Cubs put Miracle in 2-0 hole in best-of-five series

Daytona 9 at Fort Myers 1

W: J. Jackson (1-0, 0.00); L: C. Devries (1-1, 4.22)
HR: DAY: B. Lalli (1).

The Daytona Cubs wasted no time sending the Fort Myers Miracle packing, taking five runs off Cole Devries in the 3rd inning in route to a 9-1 win, and a 2-0 game lead, in the best of five Florida State League Championship series.

The Miracle will have to win three straight at Jackie Robinson Stadium in Dayonta Beach in order to win their first Championship since their relocation back to Fort Myers.

Ryan Harvey tripled in the top of the 3rd and scored on a Jonathan Mota ground out. Darwin Barney doubled and Tony Thomas took a walk. James Adduci singled to drive in Barney, and following a ground out to Ty Wright that plated Thomas, Blake Lalli put one over the right center field fence, scoring two to make it 5-0 Cubs.

Joe Testa would replace Devries in the top of the 5th. After getting Thomas to ground out and taking Adduci down on strikes, he'd give up a walk to Wright. Lalli singled, moving Wright to 2nd, and Russ Carter's line drive brought the runner home for the Cubs's sixth of the evening.

Ozzie Sosa allowed a double to Harvey in the top of the sixth, who moved ot 3rd on a Mota ground out. Barney would line out before Thomas singled Harvey in for Daytona's seventh tally.

Matt Williams would come in for the top of te 8th, striking out Steve Clevenger, and getting Harvey to pop out. But Mota and Barney took back-to-back singles, and a throwing error by Danny Santiesteban in right allowed Mota to score making it 8-0.

Jay Jackson allowed only 4 hits to Fort Myers over 5.2 innings. Relievers Jay Ruhlman and Michael Cooper held the Miracle to only a pair of walks in the next 1.1 innings, although Cooper gave up a couple of wild pitches that moved Edward Ovalle all the way to 3rd before he'd find a pair of strikes outs to retire the Fort Myers.

Todd Blackford replaced Cooper in the 8th and walked Steve Singleton. Rene Tosoni would go down on strikes, but passed ball by Clevenger moved Sing to 2nd. Wilson Ramos ground out advanced the runner to 3rd and Whit Robbins singled him in to keep the Miracle from being shut out. It was too little a rally, too late.

Wright singled off Williams in the 9th and two outs later, allowed a single to Clevenger. He'd hit Harvey with a pitch to load the bags, and then hit Mota as well, forcing in Wright to finish off the Cubs' scoring.

The Miracle would get nothing off Dustin Sasser in the ninth, with Juan Portes flying out to end the contest.

Singleton finished off the game 1-for-3 with a walk and a run, while Rene Tosoni, Wilson Ramos, Robins and Yancarlos Ortiz were all 1-for-4.

Unless the Miracle can find some road mojo of their own, the Cubs can sweep the series tomorrow night in Daytona. Game time is 7:05 PM and the contest can be heard live on WMYR AM-1410 and WCNZ AM-1660 with the Voice of the Miracle, Sean Fox calling all the play-by-play action.

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Yankees, rain disappoint Miracle faithful in final game of 2008

Tampa 6 at Fort Myers 5

W: R. Semerano (4-1, 5.09); L: J. Lugo (2-6, 4.04); SV: J. Schmidt (16)
HR: TAM: L. Nunez (3).

It took Jose Lugo a total of two pitches to lose the final game of the regular season for the playoff bound Fort Myers Miracle. There is some speculation that the Miracle have been playing the cards close, and that they are ready to turn it on in the playoffs, but there should be a matter of pride in winning the final game of the season in front of the home town crowd.

Matt Williams took the start for the Miracle, and it didn't take long for Tampa to find their way onto base. After getting Matt Cusick out on strikes, The Professor gave up a single to Luis Nunez. Kevin Smith reached on a fielding error by Juan Portes. Josh Kreuzer struck out swinging, but Seth Fortenberry doubled to drive in the pair. Fortenberry would try to a triple, but was taken down at 3rd base. The damage was done however.

The Miracle took one back in the bottom of the inning. Portes singled and stole 2nd. Steve Singleton's outfield fly moved Portes to 3rd and he'd come home on a Rene Tosoni ground out.

