Cubs score late to take early lead in series

Daytona 5 at Fort Myers 1

W: J. Latham (1-0, 0.00); L: C. Gutierrez (0-1, 13.50)
HR: FTM: R. Tosoni (2).

Matt Fox pitched an absolutely incredible game for six innings, scattering 3 hits and a pair of walks and striking out an astounding 10 batters. But unfortunately, the bullpen could not match his performance.

Carlos Gutierrez would get Carlos Canzier to strike out swinging to start his shift in the seventh, but Steve Clevenger, Ryan Harvey and Jonathan Mota all took singles off the Miami native, scoring Clevenger to tie up the contest. A throwing error on a pick off attempt would put Harvey over the plate, putting the Cubs on top. After Darwin Barney ground out, Tony Thomas tripled off the sink-ball throwing rookie, bringing Mota home. Jeff Smith would get Jose Lugo out of the bullpen at that point, and the Dominican hurler walked James Adduci before getting Ty Wright to ground into a force out, retiring the Cubs.

Rene Tosoni would launch a solo shot home run over the right field wall in the bottom of the fourth for the Miracle. Despite out hitting the Cubs through the first six innings, it would be all that they would manage to get over the plate off the Daytona team.

Lugo would work a solid 8th inning, but despite a single to Juan Portes, the Fort Myers Miracle could not come up with a Miracle to even up the score. David Shinskie replaced Lugo in the top of the 9th. Harvey would go down on strikes, but Mota and Barney both singled. Thomas' sack bunt scored Mota and moved Barney to 2nd. Adduci would single which, combined with a throwing error by Yancarlos Ortiz, scored Barney making it 5-1 Cubs.

Whit Robbins would single off closer Brian Schlitter in the 9th, but Wilson Ramos, Edward Ovalle and Johnny Woodard all went down on strikes to end the contest in the Cubbies' favor.

Tosoni would go 2-for-3 at the plate with walk, a run and a RBI but he could not provide all the offense by himself. Portes was 2-for-4 with Steve Singleton, Ramos and Robbins all chipping in with singles and finishing off the contest 1-for-4 as one hit wonders. Ovalle, Woodard and Eli Tintor all drew walks, but were otherwise "0-fer" - the first two being 0-for-3 with Tint going 0-for-2.

Not the sort of thing that the Miracle would like to see. They will attempt to bounce back against the hard hitting Cubs Sunday evening at 7:05 for game two of the Florida State League Finals. Cole Devries (1-0, 0.00) will get the nod to take the mound for the Miracle, while the Cubs send up right-hander Jay Jackson (0-0, 0.00) out to counter.

Sunday's contest is the last game at The Bill, as the series reverts to Jackie Robinson Stadium for Monday's match up.

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When the Marlins faced the Cubs in post season play in 2003, one of the radio stations in the area held a ceremony in which a stuffed "Cub" was impaled on the bill of the 50 foot Marlin out in front of Grey's Taxidermy off I-90. Anyone know where we can acquire a big bill fish at so we can impale a cub of our own at The Bill?

Daytona has a speedway, but Lee and Collier Counties have four Racetrac locations where you can go to get free general admission tickets to the Hammond Stadium for the playoff games on Sunday. Don't forget to plan a pit stop at Racetrac on your way to the Bill Sunday night!

Grand Slam a nice finish for Miracle

Tampa 0 at Fort Myers 4

W: A. Slama (4-1, 1.03); L: P. Bartleski (2-1, 1.67)
HR: FTM: J. Portes (12).

A sac fly would have done it. Heck, a ground out would have done it. Just about anything would have worked.

Johnny Woodard had drawn a walk in the bottom of the ninth for the Fort Myers Miracle and Danny Lehmann moved him to 2nd with a sac bunt. Edward Ovalle was brought in to pinch hit for Danny Santiesteban and was intentionally walked so that Philip Bartleski could get at Rene Tosoni. But Tosoni, even coming off the DL, is a good hitter and patient and he took walk as well to fill the bags. Yancarlos Ortiz would go in to run for him and Juan Portes came up to bat.

"Juan, whatever you do, don't strike out!" Lynn says helpfully. Not that he could hear her. Portes didn't wait long enough to get walked, launching the first pitch he saw, a fast ball, over the left center field wall for a grand slam, the 2rd walk off grand slam he'd belted this season.

Prior to that, it was quite the pitcher's duel. Matt Fox limited the Yankees to 4 hits over six inning, striking out three and Jose Lugo worked the next two, issuing a single walk. For Tampa, Ryan Pope pitched 7, scattering six hits and a pair of walks while striking out four.

Anthony Slama worked the final for the Miracle, striking out one while Bartleski walked 4 over 1.1 innings and allowed a pair of hits. It was the second one that really counted.

Tomorrow is Fireworks Fan Appreciation Night with give-aways all night long for the people that only come out to watch the fireworks. Look for Alex Burnett (8-6, 3.79), who evidently did not go to Sports Clips for his last hair cut and messed it up - bad, to be on the mound.

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Iris was concerned that there wasn't an article on the Miracle in the paper yesterday, but she needs to understand that High School Football has started and the Miracle just can't compete with High School Football in Fort Myers. God help us all if the Eagles ever get a football stadium built.

Alex wants to know if I though he was going up to AA next year and I said yes. Ditto with Deolis who was sitting there, if only because of his win record. Devries will go and probably Fox as well. I think Robertson will spend another half a season here though, since he missed most of the second half of the year with tight shoulder. They all want paw prints so they can go to AA, but I want them to win a Championship first, before I hand them out. (Actually, I'll be happy if they just beat Dunedin.)

Steedley says he'll be available for the playoffs, but that blister looks painful and I can't imagine that being a big, tough, baseball player makes your skin grown any faster than it does for us normal folks. Maybe if we make it out of the first round....

Speaking of playoffs, Racetrac is hosting "Park the Park" for the playoffs, so the next time you make a pit stop at Racetrac for gas, pick up a free pair of general admission seats to the playoff game on Wednesday at Hammond Stadium and Thursday (if necessary).

