Franchise

As expected, the Minnesota Twins announced that they have recalled lefthanded pitcher Francisco Liriano and selected the contract of first baseman/designated hitter Randy Ruiz from Triple-A Rochester.

Liriano was 10-2, 3.28 (118.0 ip, 43 er), allowing 102 hits with 31 walks and 113 strikeouts and an opponents' batting-average-against of .231 (102-for-441) in 19 starts for the Red Wings this season. In his last 11 starts with Rochester, he was 10-0, 2.67 (70.2 ip, 21 er) with 13 walks and 80 strikeouts.

Ruiz batted .320 (133-for-416) with 33 doubles, three triples, 17 home runs and 68 RBIs in 111 games with the Red Wings this season. He led the International League in hits, was tied for the league lead in batting, and was second in doubles and extra-base hits (53). Ruiz led the club in games, hits, doubles, home runs and RBIs, and was second in at-bats. He will wear uniform number 56.

To make room for Liriano and Ruiz on the 25-man roster, the Twins have designated righthanded pitcher Livan Hernandez and outfielder Craig Monroe for release or assignment.

Newcomer Thomas Shearn, a free agent signee, too the start in Friday's night contest instead of Liriano, allowing 1 run on 3 hits and pair of walks while striking ou 5 over five innings. The Wings fell late to the Pawtucket Red Sox 8-7.

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.

Swarzak, Rochester down Pawtucket

Rochester 8 at Pawtucket 3

W: A. Swarzak (1-0, 1.80); L: D. Pauley (12-4, 3.40); SV: B. Korecky (17)
HR: ROC: R. Ruiz (16), G. Jones (14). PAW: J. Natale (1).

Anthony Swarzak picked up his first win at the AAA level, allowing only 3 runs - one earned - on 4 hits and 3 walks. He'd strike out 2 over five innings. Coupled with an offensive explosion, the Rochester Red Wings took an 8-3 win over the Pawtucket Red Sox Wednesday afternoon.

Swarzk would be a little shaky to start, hitting Jeff Bailey with a pitch. Jeff Natale reached on a force attempt when Matt Macri missed a catch, moving Baily to second. Brandon Moss would line out before Chris Carter singled to score Bailey. Dusty Brown would sacrifice in Natale for the Pawsox second run. Keith Ginter singled and Jeff Corsaletti walked, but after a coaching visit to the mound, Swarzak would take Gil Valazquez out on strikes to give the Wings a chance at the plate.


Randy Ruiz made the most of that chance by doubling and Matt Macri singled him in to give the Wings their first run. Ruiz then homered in the top of the 4th, his 16th of the year going over the left field wall, to tie up the game.

Alejandro Machado singled in the top of the 5th, then stole 2nd. Darnell McDonald walked and Garrett Jones reach on a force attempt when Valazquez failed to field the ball. Machado would score on the play, putting the Wings on top. Ruiz then ground into a double play that plated McDonald for the insurance run.

Natale would hit his first home run of the season off Swarzak in the bottom of the fifth, launching a ball over the left field wall.

Jose Vaquedano replaced David Pauley on the Pawsox mound for the sixth inning and Julio DePaula came in for Swarzak.

After getting Matt Macri to pop out and Trevor Plouffe and Jeff Christy to strike out in the sixth, Vaquedano would be replace by Michael Tejera in the 7th. With two outs on the board, Sergio Santos walked. Jones then knocked his 14th home run over the right center field wall, give the Wings another pair of runs.

Eric Hull replaced Tejera in the eighth. Jason Pridie tripled off Hull in the top of the ninth. Back-to-back singles to Alejandro Machado and Sergio Santos put Pridie over the plate and Jones would single in Machado, to make the score 8-3.

Bobby Korckey took over for DePaula in the eighth and stuck around to get Corsaletti to fly out and Valazquez and Jonathan Van Every to strike out to end the contest.

The save would be Korckey's 17th of the season.

Machado finished up 3-for-5 at the plate with two runs; Jones and Ruiz were 2-for-5, Jones with a run and 3 RBIs and Ruiz with a pair of runs and 1 RBI. Macri and Plouffe were 1-for-4 with Macri contributing a RBI, while Pridie and Clark were each 1-for-5, Pridie with a run. Santos was 1-for-1 with a walk, a run and a run scored.

McDonald also provided a run, although he was 0-for-1 with a walk at the plate.

The series continues on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. with Michael Bowden (0-2) on the mound for the Pawsox against Rochester's Carmen Cali (5-0).

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The Minnesota Twins will place infielder Alexi Casilla on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, with a torn tendon in his right thumb. To replace Casilla on the 25-man roster, the Twins will reinstate infielder Adam Everett from the 15-day disabled list. Everett missed 58 games (May 22-July 29) during his recent stint on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain. He also missed 10 games with the same injury April 15-May 3.

Randy Ruiz photo courtesy of Nancy Zini.

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.

Wings, Tide split series

While I was busy with a recent attack of death by baseball, I've been ignoring some of the game reports and none so much as the Rochester Red Wings. Hopefully, I'll be able to get caught up and back on track shortly.

Friday: Norfolk 11 at Rochester 5

W: R. Keisler (1-1, 4.36); L: D. Graves (3-4, 5.92)
HR: NOR: J. Fiorentino (2). ROC: R. Ruiz (14).

Danny Graves got off to a bad start Friday night, with the Norfolk Tide rolling over him for six runs en-route to an 11-5 win over the Rochester Red Wings.

Tike Redman opened with a double and Eider Torres followed that up with a single, then stole 2nd. Oscar Salazar popped out, and Graves would walk Mike Costanzo to load the bags. Luis Terrero's line drive single brought in Redman and Torres. A wild pitch by Graves advanced Costanzo and Terrero, leading to Jeff Fiorentio's single that plated the Tide's third baseman. Omir Santos then singled to drive in Terrero. A coaching visit to the mound did little calm Graves and he allowed a single to Chris Roberson. Fiorentino would be taken out at home as he tried to run in from second, but Santos ended up at 3rd on the play. Roberson then stole 2nd and a Luis Herandez ground ball single to left brought in the two runners. Batting around the order, Redman would fly out to retire the Tide for the time being.

Jason Pridie doubled and came home when Trevor Plouffe reached on a fielding error by Salazar. Darnell McDonald would ground into a double play however and Garrett Jones went down on strikes, so the Wings did not do much to get themselves out the early hole they were in.

Philip Humber would take over the mound for the top of the 2nd inning and keep the Tide off the board for one. Fiorentino would go yard in the top of the 3rd however. Despite a double to Santos and a walk to Roberson, Humber would get Hernandez to fly out and Redman to pop out to send the Wings to the plate.

The Red Wings pitchers had not allowed a homer in 29 innings before Fiorentino's round tripper.

