Rain suspends Sarasota Contest

The game between the Fort Myers Miracle and the Sarasota Red was suspended in the top of the first inning when a nasty thunderstorm blew up in the area. (Funny, it barely rained in the Cape!)

It will be played as part of a double header on Saturday starting at 4:00 PM. The second regularly scheduled game will be shortened to 7 innings and will start approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.

It's Dog's Night Out 3, Dogs will be admitted to the park for $5 each with the proceedes to benefit the Humane Society of Sarasota County. It's also Senior Saturday, featuring a $2 General Admission ticket for mature fans, 55 years young and over.

Miracle

Baseball will play it's last game at Holman Stadium in Dodgertown when the Palm Beach Cardinals take on the Vero Beach Rays on August 31. The Florida State League as confirmed the sale of the Vero Beach franchise to Ripken Baseball. The group has partnered with the Tampa Bay Rays and will move the High-A Rays affiliate to Port Charlotte for the 2009 season, which will also mark the first year of Tampa Bay's spring training at that facility.

While the sale has been approved, Ripken Baseball spokesman John Maroon declined comment, saying that "there are still some aspects of the deal that aren't complete."

The move will unbalance the 12 team Florida State League leaving 5 teams in the East Division while putting 7 in the West Division. A possible scenario would have Lakeland move over to the East Division. "Lakeland has had the experience of being in the East before and it was pretty expensive for them," team president Chuck Murphy was quoted as saying. The league may choose to re-align along North/South lines instead. That issue will be addressed on the League Meetings this fall.

There has been some interest in the Baltimore Orioles relocating their spring training facility to Dodgertown, but that will not happen until 2010 and will not affect their High-A team, the Frederick Keys which plays in the Carolina League. The Sarasota Reds will likely seek to relocate their High A team to the west coast when they move to Arizona in 2010, but a deal will have to be reached with a current Grapefruit League based franchise to play here.

What will happen with the Orioles and baseball in the city of Sarasota remains to be seen. A third possibility involves the move of the Red Sox spring training facility to either Sarasota or Orlando. The Red Sox have wanted back into the Florida State League and either city would allow them to relocate their High-A team. (MiLB.com)

Batting and Pitching: Two players who may well be in a Miracle uniform next season are the topic of a pair of articles on Twinsbaseball.com. First, the Twins take a look at Shooter Hunt, their 3rd pick, (31st overall - 1st round supplemental) in the 2008 first year player draft. Hunt, a New York Yankees fan, had hoped to go to that franchise but when they passed on him he was pleased to be selected by the Twins.

"I knew the Twins do a great job with their pitching staff," Hunt says in the online interview. "I knew a fair amount about the organization and all about their developmental system."

A converted catcher, Hunt has been pitching for only five years now and has experience control problems in college. The Twins are confident they can work out those issues.

"We've worked on a lot of stuff. We've really tried to harness my balance point," said Hunt. "And getting consistent with everything, which is my goal with everything. You have to be consistent to move up the ladder."

Hunt says that he is a baseball junkie. He doesn't golf or fish or anything, he just enjoys baseball and calls himself a student of the game.

"The first couple games just being around the team, it was like, 'This is what I do now.' This is what I've always wanted to do since I was three years old, and now it's time to get going." (Twinsbaseball.com)

Getting going is what center fielder Ben Revere does best. Especially when it involves his bat. The Twins first round pick (28th overall) in the 2007 draft has been very consistent with his bat in the Low A Beloit Snappers franchise. 73 games into the season, Revere is hitting .388, the highest overall in the full-season Minor Leagues. Former Miracle Terry Tiffee of the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s is second at .375 in 87 games.

Revere's bat and blazing speed are the center fielder's two biggest assets. He does however have some defensive issues involving his throwing that the Twins have been working on with him while he plays for Beloit. The online interview however does not dwell on these but on rather takes an in depth look at his batting style and what it might mean for the organization.

Look for Revere to be in the Miracle line up starting in April of 2009. It may be possible to get an earlier look at both players when Instructional League Baseball starts this fall. Stay tuned to MiracleFans.com for FIL information as it becomes available. (Twinsbaseball.com)

The Fort Myers Miracle are proud to announce that intern Ben Heil has been awarded the Florida State League scholarship. Each year the Miracle and the 11 other teams in the Florida State League partner with the Florida Marlins and award one deserving person from each club a $1,500 educational scholarship.