The Binghamton Mets defeated the New Britain Rock Cats, 3-1 at New Britain stadium. Jose Mijares took the loss. Jay Rainville worked 5.2 innings, allowing 1 run on 3 hits and a pair of walks while fanning seven for the no decision. Brian Dinkelman, who was named the Mightiest Miracle for the second year in a row, was 0-for-4 at the plate for the Cats. Toby Gardenhire as 1-for-2 with a pair of walks, and Danny Berg was 1-for-4 with a double and the lone Rock Cats' run.

Garrett Jones hit his 22nd home run of the year, a solo shot in the fifth, to help power the Rochester Red Wings to a 9-3 win over the Scranton/WB Yankees. The former Miracle first baseman was 2-for-5, hitting a double as well and gaining 2 RBIs on the night. Brock Peterson, another former 1st baseman was 1-for-2 on the night with a home run as well. He also had a pair of RBIs and drew two walks in the game. Former Miracle shortstop Trevor Plouffe was 2-for-4 with double and a pair of runs.

Now that they've been eliminated from playoff contention, the Beloit Snappers have gotten hot, winning their third straight, 6-4 against the Burlington Bees at Pohlman Field. David Bromberg picked up his 9th win of the season. Andrew Schmiesing was 2-for-3 at the plate with a walk, a run and a RBI. Soon to be catcher Juan Richardson was 2-for-4 with a run. Every Snapper, except for Greg Yersich who was playing first base, had at least one hit, and only Yersich, and former Miracle Allan de San Miguel and Yangervis Solarte went without a run.

Dan Osterbrock and the Elizabethton Twins blanked the Pulaski Mariners 7-0 to go up 2-0, sweeping the best of three Appalachian League Championship game and repeating as Appalachian League Champions. Jon Waltenbury knocked a double shot home run over the wall in the first inning to get things rolling. He finished up 3-for-3 at the plate with a walk and 3 RBIs. Nick Romero was 2-for-5 with a run and a RBI and Angel Morales was 1-for-3 with a pair of runs.

Dog days dog Miracle

Fort Myers 0 at Clearwater 2

W: C. Monasterios (5-8, 5.38); L: M. Fox (7-7, 3.55); SV: D. Brauer (3)
HR: None.

After heading over to Pelican Preserve for the golf tournament this morning, then heading back to Clearwater for a 4:00 PM game, it should come as no surprise that the Miracle were a bit lazy on the their offense.

As a result, they were handed their 9th shut out of the season - their 5th in the month of August - by the Threshers who finally crawled out of the South Division basement courtesy of the back-to-back wins.

The Miracle managed only 4 hits in the game, with Wilson Ramos going 2-for-4 at the plate. Steve Singleton was 1-for-4, Yancarlos Ortiz was 1-for-1, replacing Olson at short, toward the end of the contest.

Edward Ovalle, Eli Tintor and Danny Lehmann all took walks for the Miracle.

Ramos would double in the first inning with 2 outs on the board and was left stranded when Johnny Woodard struck out. It was the only extra base hit for the Miracle.

Matt Fox kept the Threshers off the board for the first five innings. Michael Taylor singled off the Florida native in the bottom of the sixth, but Fox took John Urick down on strikes. Fidel Hernandez singled and Anthony Mansolino took a walk. Jose Lugo would then be brought in to replace Fox, and he'd walk Tuffy Gosewisch, forcing in Taylor. A wild pitch allowed Hernandez to cross the plate.

Both runs were charge to Fox, as inherited runners. He'd give up five hits and 3 walks while fanning 8.

Carlos Monasterios picked up the win for Clearwater, allowing only 3 hits and a pair of walks over 7 innings while striking out six.

Dan Brauer came in for the final two innings, earning his 3rd save of the season, allowing only one hit and one walk while striking out three.

The Miracle finish up their road trip tomorrow with a 7:00 PM game against the Threshers. They return home on Tuesday for the final 2-for-Tuesday of the 2008 season.

Righty Deolis Guerra (10-8, 5.44) will start for the Miracle on the mound. Andy Cruse (4-8, 3.50) is due to get the start for Clearwater.

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I spoke with Pat Neshek at Gulf Coast League today and have hopefully cajoled him into attending a Miracle game. Seems he's been busy taking the doggies out to the doggy beach every evening. I promised we'd let him sit at the autograph table and sign to his heart's content if he'd show up. He did sign the four pieces I had for him today. It was otherwise a pretty profitable day, autographing wise as I also got pitching prospect Brian Kirwan who got to throw one inning in the second game of the double header on rehab and 3rd base prospect Deibinson Romero. 7'1" Loek Van Mil was also in attendance, so I think I'm just going to start carrying the Beloit team set with me whenever I go to a game.

Rene Tosoni played in the first game of today's GCL double header against the GCL Orioles. He should be ready to help boost the Miracle offense for the upcoming playoffs. Former Miracle Jay Sawatski also worked an inning in the first game of the double header, which was swept by the GCL Twins.

Beloit won game three of their four-game series against Burlington ending the Bees 9-game winning streak. Burlington secured their playoff berth despite the loss. Andrew Schmiesing led the Beloit offense going 3-for-4 at the plate with a double a run and 2 RBIs. Minnesota native Mark Dolenc was 2-for-4 a the plate with a double and a pair of runs (Bees).

Jay Rainville won his 9th AA game of the season as the New Britain Rock Cats defeat the Akron Aeros, 3-2. Danny Valencia and Brian Dinkelman were both 1-for-3 at the plate with a run each. Matt Tolbert, on major league rehab, was 2-for-4 with a RBI (Rock Cats/OSC).

The Syracuse Chiefs defeated the Rochester Red Wings 5-3 at Alliance Bank Stadium Sunday afternoon. Former Miracle Garrett Jones was 2-for-4 with a double and a run. Luke Hughes finished up 1-for-3 with 2 RBIs and Trevor Plouffe went 1-for-4 with a double.