Ryan Jorgenson would single in the bottom of the 3rd, and two outs later move to 2nd on McDonald ground ball single to 3rd. Jones would send a grounder to third to plate Joregenson before Ruiz flew out to end the inning.

The top of the fourth saw Mariano Gomez replace Humber on the mound. Torres would greet him with a bunt single, then steal 2nd. Salazar would line out and Costanzo would strike out before Torres stole 3rd, then came home on a throwing error by catcher Ryan Jorgensen.

Matt Macri singled and Howie Clarke tripled in the bottom of the stanza to plate him. Sergio Santos would ground out, driving in Clark, making the score 8-4 Tide.

It would stay that way until the bottom of the 8th when Randy Ruiz extended his hitting streak to 24 games with his 14th home run of the season. The Wings would come no closer however.

Norfolk took 3 more runs off reliever Tim Lahey on three hits and a pair of walks.

Macri finished off the game 3-for-4 at the plate, with a run, Jones was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Ruiz, Clark and Jorgensen were all 1-for-4, with runs; Ruiz and Clark with RBIs as well. Pridie was 1-for-5 with a double and a run.

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Saturday: Norfolk 7 at Rochester 6

W: A. Mitchell (9-5, 4.62); L: R. Barrett (3-4, 3.06); SV: J. Miller (2)
HR: NOR: O. Salazar (11), M. Costanzo (10). ROC: G. Jones (11).

The Norfolk Tide rallied late and hung on for a one run win over the Rochester Red Wings Saturday at Frontier Field. Randy Ruiz would see his hitting streak ended at 24 games, going 0-for-4 at the plate as the designated hitter.

Jason Pridie singled in the bottom of the 1st, but Howie Clark would ground into a double play. Darnell McDonald doubled however and Garrett Jones hit his 11th home run of the season to give the Wings an early 2 run lead.

Matt Macri would take a walk in the bottom of the second, then steal 2nd base. Following a ground out to Trevor Plouffe, Jeff Chisty singled to plate Macri. Pridie then tripled to drive in Christy for make it 4-0 Wings.

Starting pitcher Kevin Mulvey would deal through the first five innings. The sixth would start with Tike Redman grounding out before Eider Torres singled, and stole 2nd. Oscar Salazar put his 11th home run of the year over the left field wall to put give the Tide two. Mike Costanzo doubled. Mulvey would get Luis Terrero to pop out following a coaching visit to the mound, but Jeff Fiorentio singled, moving Constanzo to 3rd. Former Red Wing Chris Heintz then singled to bring in Costanzo to make it 4-3 Wings. A passed ball by Christy would move the runners and a line drive to center by Roberson brought in two more before Luis Hernandez would line out to bring the Wings up to bat.

Macri would double in the bottom of the stanza and come home on Santos' single to tie up the contest.

Mulvey would finish up allowing 5 run, 4 earned on six hits and a walk. He'd fan only two over six innings. Ricky Barrett would be called to take over for the 7th inning. After putting 2 outs on the board, Salazar would single and Costanzo would put his 10th home run over the right center field wall to give the Tide seven.

The Wings would answer back with Jeff Christy singling, then being replaced by pinch runner Tommy Watkins. Pridie's ground bunt single moved Watkins to 2nd and Clark's sac bunt advanced the runners. Darnell McDonald then sacrificed in Watkins, but the Wings were still one run shy and would stay that way as Kameron Mickolio and Jim Miller kept the Rochester batters quiet for the final two.

Pridie was 3-for-5 at the plate with a triple and a RBI, while Christy was 2-for-3 with a run and a run scored. Clark, McDonald, and Jones were all 1-for-3, Clark being the only one without a run, while McDonald had 1 RBI and Jones had two, as well as a walk. Macri was 1-for-2 with a double, a walk and a pair of runs, while Santos finished up 1-for-4 with a run scored.

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Jason Pridie's second inning triple was his 12th of the season, the most for a Red Wing since Tim Hulett in 1989 who finished with 12 triples on the year.

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Sunday: Norfolk 6 at Rochester 7

W: B. Korecky (5-3, 3.53); L: J. Miller (2-4, 3.14)
HR: ROC: A. Machado (1).

The Norfolk Tide would turn, so to speak, as the Rochester Red wings found a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth to snag a win for the home town crowd.

As with Saturday's game, the Wings would jump out to an early lead. Jason Pridie would walk, then steal 2nd. Howie Clark would fly out, but Darnell McDonald drew a walk as well. A passed ball by Tide catcher Omir Santos moved Pridie to 3rd and Garrett Jones would sacrifice him in.

Trevor Plouffe would double with one out on the board in the bottom of the 2nd. Alejandro Machado then went yard to score Plouffe, making it 3-0 Wings.

Singles to Tike Redman, Eider Torres and Oscar Salazar put a run on the board for the Tide in the top of the 3rd.

The wings would take it back in the bottom of the fifth, with McDonald doubling and moving to 3rd on Randy Ruiz's single one out later. Matt Macri's sacrifice fly brought in the Wings' left fielder.

Following a pitching change for the Wings, with Mariano Gomez replacing Duensing, the teams exchanged sixth inning runs. Jeff Fiorentio crossed the plate on a Hernandez single for the Tide, while Jeff Christy walked and came home on a Jones line drive to right.

Tim Lahey took over for the 7th, and allowed a double Costanzao. Luis Terrero's ground out moved him ot 3rd and a sac-fly by Santos put him over the plate.

In the 8th, Carmen Cali would see Redman reach on a throwing error by Alejandro Machado. Bobby Korecky would replace Cali and give up a single to Torres that plated Redman, cutting the Wings lead to one.

Fiorentino would double in Terrero in the ninth and come home on a Roberson single, but this time, the Wings had the answer.

Jones would walk and be replaced by pinch runner Tommy Watkins. Watkins then stole 2nd and came home on a Plouffe double. Machado then singled to drive in Plouffe, giving the Wings the win.

Ruiz and Plouffe were both 3-for-5, Plouffe with a pair of doubles, a pair of runs, and a RBI. Machado was 2-for-5 with a run and 3 RBIs. McDonald was 1-for-4 with a walk, a double and a run while Pridie, Jones and Christy each had singles. Pridie added a walk and run, while Jones had a pair of RBIs. Christy had a pair of walks and a run.

The Red Wings host the Toledo Mud Hens starting on Monday. With the win, the Tide and Wings split the series, 2 games each.

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Brian Duensing is expected to named to the US Olympic Baseball Team on Monday, as a replacement for LHP Clayton Richard of the White Sox organization. Duensing played for Team USA's gold medal winning squad in last November's World Cup competition. Team USA will play Canada in four games in North Carolina Aug. 1-4; the first Olympic contest is Aug. 13 against Korea in Beijing. (RD&C) Former Miracle/Rock Cat/Red Wing Terry Tiffee is currently part of the USA squad as a member of the LA Dodgers organization.

