Cats, Wings end seasons on a winning note

Binghamton 1 at New Britain 3

W: K. Aselton (8-6, 4.24); L: M. Antonini (1-3, 3.74); SV: R. Delaney (5)
HR: None.

The New Britain Rock Cats finished up their 2008 regular season with a win over the Binghamtom Mets, 3-1 at New Britain Stadium. Former Miracle Kyle Aselton picked up is eighth AA win while Rob Delaney recorded his 5th AA save.

Aselton and Binghamton's Michael Antonini worked four scoreless innings, engaging in a pitchers duel for the earlier part of the game. Toby Gardenhire would end that when he singled on a ground ball to first, then moved to 3rd, one out later, on Rocky Palacios' line drive to right. Brandon Roberts would ground into a force out that nabbed Palacios at 2nd, but Gardenhire crossed the plate for the first Rock Cats run.

Jose Mijares would take over in the sixth for Aselton, who left the game having given up only 3 hits and a walk while striking out 9. MiJares would allow a double to Fernando Martinez in to sixth, but struck out Shawn Bowman and Mike Carp to keep the B-Mets off the board.

Dustin Martin knocked a line drive to left with 2 outs on the board in the bottom of the sixth. A wild pitch by Antonini moved him to second. Danny Berg's line drive to center sent the former Mets' prospect home to give the Rock Cats two.

Jonathan Malo would single off Mija in the top of the 7th with one out on the board. Mijares then walked Salomaon Manriquez. After a fly out to Peeter Ramos, Emmanuel Garcia singled a ground ball out to right that deflected off Gardenhire at first, scoring Malo for the lone B-Mets tally. Armando Gabino would replace Mijares at that point, getting Jose Coronado to fly out to retire the side.

Casey Hoorelbeke replaced Antonini for the bottom of the 7th, allowing a single to Felix Molina and a walk to Palacios. Roberts' bunt singled advanced the pair. Brian Dinkelman ground into a force out which took Molina out at home, but Matt Tolbert followed that up with a line drive that brought in Palacios, making the score 3-1 New Britain.

Delaney would walk two and allow a single in the top of the 9th, but got Martinez to fly out with the bases loaded to end the contest.

Molina finished up the game 2-for-3 with a walk, while Gardenhire was 2-for-4 with a run. Roberts ended the game 1-for-3 at the plate with a RBI, while Palacios, who was also 1-for-3, added a walk and a run.

Tolbert, Martin and Berg were all 1-for-4 in the contest, Tolbert and Berg with a RBI each, and Martin with a run.

New Britain finished their season with a 64-77 record, fifth in the six team North Division, having won their last 3 and 7 of their last 10.

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Rochester 9 at Buffalo 6

W: D. Graves (4-6, 6.30); L: B. Slocum (3-7, 4.85)
HR: BUF: T. Crowe (5), C. Gimenez (3). ROC: G. Jones (23), J. Pridie (13), M. Macri (11).

Danny Graves picked up his fourth AAA win of the season for the Rochester Red Wings who downed the Buffalo Bisons, 9-6 at Frontier Field to end their 2008 season on a winning note.

Former Miracle Garrett Jones hit a 3 run home-run in the ninth inning, his 23rd of the year, to propel the Wings to victory over the Cleveland farm team. Jason Pridie and Matt Macri hit solo shot home runs; Pridie's 13 of the year came in the 2nd inning while Macri's 11th yard ball came in the 8th inning.

Howie Clark was 3-for-4 at the plate, as was Jones, Clark with a pair of runs, and Jones with one run and 5 RBIs.

The win gives the Wings a 74-70 Record for the season, 3rd place in the North Division, 14 games behind the wildcard Pawtucket Red Sox.

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Burlington 7 at Beloit 3

W: J. Augustine (4-2, 3.77); L: S. Hunt (1-4, 5.46)
HR: BUR: C. Robinson (17), K. Martin (9).

Shooter Hunt gave up 4 runs, all earned, on 4 hits and 4 walks, striking out only one to suffer his fourth loss at the Low A level. The highly touted prospect lasted only 2 innings before giving way to Henry Reyes.

The playoff bound Burlington Bees topped Beloit 7-3, taking 3 more runs Reyes on 5 hits and a walk over the next five innings. Reyes would strike five during his time on the mound.

Chris Cates was 2-for-4 at the plate but did not factor into the scoring. Juan Richardson and Allan de San Miguel were 1-for-3 each at the plate, Richardson with a run and a run scored, and Dirty with a pair of RBIs. Greg Yersich, playing at 1st, was 1-for-4 in the contest with a run, while Ramon Santana was 0-for-4 at the plate, but picked up a run after he reached on a fielding error.

The Snappers end their season with a 71-67 overall record, and were five games behind Cedar Rapids for the league's wild card spot.