Jesse Hoover would replace Michael Solback in the bottom of the 3rd for Tampa, and after getting Eli Tintor to fly out allowed a single to Garrett Olson, who then stole 2nd. Portes singled in Olson, tying up the game. Sing drew a walk before Tosoni would go down on strikes for the second out. Wilson Ramos then singled to drive in Portes putting the Miracle on top.

Eddie Ovalle would take a talk in the top of the 4th, then steal 2nd. Johnny Woodard would fly out, and Tintor ground out. Olson and Portes hit back-to-back singles that plated Ovalle and a Singleton line drive brought in Olson to pad the lead.

Matt Williams would work four innings, allowing two runs, neither of which were earned, on 3 hits while striking out 3. Alex Burnett worked the fifth and Carlos Gutierrez the six, each allowing only one hit to the Yankees. Danny Santiesteban took the seventh and would return for the eighth.

Mitch Hilligoss doubled and moved to 3rd on Ryan Baker's ground out. Tim Battle took a walk. Looking to protect the Miracle's 3-run lead, Jeff Smith called for a pitching change bringing in Lugo who promptly hit Cusick with a pitch to load the bags. Nunez then took the first pitch he saw deep over the left field fence for a grand slam.

Rain started to interfere with the game that had been played in high winds shortly there after. The Miracle would never make it to the bottom of the 9th before a torential downpour from Hurricane Gustov finished the contest and cut short any thoughts of a ninth inning rally.

The Twins take Monday off and travel to Dunedin on Tuesday for game one of the South Divsion Championship round.

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There is a van leaving for Dunedin from the Target on Santa Barbara in the Cape Tuesday at 2 PM. Space is very limited. If you want to be on it, you need to be there early. Iris is organizing the trip up to Dunedin. Bring enough money to play for your ticket in, concessions and a portion of the vehicle's fuel expense.

Danny Valencia put two over the fence for two runs and five RBIs for the New Britain Rock Cats who defeated the Binghamton Mets 9-6 in New Britain Stadium. Former Miracle Yohan Pino picked up the win, Brian Dinkelman was 2-for-5 at the plate with 2 runs and a pair of RBIs. Danny Berg was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs for the Cats as well.

The Rochester Red Wings downed the Buffalo Bisons 5-4 at Frontier Field. Trevor Plouffe was 3-for-5 at the plate with a RBI, while former Miracle catcher Jeff Christy was 2-for-2 with a walk and a run. Anthony Swarzak allowed 3 runs, one earned, on seven hits while fanning two over seven innings, but would leave with the no decision. Julio DePaula would pick up the win in the 9th inning.

The Beloit Snappers slipped past the Burlington Bees 4-3 at Pohlman Field. Mike Allen took the win for the Snaps who saw Estarlin De Los Santos, Mark Dolenc and Juan Richardson each hit two in the contest. Former Miracle Yangervis Solarte was 1-for-3 at the plate with a run and 2 RBIs.

Are you a fan? Check out the player fan forums at Talk-Sports. You can leave messages, post pictures and links and enjoy Videos of your favorite Miracle players.

Miracle split pair with Tigers

Lakeland 1 at Fort Myers 0

W: R. Porcello (8-6, 2.66); L: S. Steedley (1-4, 6.59); SV: J. Sborz (7)
HR: None.

Rick Porcello pitched a brilliant game Wednesday evening, limiting the Fort Myers Miracle to 3 hits in route to handing them their 10th shut out of the season.

Porcello would not allow a hit until the bottom of the 4th when Juan Portes singled off of him. Rene Tosoni would ground into a force out and Wilson Ramos claimed a single as well. But Porcello induced Johnny Woodard to hit into a double play, ending the inning.

The Miracle's best scoring chance came in the bottom of the fifth, when Edward Ovalle doubled and advanced to 3rd on a fielding error by Brandon Timm. With no outs on the board it looked to be an almost certain run, but Eli Tintor ground out down the 3rd base line, keeping Ovalle pinned for the first out. Danny Santiesteban drew a walk, which allowed Porcello to get Garrett Olson to ground into a double play, leaving Ovalle stranded.