Miracle rout Reds in Sara

Fort Myers 15 at Sarasota 2

W: M. Fox (7-6, 3.55); L: R. Gonzalez (5-10, 6.85)
HR: FTM: J. Portes (10), J. Woodard (5).

The Fort Myers Miracle made short work of Rafael Gonzalez, taking 9 runs, 8 earned, from the Sarasota Reds starter in route to a 15-2 drubbing at Ed Smith Stadium.

Steve Singleton led off in the first with a line drive to center with one out on the board. Danny Berg Singled and Johnny Woodard took a walk to load up the bags. After a pop out to Edward Ovalle, Eli Tintor drew walk to force in Singleton. Garrett Olson then doubled to clean off the plates before Danny Lehmann ground out to end the inning.

Matt Fox would blank the Reds through seven innings of work, scattering six hits and a pair of walks while striking out 5. Following a ground out to Jose Castro, Carson Kainer would double off Fox in the bottom of the 1st and move to 3rd on a wild pitch. Juan Francisco drew a walk, but Fox took Todd Frazier and Logan Parker down on strikes to leave the Red's runners stranded.

Danny Santiesteban would strike out to start the top of the 2nd. Juan Portes followed it up with a single shot home run over the left field wall, his 10th of the season. Singleton and Berg hit back-to-back line drives to find their way onto base. Woodard's fly ball to left scored Sing, while Ovalle singled out to right, loading the bases. Tintor sacrificed in Berg, and Olson's line drive brought in Woodard. Lehmann single to plate Ovalle before Santiesteban, batting around the order, flew out to end the inning.

Gonzalez was not invited back out to the mound for the third inning, the Reds sent Logan Ondrusek out instead. Gonzales and Ondrusek and blanked the Miracle on August 3rd at Hammond Stadium, but the table were certainly turned in Sarasota.

Portes drew a walk off the tall Texan, and Singleton doubled. Berg tripled the pair in and came home on Woodard's ground out. Ovalle would ground out as well, and Tintor would go down on strikes, leaving Ondrusek relatively unscathed.

The Miracle rested in the fourth, but Singleton's double in the top of the 5th got them sparked again. Woodard would put his 5th home run of the season over the right field wall to score two. Red's manager Joe Ayrault was very unhappy, as the umpire had called what looked to be a strike with a 2-2 count a ball, and the next pitch was the one Woodard crushed over the fence. He was unhappier when Shawn Barber did not see it his way and ejected him from the game.

Ondrusek would follow his manager off the field, with Steve Otterness replacing him in the mound. The Tampa, Florida, native would get through the sixth and the seventh untouched, although he'd plunk Sing with a pitch in the seventh. Woodard singled off him in the top of the 8th, and Ovalle reached on a force attempt, in which 3rd baseman Jason Louwsma failed to field the ball. A sacrifice by Tintor brought in Woodard. Ovalle would make it to 3rd on Lehmann's double, but would left stranded when Santiesteban struck out.

David Shinskie finally found his way onto the Fort Myers' roster after spending some time rehabbing an injury at the Lee County Sportsplex. He'd replace Fox for the bottom of the 8th, and allow a single to Kainer. Francisco ground into a force out and Frazier doubled him to 3rd. Parker would knock a line drive single to right to plate the pair, ending the Miracle's shut out bid.

Zach Stewart would close out the game for the Reds, while Carlos Gutierrez handled the mop up detail for the Miracle.

Singleton finished up the game 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles, and 4 runs; Berg went 3-for-6 a the plate with a triple, 3 runs and 2 RBIs. Woodard was 3-for-4 with 4 runs and 4 RBIs, while Olson and Lehmann finished up 2-for-5 each, Lehmann with a double.

Tintor finished up 0-for-2 with walk, a run and 3 RBIs.

The two teams rematch tomorrow, Tropical Storm Fay permitting for a 7:00 PM game. Joe Testa (1-0, 1.80) will take the start for the Miracle against the Sarasota's Daryl Thompson (0-1, 7.71).

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The New Britain Rock Cats downed the Cleveland affiliated Akron Aeros, 8-2 in Eastern League play Sunday afternoon. David Winfree, Dustin Martin and Danny Valencia all knocked balls over the wall for the Rock Cats, who have won their fifth straight. The Rock Cats are in fifth place in the Northern Division, 21.5 games behind the division leading Trenton Thunder (Yankees). Both New Britain and the Toronto affiliated New Hampshire Fisher Cats have been mathematically eliminated from their league's playoffs.

In the International League, the Rochester Red Wings defeated the Syracuse Chiefs 8-5 Saturday night. Former Miracle Luke Hughes put his third AAA home run of the season over the wall in that contest. The two teams play an evening game on Sunday. With the win, Rochester reached .500 on the season. They are in 3rd place in the North division, 14 games behind the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees and virtually eliminated from the playoffs.

The Beloit Snappers fell to the Cedar Rapid Kernals 5-4 on the road. Ramon Santana went yard with his 7th home run of the season for the Snappers. Blake Martin suffered his second loss of the season, pitching .1 inning of relief in the bottom of the 13th inning. Mike McCardell gave up 4 runs, 2 earned on 7 hits and 2 walks in five inning while striking out eight. The Snappers have lost their last three, falling to fifth place in the Western division, six games behind the division leading Burlinton Bees (Kansas City).

Elizabethon, who was idle on Sunday, leads Kingsport by 5 games with 9 left to play in their season. The E-Twins have won their last four, and will likely face the Pulaski Mariners in the Applachian League playoffs.

Former Miracle and Fort Myers resident Tommy Watkins was at Saturday night's Miracle game. A member of the AAA Red Wings, Watkins suffered a separated shoulder that ended his season early. Watkins was hitting .219 for the wings through 76 games before his season came to an end.