A number of players from the Snappers will be attending Fall Instructional League as they look to make he jump for Low to High A in 2009 including Reyes, Hunt and Richardson, plus Midwest league MVP Ben Revere. Snapper's field manager (and former Miracle catcher) Nelson Prada, who guided the Snappers to a .500 second half, will manage the four week fall league at the Lee County Sportscomplex.

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Outfielder Dustin Martin and infielders Danny Valencia and Steve Tolleson will join pitchers Jeff Manship, Rob Delaney, Tim Lahey and Anthony Slama on the Phoenix Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League. Rochester Red Wings field manager Stan Cliburn will manage the Twins affiliated Desert Dogs who open their season Tuesday, October 7th, against the Mesa Solar Sox.

Rock Cats Make 2 Roster Moves

New Britain Rock Cat's Press Release

Rock Cats of the Eastern League announced two roster moves this morning, and one involves the Minnesota Twins sending INF Matt Tolbert to the Hardware City for a Major League rehabilitation assignment. The other move brings 23-year-old C/INF Danny Berg to the Rock Cats from Ft. Myers in the Florida State League.

Related details:

INF Matt Tolbert, a 26-year-old Mississippi State product who was a member of the 2008 Minnesota Twins before being disabled with a torn ligament in his left thumb, will join the Rock Cats today from the Twins extended training facility in Florida. The 6'0"/185-pound Tolbert began the year in Minnesota and appeared in 30 games, batting .265, before going to the DL on May 15th. A 16th Round pick by Minnesota in the 2004 Draft, the hard-nosed Tolbert's versatility allowed him to play three different infield positions during his 2008 stint with the Twins. No stranger to New Britain, Tolbert played in 72 games for the 2006 Rock Cats and batted .258.

C/INF Danny Berg, a 23-year-old native of Melbourne, Australia, is joining the Rock Cats today from Ft. Myers in the Single-A, Florida State League. Currently in his fourth season of pro ball, the right-handed hitting 6'0"/200-pounder has appeared in 67 games for Ft. Myers in 2008. He departs Florida with a .279 BA, which included 8 Doubles, 2 Triples, 6 HRs and 22 RBI. Berg is also a versatile player, capable of serving as the Rock Cats' Catcher, should an emergency arise that makes that necessary.

Oh, that's just great. Here we are in the playoffs and they're moving players up to a team that's got nothing left to play for. Meanwhile, we can't get any reinforcements that weren't on the roster as of August 15th. Great, just freakin' great. Good luck Bergie! We shall miss you!

Cats, Wings both lose

New Britain 4 at Bowie 6

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Indianopolis 6 at Rochester 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cats, wings both winners

New Britain 7 at Bowie 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Indianapolis 5 at Rochester 6

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cats fall to Bowie, Wings slip by Indians

New Britain 1 at Bowie 10

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Indianapolis 2 at Rochester 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Cats fall to Bowie; Wings upend Iron Pigs

New Britain 5 at Bowie 7

W: F. Romero (7-3, 3.04); L: J. Rainville (8-9, 6.50); SV: J. Manon (26)
HR: NBR: D. Martin (8). BOW: J. Tucker (5).

A three-run home run by Jonathan Tucker in the fifth inning helped lift the Bowie Baysox to a 7-2 win over the New Britain Rock Cats Thursday night.

Back-to-back doubles by Carlos Rojas and Nolan Reimold in the bottom of the first inning saw Sebastien Boucher, who'd led off with a single, and Rojas cross the plate to give the Orioles' affiliate an early 2-0 lead.

David Winfree singled his way onto the basepaths. Dustin Martin would strike out, but Felix Molina and Matt Moses hit back-to-back singles that plated Winfree. Drew Butera then doubled the pair of runners in to make it 3-2 Rock Cats in the top of the 2nd. Toby Gardenhire would take a walk, but Steve Tolleson went down on strikes and Brian Dinkelman ground into a force out to end the inning.

Brock Peterson doubled to lead off the top of the 3rd, then moved to 3rd on a wild pitch by Brad Bergesen. Winfree would strike out before Dustin Martin put his eighth home run of the season over the right field fence. That made it 5-2 Rock Cats and signaled a pitching change that brought Felix Romero out to the mound. The new hurler would get Felix Molina to ground out and Matt Moses to strike out to end the top of the set.

The bottom the fifth saw Rojas doubled and Reimold single. Matt Wieters' sac-fly plated Rojas. Ryan Finan took a walk before Jay Rainville got Steve Torrealba to fly out. Jeff Nettles then gave up a double that scored Reimold. Tucker would go yard at that point, bring in 3 for the game winning run, plus an insurance marker.

