of the second, Mike Eylward doubled, moved to 3rd on Luke Appert's ground out and was sacrificed in by Mike Spidale.

Drew Butera walked in the top of the 3rd, moved to 2nd on a Luke Hughes' line drive and to 3rd on a Dustin Martin ground out. But Brock Peterson would pop out and Erik Lis fly out and Butera was left on base.

Reading would not score in the 3rd, but made up for it in the 4th. With one out on the board, Appert and Spidale hit back-to-back singles. Moran's ground out moved the runners, and a line drive by Jason Donald drove in the pair.

Pat Overholt would stymie the Cats in the fourth, fifth and six innings, allowing only a walk to Winfree.

Eylward singled in the bottom of the six, and following a strike out to Appert, Spidale and Moran hit a pair of ground ball singles that drove in Elyard. Donald then went yard, his 10th of the season, over the left field wall. That finished it for Ward, and Rob Delaney came into the game. He'd immediately surrender a solo-shot home run to Harmon and a single to Marson before finding the last two outs.

With two outs in the top of the 7th, Butera would get plunked with a pitch. Hughes then singled to put runners at the corners. Martin doubled to drive in the pair, ending the scoring for both teams.

Delaney gave up 1 run on 2 hits and struck out 6 over 2.2 innings.

Hughes was 2-for-4 in the game with a run. Martin was 1-for-4 with a double and 2 RBIs. Winfree was 1-for-3 with a walk, while Valencia became the one hit wonder, going 1-for-4 at the plate. Both former Miracle players are posting a .196 average with the Cats.

The Cats have one more game in Reading, Thursday, July 3rd with a 7:05 PM start time.

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Rochester 5 at Buffalo 4

W: C. Cali (5-0, 3.38); L: R. Newsom (0-1, 4.50)
HR: ROC: R. Jorgensen (5), M. Macri (3). BUF: B. Snyder 2 (7).

It took 12 innings, but the Rochester Red Wings managed to skid past the Buffalo Bisons.

Danny Graves worked the first 5 for the wings, allowing 3 earned runs on six hits and a pair of walks while fanning 2.

Ryan Jorgenson doubled in the top of the 3rd, move to third on a Tommy Watkins single, and come in on a Trevor Plouffe single to open the scoring and putting the Wings up early. That wouldn't last though as the Bisons used a pair of doubles in the bottom half the stanza to put 2 runs on the board.

Brad Snyder then went yard in the bottom of the 4th for the herd, with a fly ball out to left.

Jorgensen hit his own home run in the top of the fifth, his fifth of the season over the left field wall.

Matt Macri would do the same in the top sixth for his 3rd home run of the year.

The score would stay tied at 3 until the top of the ninth. With Jensen Lewis on the mound for the herd, Sergio Santos singled then move to second on a Jorgensen sac-bunt. Watkins also hit a sac bunt and Pouffe's sac-fly would score Santos.

Bobby Korecky would handle the pitching chores for the Wings in the bottom of the stanza, but Buffalo responded with Snider hitting his 7th homer of the season over the right field wall.

On to extra innings. All-star Darnell McDonald and Garrett Jones hit back-to-back singles, and passed ball put McDonald on 3rd. Randy Ruiz struck out and Jones would advance to 2nd on defensive indifference before Howie Clark was intentionally walked to load the bases. Macri then singled to drive in McDonald for the game winning run.

Jorgensen was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs and a run scored. Jones and Macri were 2-for-6, Macri with a run and 2 RBIs. Plouffe was 1-for-4 with a walk and 2 RBIs.

The two teams rematch Thursday in Buffalo at Dunn Tire park with a 6:05 PM game.

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Defenders walk over Rock Cats

New Britain 2 at Connecticut 4

W: N. Bump (1-3, 4.71); L: R. Mullins (6-5, 3.47)
HR: NBR: D. Winfree (12).

While it wasn't a blow out, the Connecticut Defenders got to the New Britain Rock Cats early, while Giant's prospect Nate Bump kept the visiting team's offense clueless through most of the game.

The Cats managed a whole three hits in the game, paltry by any standards.

Eddy Martinez-Esteve would take walk off Rock cats' starter Ryan Mullins in the bottom of the second, then move to second base on wild pitch. Olmo Rosario and David Maroul hit back to back singles to score the runner for the Defenders early lead.