With 13 games left to play in the Florida State League regular season, Lakeland (13), Sarasota (14.5) and Clearwater (16) have all been eliminated from the West Division playoffs. Tampa, trailing Dunedin by 11.5 games is the only other candidate left in the West Division as the Miracle have already locked up their playoff berth.

These Jays are made for walking

Dunedin 9 at Fort Myers 2

W: A. Wideman (5-5, 5.40); L: C. Gutierrez (2-1, 3.24); SV: C. Blackwell (1)
HR: DUN: C. Patton (12).

Carlos Gutierrez, Anthony Slama and Blair Erikson gave up a combined 7 run on 8 hits and 4 walks in 3 innings Tuesday night, leaving Jeff Smith no recourse but to turn to ace closer Danny Santiesteban to get the final out.

The Miracle got on the board early. Danny Berg knocked a line drive to center before Steve Singleton was plunked by a pitch. Edward Ovalle's line drive loaded the bags. Wilson Ramos ground into a force out that took scored Berg and Singleton, but took Ovalle out at 2nd. A throwing error advanced Ramos to 2nd. Juan Portes singled out to center. Ramos would try to come home but was taken out at home on the throw. Eli Tintor would ground out to end the inning.

After that the Miracle could not seems to solve A.J. Wideman, who allowed a total of 4 hits and a walk, all of which came in the first inning except a single to Portes in the 4th and walk to the same in the 7th. He'd fan only 1, but worked 7 solid innings for the Blue Jays.

The Miracle got 5.2 innings out of Matt Fox who gave up a pair of runs in the top of the 4th. Brad Emaus would single, then one out later Cory Patton put his 12th over the right field fence to tied up the contest.

Gutierrez would replace Fox in the sixth after the Orlando resident allowed a double to Marcos Cabral. It was the 7th inning that got the Miracle's rookie in trouble.

The former Miami Hurricane would walk Matt Liuzza. Jonathan Diaz sac bunt advanced the runner to 2nd, and he went to 3rd on Luis Sanchez's line drive single. Chris Emanuele went down on strikes before Emaus single to plate Liuzza. David Cooper then singled to scored Sanchez. A wild pitch advanced the runners, but Gutierrez was able to get Patton to fly out to retire the Jays.

Slama would come in for the top of the 8th and hit Cabral with a pitch. Anthony Hatch was taken out on strikes before Liuzza's single moved Cabral to 2nd. Diaz would go down swinging before Sanchez singled in Cabral. Emanuele struck out to send the Miracle to batt.

Chad Blackwell would take over for Wideman in the bottom of the 8th. Allowing a ground ball single to Singleton but taking the the other three batters he faced out on strikes. Word that is that the former North Carolina Game Cock has become a hard autograph to get of late, having signed on with certain agent who advises his clients not to sign autographs. The same agent has been on the Minor League Autograph forum causing trouble. Gotta love the professionalism there.

Erickson would get Emaus and Cooper to flyout to left before allowing a triple to Patton. He'd come home on Cabral's single. Erickson then walked Hatch and Liuzza filling up the bases. Diaz singled to drive in two, but Erikson then walked Sanchez. I just read something, a comment on LEN3's blog I think, about needing guys like Erickson up in the bigs. Please, by all means, take him. After tonight's performance he can start his own dog walking business when the pitching thing doesn't work out for him.

So Smitty turned to Santieseban again and the Hialeah native got Emaus to ground out to let the Miracle have a turn at the plate.

That allowed Blackwell to strike out Ramos, pop out Portes and catch Tintor holding the bat on this shoulder to finish off the contest.

Gutierrez took the loss, his second of the season.

The Blue Jays will look to do what they hope to do to the Miracle in the playoffs, sweep them, on Wednesday night. They will have to get through Cole Devries (9-8, 2.85) to do it however. Meanwhile, Randy Boone (3-3, 5.56) will be on the mound for the Jays and, if the last two game are any indication, he will not be tested hard by the Miracle batters.

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I uploaded the video from the ninth inning from Monday's game but it seems to have gotten lost somewhere in cyberspace. I guess I can try again. (Sorry Eddie, it's not my fault!)

With the loss the Miracle are in fifth place in the six team West Division, 12.5 games behind the Blue Jays with 19 games left to play. Note to MILB: I don't think we're in still in the running any more.

From MiLB.com:

THE WEEK THAT WAS: The Miracle won four of six games and are still in the running for the second-half title in the West. With three weeks left in the season, Fort Myers is tied with Tampa in third place, 9 1/2 games behind Dunedin.

WHO'S HOT, WHO'S NOT: CF Brandon Roberts has proven to be a tough out. The California native has eight hits in his last 19 at-bats for a .421 average. ... SP Cole Devries has been a strikeout machine. The University of Minnesota product has 10 strikeouts in his last 11 innings pitched while racking up two wins.

PLAYER TO WATCH: RP Blair Erickson has been money. The Sacramento, Calif., native has eight strikeouts in his last 4 1/3 innings pitched through four games.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK: Sarasota had a hard time keeping 3B Daniel Berg off the basepaths in Fort Myers' 11-4 win on Aug. 8. The native of Australia had two hits, walked twice and scored three runs.

Miracle take two from Tampa

Fort Myers 2 at Tampa 1

W: M. Fox (6-6, 3.84); L: Z. McAllister (6-6, 2.17); SV: A. Slama (23)
HR: FTM: W. Robbins (4).

The Fort Myers Miracle two-run lead would stand through nine innings as they hung on in the completion of the suspended game to defeat the Tampa Yankees, 2-1.

Edward Ovalle would single in the top of the first with one out on the board. He'd be caught stealing however, so there'd be no one on base when Whit Robbins launched his 4th home run of the year over the short porch in right field to give the Miracle one. Wilson Ramos then drew a walk and Johnny Woodard was hit by a pitch. Eli Tintor's line drive plated Ramos for the Miracle's 2nd run.