The Cats would only manage six hits in the contest, all limited to the first 2.1 innings, with Peterson, Winfree, Martin, Molina and Moses, all going 1-for-4 with a run. Peterson would add a double, Martin a pair of runs scored and Moses an RBI. Butera finished up 1-for-3 with a pair of RBIs.

It was Rainville's ninth loss of the season. Jason Miller would work the last three inning, giving up a pair of hits while fanning one.

The two teams rematch Friday at Prince George's Stadium for a 7:05 PM contest. RHP David Hernandez (6-4, 2.60 ERA) throws out the first pitch for Bowie against Rock Cats LHP Ryan Mullins (7-8, 4.56 ERA).

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Lehigh Valley 7 at Rochester 11

W: J. DePaula (2-5, 6.33); L: T. Blackley (5-9, 5.47); SV: B. Korecky (19)
HR: LHV: J. Knott (18), A. Tracy (18). ROC: G. Jones (16), L. Hughes (1).

Garrett Jones and Luke Hughes each hit 2-run homers in the 3rd inning to help propel the Rochester Red Wings over the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs Thursday at Frontier Field.

Andy Tracy doubled in Jason Jaramillo in the top of the first to give the Iron Pigs one run early. Hughes, Matt Macri and Trevor Plouffe all hit singles in the bottom of the 2nd to tie up the contest.

Jason Pridie would lead off the bottom of the 3rd with a triple and Alejandro Machado would single him in. Michael Cuddyer double to plate Machado before Jones went yard to make it 5-1 Wings. Howie Clark singled and Luke Hughes put his first AAA home run over the center field wall to make it 7-1 Cats.

Tracy and Jon Knott hit back-to-back solo shot home runs off Phillip Humber. It was the 18th of the year for both players. Oscar Robles and Joey Hammond both singled before Humber got Rouse to pop out. T.J. Bohn singled to plate Robles, which finished up Humber's tenur on the hill. Julio DePaula would replace him getting Brandon Watson to pop out before walking Rich Thompson to load the bags. Jaramillo would ground out however to leave the runners stranded.

For some reason, the Iron Pigs left Travis Blackley on the mound for the bottom of the fourth. Machado would single and Cuddyer double. Jones grounder to center scored the pair. Clark's single moved Jones to 3rd and, following a strike out to Hughes, Macri would sacrifice him in. Plouffe would take a walk before the Pigs finally trotted Jason Anderson out to the mound to get Jeff Christy to strike out and end the inning.

Hughes singled in the bottom of the 6th and one out later, Trevor Plouffe doubled him to 3rd. A sac fly by Christy got the Aussie across the plate for the final Wings run.

The Pigs would take 3 off of Carmen Cali in the top of the 9th, with Bohn tripling and Watson doubling him in. Thomspon singled. Jaramillo hit into a ground out, but Tracy singled to bring in Watson. Knott's grounder scored Jaramillo before Bobby Korecky came in to replace Cali, getting Robles to fly out and Hammond to strike out to end the contest.

Hughes would finish off 3-for-4 with a walk, 3 runs and a pair of RBIs. Machado was 4-for-4 in the designated hitter roll with pair of walks, a pair of runs and a run scored. Pride, Jones and Clark were all 2-for-5, each with a run except for Jones, who had two. Pridie added a walk and a triple, and Jones recorded 4 RBIs. Plouffe was a modest 2-for-4 with a walk, a double and a RBI, while Macri and Christy were both 1-for-4, missing out on the one hit wonder title by picking up a RBI each.

The Indy Indians come to Frontier Field on Friday, August 8, for a 7:05 PM contest. RHP Kevin Mulvey (4-8, 3.85 ERA) gets the start for the Twins against Indians RHP Ross Ohlendorf (1-1, 4.61).

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Alejandro Machado now has a 16-game hitting streak, batting .426 (26-for-61) during the streak. It's the second longest streak by a Red Wing this season (Randy Ruiz, 24-game hitting streak).

Jason Pridie hit his league-leading 15th triple.

The Wings won their eighth straight home game.

Luke Hughes had three hits, three runs scored and two RBI, and is now hitting .323 at Triple-A.

Despite the Red Wings' 58-63 record they’ve outscored their opponents 577-559.

Twins OF Michael Cuddyer continued his rehab assignment with the Wings; Cuddyer had a pair of doubles and a walk in five plate appearances.

Brian Duensing is blogging about Beijing and the Olympics. You can read his exploits on MLB Blogs.

Shoulder Injury Sidelines Eastern League's Doubles Leader

New Britain Rock Cats Press Release

New Britain, CT - The New Britain Rock Cats announced today that Erik Lis, their hard-hitting 24-year-old Outfielder who currently leads the Double-A, Eastern League in Doubles (36), has been placed on the Disabled List with a shoulder injury. The Evansville University product, selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 9th Round of the 2005 Draft, suffered a season-ending dislocated shoulder in pre-game warm-ups yesterday afternoon.