Elizabethton (Appalachian League, Rookie) right handed pitcher Shooter Hunt is the Twins Minor League Player of the Week for July 12-18. Hunt, 21, pitched 6.0 innings allowing just two hits while striking out 12 batters on July 16. In three professional starts this season he is 0-0 with a 0.64 ERA with 28 strikeouts (two walks) in 14.0 innings. Hunt was drafted 31st overall in the 2008 First-Year Player draft out of Tulane University.

New Britain clubs Fisher Cats, 15 - 3

New Britain 15 at New Hampshire 3

W: J. Rainville (7-7, 6.27); L: J. Machi (0-4, 6.03)
HR: NBR: D. Butera (5). NHM: B. Jeroloman (5).

The New Britain Rock Cats must have rested well during the All-Star break, as they came back to work ready to go, destroying the New Hampshire Fisher Cats 15-3 at Merchantsauto.com Stadium.

New Hampshire's Brett Cecil worked 3 innings, with Dustin Martin taking a double off of him in the top of the 3rd. A wild pitch moved Martin so 3rd, and David Winfree singled to plated him. After Erik Lis went down on strikes, Winfree moved to 3nd on a passed ball, and Brock Peterson would take a walk. Toby Gardenhire would go down on strikes however to give the Fisher Cats a chance.

With two outs on the board, David Smith doubled off Jay Rainville. Brian Jeroloman then went deep, sending a home run over the right field wall to make it 2-1 Fisher Cats.

Keny Rodrgiuez replaced Cecil in the top of the fourth and following a pop out to Drew Butera, Felix Molina and Dustin Martin hit back-to-back singles. A wild pitch by Rodrigues advanced the pair. Danny Valencia ground into a force out that took a Molina out at home, but a throwing error by J.P. Arencibia allowed Hughes to score and advanced the runners. Winfree would walk to load the bags before Lis flew out to left.

For the fifth inning, Jean Machi would take over for the Fisher Cats, and allowed a lead off walk to Peterson. Gardenhire singled and Butera advanced the pair on a sac bunt. Molina double to drive the two runners in. Hughes flew out to left before Martin singled a ground ball to right that plated Molina, for a 5-2 Rock Cats advantage.

Zach Ward took over for Rainville in the sixth, and walked Jeroloman. Butler singled to move the slugger to 3rd and Andrew Pinchney ground into a double play that saw him home, for the Fisher Cats 3rd run.

Jared Gothreaux replaced Machi in the sixth inning and allowed a walk to Molina in the seventh. Hughes walked and Martin singled to load up the bags. Danny Valencia double to clean them off and Winfree's single moved the Florida native over to 3rd. Lis would fly into a double play that took out out Winfree, but allowed Valencia to score, making it 9-3 Rock Cats.

Gardenhire took a walk off Orlando Roman in the top of the 7th, moved to 2nd on Butera's single to third when Hughes was plunked by a pitch. Martin was then walked by Orlando to force in a run.

The Fisher Cats looked to Seth Overbey to get them out of this game, but Overbey walked Winfree and Lis. Peterson singled in Winfree and Gardenhire followed that up with his own single to load the bags. Butera then lifted a ball over the left field wall for a grad slam home run. Julio Pinto was finally called in to get three outs, while Frank Mata was tagged to finish things up for the Rock Cats.

Martin was 4-for-4 with 3 walks, a pair of run and a pair of runs scored. Gardenhire was 3-for-5 with a pair of walks and 3 runs, While Butera and Molina were each 3-for-5 Butera with a run and 4 RBIs and Molina with a walk, a pair of runs and a pair of RBIs. Winfree went 2-for-3 with 3 walks, a run and a run scored.

Game two of the series is Friday at 7:05 PM. Ricky Romero (5-5, 5.61) gets the nod for the Fishers on the mound vs. Anthony Swarzak (3-7, 5.99) for the Rock Cats.

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Norfolk 4 at Rochester 7

W: F. Liriano (8-2, 3.34); L: H. Penn (4-5, 5.40); SV: B. Korecky (13)
HR: ROC: G. Jones (10).

Francisco Liriano is reportedly unhappy to still find himself in the minors after pitching quite well recently. Liriano picked up the win, allowing only 1 run on 7 hits and striking out 8 over 8 innings. Ricky Barrett would be tagged for three on two runs and a walk in .2 innings as the Rochester Red Wings rose above the Tide, 7-4.

Trevor Plouffe walked and Darnell McDonald doubled out to right. Garrett Jones would sacrifice in Plouffe, and Randy Ruiz extended his hit streak by singling in McDonald. To give the Red Wings an early lead.

Jones homered to lead off the bottom of the 4th and following a Ruiz ground out, Clark singled then stoled second base. Matt Macri took a walk before Sergio Santos doubled to plated Clark and Macri. After Ryan Jorgenson ground out, Jason Pridie doubled to bring in Santos.

The Wings finished off their scoring in the bottom of the 8th with Ruiz doubling off Jim Miller, then coming home on a Howie Clark single.

Ruiz was 2-for-4 with a run and a run scored, while Clark was 2-for-3 with a walk, a run and a RBI.

The series continues Friday at 6:05 PM with post game fireworks at Frontier Field. Rochester's Danny Graves (3-3, 5.18 ERA) will take on the Tides LHP Randy Keisler (0-1, 4.18).

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With Ruiz' hitting streak at 23 games, we note that Michael Jones of the Greenville Drive (Class A South Atlantic League, Boston affiliate) had a 28-game streak, tops in the minors so far this season. (Ah, our old GCL buddy Michael Jones!)

The Red Wings' 45-54 record at the All-Star break is the first losing record Rochester has had at the All-Star break since 2003.

Holy Johnson Batman! Wings split weekend games with Bulls

Saturday: Rochester 9 at Durham 8 (13 innings)

W: T. Lahey (5-5, 5.17); L: K. Birkins (2-2, 5.19)
HR: ROC: J. Pridie 2 (7). DUR: D. Johnson (14).

When we left our heroes last, Randy Ruiz was attempting to equal Omir Santos 21 game hitting streak from earlier this season. Without much ado, let me tell you that in fact, he did accomplish this feat, going 2-for-4 on Saturday with a double, a walk, a run and a run batted in.

The Rochester Red Wings took a win as well, which is always nice, although it took them 13 innings to overcome the Durham Bulls.