Spencer Steedley took the start for the Miracle. Jeramy Laster singled off him in the top of the 3rd, then moved to 2nd on Timm's sac-bunt. Jeff Kunkel doubled him in for the lone Lakeland Flying Tigers run. Steedley would get Justin Justice to fly out before being replaced on the mound by David Shinskie, who worked the next 2.1 innings.

Steedley would strike out one during his 2.2 innings on the mound. Shinskie would give up one hit and one walk, while fanning one during his tenure. He'd give way to Jose Lugo for the next two, Lugo giving up 3 hits and striking out one.

Porcello worked six innings, fanning four. Jay Sborz walked Ramos to start out the bottom of the seventh, but took Woodard and Ovalle out on strikes. Whit Robbins would single, moving Ramos to 3rd, but Steve Singleton ground out, ending the contest.

There'd be a brief flurry of activity as the field was groomed and the fans patronized the concession stands before game two got underway.

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Lakeland 2 at Fort Myers 8

W: M. Williams (2-2, 3.67); L: D. Witt (3-4, 3.58)
HR: None.

Having been blanked in the first game, the Fort Myers Miracle had to do something to remind their fans that they were indeed a playoff bound team.

Steve Singleton knocked a grounder to center to lead off the bottom of the first and Edward Ovalle followed that up with a grounder ball to left. Whit Robbins doubled, plating the pair. Wilson Ramos' single scored Robbins, and Johnny Woodard's double put Ramos over the plate. Eli Tintor would go down on strikes before Danny Lehmann's line drive to right moved Woody to 3rd. Yancarlos Ortiz would ground into a force out that allowed Woody to come home before Garrett Olson popped out, ending the inning.

While I was talking to some of the younger prospects down at Gulf Coast League Sunday, I mentioned that I through Matt Williams would make a fairly descent starter. The rookies seemed to think this was a recipe for disaster, but the Professor didn't let me down, going five innings for the Miracle.

Jordan Lennerton doubled off Williams and Louis Ott took a walk. Brandon Timm would fly out to center before Jeramy Laster's sac-fly scored Lennerton. It was the only run Williams would allow. He'd allow 2 more hits while striking out five to end his term on the mound.

Blair Erickson replaced him the top of the sixth. Justin Justice drew a walk off the California native. Erickson would then unleash a wild pitch that moved Justice to 2nd. Cale Iorg's single put the Lakeland outfielder on 3rd. Michael Bertram would be hit by a pitch and Jordan Lennerton would go down on strikes before Louis Ott's ground out put Justice over the plate for the second Tiger's run.

Derek Witt worked the first three for the Flying Tigers before being replaced in the 4th by Ramon Garcia. Yancarlos Ortiz claimed a triple off the new hurler. Garrett Olson would pop out before Singleton doubled him in. Ovalle then tripled off his fellow Dominican as well, driving in Sing. Robbin's sacrifice put Ovalle over the plate for the 8th Miracle run.

The 18 game series between the two teams concludes tomorrow on the final Thirsty Thursday of the season. Cole Devries (9-9, 2.97) is expected to take the start for the Miracle, while the Tigers are expected to dish up a bit of Alfredo Figaro (9-4, 4.26). The game will feature Midget Wrestling, for those who are not into baseball.

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The Florida State League announced today that Fort Myers Miracle pitcher Anthony Slama, catcher Wilson Ramos and manager Jeff Smith have been selected to the 2008 All-FSL Team. The team features the League's best players at every position. The prestigious team is selected annually by vote of the FSL's Managers, Official Scorers and Club Sports Writers representing the 12 teams in the League. Five Dunedin players were named to the post-season squad. Jupiter's Logan Morrison was named most valuable player, while St. Lucie's Dylan Owen was named most valuable pitcher (FSL/MiLB).

The New Britain Rock Cats shut out the Portland Sea Dogs 2-0 at Hadlock Field. Former Miracle Kyle Aselton claimed his seventh win of the season, while Jose Mijares recorded his 2nd AA save (Sea Dogs).

The Triple-A Rochester Red Wings defeated the Syracuse Chiefs 4-2 at Frontier Field. Alejandro Machado, Howie Clark and former Miracle Trevor Plouffe were all 2-for-4 for the Red Wings, who are now 71-69 on the season, in third place in the North Division, although they are shut out of post season play (RD&C).