The 6'1"/220-pound Lis had appeared in 105 games for the 2008 Rock Cats. A strong left-handed hitter, the Oak Lawn, IL resident - in addition to topping the League in Doubles with 36 - was also among New Britain's 2008 team leaders with 112 total Hits, which included 11 Home Runs and 3 Triples. His total of 51 Extra Base Hits placed him 2nd in the circuit in that category as well. The versatile Lis played both 1B and corner Outfield positions in his first year in New Britain, and concluded the campaign with a solid .277 Batting Average.

Cats acquire southpaw from Fort Myers

New Britain Rock Cats Press Release

New Britain, CT - The New Britain Rock Cats announced this afternoon that they have received a 24-year-old reliever - LHP Jose Mijares - from Ft. Myers in the Single-A Florida State League.

The 6'0"/235-pound Mijares is a promising southpaw who was a 2007 Eastern League All-Star when he performed in New Britain last season. The Caracas, Venezuela native's career was temporarily put on hold while he recovered from the effects of an automobile accident that occurred during the 2007 off-season. He is now fully recovered and, prior to this promotion, appeared in 5 games out of the Single-A, Ft. Myers bullpen, allowing 7 Hits and 3 Earned Runs over 10.1 total innings of work.

Signed by the Minnesota Twins as a Free Agent in March of 2002, Mijares made 46 bullpen appearances for the 2007 Rock Cats, compiling a 5-3 W-L record. He also posted 9 Saves, 75 Strike Outs, and a 3.54 ERA over 61 total innings of Double-A work.

Mijares has arrived in New Britain and will be available for service tonight.

The New Britain Rock Cats are the Double-A, Eastern League affiliate of the American League's Minnesota Twins.

Fisher's romp over Rock Cats

New Hampshire 12 at New Britain 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



Friday: Binghamton 4 at New Britain 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Saturday: Binghamton 5 at New Britain 8

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Sunday: Binghamton 5 at New Britain 6

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Peterson takes win over Bowie

New Britain 3 at Bowie 2

W: A. Gabino (6-5, 3.11); L: G. Casadiego (5-5, 3.34); SV: B. Julianel (23)
HR: NBR: B. Peterson 2 (13).

A pair of home runs by Brock Peterson helped the New Britain Rock Cats to a 3-2 win over the Bowie Baysox, concluding the road series which Bowie took, 3 games to 1. New Britain returns home to fireworks Friday night at New Britain Stadium.

Jeff Manship worked six innings allowing only 2 runs, 1 earned on 3 hits and a walk while fanning 4 but would get the no decision. Manship would put two outs on the board in the first inning before allowing a single to Luis Montanez. A passed ball by Drew Butera moved Montanez to 2nd, and Nolan Reimold's line drive to left, combined with a Danny Valencia throwing error, plated him.

Valencia would single in the top of the 4th as would Erik Lis, who sent the speedy Valencia to 3rd. Brock Peterson then drove Valencia in with a grounder to third to tie up the game.

Sebastien Boucher would get plunked by a pitch in the bottom of the sixth, then moved to 3rd on a Carlos Rojas single. A wild pitch by Manship allowed Boucher across the plate for the Baysox second run.

Peterson answered back by hitting is 12th home run of the year over the left field fence in the top of the 7th.

Armando Gabino replaced Manship for the bottom of the seventh inning, and Gerardo Casadiego replaced Zach Clark in the top of the 8th. Singles to Rojas and Montanez and a walk to Reimold loaded the bases for Bowie in the bottom of the eight, but after Steve Torrealba popped out, Mike Rodriguez would ground into a force out and Toby Gardenhire would relay the ball to Butera, who took Rojas out at home. Jeff Nettles would fly out to get the Cats out of the inning unscathed.

Peterson would launch his 13th home run over the center field wall in the top of the ninth.

Ben Julianel came in to close the game and gave up singles to Blake Davis and Matt Wieters. But he'd take Rojas and Montanez out on strikes to end the game.

Peterson was 3-for-4 at the plates with a pair of runs and all three Rock Cats RBIs. Valencia and Gardenhire were 1-for-4 each, Valencia with a run, and Lis was 1-for-3 with a walk.

The Rock Cats will now face off against the B-Mets for three, with the first pitch due out at 7:05 PM. Aside from Fireworks, ESPN will be at the park filming a commercial for their upcoming SportCenter AM show. (Rock Cats)

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Pawsox slip past Wings late

Rochester 6 at Pawtucket 7

W: J. Switzer (5-1, 5.37); L: B. Korecky (5-4, 3.36)
HR: ROC: R. Ruiz (17), R. Jorgensen (8). PAW: C. Carter (23).