Heil, a native of Cape Coral , Florida is the son of Brian and Ann Marie. The current Florida Gulf Coast University junior interned with the Miracle this summer, learning the finer points of the team's extensive game day operations.

"Ben has been a pleasant addition to our staff this season. He is eager to learn and adjusts well to everything we throw at him," said Miracle General Manager Steve Gliner. "We feel he is a deserving recipient and I know he will use it to further his major in sports management."

The Florida Marlins have sponsored the program with the Florida State League the past nine years thru their Community Foundation and the Executive Director, Nancy Olson. The foundation has contributed $71,000 to this program.

The award is based both on financial need and minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be an employee of or the child or grandchild of an employee of the participating club during the 2008 Florida State League Season, and must be at least a high school junior by the 2008 Fall Term.

"The Miracle front office staff has allowed me the freedom to gain a knowledge of everything that goes into making them what they are today. They truly do live by the motto, "Fun is Good", said Heil, who even filled in as an emergency bat boy earlier this season.

League President Chuck Murphy stated: "This program is one of the best things we do in this League and I congratulate the General Managers on their dedication and emphasis in administering this program. The purpose of the program is to send a message that an education is key to success in life."

The scholarship winners will be guests of the Florida Marlins in pregame ceremonies at Dolphins Stadium on Sunday, August 17. The Marlins host the Chicago Cubs at 1:10 p.m.

Snappers win one of three

Saturday: Beloit 0 at Wisconsin 1

W: J. Wild (5-6, 3.67); L: S. Hunt (0-1, 1.80); SV: J. Dunbar (2)
HR: None.

Shooter Hunt made his debut with the Beloit Snappers on Saturday despite giving up only 1 run on 3 hits and a pair of walks, he simply was not good enough as the Snappers could muster no offense against Wisconsin's Jake Wild.

A walk to Alex Liddi, and a pair of back-to-back singles to Juan Diaz and Blake Ochoa put the Timber Rattlers on the board in the second inning.

Hunt struck out 9, but continued to show some of the control issues that plagued him in his collage career by hitting Daniel Carroll with a pitch in the bottom of the fifth. Carroll would then steal 2nd and progress to 3rd on a wild pitch. Happily, there were two outs already on the board and Hunt was able to get Denny Almonte out on strikes to prevent another Rattler's run.

Beloit never really threatened and could not advance a runner past second in the game.

Blake Martin worked two innings of relief, fanning four, while Nolte pitched the 8th, striking out just one.

Two of the Snappers five hits were by designated hitter Chris Cates, who was 2-for-4 on the night. Mark Dolenc and Rene Leveret were both 1-for-4 while Andrew Schmiesing was 1-for-3.

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Sunday: Beloit 4 at Wisconsin 8

The Wisconsin Timber-Rattlers doubled up the Beloit Snappers in the resumption of the game that was suspended on July 7.

In the first inning, Deibinson Romero and Ozzie Lewis had both singled. A third single, to Rene Leveret scored Romero to put Beloit on the board in the top of the first.

Wisconsin answered back in the bottom of the second with Joseph Dunigan tripling in Ron Garth, who had singled his way onto base. A wild pitch by starter Steve Hirschfeld allowed Dunigan to cross the plate as well, putting Wisconsin on top.

In the resumption of the game, Juan Richardson would replace Romero and Yangervis Solarte would replace Lewis as the two original players were injured during the intervening time. Michael Allen would also replace Steve Hirschfeld on the mound.

The bottom of the third saw Maximo Mendez take a single from Allen, then steal 2nd base. Edilio Colina hit into a sac bunt which, combined with a Allen throwing error scored Mendez. Diaz would reach on a another throwing error by Allen, which allowed Colina to score. Following a fly out to Denny Almonte, Ron Garth reached on a fielder's choice that failed when Estarlin De Los Santos mis-threw the ball. Dunigan then doubled to plate the two runners before Liddi would be taken out on strikes. Joe White would line out to end the inning with the score 6-1.

Chris Cates took a walk in the top of the six. Richardson would pop out but a Solarte single moved Cates to 2nd. Leveret then doubled him in to give the Snappers their second run.

Wisconsin answered back with Liddi walking and White singling. Blake Ochoe would be called out on strikes before Chris Anderson came in to replace Allen. He'd get Mendez to fly out to center, a play that moved Liddi to 3rd, and then gave up a single to Colina that scored the Wisconsin runner.