The Beloit Snappers clobbered the Kane County Cougars, 10-1 at Pohlman Field. Former Miracle Allan de San Miguel was 3-for-4 on the night with a pair of doubles, 3 runs and 2 RBIs. Juan Richardson, who will be attending Fall Instructional League was 3-for-3 with a walk, a double and 4 runs. Henry Reyes claimed the win ()Snappers).

Game one of the Appalachian League Championship series between the Pulaski Mariners and the Elizabethton Twins was postponed due to rain. The Twins host games on Friday and Saturday night, at 7:00 PM, weather permitting.

Lakeland issues Miracle their 8th shut out of the season

Lakeland 9 at Fort Myers 0

W: J. Nickerson (11-3, 3.66); L: D. Guerra (10-8, 5.44)
HR: LAK: M. Bertram (7).

"What's wrong with Deolis tonight?" Iris was wondering in the first inning.

"What's always wrong with Deolis?" We'd been talking about who would be getting promoted and who would be staying--Spencer Steedley says "I'm staying", and I said I thought Guerra would be staying with the Fort Myers Miracle as well.

"He's been in this league for FOUR years!" Alex Burnett exclaimed. Actually, it's more like 2 1/2 as he split 2006 between Hagerstown and Port St. Lucie.

"But he's not progressed Alex," I remind him. Although he does have a better win/loss record than he did last night. Still, after tonight he's probably leading the Florida State League in walks, so I'm not sure how you can consider him a candidate for promotion.

"Unless they promote him and put him in the bullpen." Which wouldn't be a bad idea. Too bad we don't have anyone to take his place right now.

In any case, Michael Bertram picked up right were he left off on Thursday night, cracking home runs over the fence as the Lakeland Flying Tigers issued a 9-0 drubbing to the Fort Myers Miracle.

Guerra issued walks to Justin Justice and Louis Ott before Bertram's 7th home run of the season went over the right field wall. Jeremy Laster and Jordan Lennerton followed it up by drawing walks, as did Brandon Timm, loading the bags. Gustavo Nunez ground into a force out that scored Laster, and took Timm out at 2nd. Jeff Kunkel ground out, but plated Lennerton while he was doing it. Carmelo Jaime would be called out on strikes.

"How long are they going to leave him out there?" I often wonder those things myself, but no one was warming up in the bullpen.

Guerra managed to get through the 2nd inning, with only a walk to Bertram.

He was back in action in the 3rd however, leading off with walk to Lennerton. Timm doubled and Nunez singled, which drove in Lennerton and put Tim on 3rd. That did it, as Jeff Smith fetched Matt Williams out of the bullpen. Kunkel would sacrifice in Timm, although I'm fairly certain it was an accident and he was really trying to hit it over the fence. Jaime singled to move Nunez to 3rd and Justice walked to fill the bases. Ott's fly ball to center turned into a sac-fly as Nunez scored. Michael Bertram lined out to send the Miracle up to bat.

Jonah Nickerson held the Miracle to 4 hits and a walk over 7 innings, striking out 3. Indeed, the Miracle never put enough of an offense together to threaten.

Williams would go on to work four innings, Oswaldo Sosa took one, and Blair Erikson took one, allowing a single and walking 2, but managing to keep the Tigers off the board.

Lennerton would take a walk in the top of the ninth off Danny Santiesteban. Timm doubled him to 3rd, and Nunez's sac fly would score him. Kunkel and Jaime would both walk as well, before Santiesteban got Justice out on strikes.

Ryan Perry would walk Woodard in the ninth, but there were no last minute rally attempts as the Miracle were quietly blanked during a golf give away night.

The rubber-game of set is Saturday night with a special 6:05 start time. Steedley (0-3, 10.59) should be on the mound for the Miracle. "Son of a Sailor" the Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band will perform a post-game concert.

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The two Lobanov's left to play for Team Russia in some European Tournament or other. Nicky did this last year about the same time as well.

Team USA lost to Cuba in 11 innings in Olympic action. Former Miracle Terry Tiffee finished up 2-for-4 at the plate to lead the US attack (USABaseball.com / Duensing's Blog). The US stormed back however to take a 5-4 win over Team Canada. Brian Duensing, another former Miracle, hurled 3.1 scoreless innings of relief to pick up the win as the US improved to 2-2 in the Beijing games (USABaseball.com).