The Pawtucket Red Sox rallied past the Rochester Red Wings in the ninth inning to win 7-6 at McCoy Stadium Thursday night.

Carmen Cali, making a spot start, was jumped on early by Jeff Bailey who took a double off of him to lead off the bottom of the first. Jeff Natale ground out, but Bailey moved to 3rd on the play and scored on Keith Ginter's single. Chris Carter then went yard over the right field fence for his 23 home run of the season to give the Pawsox two more. A pair of fly outs would Cali out of the first inning.

Randy Ruiz blasted his 17th home run of the season over the right field wall to put Rochester on the board in the top of the 2nd.

Bailey doubled in the bottom of the second and came home on a Natale line drive single to make it 4-1 Pawsox.

In the top of the 4th, Howie Clark hit a ground rule double. Following a fly out by Garrett Jones, Ruiz singled out to center to drive in Clark, cutting the Pawsox lead to two.

Danny Graves would take over for Cali in the bottom of the 4th and would work the next three, allowing the Pawsox only 1 hit.

Ryan Jorgensen's 8th home run for the Wings in the top of the 5th cut the Pawsox lead to one. Jones would doubled in the top of the sixth and come home on Ruiz ground ball to center to tie up the contest. After Macri went down on strikes, Luke Hughes would single, moving Ruiz to 2nd. Trevor Plouffe and sent a ground ball to right field to plate Ruiz, putting the Wings on top.

Keith Ginter took a walk off Mariano Gomez in the bottom of the seventh inning and moved to second on Chris Carter's ground out. George Kottaras singled to center to drive in Ginter and the game was even again.

With Jon Switzer on the mound in the top of the ninth, Ajejandro Machado singled. Clark doubled to move him to 3rd and after a coaching visit to the mound, Garrett Jones singled to plate Machado. Randy Ruiz would get hit by a pitch, but the Wings would leave two runners stranded as Macri popped out and Hughes flew out to bring the Pawsox up to the plate.

Bobby Korecky would be called in to close the game, but issued a walk to Bailey. Natale would bunt into a force out, but Korecky then hit Ginter with a pitch. A throwing error by Macri allowed Carter to reach and Natale to scored to even up the contest again. But the Pawsox were not done. George Kottaras took a single off Korecky to score Ginter, putting the Pawsox on top and ending the game.

Ruiz finished up 3-for-4 with a pair of runs and 3 RBIs. Jones was 2-for-4 with a walk, a double, a run and a run scored. Clark was 2-for-5 with a pair of doubles and a run. Machado and Plouffe were both 1-for-4, Machado with a run, Plouffe with an RBI; Jorgenson was 1-for-3 with a walk, a run and a run scored.

Pridie, Macri and Hughes were all 1-for-5, Pridie with a double.

The Wings will look for a split in the series Friday night at 7:05 PM. Francisco Liriano (10-2, 3.82) is scheduled to take the start for Rochester, but word has it that won't happen, that Frankie is going to Minnesota. Stay tuned for further updates...

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TwinsBaseball.com reported that second baseman Alexi Casilla will not immediately undergo surgery to repair the torn ligament in his right thumb, but the option for surgery has not been completely ruled out.

Photos of Randy Ruiz and Garrett Jones by Nancy Zinni.

Cats drop 3rd straight to Bowie

New Britain 6 at Bowie 8

W: R. Keefer (2-4, 4.56); L: J. Miller (1-2, 5.15); SV: J. Manon (25)
HR: NBR: D. Valencia (2). BOW: L. Montanez (24), J. Nettles (20), C. Rojas (1).

The New Britain Rock Cats finally mounted an offense Wednesday evening at Prince Georges Stadium, but pitching proved to be the problem as they fell again, this time 8-6 to the Bowie Baysox.

Carlos Rojas knocked his first home run of the season over the left field wall and Luis Montenez put this 24th over the same left field wall off starter Yohan Pino in the bottom of the first with one out on the board. Nolan Reimold then took a free pass and Matt Wieters doubled out to right to plate Reimold. Wieters would make it to 3rd with men on the corners when Pino finally got Ryan Finan to ground out to end the inning.

Danny Valencia went yard in the top of the second, launching his 2nd of the year over the center field fence.

Rocky Palacios singled and Luke Hughes doubled in the top of the 3rd. Dustin Martin went down on strikes before Brock Peterson singled to plate the two runners, tying up the game. Erik Lis reached on a force attempt and Valencia drew a walk to load the bags. Matt Moses would ground into a force out which took Peterson out at home, but Steve Tolleson then drew a walk, forcing in Lis. Felix Molina would fly out to end the scoring threat.