Spencer Steedley worked the first three innings, giving up only 1 hit and fanning a pair. Matt Fox would take over in the fourth. After a fly out to Eduardo Nunez, Fox allowed a single to Kevin Smith. Josh Kreuzer would fly out before Seth Fortenberry doubled to drive in Smith.

Fox would allow only one more hit, a single to Fortenberry in the bottom of the 7th. He'd strike out 4 over the next five innings before Anthony Slama came in to collect his 23rd save of the season.

Aside from the singles to Ovalle and Tintor, and the home run to Robbins, Steve Singleton would finish up 1-for-4 for the only other Miracle hit.

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Fort Myers 1 at Tampa 0

W: C. Devries (9-8, 2.85); L: E. Soto (2-3, 4.91); SV: B. Erickson (1)
HR: None.

The Miracle would also prevail in the second game, which was shortened to seven innings. Cole Devries would scatter 4 hitts and 4 walks over five innings, striking out only 1. Jose Lugo worked the next 1.1, with Blair Erickson picking up his first save of the season on by fanning 2 in .2 innings worth of work.

Edward Ovalle would walk and one out later, Juan Portes was hit by a pitch. The pair then stole 3rd and 2nd respectively. Johnny Woodard would reach on a fielder's choice that took Ovalle out at home. Grant Duff would head out to the mound to replace Tampa starter Edgar Soto, and Danny Berg would reach on a force attempt then Eduardo Nunez bobbled the ball at short. Portes would score on the play for the lone Miracle run before Eli Tintor went down on strikes.

Portes finished up 2-for-2 at the plate with the run. Tintor and Woodard were both 1-for-3, Tint with a double, and Brandon Roberts rounded out the hitting, going 1-for-2.

Next up, the Miracle head over to Sarasota for three against the Reds. Friday's 7:00 PM contest will feature Alex Burnett (7-5, 3.74) on the mound for the Miracle, while the Reds will let Rafael Gonzalez (5-8, 6.42) handle their pitching. The Miracle return home on Monday to start a 3 game set against the Dunedin Blue Jays.

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Homestead tops Newark on Negro League Appreciation Night

Whit Robbins shows off the new uniforms

Homestead 4 at Newark 0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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JeffCrupper.com

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


Johnny Woodard


Danny Berg


Jose Mijares and Alex Burnett (I think)

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

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.

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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.

Soggy Miracle split twin bill with Hammerheads

Jupiter 0 at Fort Myers 1

W: B. Erickson (3-0, 1.96); L: C. Leroux (5-6, 3.92)
HR: None.

Anibal Sanchez, on rehab, and Oswaldo Sosa matched each other pitch-for-pitch in game one of the double header Sunday that got underway at 3:15 after a 3+ hour rain delay.

Sanchez would give up 3 hits and a pair of bases on ball, while fanning 6 over 5.2 innings, while Sosa gave up 1 hit and 3 walks and struck out 2 over five.

Neither team found much to hit at. But who needs bats anyway?

Edward Ovalle would get plunked by a pitch to get on base. Juan Portes moved him to second on a sac-bunt and he'd steal 3rd. A throwing error by catcher Chris Hatcher put the ball in the outfield while he was trying to catch Ovalle, and put Ovalle over the plate for the only run in the contest.

Yangervis Solarte was 1-for-1 with a walk, while Wilson Ramos (1-for-3) and Danny Berg (1-for-2) shared the one hit wonder of the game title.

Carlos Gutierrez made his professional debut, working 1 inning and allowing 1 hit while striking out 2. Blair Erickson finished the game, striking out 3 in the final inning.

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Jupiter 8 at Fort Myers 0

W: G. Taylor (9-5, 2.91); L: M. Fox (5-4, 3.72)
HR: JUP: S. Cousins (5).

While there were more hits in game two, there was 1 few runs for the Miracle at least, which was not good.

Graham Taylor worked all 7 innings for the Hammerheads, scattering six hits over that period and striking out one.

Matt Fox worked six for the Miracle. In the top of the 3rd, Justin Webb took a single off of Fox, but Danny Lehmann made a successful pick off attempt at 1st with a throw to Danny Berg. Emilio Ontiveros would fly out to put two outs on the board. Scott Cousins and Ernesto Manzanillo then hit back-to-back singles and Logan Morrison doubled the pair in to put two runs on the board for Jupiter.

That would prove to be all they need, but Spencer Steedley came in for the seventh inning.

The Midwest League All-star walked Gregory Burns, who then stole second. Chris Dunn singled to score burns and moved to 2nd on a throwing error by Steedley. Webb singled and Ontiveros walked to load the bags. A wild pitch by Steedley put Dunn over the plate and Cousins would go yard over the right center field wall to bring in Webb and Ontiveros. Ernesto Manzarillo singled before Jose Lugo was brought into to replace Steedley. Lugo would allow a single to Morrison and a double to Vasil Spanos to score Manzarillo. He'd then walk Spike McDougal before Gregory Burns flew out to retire the side.

Eli Tintor and Yangervis Solarte attempted to rally the team by hitting back-to-back singles in the bottom of the 7th, but with Edward Ovalle already out, Danny Santiesteban ground into a double play, finishing the contest and sending the water logged crowd of 531 - or at least those that remained after 3 hours of rain delay - home.

Tintor finished up 2-for-3 while Berg, Ovalle, Solarte and Garrett Olson all had a single a piece.

The final game of the series is Monday night, mother nature permitting. Cole Devries (7-6, 2.45) will take the start for the Miracle.

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Speaking of Cole Devries, the Fort Myers right handed pitcher is the Twins Minor League Player of the Week for July 5-11. Devries, 23, went 1-0 with a four-hit complete game win over Vero Beach. In 17 games (16 starts) this season he is 7-6 with a 2.45 ERA.

Devries, who is from Eden Prairie, MN, signed with the Twins August 22, 2006 as a non-drafted free agent out of the University of Minnesota. He made his professional debut last season with Beloit and went 9-5 with a 3.41 ERA.