Danny Graves took the start for the Wings, and Durham took advantage of him early. After getting Dan Johnson to fly out, he'd walk Chris Richard, then advance him to 2nd on a wild pitch. Joel Guzman ground out, but Nathan Haynes singled to scored Richard. Haynes then stoled 2nd and scored on Andy Cannizaro's fly ball to center. Mike DeFelice knocked a grounder to right to follow Cannizaro on base and Fernando Perez's grounder brought in Cannizaro, due to a throwing error by Graves, who had fielded Perez's hit. Jon Weber then reached on a catching error by Ruiz allowing DeFelice to score. Weber would steal 2nd before Elliot Johnson struck out swinging to retire Durham with a 4-0 lead.

Dan Johnson then homered off Graves in the bottom of the 3rd to give the Bulls a 5-0 lead.

Jason Pridie singled out to center, then stole 2nd base in the top of the fourth. Following a fly out to Trevor Plouffe that moved him to 3rd, Darnell McDonald ground out, plating Pridie to put the Twins-to-be on the board.

Haynes tripled in the bottom fo the sixth and Mike DiFelice sacrificed him in one out later. A follow up single to Perez would do it for Graves, who was replaced by Carmen Cali, who got Weber to strike out to end the inning. Graves left after allowing 6 runs, 4 earned on 9 hits and a pair of walks while striking out 5 over 5.2 innings.

Meanwhile, Durham's Jeffrey Niemann and Dale Thayer gave up only a pair of hits and 4 walks to the Wings over the first eight innings. Things were looking bleak with the Wings down by five coming into the ninth.

Scott Dohmann replaced Thayer on the mound and allowed a lead off double to McDonald. Jones would go down swinging, but Ruiz singled out to center to plate McDonald. Howie Clark singled and Matt Macri doubled to bring in Ruiz putting another run on the board before Sergie Santos flew out to left. Ryan Jorgensen then took a walk and was replaced by Tommy Watkins as a pinch runner. Jason Pridie then hit a grand slam to put the Wings on top by one.

Bobby Korecky was called in to close out the game, and allowed a single to Perez instead. Weber's sac bunt moved him to 2nd and Elliot Johnson's ground out pushed him to 3rd. Dan Johnson then singled him in to tie up the game again. Richard would reach on a fielding error by Ruiz before Joel Guzman was called out on strikes.

Pridie homered in the 11th to put the Wings on top again, but the Bulls came right back with Perez singling and moving to 2nd on Weber's sac bunt. Elliot Johnson would go down on strikes before Ricky Barrett went in to replace Korecky. Dan Johnson took a single off him to score Perez, tying up the game again.

Howie Clark would single in the 13th and move to 3rd on Matt Macri's sac bunt. Calvin Medlock would replace Durham's Kurt Birkins on the mound and Santos would double off of him to plate Clark for the game winning run. This time, the Bull stayed down after Weber was ejected for arguing a called strike out with the umpire and took Bulls Manager Charlie Montoyo with him. Elliot Johnson would double, but Dan Johnson ground out and Richard flew out to end the inning and the game.

Pridie lead the team, going 4-for-7 with 3 runs, a pair of homers and 5 RBIs. Clark was 2-for-5 with a walk and a pair of runs.

Ruiz’s hitting streak is tied for the longest in Triple-A this season. (The only Red Wings hitting streak longer is outfielder Luis Mercedes' 22-game hitting streak that stretched over two seasons. Mercedes had a 21-game hitting streak August 4-24, 1991 when he was suspended by International League for the last 11 games of the 1991 season for throwing his helmet and hitting Syracuse third baseman Tom Quinlan in the mouth during the August 24th game. Mercedes would extend his hitting streak to 22-games on Opening Day April 9, 1992.

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Sunday: Rochester 3 at Durham 9

W: M. Prochaska (3-4, 6.70); L: B. Duensing (5-10, 4.28)
HR: ROC: J. Pridie (8).

Brian Duensing fell to 5-10 on the season after allowing 4 runs, earned, on six hits and 4 walks while fanning 4 over 4 innings. The Durham Bulls were equal opportunity opponents though and also took advantage of Casey Daigle and Carmen Cali in their 9-3 drubbing of the Rochester Red Wings.

Fernando Perez tripled in the bottom of the 1st then came home, one out later, on Joel Guzman's sac fly to put the Bulls on the board.

The Wings answered right back however, with Trevor Plouffe singling and moving to 2nd on Jeff Christy's ground out. Tommy Watkins then singled to plate Plouffe, tying up the game.

Dan Johnson (hereinafter referred to as D.J.) took a walk in the bottom of the 3rd and Chris Richard singled to move him to 2nd. Following an Andy Cannizaro fly out, Elliot Johnson (E.J.) doubled out to left to score D.J. Nathan Haynes sacrificed in Richard, and a Josh Johnson (J.J.) single plated E.J.

Randy Ruiz extended his hitting streak to 22 games, doubling in the top of the fourth then moving to 3rd on a wild pitch by Mike Prochaska. Matt Macri's ground out would push him over the plate, to make it 4-2 Bulls.

Pridie would homer - this 8th of the season and 3rd in two days - over the right field wall in the top of the 5th to make it 4-3 Bulls.

Durham didn't want the upstart Wings to get any bright ideas about a rally though, so Richard took a walk off Daigle in the bottom of the 5th then, one out later, moved to 3rd on E.J.'s single. Haynes would ground out to score Richard before J.J. struck out swinging.

The bottom of the seventh would see Cannizaro reach with 2 outs on the board on a fielding error at third by Trevor Plouffe. E.J. then reached on Sergio Santos fielding error. Carmen Cali would be called in to pitch and E.J. would steal 2nd. Haynes then singled to plate Cannizaro and E.J., making it 7-3 Bulls.

Perez would single and steal 2nd in the bottom of the 8th, and Weber singled to move him to 3rd. Philip Humber was called in to replace Cali and got Guzman to ground out before he intentionally walked D.J. Richard ground into a force out that allowed Perez and Weber to score and took D.J. out at second. Cannizaro would strike out to retire the side.

This time, there would be no ninth inning heroics, although Dale Thayer did allow a double to Santos before getting Plouffe to fly out to end the contest.

Matt Macri and Jeff Christy were the only two Wings without at least a single in the game, while Santos was 2-for-4 at the plate with a double.

Ruiz’s hitting streak is the longest in Triple-A this season. With Saturday’s win the Red Wings moved to 9-6 in extra-inning games this season. Rochester has won six of their last seven extra-inning games and the 15 extra-inning games played are the most of any team in the IL.

Minnesota Twins shortstop Adam Everett's scheduled rehab stint with the Class A Ft. Myers Miracle began Sunday, with three at-bats in the first game of a doubleheader. The infielder is scheduled to play in three games during the Miracle’s upcoming home stand, then play a couple of games for the Red Wings in Rochester.