Twins prospect Ben Revere was honored by the MWL Managers in the most recent issue of Baseball America as Best Batting Prospect, Best Strike Zone Judgment, Fastest Baserunner, and Most Exciting Player. Revere currently leads the league in batting average (.380) and on-base percentage (.433), while also tied for second in stolen bases (41) and third in slugging percentage (.498). Ben also leads the Snappers in average, hits (122), doubles (17), triples (9), stolen bases, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Revere will be finishing the 2008 season with Beloit. Look for him to be in a Miracle uniform when the 2009 season opens.

Four different Miracle were honored in the same article as the best in the Florida State League. They are Anthony Slama (Best Reliever), Wilson Ramos (Best Defensive Catcher), Yancarlos Ortiz (Best Infield Arm), and Jeff Smith (Best Manager Prospect). All ranking were compiled by field managers in their respective leagues.

Dunedin now leads the West Division by 10.5 games over the Tampa Yankees with 16 games left to play in the season. While anything is possible, it appears the Miracle will one again dance with Dunedin in the playoffs. Jupiter is currently leading the East Division, but has only a one game lead over Daytona.

Strieby, Tigers top Miracle

Fort Myers 6 at Lakeland 7

W: R. Weinhardt (1-0, 0.00); L: M. Williams (0-1, 9.45)
HR: LAK: R. Strieby 2 (14), B. Boesch (5).

I'd been wondering what was up with Matt Williams of late. Perhaps this will teach me not to be so curious.

The young Aussie reliever allowed a home run to Ryan Strieby in the ninth. The Lakeland Flying Tiger's first baseman would put this 14th home run of the season over the left field fence to end the Fort Myers Miracle's win streak.

The game started and ended with Lakeland home runs as Brennan Boesch went yard off Miracle starter Alex Burnett in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Duane Bellow would keep the Miracle off the board for four innings.

The Miracle bats got working working when Danny Berg tripled to lead off the top of the fifth. Following a strike out to Eli Tintor, Yancarlos Ortiz took a walk and Garrett Olson singled to drive in Berg. Yangervis Solarte doubled out to right, scoring Ortiz. Steve Singleton flew out to right before Wilson Ramos hit a fly ball to center to drive in Olson and Solarte. Edward Ovalle's follow up grounder scored Ramos to give the Miracle a 5-1 lead.

Kyle Person replaced Below in the top of the sixth and hit Berg with a pitch. Yancarlos Ortiz would single one out later to move Berg to 3rd and the Aussie infielder came home on Garrett Olson's ground out, making it 6-1.

With one out on the board in the bottom half of the stanza, Santo de Leon singled. Brandon Timm's fly ball to left would rive De Leon in one out later to give the Tigers 2.

Burnett would walk Carmelo Jaime in the bottom of the 7th. A Louis Ott fly ball to center moved Jaime to 3rd. Ott would go down at second, trying to stretch the hit for a double. One out later, Strieby hit his 13th home run of the season over the left field field, making it 4-6 Tigers. Burnett would be taken from the mound at that point with Anthony Slama coming in to get the final out.

Slama has been solid most of the season, but would blow the save this time around. De Leon singled and Justin Justice walked. Timm would hit a sac-bunt to move the pair. After Slama got Devin Thomas out on strikes, a wild pitch would allow De Leon to score. Jaime then singled Justice in to tie up the game.

Slama got Ott to ground out in the bottom of the 9th before Williams came into the game. He'd get Michael Bertram to ground out before giving up the yarder to Strieby.

Edward Ovalle went 2-for-3 with a run scored for the Miracle. Ramos was 3-for-5 with a run and a run scored, returning to the line up after a couple of games off. Garrett Olson was 2-for-5 with a run and a pair of RBIs. Berg was 1-for-3 but had a pair of runs in the contest.

The two teams play the last of the fireworks games Sunday night at 6:00 PM. Deolis Guerra (8-4, 4.32) will make the start for the Miracle against Lakeland's Jonah Nickerson (6-3, 3.49).

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Blue Jays batter Miracle, 9-5

Fort Myers 5 at Dunedin 9

W: N. Starner (1-0, 2.08); L: D. Guerra (7-3, 4.83)
HR: DUN: S. Shoffit (7), C. Patton (6), M. Cabral (1), D. Corrente (1).