With Danny Hernandez on the mound in the bottom of the 8th, Liddi doubled and White walked. Ochoa would fly out but Mendez drew a walk to load the bags. Colina ground in to a force out that scored Liddi, giving the T-Rattlers 8.

A last ditch effort by the Snappers saw Mark Dolenc walk off Robert Harmon. Allan de San Miguel and Andrew Schmiesing then hit back-to-back doubles to scored two. That would be all the Snappers would get though despite a single to Cates that moved Schmiesing to 3rd.

Hirschfield would take the loss, his fifth of the season. Leveret was 2-for-4 at the plate with a double and a pair of RBIs. Dirty and Schmiesing were both 1-for-4 with a double, Dirty with the run, Schmiesing with a pair of RBIs. Cates was also 1-for-4, but with a single, a walk and a run.

Solarte and De Lo were both 1-for-3, De Lo with a walk, Romero and Lewis were each 1-for-1, Romero with a run, and Jeanfred Brito was 1-for-5. Dolenc finished up 0-for-3 but with a walk and a run.

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Sunday: Beloit 3 at Wisconsin 1

The Beloit Snappers finally found a win, dropping the Timber Rattlers 3-1 in extra innings during Sunday's second game.

Brian McCardell and Edward Paredes would both work 7 scoreless innings for the their respective teams.

Beloit would get on the board in the 8th with Mark Dolenc tripling off Parades. Andrew Schmiesing then reached on a fielding error by catcher Isreal Nunez that plated Dolenc.

The Rattlers answered back right away, with Alex Liddi reaching on a throwing error by Jeanfred Brito. After a fly out to Denny Almonte, Juan Diaz doubled to plate Liddi tying the game.

The top of the 10th would see Rene Leveret singling and Mark Dolenc doubling. A throwing error by catcher Isreal Nunez brought Dolenc home as well, giving the Snappers an insurance run.

Blake Martin pick up the win, working the last 1.2 innings. Santos Arias gave up the lone T-Rattler's run, unearned on 2 hits and walk in 1.1 innings.

Cates and Dolenc were both 2-for-4, Dolenc with a double and a triple, a pair of runs and a RBI.

Estarlin De Lost Santos, Leveret and Yersich were each 1-for-4, Leveret with a run.

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Beloit is now 18-18 on the season, in fourth place in the 8-team Western division, 3 games behind division leading Peoria.

E-Twins lose third straight to JC Cards

Monday: Elizabethton 2 at Johnson City 3

W: S. Freeman (2-1, 3.86); L: M. Hamburger (1-1, 3.86)
HR: ELI: A. Morales (7).

While the Johnson City Cardinals did not crank out the number of hits and runs they did on Sunday, they still took a 3-2 win over the Elizabethton Twins who outhit them 7 to 5.

Red Birds starter Kevin Thomas keep the Twins off the board for the first four innings, giving way to Carlos Gonzalez in the top of the 5th. Angel Morales greeted the incoming pitcher with his 7th home run of the short season.

Shooter Hunt would be equally good at keeping the Cards off the scoreboard for 4, but Paul Cruz would reach on a fielding error by James Beresford. Edgar Lara singled and the pair then orchestrated a double steal. Alex Castellanos was hit by a pitch, and wild pitch scored Cruz to each up the game.

Hunt would exit the mound after allowing 1 run on 2 hits, but walked four and fanned six during his five innings of work.

With two outs on the board in the top of the 6th and Reynier Gonzalez on the mound, Evan Bigley doubled, advanced to 3rd on a wild pitch and then scored on a second wild pitch to put the E-Twins on top again.

Scott Blevins Would take over the mound for the sixth and stayed there for the second, allowing a single to Castellanos. Brett Liley then doubled the Cards' third baseman in to tie up the game again.

The Twins would load the bags in the top of the 8th, but Morales when down on strikes to end the inning. Instead Mark Hamburger would allow a walk to the Cardinal's Osvaldo Morales, who was then lifted from the game in favor of pinch runner Jarred Bogany. A passed ball by Danny Rams moved Bogany to 2nd, and a Jairo Martinez single would allow Boganey to score for the game winning run.