The teams now head into the All-star break. Rochester's next game is July 17th when they kick off an 8-game homestand with a four-game series against the Norfolk Tides at Frontier Field. First pitch is due out at 7:05 PM.

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Cats slip by struggling Sea Dogs

Portland 3 at New Britain 4

W: A. Gabino (4-4, 3.16); L: M. James (2-3, 4.33); SV: B. Julianel (19)
HR: None.

The New Britain Rock Cats squeaked by the Portland Seadogs 4-3 with a late inning rally at New Britain Stadium.

Danny Valencia and Erik Lis took back-to-back singles in the bottom of the 4th which turned into a pair of runs when David Winfree tripled them.

Anthony Swarzak worked five good innings but found some trouble in the sixth. He'd get the first two outs but allowed a single to Sandy Madera and a double to John Otness that put one on the board for the Dogs. Jorge Jimenez then tripled to bring in Otness. Iggy Suarez singled to plate Jimenez before Ryan Mullins was brought in to get the last out. Swarzak's final line was 3 runs, earned, on 8 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3 in 5.2 innings.

Lis doubled in the bottom of the 7th to start out the rally. Following a strike outs to Winfree and Felix Molina, Toby Gardenhire singled out to left to drive in Lis. He'd advance on a fielding error, but a pitching change, with Michael James replacing Kris Johnson on the mound, left him stranded as James got Drew Butera to strike out to end the inning.

Dustin Martin singled off James in the bottom of the 8th and moved to second on Matt Moses' sac-bunt. Brock Peterson then doubled him in for the game winning run.

Ben Julianel worked the 9th inning, striking out one for this 19th save of the season.

Valencia and Lis were both 2-for-4 in the contest, Valencia with a run and Lis with a double and a pair of runs.

Martin and Peterson were both 1-for-4, Martin with a run, Peterson with a double and a run scored. Winfree, Molina and Gardenhire all finished up 1-for-3, Winfree with a triple and a pair of RBIs, Molina with a double, and Gardenhire with a run scored.

The two teams rematch Saturday night for a pair, playing a previously rained out game. First pitch is set for 5:35 PM. Zach Ward (2-5, 3.45) will take the start in the first game against Portland's Kyle Jackson (5-1, 4.84). Game two starts approximately 1/2 hour after the conclusion of game 1.

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Rochester 1 at Durham 2

W: M. Talbot (8-7, 4.64); L: J. DePaula (1-4, 5.80); SV: S. Dohmann (10)
HR: ROC: R. Ruiz (13).

Julio Depaula gave up 2 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks in 3.2 innings while striking out three, taking the loss for the largely offense less Rochester Red Wings.

Mitch Talbot scattered 5 hits over 6.2 innings, allowing only one Red Wing home run, to Randy Ruiz who tied the Red Wings franchise record with a 20 game hitting streak.

It was the only run for the Ruiz, but it was the only one that counted, coming in the 7th inning with one out and no one on.

Jon Weber doubled for Durham in the bottom of the 1st, then came home on Dan Johnson's ground out. Depaula walked Nathan Haynes and Andy Cannizaro in the 4th, and got Mike DiFelice out on strikes before Mariano Gomez came into replace DePaula. Gomez gave up a single to Fernando Perez that scored Nathan Haynes for the game winning run.

Omir Santos of Norfolk had a 21 game streak going earlier this season, so Ruiz will try to match that as the Wings take on the Bulls again Saturday night for a 7:05 PM game. Jeff Niemann (6-3, 3.82) will take the start for Durham against Rochester's Danny Graves (3-3, 5.06).

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Rock Cats "Rain" over Harrisburg

New Britain 4 at Harrisburg 1

W: J. Rainville (6-7, 6.45); L: A. Alaniz (0-2, 4.24); SV: B. Julianel (18)
HR: HAR: B. Rhinehart (2).

Harrisburg's Bill Rhinehart homered in the bottom of the sixth inning, but was the only run the Senators would get as the New Britain Rocks Cats downed the Harrisburg Senators 4-1.

Jay Rainville worked six innings scattering 4 hits and a pair of walks whil striking out 4 to pick up his sixth win the of season. The Cats offense came out to support him as well, finding 4 runs on 10 hits.

Danny Valencia singled in the top of the second inning, then came home on a Matt Moses double. A throwing error by the Sens' William Bergolla moved him to 3rd. David Winfree triple to drive in Moses and, following a ground out to Toby Gardenhire, Rodolfo Palacios singled to plate Winfree, giving the Cats a 3 runs lead.

They'd hang on to it until Rhinehart's solo shot in the sixth, made it 3-1.

New Britain added an extra run in the ninth when Steve Schmoll walked Winfree, then hit Gardenhire with a pitch. After Palacios was retired on strikes, Luke Hughes singled to bring in Winfree.

Ben Julianel replaced Rob Delaney for the bottom of the 9th and allowed a single and a walk, but former Miracle Garrett Guzman would be taken down at 2nd by Palacios, and Julianel would use a pair of fly outs to end the contest.

Winfree was 1-for-2 on the evening with a pair of walks, a pair of runs, and a RBI. Moses finished up 2-for-4 with a run and a run scored; Hughes and Brock Peterson were both 2-for-5, Hughes with a RBI as well. Gardenhire would be the one hit wonder of the night, while Palacios had a single and a RBI, and Valencia had a single and a run.

The Cats return home on Friday to face the Portland Sea Dogs for a four-game series.

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Rochester 14 at Durham 1

W: F. Liriano (7-2, 3.53); L: B. Hendrickson (7-6, 4.52)
HR: ROC: R. Ruiz (12), D. McDonald (11), S. Santos (3).

Randy Ruiz advanced his hitting streak to 19 games with a with a 2-run home run in the first inning to help lead the Rochester Red Wings on a 14-run rampage over the Durham Bulls.

Jason Pridie, Darnell McDonald and Sergio Santos were all 2-for-5 at the plate with a pair of runs each, McDonald and Santos each with 4 RBIs as well. Garrett Jones, Ruiz and Matt Macri were all 2-for-5 with a run, Macri with 1 run scored and Ruiz with 3.

Howie Clark was 4-for-4 in the contest with 4 runs and a double. Tommy Watkins laced a triple out to right in the top of the 8th, coming home on a McDonald ground out, while Ryan Jorgenson kept the hits coming with a single, a walk, and run scored.

Francisco Liriano held the Bulls to 3 hits and a walk over 7 innings while striking out 8. Carmen Cali gave up the lone Bulls run in the bottom of the 8th by allowing a double to Fernando Perez and a triple to Jon Weber.

Ruiz’s 19-game hitting streak is tied for the 2nd longest in Triple-A this season (Omir Santos of Norfolk had a 21-game hitting streak).