Reimold doubled in the bottom of the 3rd but would try to make it a triple and was taken out at 3rd. Matt Wieters then doubled and came home on a Mike Rodriguez single. Rodriguez then stole 2nd and Jeff Nettles sent him over the plate with a ground ball to left.

Luke Hughes singled in the bottom of the fourth and went to 2nd on a wild pitch. Martin's ground out got him to 3rd and he'd come home on a Brock Peterson single to again tie up the game.

Jason Miller replaced Pino on the mound in the bottom of the fourth and set down 3 straight batters.

The top of the 5th saw Valencia single, then steal 2nd. Moses drew a walk. After Toleosn went down on strikes, Molina would be hit by a pitch to load the bags. Palacious sacrificed in Valencia, but Hughes struck out, ending the cat's threat.

Wieters would walk in the bottom of the 5th and Mike Gonzalez singled. Nettles then put his 20th home run of the year over the left center field wall to bring in 3, putting the Baysox on top for good.

The Cats had a good chance to tie up the game in the 7th with Moses on 3rd and Tolleson on 2nd but Molina popped out and Palacios ground out, leaving them stranded.

Pino end the game after giving up 5 runs, all earned, on 7 hits and a pair of walks while striking out 1 over 3 innings. Miller took his 2nd loss of the year, giving up 3 runs on 2 hits and a walk while fanning 3 over 3 innings. Rob Delaney worked the last two innings, giving up 3 hits, but no runs. He's strike out only one.

Hughes was 3-for-5 with a double and a pair of runs while Valencia and Tolleson were 2-for-4 each, Valencia with a walk, a pair of runs, and a run score, while Tolleson had a walk, a double and a RBI.

Peterson was 2-for-5 with 3 RBIs. Lis was 0-for-5 at the plate but contributed a run. Moses was 1-for-4 with a walk, while Palacios was 1-for-3 with a run and a run scored.

Bowie will look for brooms in an attempt to sweep the Cats out of town on Thursday night. New Britain returns home on Friday to fireworks and the Binghamton Mets for a three game set.

However they must get by Bowie's Zach Clark (1-0, 2.81) first and will look to Jeff Manship (1-5, 4.70) to give them a solid performance on the mound. Thursday's contest begins at 7:05 P.M.

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Bowie boinks Cats; Wings Zinked in Pawtucket

New Britain 1 at Bowie 9

W: F. Romero (6-3, 3.25); L: R. Mullins (7-8, 4.49)
HR: BOW: M. Wieters (6), S. Torrealba (4).

Four different Bowie pitchers scattered nine hits over nine innings, holding the declawed New Britain Rock Cats to only 1 run.

After blanking the Cats on Monday, the Baysox wasted no time going after the Rock Cats starter Ryan Mullins. Matt Wieters doubled to lead off the second inning, and Steve Torrealba went yard, sending his fourth home run of the season over the left field fence. Despite singled to Jeff Nettles and Sebastien Bouchers, and a walk to Alex Cintron, the Cats were able to keep Bowie in check for the remainder of the inning.

Louis Montanez singled in the bottom of the 3rd and came home on a Nolan Reimond double, coupled with a throwing error by shortstop Toby Gardenhire that sent Reimold to 3rd. Wieters singled to bring in the runner and Torrealba drew a walk. Nettles ground into a double play however, and Jonathan Tucker went down on strikes to end the inning.

Zach Ward replaced Mullins in the bottom of the 4th, and walked Boucher. Alex Cintron singled out and tried to stretch it for a double. Boucher would make it to 3rd, but Cintron would be taken out at 2nd. Carlos Rojas went down on strikes before Montanez's line drive plated Boucher. A wild pitch move Montanez to 2nd and Reimold took a walk before Weiter launched his sixth home run of the season over the left field fence, adding 3 more to the Baysox total.

Despite an attempt by Dustin Martin to get some scoring going in the first inning, and getting David Winfree all the way to 3rd in the top of the fourth, nothing would happen for the Rock Cats until the top of the 6th. Winfree singled and advanced to 2nd on a balk by Felix Romero. Erik Lis' ground out saw him to 3rd and a Brock Peterson triple plated the Cats' outfielder. Peterson would be left stranded though as Steve Tolleson and Toby Gardenhire both went down on strikes.

Frank Mata would take over the mound from Ben Julianel in the top of the 8th and hit Rojas with a pitch to lead out. Montanez ground into a force out that took Rojas down, but Reimold followed up with a single. Wieters sent a grounder out to right to score Montanez to give the Baysox their ninth run of the night.

Winfree was 3-for-4 for the Cats with a run, Martin was 2-for-3 with a walk. Tolleson and Palacios, both 1-for-4, and Hughes, 1-for-5, had hit singles for the Cats, while Peterson finished up 1-for-4 with a triple and a RBI.