Matt Williams may have been named a Midwest All-star, but his 2008 debut for the Fort Myers Miracle on Wednesday would not earn him any recommendations as All-Star material. Replacing starter Deolis Guerra in the sixth inning with 2 outs on the board, Williams would give up back-to-back home runs to David Corente and Sean Shoffit, adding 3 to the total of what had been up until then a very close game.

The Miracle got on the board in the bottom of the first when Steve Singlton knocked a line drive out to right to get on base and Edward Ovalle hit a double of Dunedin Blue Jays starter Adrian Martin. Juan Portes would fly out to center before Whit Robbins sacrificed in Singleton.

Despite a triple to Cory Patton in the bottom of the stanza and a walk to Brian Dopirak, Guerra would keep the Jays off the board until the bottom of the second inning when he allowed a home run to Marcos Cabral. It would be the team leading 7th home run allowed by Guerra this season.

The score would stay tied then, until the bottom of the six. Patton would double out to right to lead off. Dopirak would line out and Jesus Gonzalez would fly out before Marcos Cabral singled to plate Patton. That's when Williams would take over.

The Jay were not done in the sixth however, as Luis Sanchez and Adam Calderone hit back-to-back singles to follow up the home runs. Williams would then walk Brad Emaus to load the bags. A passed ball by Wilson Ramos allowed Sachez to score. Corry Patton would be issued a walk before field manager Jeff Smith made his way to the mound with Blair Erickson in tow. Erickson would get Dopirak to ground into a force out to exit the inning.

The Miracle would attempt to battle back with Danny Berg and Eli Tintor both singling in the top of the 7th. Following a ground out to Yancarlos Ortiz that moved the pair, Singleton was hit a sac-fly to center to drive in Berg.

Jose Lugo would take over the mound in the bottom of the 8th and today, we were treated to the bad Jose Lugo. After getting Shoffit out on strikes, he'd walk Sanchez. Calderone would go down on strikes as well, but Lugo would then plunk Emaus with a pitch. Patton would go yard over the right field fence, adding another 3 to the Blue Jays total.

Undaunted, Berg would draw a walk with one out in the top of the 9th. A wild pitch would move him to 2nd. Tintor would strike out, but Yancarlos Ortiz singled his way onto the bags, moving Berg to 3rd. Singleton then doubled in Berg. Ovalle would hit a fly ball single to center to knock in the two runners, but Jay's reliever Paul Phillips would get Juan Portes to pop out to end the game.

Singleton would finish up 2-for-4 with 2 runs and 1 RBI. Ovalle would go 2-for-5 at the plate with 2 RBIs. Berg was 1-for-3 with a walk and a pair of runs. Robbins was 1-for-3 with an RBI and Ortiz was 1-for-2 with a walk and a run.

Ramos and Tintor were the one hit wonders of the game, Tintor with a pair of strike outs. Ovalle would strike out twice as well.

Guerra would pick up his 3rd loss of the season, allowing 3 runs, earned, on five hits and a pair of walks while striking out 6 over 5.2 innings.

The Miracle finish up the first half of the season with a 45-24 record, which is also a clubhouse record a well.

Fort Myers hosts Sarasota on Thursday to kick off the second half of the FSL 2008 season. Alex Burnett (5-2, 3.36) will handle the pitching chores against former Miracle southpaw Alex Smit (5-4, 3.60). It's Dog Daze II so bring your pooch to the park as well as Thirsty Thursday with half priced beer. First pitch will be thrown out at 7:05 PM.

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The Minnesota Twins have sent middle infielder Nick Punto to the Lee County Sportsplex on a rehab assignment. He is expected to play in an intersquad scrimmage today with the GCL Twins and will begin a stint with the Fort Myers Miracle on Thursday when they start their three game home stand against the Sarasota Reds. The Twins have stated they want Punto to play in at least three game this time before joining the major league club. That means he would play the entire homestand with the Miracle and fly out to join the Twins in San Diego in time for their series against the Padres.

This is the second rehab stint that Punto has made due to a hamstring injury. He first injured the muscle back in early May and spent close to three weeks on the DL with the injury. He appeared in several extending spring training games over the Memorial day weekend, but in his first game back with the Twins following the rehab stint on May 31, Punto re-injured the muscle while playing on the FieldTurf at the Metrodome.