The Wings and Bulls continue their series at 7:05 p.m. tonight. Righthander Julio DePaula (1-3, 5.86 ERA) is expected to start against Durham's Mitch Talbot (7-7, 4.85).

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Infielder Trevor Plouffe is day-to-day after fouling a ball off his foot in Charlotte.

Minnesota Twins shortstop Adam Everett will begin a rehab stint with the Class A Ft. Myers Miracle on Saturday. The infielder is scheduled to play in three games during the Miracle’s upcoming home stand.

Photos from the Red Wings' Fourth of July game against the Buffalo Bisons can be found online at Flickr I ran across this yesterday. DHPhoto has a number of Wings pictures in her photostream baseball collection so be sure to stop by and visit.

Rainy night in Charlotte

Rochester 1 at Charlotte 4

W: C. Richard (6-0, 2.37); L: K. Mulvey (3-8, 3.84); SV: J. Childers (6)
HR: ROC: T. Plouffe (4). CHA: F. Cortez (2).

The Rochester Red Wings dropped a double header the Charlotte Knights on Wednesday, with their offense being as soggy as the weather. After a rain delay game one got underway and way the Knights took 3 runs in the first inning off Kevin Mulvey. Mulvey would hit Royce Huffman with a pitch, then commit a throwing error that brought in two.

Meanwhile the Wings offense looked droopy, managing only four hits off winning pitcher Clayton Richard. Their only run would come off the long ball, with Trevor Plouffe going yard for his 4th in Wings uniform, a solo shot in the third inning.

Plouffe would go 2-for-3 in the 7 inning contest while Randy Ruiz extended his hitting streak to 17-games with a single, finishing up 1-for-2 with a walk. Ryan Jorgenson had the only other single, a one hit wonder indeed in the top of the fifth.

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Rochester 0 at Charlotte 4

W: J. Egbert (3-6, 4.67); L: B. Duensing (5-9, 4.11)
HR: None.

Game two would see the Rochester offense halved, with Randy Ruiz getting the only hits, going 2-for-3 with a double. His 18-game hitting streak is the longest since Luis Rodriguez went 19 games in 2004. The franchise record is 20 games, held by Mark Smith who did it in 1993.

Charlotte on the other hand would take 3 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks off Brian Duensing, who suffered his 9th loss of the season, lasting only 4 innings.

Bobby Korecky would surrender the fourth Knights run in the sixth, on 3 hits. He'd strike 2 during his one inning on the mound.

The Wings pick up their sticks and head over to a four game series against the Tampa Bay affiliated Bulls, who are leading the South Division with a 49-45 record. Thursday's first pitch is due out at 7:00 PM.

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Cats pounce late, fall short

Connecticut 6 at New Britain 5

W: G. Broshuis (8-6, 3.34); L: A. Swarzak (3-7, 6.07); SV: K. Pichardo (6)
HR: CT: A. Witter (13), O. Rosario (5).

The New Britain Rock Cats mounted a late inning come back to avoid another shut out, but could not muster enough offense for the win, falling 6-5 to the Connecticut Defenders.

Anthony Swarzak took another beating on the mound, allowing 5 runs on 12 hits. He'd strike out only 1 over six innings.

Olmo Rosario homered in the lead off spot in the first inning to greet Swarzak. Yes, it was going to beone of those days.

Back-to-back doubled by Eddy Martinez-Esteve and Adam Witter led to another Defenders run in the 4th.

Carlos Sosa and David Maroul hit back-to-back singles in the top of the 5th. Jake Wald's sac bunt moved the pair. Following a pop out to Rosario, Antoan Richarson singled out to left to score Sosa. Maroul would be taken out at home on the play to save at least one run.

Pablo Sandoval singled in the top of the sixth and following a fly out by Martinez-Esteve, Witter went yard over the right field line to bring in two more.

Ryan Mullins would replace Swarak in the top of the 7th, and the Rock Cats ended Garrett Broshuis' perfect game in the bottom of that stanza when Brian Dinkelman singled. Dustin Martin had reached on a fielding error to open the inning. Brock Peterson would follow Dinkelman's single up with a double that drove in the pair of runners. A fly-out and a fielding error would put Peterson over the plate, to make it 5-3 Defenders.

Ronnie Ray took over the mound in the bottom of the 8th. Following a pop out to Toby Gardenhire, Rocky Palacios doubled. Martin went down on strikes before Dinkelman doubled out to left to plate Palacios giving the Cats 4.

Wald would walk in the top of the ninth, then move to 3on on a throwing error by Mullins in the pick off attempt. A wild pitch would then put Wald over the plate for the insurance run.

They'd need it, as Danny Valencia singled out to left and then moved to 2nd on David Winfree's single. Luke Hughes singled to load the bags, but Matt Moses would ground into a force out that took Hughes down at second. Still, Valencia scored on the play but the Cats needed one more. They'd not get it though, as Drew Butera went down swinging to end the contest.

Dinkelman was 2-for-4 in the game with a run and a RBI. The Cats mustered 7 hits total, all in the last 3 innings. None of the New Britain squad drew a walk in the contest.

The final game of the series is Monday at 7:05 PM. The Cats then head out on the road for three against the Harrisburg Senators.

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Rochester 1 at Charlotte 9

W: C.Haeger (7-7, 4.11); L: J.DePaula (1-3, 5.86)
HR: CHA: D. Richar (6), D. Cook (4), P. Phillips (1).

Rain in the eighth inning ended any chance of a Rochester Red Wings rally, not that there were any indications there would be one, as the Charlotte Knights scored early and often for a 9-1 win.

A struggling Phil Humber was moved into the bullpen and Julio DePaula was tapped to take his place in the starting rotation. The switch did not go as well as planned as DePaula allowed 5 runs, 4 earned, on 6 hits and 3 walks over 3.1 innings. He'd strike out 1, which is the exact same number Humber would strike out over the next 3.1 innings, as he allowed 4 runs, earned, on 5 hits and 2 walks.

Randy Ruiz doubled in the top of the second inning, moved to 3rd on Howie Clark's ground out and scored on Matt Macri's sacrifice fly for the Wings only run. The double extended Ruiz hitting streak, but not much else.

Charlie Haeger scattered seven hits over seven innings while on the mound for Charlotte. Jason Pride was 2-for-4 on the night, with Garrett Jones, Alejandro Machado and Jeff Christy each getting a single and Trevor Plouffe a double, none of which factored into the scoring.

Game two of the four game series is Monday with a 7:15 pm first pitch. The Red Wings now have a 4-1 record vs.Charlotte this season. If the Red Wings win two games in this four-game series, it would be the most wins (6) they’ve had in a season series vs. Charlotte since 1997 (8-6 record).