Game three of the four-game series is Wednesday at Price George's Stadium, with the first pitch due at 7:05 PM.

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Rochester 3 at Pawtucket 5

W: C. Zink (13-3, 2.76); L: R. Barrett (3-5, 3.21); SV: C. Smith (13)
HR: PAW: G. Velazquez (6).

Charlie Zink lead the Pawtucket Red Sox to yet another win over the Rochester Red Wings, although the Wings did manage to wiggle three runs from the stingy Mr. Zink.

Kevin Mulvey took the start for the Red Wings and the Pawsox jumped on him in the first inning with Jeff Baily doubling then moving to 3rd on a wild pitch. Mulvey then hit Jeff Natale with a pitch, but got Brandon Moss to hit into a force out. Bailey would score on the play that took Natale out at second base, but a throwing error by 2nd baseman Trevor Plouffe allowed Moss to advance to 2nd. Mulvey would then get Chris Carter to fly out and George Kottaras to line out to strand Moss.

Jason Pridie would double in the 3rd and Alejandro Machado followed up with a single. Matt Macri singled to bring in Pridie and Garrett Jones also singled to plate Machado. Randy Ruiz then doubled to drive in Macri. Jones would try to go home as well and would be taken out at the plate on the throw, which moved Ruiz to 3rd. But Howie Clark ground out, ending the inning.

That would be it for the Wings though as Zink allowed 9 hits and a walk while striking out 2 over seven innings for his 13th win of the season.

Former Red Wing Gil Valazquez homered, his sixth of the year, for the Pawsox in the bottom of the fifth, cutting the Cat's lead to one.

Jeff Corsaletti doubled in the bottom of the 7th and that would do it for Mulvey, who left the mound after allowing six hits and striking out 4 in 6.1 innings. Ricky Barrett took over, and allowed a single to Valazquez that plated Corsaeltti. Jonathan Van Every tripled to drive in Velazques, putting the Pawsox on top. Tim Lahey was then invited to step to the mound, and after a brief coaching visit, saw Jeff Bailey smack a line drive out to left to score Van Every for the insurance run.

Barrett would pick up both the blown save, his 2nd of the season, and the loss, his fifth.

Pridie, Machado and Ruiz were all 2-for-4, Pridie and Machado with runs and Ruiz with a RBI. Macri and Sergio Santos were both 1-for-4, Macri with a run and a RBI. Jones was 1-for-3, with a walk and a RBI.

The series continues Wednesday afternoon with newly promoted Anthony Swarzak making his first AAA start for the Wings. He will face David Pauley (12-3, 3.39). First pitch is due at 12:05 PM at McCoy Stadium.

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The Red Wings' 20-37 record away from Frontier Field this season is the 2nd worst road record in the International League (Richmond has the worst road record 19-35). Rochester has lost nine of their last 11 road games.

Despite the Red Wings' 52-60 record they’ve outscored their opponents 526-525.

Jason Pridie photo courtesy of Nancy Zinni.

Cats bats silenced by Bowie

New Britain 0 at Bowie 7

W: B. Bergesen (13-3, 2.68); L: J. Rainville (7-8, 6.50)
HR: BOW: B. Davis (4).

Once again, the New Britain Rock Cats proved themselves clawless as they failed to find any sort of comprehensive offense against the Bowie Baysox.

Bowie's Brad Bergesen went the distance for the Orioles farm team, scattering six hits over nine innings while fanning three. The Concord, California, native pick up he 13 win of the season, he has lost only 3 eastern league games in 2008.

Jay Rainville took the start for the listless Cats, and allowed a walk to Sebastien Boucher to lead off. Carlos Rojas doubled and Luis Montanez sacrificed in Boucher. Nolan Reimold then singled to plate Rojas, giving the Baysox an early lead.

With one out on the board in the bottom of the 5th, Jonthan Tucker singled and Blake Davis launched a ball over the right field wall for his fourth home run of the season, extending Bowie's league to 4.

In the bottom of the 8th, Rojas singled with one out on the board, Montanez then tripled to plate Rojas and send Rock Cats field manager Bobby Cuellar out to the mound. He'd lift Jay Rainville in favor of Kyle Aselton. The 6'5" lefty would walk Reimold and allow a single to Matt Wieters that brought in Montanez. He'd then unleash a wild pitch to advance Reimold to 3rd and Wieters to 2nd. Mike Rodriguez singled out to center to drive in Reimold.

Erik Lis was 4-for-4 at the plate and had a double in the 7th inning. Tolleson and Hughes were both 1-for-4, Tolleson with a single in the 3rd and Hughes with one of two singles in the ninth (the other belonging to Lis). It was the only time during the contest the Cats would get two hits in the same inning.