The setback is the reason the Twins are being more cautious with Punto's rehab stint this time and making sure that his leg gets fully tested in game action.

Former Miracle Matt Tolbert had his cast removed a week ago on his surgically repaired left thumb and reported that is is feeling much better. Tolbert is currently wearing a splint on the thumb, but it is reportedly only for one more week. He could start gripping a bat next Wednesday to begin his rehab work. The target date for Tolbert to return to the Twins line up is still Aug. 1.

Beloit doubles up Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids 2 at Beloit 4

W: M. McCardell (3-1, 3.15); L: M. Anton (7-4, 2.40); SV: M. Williams (7)
HR: None.

Mike McCardell worked 8 innings, limiting the Cedar Rapid Kernels to 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 9 for his third win of the season. The Beloit Snappers scored four runs in the sixth to go on to win the contest, 4-2.

After 5.5 scoreless innings, Chris Parmelee would lead off with walk. Ozzie Lewis knocked a little line drive to center to get on the bags, and Steve Singleton's sac-bunt moved the pair to 3rd. Singleton would find himself safe at first with the bags loaded. Jair Fernandez drove in two with a fly ball to center. Danny Lehmann would be out on a sac-bunt that scored Lewis, while Mark Dolenc would sacrifice in Fernandez. Ben Revere would single and advance to 2nd on a throwing error by Cedar Rapids' pitcher Michael Anton. He'd then steal 3rd base, his 21st steal of the season. Chris Cates would walk, and the Kernels would call for a pitching change, bring A.J. Ford in from the dugout. He'd get Garrett Olson to hit into a ground out to end the inning.

Danny Hernandez would start the ninth inning and continue his struggles on the mound. Efren Navarro and Gordon Gronkowski would take back-to-back walks. Field Manager Nelson Prada wasted no time with Hernandez, and got All-star Spencer Steedley out of the pen. Jeremy Moore would greet Steedley with a double driving in the two inherited runners. Julio Perez would take a walk and move to 2nd on Jay Brossman's sac-bunt. All-star Matt Williams was then called upon to close the game, and got Anel De Los Santos and Clay Fuller out on strikes to end the inning.

Fernandez would go 2-for-4 at the plate with a run and 2 runs scored. Five other Snappers would hit singles in the game.

The series continues Wednesday at Pohlman Field.

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DSL Yankees2 1 at DSL Twins 2

W: J. Gonzalez (1-0, 1.13); L: A. Martinez (0-1, 4.70); SV: E. Alvarez (2)
HR: None.

The DSL Twins doubled up the DSL Yankees2, 2-1, but it was a the pitching that was the story of this game.

Orlando Villaroel took the start for the Twins allowing 1 run, unearned, on 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out 7. Eduardo Sosa would hit a line drive to center to start off the game, then stole 2 and 3rd. A throwing error by Twins catcher Rafael Sanchez who was attempting to catch Sosa at 3rd lead to Sosa crossing the plate. (Note that the box says the run was earned, which is incorrect.)

Raynard Doran and Jose Gonzalez worked the next two innings each, with Doran giving up 1 hit and 1 walks while striking out 2, and Gonzalez, 2 hits and 1 walks while striking out 4. 2007 VSL All-star Edison Alvarez picked up his 2nd save of the season, by finishing off the game, strike out 2 of the 3 batters he faced.

In the bottom of the 5th, Jean Carlos Mercedes would be hit by a pitch. Yancarlo Franco and Juan Blanco both poped out before Jario Perez doubled Mercedes in for the Twins, tying up the game.

Mercedes would double in the bottom of the 7th and move to 3rd on Franco's single. Blanco would be taken out on strikes before Perez would hit a sac fly to right to score Mercedes for the game winning run.

Felix Caro was 2-for-4 at the plate, but did not factor into the scoring. Manuel Soliman and Sanchez were both 1 hit wonders, while Mercedes in the designated hitter role was 1-for-2 with a pair of runs.

The Twins visit the DSL Diamondbacks/Reds Wednesday for a 10:30 AM Dominican Time game.