The World Team took a 3-0 victory from Team USA in the Future's Game on Sunday. Former Miracle Luke Hughes started at 3rd base for the World Team.

Hughes went 0-for-2, with a lineout to center field and a strikeout in the contest. Denard Span who was supposed to play for Team USA as well as for Team USA in the Olympics remained on call up to the Minnesota Twins, making it unlikely that he will make his Olympic date as well. {Strib: Luke Hughes}

From MiLB.com:

THE WEEK THAT WAS: The Miracle had a winning week with four wins in seven games. Fort Myers is currently tied with Lakeland for second place in the FSL West, three games behind division-leading Dunedin.

WHO'S HOT, WHO'S NOT: 1B Daniel Berg has been hitting a decent clip of late. The native of Glen Iris, Australia, has eight hits in his last 26 plate appearances through nine games for a .308 average. ... LF Juan Portes has only reached base safely five times in his last 10 games through 35 at-bats for a .143 average.

PLAYER TO WATCH: LHP Jose Lugo has been money in the bank in recent days coming out of the Miracle bullpen. The native of the Dominican Republic has not allowed an earned run in his last 9 1/3 innings pitched through four appearances. In that span he has struck out eight and walked one.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK: C Wilson Ramos drove in four of the Miracle's six runs on two hits in a 6-1 win at Vero Beach on July 9. The native of Venezuela homered to left in his second at-bat to put Fort Myers up, 2-0. In the sixth, Ramos belted a three-run homer to center for 5-1 lead.

Miracle bats for distance in win over Vero Beach

Fort Myers 6 at Vero Beach 3

W: M. Fox (5-3, 3.78); L: R. Morse (2-5, 3.80); SV: A. Slama (18)
HR: FTM: J. Portes (8), D. Berg (4), E. Tintor (4).

Three Fort Myers Miracle players went yard while Matt Fox continued to throw well in a starting roll, as the Miracle downed the Vero Beach Devil Rays, 6-3.

On a side note, the Miracle received Spencer Steedley from the Beloit Snappers. The lefty reliever posted a 5-3 record with the Low A Snappers with a 2.14 ERA in 46.1 innings pitched. Steedley was the Twins 25th round pick in the 2007 First-year player draft. He spend 2007 with the Elizabethton Twins of the Appalachian League, where the 6'2" Charlotte, NC, native assembled a 2-3 record with a 2.92 ERA in 37.0 innings pitched.

In the top of the second inning, Ryan Morse replaced Al Reyes who had been making a rehab start with the club while recovering from tendinitis. With one out on the board, Danny Berg would go yard over the center field fence. Following a ground out to Steve Singleton, Eli Tintor blasted a ball over the left field fence. It as the fourth home run of the year for both players. Danny Santiesteban followed that up with a single, but would be caught stealing for the Miracle's 3rd out.

Nevin Ashley and and Ryan Royster took back-to-back singles from Fox. Following a strike out by Neil Walton, Ashley scored on Matt Field's ground out.

Juan Portes went yard, his 8th of the season, in the top of the 3rd, making it 3-1 Miracle.

Singles by Cesar Suarez, Ashley and Royster gave the Rays another run in the bottom fo the 4th. The Miracle took Ashley out on a fielder's choice at the plate. Fox then got Fields to ground into a double play to end the inning.

Tintor double in the top of the fifth, then scored on a Yancarlos Ortiz single to make it 4-2 Miracle.

Joey Callendar and Matt Hall knocked singles in the bottom of the fifth, then moved on a Garrett Groce sac bunt. John Matulia's line drive would score Callender, and Matulia would be taken out trying to make it to second. Suarez then lined out to end the Rays threat.

Ovalle singled and Wilson Ramos doubled in the top of the sixth before Kevin Lynn came into replace Morse. Lynn would unleash a wild pitch that scored Ovalle, while Berg's grounder to left plated Ramos to make it 6-3 Miracle.

Tintor was 2-for-3 with a walk, a pair of runs, and a run scored. Ortiz was also 2-for-3 with a run scored. Ovalle, Ramos and Berg all finish up 2-for-4 with a run, Berg with 2 RBIs as well.

Blair Erickson worked 2 innings of relief, striking out 1. Steedley worked .1 inning in the bottom of the eighth, walking Matulia and advancing him to 2nd on a wild pitch before getting Suarez to ground out. He'd then hit Ashley with a pitch, and Miracle field manager Jeff Smith got Anthony Slama out of the pen to finish of the game.

Game three of the series is Wednesday night at 7:00 PM with Miracle ace Cole Devries (6-6, 2.59) on the mound against the Rays Wilton Noel (1-1, 3.78).

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The Beloit Snappers and GCL Twins were off on Tuesday. The Snappers played their annual golf tournament before beginning a 4-game series against the Fort Wayne Wizards. The Appalachian League Elizabethton Twins were rained to Joe O'Brien field. They will play a pair on Wednesday against the Kingsport Mets starting at 6:00 PM.

DSL Twins 2 at DSL Diamondbacks 3

The DSL Twins dropped a close one on the road as the DSL Diamondbacks scored in the bottom of the ninth inning to win the contest.

Carlos Vasquez walked in the top of the 3rd, then was replaced by pinch runner Xavier Gonzalez. Gonzalez stole 2nd, but then had to wait while Juan Blanco flew out and Willy Gil struck out. Danny Santana took a walk before Oswaldo Arcia singled to drive in Gonzalez for the first Twins run.

In the top of the 7th Jean Carlos Mercedes reached on a throwing error, and move to 2nd on Jairo Rodriguez's single. A double by Blanco drove him in for the second of the Twins two runs

Arcia was 2-for-4 in the game with a RBI. Rodriguez had a single and Blanco a double for the only other two Twins hits.

Still no results for Monday's contest against the DSL Rockies. I'm assuming it was rained out at this point. The DSL Twins host the DSL Orioles Wednesday for a 10:30 AM Dominican time contest.