Game number two of the four game set is Tuesday at 7:05 PM at Prince George's Stadium. Baysox southpaw Rommie Lewis (1-5, 4.03) will step onto the hill for the first pitch. New Britain counters with lefty Ryan Mullins (7-7, 4.28).

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Scranton/WB 4 at Rochester 7

W: P. Humber (6-7, 5.38); L: A. Horne (2-3, 5.63); SV: B. Korecky (16)
HR: SWB: C. Ransom (20), B. Broussard (7).

Phil Humber and Casey Daigle held the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees to six hits over 7.3 innings and the Rochester Red Wings did the rest as the Wings picked up a 7-4 win at Frontier Field.

Alan Horne did not fair nearly so well. The Marianna, Florida, native surrendered 5 runs on a pair of hits and 5 walks in 1 innings worth of work.

Horne started off by walking Jason Pridie, who then stole 2nd. Adam Everett took a walk as well. Horne got Darnell McDonald to pop out but Garrett Jones tripled to clear off the bags. Randy Ruiz hit into a ground out before another walk was issued, this time to Howie Clark. Matt Macri lined out to end the inning.

Horne return for the bottom of the second to walk Trevor Plouffe and Jeff Christy. He'd then allow a single to Pride, which plated Plouffe before the Yankees would replace him on the mound with Chris Britton. Britton allowed a single to Everett that brought in Christie and after getting McDonald and Jones out on strikes, allowed a line drive single to Ruiz that brought in Pridie.

Scranton would get on the board in the top of the 4th, with Alberto Gonzalez singling and Cody Ransom hitting his 20th home run of the season, over the center field wall, making the score 5-2, Rochester.

Brian Bruney would replace Britton in the top of the 5th and hit Ruiz with a pitch. There would be an small disagreement regarding Bruney's actions and he would be ejected by umpire Mike Estabrook, as was Ruiz.* Billy Traber stepped onto the mound for the Yankees and Sergio Santos replaced Ruiz at first base. Clark would ground out and Macri single to advance Santos to 3rd. Plouffe then ground into a force out that scored Santos and took Macri out at 2nd, to add another run to the Wings total.

Steve Jackson replaced Traber in the bottom of the 7th, and Clark would reach on a Ben Broussard fielding error. Macri ground out, but Plouffe drew a walk. Christy followed that up with a single to plate Clark, giving Rochester 7 runs. Pridie would single to load the bags, but Everett ground into a double play to end the inning.

Chris Stewart doubled for the Yankees in the top of the 8th. Gonzalez would fly out to move him to 3rd and then pair of wild pitches by Daigle would plate Stewart.

In the 9th, Broussard took his 7th home run of the season off Daigle and J.D. Closser walked. But the Red Wings would bring in Bobby Korecky who got Eric Duncan out on strikes and Chris Stewart and Brett Gardner to both pop out to end the contest.

Pridie finished up 2-for-4 with a walk, a pair of runs and a RBI; Jones was 2-for-5 with a triple and pair of RBIs. Everett was 1-for-4 with a walk, a run and a run scored. Macri was also 1-for-4 but qualifies as a one hit wonder, as did McDonald, who was 1-for-5. Plouffe twas 1-for-2 with a pair of walks, a run and a RBI, while Christy was 1-for-1 with 3 walks, a run and a run scored.

Santos, 0-for-2 and Clark 0-for-3 with a walk, each had a run as well.

Rochester now travels to Pawtuckett for a four game series against the Pawtuckett Paw Sox starting Tuesday at 7:05 PM.

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Tommy Watkins will have surgery on his left shoulder to replace a torn labium on Tuesday morning. He is expected to remain in Rochester through the end of the season.

Brian Duensing was presented with his USA Olympic Baseball team cap and jersey in a pregame ceremony Sunday. Wings GM Dan Mason surprised Duensing with a gift from the front office: a plane ticket for Duensing's wife Lisa to join him in Beijing. His Red Wings teammates have put together a silent auction that will take place at the Aug. 8 home game; proceeds will help offset hotel costs for Duensing's wife.

RHP Anthony Swarzak has been promoted from Double-A New Britain and start Wednesday's game in Pawtucket.

Right-hander Tom Shearn was signed to a free-agent contract. He started the season with Triple-A Louisville and went 6-2 with a 4.53 earned-run average before being sold to a team in Korea.

Adam Everett's rehab assignment expired Monday. According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, if Minnesota does not activate the infielder, the ballclub will either have to designate him for assignment or get Everett to agree on a longer rehab stint.

Former Red Wing Jason Tyner was released by the Buffalo Bisons.

Former Red Wing/Rock Cat/Miracle Denard Span, now with the Minnesota Twins hit his first big-league home run Monday night.

Photo of Sergio Santos courtesy of Nancy Zinni.