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Matt Macri is the Twins Minor League Player of the Week for June 28-July 4. Macri, 26, went 12-for-27 (.444) with 10 rbi, three home runs, two doubles, four walks and four runs scored. Macri, who made his Major League debut earlier this season, was acquired from the Rockies on August 15, 2007 in exchange for Ramon Ortiz. He was originally drafted in the fifth round of the 2004 First-Year Player draft by Colorado, Macri went 11-for-30 in 14 games with the Twins this season.

The Twins rallied to beat Cleveland 4-3 Sunday afternoon. Denard Span extended his career-high hit-streak to eight games; he has hit .400 (6-for-15) with five runs scored and two rbi since his recall from Triple-A Rochester. Alexi Casilla tied his career-long long hit-streak, hitting safely in 13 straight, dating back to June 20.

Twins catcher Joe Mauer led all catchers in voting and will start for the AL squad in next week's All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium. He’ll be joined on the team by teammates Justin Morneau, who was named to the team via the players' ballot, and Joe Nathan, who was selected by manager Terry Francona.
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Matt's the Man; Wings top Pawsox in ten

Pawtucket 6 at Rochester 8

W: T. Lahey (4-5, 5.31); L: J. Switzer (3-1, 5.02)
HR: PAW: J. Van Every (18), G. Velazquez (2). ROC: M. Macri (2), T. Watkins (1).

The Rochester Red Wings found three runs in the 10th inning to take a win over the Pawtucket Red Sox at Frontier Field. Pawtucket had used a late inning rally to tie the game at five, sending the contest into the decisive extra inning.

The Pawsox would put Charlie Zink on the mound to start and he worked well throught the first two. In the top of the 3rd, Jeff Christy lead off with a single against him and would move to second on a sac-bunt by Denard Span. Jason Pride doubled out to right to score Christy.

Tommy Watkins hit a solo shot home run, his first of the season, off the Pawsox righty in the fourth.

Kevin Mulvey took the start for the Red Wings and would allow a homer as well, this time to former Wing Gil Valazquez, who knocked his second of the season over the left field fence in the top of the fifth.

Following a fly out to Span in the bottom of the stanza, Pride would single out to right. Darnell McDonald lined out before Garrett Jones took a walk. Randy Ruiz singled in Pridie, and Matt Macri doubled to drive in the two runners, making it 5-1 Wings.

Zink would finish up allowing 5 runs on nine hits and 3 walks while striking out 4 over six. Mulvany would last into the seventh.

Bryan Pritz and Valezequez singled off the Wings starter, who then got Jon Van Every to line out to center. Following a coaching visit to the mound, and a fly out by Jeff Baily to right, Mulvey would be lifted in favor of Mariano Gomez. The Honduras lefty has been stellar for the Wings this season, but he'd allow back-to-back singles to Joe Thurston and Jed Lowrie to see Pritz and Velazquez across the plate.

The runs would be charged to Mulvey, who finished up with 3 earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out 3 over 6.2 innings.

Bobby Korecky worked the eighth for the Wings and returned for the ninth, getting Van Every out on strikes to start the inning. Bailey singled and Thurston tripled him in. A fielding error by Randy Ruiz allowed Lowrie to reach and Thurston to score, tying the game.

Tim Lahey took over the pitching for Rochester in the 10th, and allowed a single shot home run to Van Every, who put his 18th of the year over the center field fence.

Garrett Jones would triple off Pawtucket's Jon Switzer in the bottom half of the extra inning and come in on a Ruiz single to tie the score. Sergio Santos would replace Ruiz as a pinch runner, but the move proved unnecessary as Macri cracked his second home run of the season over the left field wall for the game inning runs.

Ruiz and Macri both finish up 3-for-5 with a run each, Pridie with 1 RBI, and Macri with 4 RBIs. Pridie was 2-for-5 with a run and a RBI. Span, Jones, Watkins and Christy had the other hits for the Wings.

McDonald went 0-for-5, ending an eight-game hitting streak. The Wings outfielder drilled a line shot up the middle in the 10th, but was robbed of a base hit on a great fielding play by pitcher Lincoln Holdzkom.

The rubber game of the series is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 1:35 p.m. Pawtucket's Devern Hansack (3-8) faces Rochester's Brian Duensing (4-7).

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RD&C: Cliburns
RD&C:IL Hall of Fame

Evidently, Rochester was the place to be if you were looking for some baseball. 84 degrees, clear and with a mild wind out to left field. The same could not be said for New Britain, or Fort Myers, for that matter.

New Britain at New Hampshire - Postponed

Saturday's game between the New Britain Rock Cats and the New Hampshire Fisher Cats was postponed due to rain. The teams will not play a single-admission double header on Sunday starting at 12:05 PM eastern time. The second game will begin approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first contest.

Both games will be seven inning affairs.

The Rock Cats continue to look for their first win in this seven game home-and-home series against the Fisher Cats. New Hampshire right-hander Robert Ray (3-0, 0.78) starts game one against New Britain lefty Kyle Aselton (3-2, 5.03). In game two, righty Julio Pinto (4-2, 7.52) is slated to pitch for the Fishers against Rock Cat right-hander Jeff Manship (0-2, 5.40).

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Cats avoid Sweep with 2-1 win over Defenders

New Britain 2 at Connecticut 1

W: Y. Pino (2-2, 3.30); L: D. McKae (5-4, 4.88); SV: B. Julianel (13)
HR: NBR: E. Lis (8).

The New Britain Rock Cats finally found a win on Sunday over the Connecticut Defenders, in a pitcher's duel at the Dodd Stadium.

Zach Ward would make the start for the Cats, working four innings, allowing only 2 hits and 3 walks while striking out 4.

The Cats would pounce on the board in the top of the 2nd when a throwing error by Jake Wald allowed Erik Lis to reach. Lis then stole 2nd base. Danny Valencia would hit a fly ball to center that Antoan Richardson dropped, allowing the Cats new 3rd baseman to get on base as well. Dustin Martin then singled to load up the bags. A sac-fly by David Winfree plated Lis for the run. Toby Gardenhire would ground into a force out that took Martin out at 2nd, and Drew Butera would pop out to leave the runners stranded.

Lis would homer in the top of the 4th off Defenders' starter Dave McKae for the only earned run the Giant's prospect would allow. He would give up 4 hits and strike out two over 4 innings of work.

Yohan Pino would take over at the top of the 5th, and would go on to work three innings. The bottom of the sixth would see Ben Copeland take a triple off him. He would then hit Eddy Martinez-Esteve with a pitch. Adam Witter ground into a double play which would plate Copeland for the Defenders only run in the game. Carlos Sosa would take a walk, before Pino got Simon Klink to ground out, ending the inning.

Pino would earn the win, improving his record to 2-2. Ben Julianel would pick up his 13th save of the season, allowing 1 hit while fanning 3 over the final two stanzas.