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How sweep it is

Tampa 1 at Fort Myers 2

W: M. Fox (4-3, 3.65); L: I. Nova (3-10, 4.92); SV: A. Slama (17)
HR: FTM: E. Tintor (3).

After 24 scoreless innings dating back to the June 30th game against the Palm Beach Cardinals, the Tampa Yankees were VERY happy to see C.J. Henry cross the plate at Hammond Stadium Thursday night in front of a sold out Independence Day crowd.

The Fort Myers Miracle didn't exactly sympathize with their joy.

Henry would take a walk off the Miracle's Matt Fox. After Fox got Tim Battle to strike out and Edwardo Nunez to fly out, Henry would steal 2nd. Luis Nunez tripled to drive him in amidst much celebration in the Yankees dugout.

The run however tied up the game. The Miracle had take a slim lead in the bottom of the 4th, when Edward Ovalle singled, then stole 2nd. Danny Berg took a walk before Eli Tintor singled to score Ovalle.

The Yankees happiness was short lived however. Tintor put this 3rd home run of the year over the left field wall in the seventh to give the Miracle the lead again.

Reliever Ozzie Sosa and closer Anthony Slama would ensure that they kept it.

Fox would pick up the win, allowing only 1 run on 3 hits and a walk while striking out 3 over 7 innings. For Slama it would his FSL leading 17th save of the season.

Tintor finished up 3-for-3 at the plate with a pair of RBIs. Ovalle was 1-for-4 with a run. Steve Singleton was 1-for-3 with a walk. Olson was also 1-for-3 and took one for the team when Tampa's Ivan Nova plunked him with a pitch in the 7th.

With the sweep, and their sixth straight win, the Miracle are now 8-6 in the second half, good for 2nd place in the FSL West division and trailing Dunedin by one game.

While the Miracle faithful will finish up their three-day holiday with Bar-B-Ques and Red, White and BOOM over the river, the Miracle will head over to Lakeland to face the Flying Tigers for three days worth of fireworks games. Friday's contest kicks off at 5:00 PM with Cole Devries (6-6, 2.77) on the mound for the Miracle.

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Correction: I reported yesterday that Whit Robbins had not been put on the DL. I was in fact incorrect and missed the transaction. He was placed on the 7 day DL on June 27th.



Clinton 7 at Beloit 2

W: J. Ortiz (1-0, 2.25); L: L. Van Mil (2-1, 3.03)
HR: CLI: J. Greene (12), M. Lawson (3).

Loek Van Mil might be 7'1" tall, but right now he probably feels somewhat shorter than a yard stick after giving up 4 runs on a pair of hit and a pair of walks in .2 innings.

The funny thing is, he pitch well enough in the 8th, allowing only one single and striking out 1.

The offensive outburst from the Clinton Lumber Kings gave them a 7-2 lead in the 9th inning, good for the win as the Beloit Snappers couldn't find five runs in the bottom of the final stanza to counter them with.

Clinton would get on the board first when Mike Tarsi would hit Jonathan Greene with a pitch. Timothy Smith singled and Christian Santana doubled to plate Greene before Tarsi could find the final two outs.

The Snapper answered back however with Allen de san Miguel singling his way onto base and moving to second on an Andrew Schmiesing single. Chris Cates sac-bunt moved the runners into scoring position, and a single by newcomer Jeanfred Brito pushed Dirty over the plate.

Greene would take Tarsi yard in the top of the seventh for this 12th home run of the year, putting the ball over the left field fence.

Fabio Castillo would replace Clinton's Derek Holland on the mound for the bottom of the inning and after getting Dirty out on strikes, walked Schmiesing and Cates. A wild pitch move the pair. Birto would line out and Estarlin De Los Santos would take a walk. Deibinson Romero's line drive would plate Schmiesing to tie up the game again.

Then came the top of the 9th. Mitchell Moreland would fly out before Greene took a walk off Van Mil. Timothy Smith flew out. Greene would then steal 2nd. Van Mil would walk Santana and then allowing a single to Carlos Domingues that scored Greene for the game winning run. A second single, this one to Kyle Murch brought in Santana. Danny Hernandez would then be called in from the bullpen and allowed a home run to Matthew Lawson. The ball, which cleared the left field fence, would mark Lawson's 3rd round trip of the season. Two of the runners were inherited and counted on Van Mil, Hernandez was only charged for Lawson's yarder.

Beloit managed only 4 hits in the game with Rene Leveret picking up the one hit wonder title without factoring into the scoring.

The Snappers will seek their Independence over Clinton on Friday with a 7:00 PM Fireworks game. Then then head out on the road for a three-game set against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

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Fox fine; Miracle offense comatose

Brevard County 3 at Fort Myers 1

W: A. Periard (6-6, 3.75); L: M. Fox (3-3, 3.95); SV: M. McClendon (6)
HR: None.

Sometimes, you have to stand up for what you believe in. Fort Myers Miracle field manager Jeff Smith believed that home plate umpire Jeff Gosney didn't know the difference between a ball and a strike. So he stood up for his team. This earned him an ejection in the sixth inning. It did not, rather unfortunately, seem to help Gosney get any better at his job.

Matt Fox carried a no hitter into the 5th inning, pitching brilliantly against Brevard County's Alexandre Periard. But lots of things happened in the sixth inning.

Fox would get Yohannis Perez and Brent Brewer to fly out out before Darren Ford singled, then stole 2nd. Lorenzo Cain then doubled in Ford.

That's when Smith decided to have some words with Gosney.

Jonathan Lucroy would then hit a grounder out to right which plated Cain. With Smith out of the game, Slice got to march up to the mound and take Matt Fox out of the game and put Matt Williams in. Williams would get Taylor Green to pop out to retire the side.

Perez would single to start out the top of the 8th. One out later, Ford would double out to left with the ball deflecting off 3rd baseman Juan Portes. Perez would have no problem scoring on the play as Ovalle was busy chasing down the ball.