Following a pop out to Ben Copeland in the bottom of the 3rd, Kyle Haines would take a free pass off Mullins. Carlos Sosa ground into a force out however, then moved to 2nd on Eliezar Alfanzo's single. Martinez-Esteve then walked to load the bags. Rosario would single to bring in two, but Martinez-Esteve would be taken out at 3rd on the play ending the inning.

Jake Wald walked in the bottom of th 4th, and was tripled in by Copeland. While Mullins only gave up 7 hits over 5 innings, the 5 walks hurt him quite a bit, leading to 4 earned runs. He'd fan 3 before Frank Mata took over for the final three stanzas.

Sergio Romo would take over the Defenders mound in the 9th, and would issue a walk to Matt Moses. David Winfree then went yard over the left field wall for a questionable home run that was ruled to hold fair. It as too little to late however, despite a double to Drew Butera with two outs and the Cats went down on Brian Dinkelman's ground out.

Dustin Martin had the only other hit in the game, a single, going 1-for-3 at the plate with a walk.

Game three of the series is Saturday Night. Anthony Swarzak (3-3, 4.74) is expected to face Garrett Broshuis (5-5, 3.87) with the first pitch scheduled for 6:35 PM.

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Rochester 7 at Indianapolis 8

W: M. Miller (4-3, 5.48); L: B. Korecky (3-3, 3.41)
HR: ROC: J. Pridie (5). IND: N. Walker (11), S. Pearce (9), A. Boeve (8).

The Rochester Red Wings could not hold off a ninth-inning rally by the Indianapolis Indians Friday night, watching their lead walk away to lose, 8-7.

Randy Ruiz doubled in the bottom of the second and moved to 3rd on Sergio Santos single. Trevor Plouffe would ground out, but Ruiz came home on the play to open the scoring. Tommy Watkins walked before Ryan Jorgenson's single brought in Santos.

The Wings would not score again until the fifth inning when Jason Pridie and Pittsburgh's Neil Walker traded home runs. Pridie's was a solo shot, while Walker would bring in Brian Bilxer with him.

The the Indians leading into the top of the 7th, Jorgenson singled with 2 outs on the board. Denard Span then tripled him in. A wild pitch would bring in Span before Pridie tripled, then came home on Darrell McDonald's line drive single.

Pridie doubled in the 9th and was plated by McDonald's ground ball single for the insurance run, but it was not enough insurance as Steve Pearce hit a walk off home run off Bobby Korecky with 2-runners on to finish off the game.

Nancy has another great first person recap at Sandlot Swashbucklers. Game three of the series is Saturday night.

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The Red Wings fell to 12-26 on the road. Rochester has not had a three-game winning streak on the road since July 2007. Only Lehigh Valley (9-27 record entering play Friday) has a worse road record then Rochester. The last time Rochester finished the season with the IL’s worst road record was 1984 when the Red Wings finished with a 22-48 record away from Silver Stadium.

Twins infielder Matt Macri left Friday's game with a left calf strain and is listed as day-to-day. He had a career-high two RBIs in the game.

Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer’s wife, Claudia, gave birth to the couple’s first child Friday afternoon. Casey Jonathan Cuddyer was born at 3:23 pm Friday at Fairview Southdale Hospital and he weighed in at 7 pounds, 8 ounces and is 20 inches long. Congratulations to the former Miracle and his family!

Rock Cats rally falls short

New Britain 3 at New Hampshire 5

W: J. Pinto (2-0, 6.00); L: Y. Pino (1-2, 3.25); SV: Z. Dials (3)
HR: NBR: D. Winfree (8). NHM: T. Snider (3).

Still without the services of Luke Hughes, the New Britain Rock Cats lost their 3rd straight, falling 5-3 to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

In the bottom of the 3rd inning, Josh Kreuzer would be hit by a Yohan Pino pitch. He then stole second and moved to 3rd on Anthony Hatch's ground out. A double by Ryan Klosterman brought him over the plate, while second double, this one to Scott Campbell plated Klosterman for a an early 2 run New Hampshire lead.

David Winfree went yard in the top of the 4th to cut the lead in half. Back-to-back singles to Hatch and Klosterman paid dividends 2 outs later when Travis Snider put a fly ball over the right field wall to give the Fisher Cats 3 more runs.

With one out on the board in the top of the 9th, Toby Gardenhire singled to start the Rock Cats rally. Felix Molina followed him onto base with a grounder and Drew Butera's single to right loaded the bags. Steve Tolleson singled to drive in Gardenhire, and Molina scored on a Dustin Martin force out. But Brock Peterson would strike out swinging, cutting the comeback short.