Brian Dinkelman, Felix Molina, Lis, Valencia and Martin were all 1-for-4, while Gardenhire was 1-for-2 with a walk.

The Rock Cats return home to New Britain Stadium on Monday where they will host a four-game series against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, who aren't really cats at all, but a kind of weasel. First pitch is slated for 6:35 PM.

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Rochester 7 at Indianapolis 6

W: B. Korecky (4-3, 3.19); L: J. Chavez (1-3, 3.95)
HR: ROC: R. Ruiz (10), R. Jorgensen (4), S. Santos (2).

A double by Darnell McDonald in the top of the 11th would not do the trick, but Trevor Plouffe's sac-fly would bring in Garrett Jones to give the Rochester Red Wings a win over the Indianapolis Indians, splitting the four game series at 2 wins each.

Danny Graves would take the start for the Wings, and would hold the Tribe off for two innings. Matt Kata singled in the bottom of the 3rd. One out later, Carlos Maldonado hit a line drive to right, putting two men on base. Andrew McCutchen then doubled out to left to score Kata. Maldonado would try to steal home but would be caught at the plate, and Brian Bixler would ground out to end the inning.

Indians starter Jason Davis would hit McDonald with a pitch. Jones then singled his way onto base. A wild pitch by Davis moved the pair. With Randy Ruiz at the plate, McDonald would try to steal home, but would be caught. Ruiz would then take a walk before a sac-fly the Santos brought in Jones to tie up the game.

A wild pitch by Graves allowed Indian's 3rd baseman Neil Walker to reach on a strike out. Steve Pierce would then single his way onto the bags. Following a fly out to Craig Wilson, Adam Boeve would double to drive in the pair.

Jason Pridie would single in the top of the fifth with two outs and McDonald would take a walk. A wild pitch and a passed ball allowed Pridie to score. Ruiz would homer in the top of the sixth to tie up the game again, his 10th yard ball of the season.

Graves would work 5, allowing the three runs on 7 hits while fanning 3. Naples, Florida, resident Carmen Cali came in for the bottom of the sixth inning.

Pierce would greet Cali with a double. After Craig Wilson ground out, Boeve would walk. Kata then tripled to drive in the pair, Luis Ordaz would take a walk, before Maldonado hit a sac bunt to plate Kata.

Despite a pair of walks in the 7th, the Red Wings would continue to trail by 3.

With Evan Meek on the mound, Ruiz would single his way onto the bags. Sergio Santos then hit his second home run of the season over the left field wall to give the Wings a pair of runs. Two outs later, Ryan Jorgenson went yard over the left field wall to tie the game up again.

Tim Lahey would replace Cali in the 8th and would keep the Tribe off the board for the final two innings of regulation play.

With Jesse Chavez on the mound in the 11th, McDonald would double. Chavez would then issue an intentional walk to Jones. Ruiz would single to load the bags. Following a coaching visit to the mound, Chavez would get Santos to ground into a force out, which would take McDonald out at the plate. That set the stage for Plouffe's sac-fly.

Bobby Korecky would work the last two innings allowing only 2 hits and fanning 2. He'd stike out Maldonado in the bottom of the 11th and then use a pair of ground outs to end the game.

Ruiz would finish up 4-for-5 in the contest with a pair of runs, a walk and a run scored. McDonald was 2-for-3 with a pair of walks and a double, and Jorgenson was 2-for-4 with a walk, a run and a RBI. Alejandro Machado was 2-for-5 but did not factor into the scoring. Santos and Pridie were both 1-for-5 with a run each, Santos with 3 RBIs in the contest.

Rochester will now pay a visit to the Louisville Bats for a four game series. First pitch on Monday is set for 7:05 PM.

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Bats bats sink Rochester

Louisville 4 at Rochester 1

W: D. Thompson (3-0, 3.25); L: B.Duensing (3-6, 3.78); S: J. Roenicke (2)
HR: LOU: R. Hanigan (2).

Brian Duensing allowed 4 runs, all earned on 5 hits while striking out 8 over six inning to suffer his sixth loss of the season, as the Louisville Bats defeated the Rochester Red Wings, 4-1.

Jeff Keppinger singled out to center to start off the game. Two outs later, Ryan Harigan put a ball over the left field wall for his second home run of the season.

Duesing would plunk Drew Anderson with a pitch in the top of the 4th. A Harigan single would move Anderson to third. Kevin Barker would sacrifice him in to give the Bats a 3-0 lead.

Michael Griffin doubled to lead off the top of the 5th. A sac-bunt by Keppinger moved him to 3rd. Norris Hopper would strike out before Anderson double Griffin in, to give the Bats their fourth run.

Daryl Thompson worked eight innings for the Cincinnati farm team, limiting the Red Wings to only 5 hits and a pair of walks while striking out six. The Wings avoided a shut out when Garrett Jones and Randy Ruiz hit back-to-back doubles in the bottom of the 7th inning with one out on the board.

Pridie also had a double on the night, in the bottom of the first, but could go no where with it. Ruiz would end up 2-for-3 at the plate with a walk and a run scored. Sergio Santos was the one hit wonder of the night, with a pair of strike outs on the side.

B.A.M. appears to have stalled in the top of the ninth but the box is correct for the final in the game.

The Wings offense has hit at least one home run in 14 of their last 17 games (25 total home runs) with Ruiz hitting six home runs in the last 12 games.

Rochester's bullpen has started to turn things around. The pen has not allowed an earned run in their last 15.2 innings, including Saturday's contest.

The two teams rematch in a Father's Day special on Sunday with lefty Francisco Liriano (2-2, 3.94) throwing out the first pitch at 1:35 PM. Louisville counters with southpaw Adam Pettyjohn (7-1, 4.73).

The Red Wings will wear blue jerseys to raise awareness for prostate cancer. The jerseys will be auctioned off through a silent auction during the game with all the proceeds going to benefit the Pluta Cancer Center.

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Stop by MILB.com to vote in the Triple-A All-Star Game which will be played this year in Louisville, Kentucky, home of the Bats. The July 16th showcase will feature the top stars of the International League squaring off against their counterparts in the Pacific Coast League in a nationally televised contest.

Current and former Twins prospects dot the ballot in both leagues, and you can vote up to 25 times per e-mail address on line.

Binghamton at New Britain - Suspended (Rain)

Saturday's game between the New Britain Rock Cats and the Binghamton Mets was suspended due to rain in the second inning. Binghamton was leading 7-0 at the time.

It will be made up Sunday starting at 1:35. The Cats will play the completion on Saturday's game for a run nine-innings. A second 7-inning game will follow.

Binghamton's Bobby Parnell (5-3, 4.35) is slated to take the start in the second contest against New Britain's Oswaldo Sosa (2-5, 6.32).

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