Mike McClendon would replace Periard in the 9th. Danny Lehmann greeted him with a walk. Yancarlos Ortiz would reach on a force attempt on a throwing error by Stephen Chapman. Steve Singleton would line into an unassisted double play, doubling Ortiz off first. Yangervis Solarte would reach on a throwing error by Brewer at short, and Lehamnn would come in, avoiding a shut out.

Cole Devries (5-6, 2.99) will start Friday's rematch against the Manatees, who are sending lefty Chris Cody (0-2, 2.99) to the mound. If you are a member of the Sean Fox Fan Club, you can enjoy free hot dogs, chips and salsa on the concourse from 6 to 7 PM. If you're not a member of the Sean Fox Fan Club...well...don't you want to be a member of the Sean Fox Fan Club?

Also the first 750 members of the Sean Fox Fan Club through the door get a free team picture! How special is that? Sign up now so you too can take advantage of all these special member only benefits of the Sean Fox Fan Club!

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I seem to have made Jeremy Jeffress into an instant celebrity last night by going down and asking for an autograph. Then people kept asking me who he was all evening. This is kind of a low key autographing series for me. Once the Yankees come in, I'll be really busy.

The other side of the coin

I get a lot of people that say "Oh, it must be great to know these guys, to see them do good and move up in the organization." It is, but there's another side of the coin.

Since I was down at the minor league complex on Sunday, I was talking to Matt Fox who in turn asked after Kyle Aselton. The two are pretty good pals, I believe they were roommates in E-Town but it always sort of cracks me up the way they keep tabs on each other.

Like Matty can't walk acrossed the parking lot?

Anyway, Aselton was up on the concourse last night signing autographs. He's not in the program, so he was sort of signing advertisements. Now I'm thinking...why didn't he sign Foxy's profile? (I must suggest that to him.)

In any case, Fox had asked me how he was doing and I said I watched him once, and he pitched really well, and then, I didn't stick around for the next game and he blew.

"I didn't blow," Aselton says. Okay....taking a look...

Opening Night: no runs on 1 hit, 1 walk while striking out 1 in 1 inning

They were at Sarasota, so I didn't see this one...

April 9 vs. Sarasota: no runs, no hits, 1 walk, while striking out 2 in 1.2 innings

This is the game I saw, and yes, I have video.

This is one of the first clips I took. And he did pitch really well that game, reminded me of what he looked like at the start of last year.

The next game he pitched, it was kind of chilly and for some reason, I couldn't get warm despite the new $50 Twins hoodie so I left yearly and missed this...

April 13 vs. Dunedin: 3 runs on 4 hits and 1 walk (3 earned) while striking out 1 in 1.1 innings (6.75 era).

(You blew buddy.)

This sort of reminds me of what he looked like at the end of last season. Now...I blamed the end of last season on his elbow injury and agreed with me. When I spoke to him in spring training he said that he was feeling a bit tenative about it. However, he said he was good to go for this season.

Regarding spring training, he was given a fair chance to make the New Britain team, and for the game I talked to him prior to, I pointed out that he needed to pitch like he did the first half of the season.

He went out there and struck out the first two batters he faced, then issued a walk and gave up a double for a run before he got the third out on a grounder. Next inning, he lead off with a single. The second hit was another nice ground that they played at second base, leaving a runner on first. He induced the third guy to hit into a double play. So far so good?

He issued a walk to start the third inning, struck out the next guy and then gave up a single and another walk. The first guy was taken out on a fielder's choice leaving two men on when the next batter put one over the wall, bringing in three for Portland. The last out was a grounder.
Not my idea of a stellar outing and that's why he's back in Fort Myers instead of with the NB squad. I know, he was unhappy with that.

Fox had questioned that as well, and I said, "He's feeling old and if he doesn't make the New Britian squad by the end of the season, he's pretty sure his days are numbered."

"What about me?" Fox asks. "I'm old!"

"Yeah, but they gave you a lot of money, Foxy. They're not going to let you go so easily." Fox would happily have given the money back if he'd never gotten injured, but...life doesn't work that way.

Going back to Aselton and his last outting...

April 19 vs. Tampa: no runs on 1 hit and 1 walk while striking out 1 in 2 innings worth of work.

Which was decent. Aselton is big 6'5" lefty that can hit 91. His problem is that he has had control issues and evidently, still does. However, if he can get past the one bad outting and continue on with the way he's pitched otherwise, he could certainly be looked at to move to New Britain mid-season.

Then again...he might be replaced, promotion wise, by younger guys like Yohan Pino and Eddie Morlan whose stock in the organization is a little higher than Aselton's as been. So he might not move to AA until next season, in which case yes, even given a good year in Fort Myers, his playing days could well be over.

As for Fox, I wouldn't be surprised if instead of going to E-Town again, which he seems to think is going to be the case, if they send him to Fort Myers mid-season to replace a player that moves to New Britain. He feels like his velocity needs to come up for them to do that, but I don't necessarily see that as the case. They could well put him with the Miracle because of his age.

I still think he could help us and I believe that facing that kind of competition he'd see at a High A level might wake something up in him. His confidence level's been fairly low.

I dunno...maybe I'm misreading him, but it seems like the competative fire he should have is just not there. He isn't quite the same he was a couple of years ago...that...I'll bet you $50 I can (insert action here). He needs to get that cocky attitude back somehow. And I think once that happens his confidence, and his pitching will come with it.

But both of them are kind of down right now, and it's well...distressing to see that because you do want them throw well and progress and see their dreams realized.

Anyway, I had these nice pictures of Pookie and so I wanted to write something for the girls in E-Town and I left the notes on the Aussies at home. So, there you go.

Oh...speaking of Foxy's profile in the program...yes, he did see where he'd moved to Perth, Australia. I had to correct someone last night who was looking in the program and thought he was Australian. We have a few of them, but Foxy's not one. Then again...Orlando, Australia...what's the big difference? And for those scoring along at home, that is Jesse Floyd's picture next to his profile.