Gardenhire was 2-for-4 with a run, while Molina was 2-for-3, also with a run.

Pino was charged with all five runs (earned) on six hits and 1 walk while striking out 2 in 5.0 innings to pick up his second loss of the season.

The two teams rematch tomorrow at 1:05 PM at A.J. Wideman takes to the mound for the home team for a Mother's Day matinée. The Rock Cats will counter with southpaw Ryan Mullins (2-2, 3.05).

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Rally fails, Rock Cats win streak haulted

Bowie 9 at New Britain 7

Record 19 - 13

W: J. Berken (3-2, 3.26); L: J. Rainville (2-4, 10.01); SV: J. Manon (10)
HR: BOW: J. Nettles (6), L. Montanez (5), R. Finan (4).
NBR: E. Lis (3), M. Moses (2).

Despite home runs by Matt Moses and Erik Lis, the New Britain Rock Cats failed in their come from behind attempt Thursday afternoon, falling 9-7 to the Bowie Baysox.

Rock Cats starter Jay Rainville struggled in his start, allowing 7 earned runs on 8 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3.

The Baysox drew first blood in the second inning when Noland Reimold drew a walk. Ryan Finan then went yard over the right field wall to bring in two.

The Cats would not stay down long however. Lis opened the bottom of the 2nd with a fly ball single and David Winfree doubled out to left to drive him in. Trevor Plouffe would single to bring in Winfree after Molina's ground out moved the Rock Cats' right fielder to 3rd. A Toby Gardenhire ground out saw Plouffe to 2nd and a wild pitch by Bowie starter Jason Breken got him to 3rd. Jeff Christy drew a walk and Steve Tolleson doubled to drive in the pair.

Following a ground out to Blake Davis to start the top of the 3rd, Mike Rodriguez and Carlos Rojas got back-to-back singles off Rainville. Luis Montanez and Jeff Nettles then hit back to back homers off the Rock Cats' starter to give them a 2 run lead.

Mike Pierce took a talk in the top of the 4th and Davis' single moved him to 2nd. A force out by Rodriguez found Pierce at 3rd and a sac-fly by Rojas brought him over the plate to add to the Baysox lead. Montanez would single before Sarasota native Jason Miller was brought in to throw in relief.

Miracle pitcher Jeff Manship had said that he thought that Rainville's struggles was due to a lack of confidence, and certainly this game did nothing to help the matter. His ERA, which had fallen after his last start, is back up to 10.01 and with Manship performing well for Fort Myers and big lefty Errol Simonitsch ready to come off the DL, you have to wonder how long Rainville will have to find a place in New Britain.

Finan drew a walk off Miller with one out in the 5th, then zipped over to 3rd base on Kennard Jones' grounder to right. Pierce would sacrafice him in for add to the Bowie lead, making it 8-4 Baysox.

Lis would double in the bottom of the sixth, move to 3rd on Winfree's ground ball single to ceter and score on a Felix Molina sac-fly to start the Rock Cats rally.

The 7th saw the come back kids add two more on Moses and Lis' yarders to give the Cats 7. That's all they'd get though as Bowie reliever Julio Manon used 4 strike outs over 2 innings to close down the game.

Back-to-back singles to Nettles and Reimold earned them an insurance run off former Miracle lefty Kyle Aselton when Jones singled out to right to drive in Nettles.

Aselton, who has pitched well out of the Cats' pen so far this season, allowed 3 hits and struck out no one over 2 innings worth of work.

While the Cats were without the services of reining Eastern League Player of the Month Luke Hughes, they were not without offense as Lis went 3-for-4 with 3 runs and 1 RBI. Winfree was also 3-for-4, but with 1 run and 1 RBI. Plouffe was 2-for-4 with 1 run. Tolleson was 1-for-5 at the plate but picked up 2 RBIs.

Brock Peterson was held hitless, striking out 3 of his 5 at bats, while Moses struck out twice but did have the 1 hit, run, and RBI by virtue of his second home run of the season.

The Cats will try to get back in the win column as they travel to New Hampshire to face the Fisher Cats with the game starting at 6:35 PM on Friday. Oswaldo Sosa (1-2, 6.39) is expected to start against Toronto farm hand Ricardo Romero (1-2, 5.51) in a pitching rematch from earlier this week.

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