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Snappers rally back for win

Cedar Rapids 5 at Beloit 6

W: S. Hirschfeld (5-1, 1.62); L: M. Davitt (2-5, 5.36); SV: M. Williams (6)
HR: CED: J. Moore (8).

The Beloit Snappers rallied back in the 7th inning to take a 6-5 win over the Cedar Rapid Kernels in the opener of a 4-game homestand.

Snapper catcher Jair Fernandez would be hit by a pitch to open up the bottom of the 2nd inning. Steve Singleton hit a line drive to right to follow him onto base and Ozzie Lewis drew a walk. Greg Yersich's line drive scored Fernandez and Singleton, and a sac-fly by Joe Benson brought in Lewis, giving Beloit an early 3-0 lead.

Gordon Gronkowski would double out to left for the Kernels in the top of the 4th. A fielding error by Chris Parmelee at 1st allowed Jeremy Moore onto base, putting runners at the corners. Julie Perez singled in Gronkowski, before Mike Tarsi got Andrew Romine out swinging. Cedar Rapids would then organize a double steal, but it didn't pay off as Anel De Los Santos struck out to end the inning.

Tyler Johnson walked in the top of the 5th for the Kernels, then stole 2nd. Jeff Gonzalez-Lopez also drew a walk. Hector Estrella would single in Johnson, but the Snappers managed a third base-second base double play to end the inning.

Jeremy Moore took a home run off Tarsi in the sixth tie up the contest. The lefty would finish up allowing 3 runs on six hits and 3 walks while striking out 7 over six innings, but would leave with a no decision.

Steve Hirschfield replaced Tarsi in the top of the 7th and issued a walk to Johnson, who then stole 2nd. After getting Clay Fuller out on Strikes, Gonzalez-Lopez would draw a walk. Johnson would be caught trying to steal third. Hector Estrella then doubled out to left to plate Gonzaelz-Lopez. Gonkowski followed that up with a double of his own to bring in Estrella, giving the Kernels a 5-3 lead.

Benson took a walk in the Bottom of the 7th. Revere singled his way onto base and Cates hit a sac-bunt to move the pair. However, Kernels pitcher Michael Davitt threw the ball into the outfield, allowing Benson and Revere to score and Cates to make it to 3rd on the play. A sac-fly by Garrett Olson brought in Cates for the game winning run.

Loek Van Mil would work 1.2 innings allowing 1 hit and 1 walk while stiking out 1. Matt Williams picked up his sixth save of the season, getting the final out to finish off the game.

Revere and Singleton were both 3-for-4 with a run, Lewis was 2-for-3 with a walk and a run. Yersich was 1-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and Parmelee was the one-hit wonder, going 1-for-4 at the plate with a pair of strike outs on the side.

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Beloit closer Matt Williams was added to the Midwest league All-star game. The native of New South Wales, Australia, is 2-0 on the season with a 1.93 era in 37.1 innings pitched. He has 40 strike outs, and issued just 12 walks. Williams signed with the Twins as a non-drafted free agent in the 2004.

If you missed Loek Van Mil and Chris Cates on ESPN's first take, you can view it online at ESPN.com.

DSL Twins 0 at DSL Indians 4

W: Y. Salazar (1-0, 0.00); L: A. Salcedo (0-2, 3.72)
HR: DSL IND: K. Diaz (1).

Maybe they forget to pack the bats when they travel? Whatever the case, the DSL Twins were shut out on the road for the third time this season, this time by the DSL Indians.

Adrian Salcedo allowed a pair of runs to the Indians in the 5th inning, on 2 hits and a walk while striking out 3. After walking Jesus Brito, Salcedo hit Joly Fermin with a ptich. Eliecer Cardenas would be brought into the game to replace Salcedo, and would give up a triple to Jose Cabera that scored the inherited runners.

Cardenas went on two allow to more run in the sixth inning on 4 hits and one walk while striking out 4. Argenis Martinez would tripe and Kelvin Diaz would homer to add two to the Indian's total.

For the Twins, second baseman Juan Blanco was 2-for-4 at the plate, catcher Jhonatan Arias and centerfielder Wilfy Gil had singles and Eliel Sierra was 1-for-4 at the plate with a double.

The DSL Twins take on the DSL Yankees2 at home on Tuesday with a 10:30 AM (Dominican time) start.

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