Bigley finished up 2-for-4 for the twins with a pair of doubles and a run; Romero was 2-for-5. Adam Severino was 1-for-2 with a double and a pair of walks, while De La Osa and Morales were both 1-for-4, Morales with a run and a run batted in.

The series concludes on Tuesday at Howard Johnson Field. The Twins return home on Wednesday to host the Greeneville Astros for a 7:00 PM game at Joe O'Brien Stadium.

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Shooter Hunt has being promoted to Class A Beloit following Monday's game. The Westwood, NJ, native allowed just one earned run in over 19.0 innings for a 0.47 ERA. He struck out 34 while walking only six in four starts.

Alex Curry has been promoted from the GCL Twins to take his place on the E-Twins roster. Curry as 2-0 for the GCL Twins in six games, with a 1.46 ERA in 24.2 innings pitched. The Villa Park, California, right-hander struck out 23 and walked 3.

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Tuesday: Elizabethton at Johnson - Suspended (Rain)

Tuesday's game between the Elizabethton Twins and the Johnson City Cardinals as suspended due to rain. The game was scoreless after one inning of play before it was called. The two teams do not meet again this season and a make up date has not yet been announced. It is likely that the game will be cancelled.

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Snappers wipe out Whitecaps

West Michigan 3 at Beloit 5

W: S. Arias (5-3, 3.08); L: T. Weber (0-2, 4.24); SV: C. Anderson (2)
HR: WMI: K. Kaiser (5). BEL: D. Romero (3).

Billed as the rematch of last year's finals series, it was good to see the Beloit Snappers get back on the winning track against Lakeland Tigers to be - West Michigan.

Thad Weber took the mound for the Detroit farm while Twins prospect Santos Arias handled the pitching for the Snappers. Both kept the opponent off the board through the first two innings.

In the top of the 3rd, Brandon Douglas singled with one out on the board, then moved to 3rd on a throwing error by Arias on the pick off attempt. Keith Stein would take a walk before Justin Henry ground into a force out that scored Douglas and took out Stein. Henry would to 2nd on a throwing error by Santos. The Twins young Dominican then unleashed a wild pitch that saw Henry try to come home but he'd be nabbed at the plate, retiring the side.

After Greg Yersich flew out to center, Andrew Schmiesing's line drive got him on board. Mark Dolenc singled to move Schmiesing to 2nd, and Jeanfred Brito would reach on a force attempt. The Whitecaps tried to catch Schmiesing, but to no avail, as he would score to tie up the game. Estarlin De Lo Santos ground into a force out that took down Brito and scored Dolenc. De Lo would advance to 2nd on a throwing error, but Ben Revere flew out to end the inning.

Kody Keiser took a home run off Arias in the top of the 4th to tie up the game again. His fifth of the season went over the left field fence.

Deibinson Romero then homered over the left field wall to take the lead back for the Snappers. Rene Leveret singled and, after Ramon Santana went down on strikes, Yersich would lace a line drive double to center. Allan de San Miguel would come into the game to run for Leveret, and a wild pitch by Weber scored the Aussie catcher. Schmiesing then sacrificed Yersich in. Dolenc would single before Emmanuel Miguelez replace Weber on the mound, getting Brito to pop out to end the inning.

Arias worked six innings allowing 2 runs, earned, on 5 hits and a pair of walks while striking out 9. Mike Allen worked the next two innings allowing 3 hits and striking out 2.

Craig Anderson would be on the mound for the ninth inning when Henry singled, then came home on Kaiser's double to give the Whitecaps one more. They would still end up a couple shy as Tucker went down on strikes to end the contest.

Dolenc finished off 2-for-3 with a run while Romero was 2-for-4 with a run and a run batted in. Leveret and Schmiesing each had a single, while Yersch was 1-for-4 with a double and a run.

Game two of the three-game series is Thursday at 7:00 on an Applebee's Kids Club Day.

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Greeneville 6 at Elizabethton 4

W: C. Pitkin (2-0, 1.61); L: L. Martin (2-2, 6.00)
HR: GRE: K. Hinze (4). ELI: D. Rams (3).

Shooter Hunt worked a nice six innings, allowing 2 runs, one earned on a pair of hits while striking out - get this - 12. That's right - 12 strike outs and NO walks. Sadly, Hunt wasn't enough to get this game done as the Elizabethton Twins bullpen gave it up to the Greeneville Astros.

James Austin would reach on a throwing error by James Beresford, then stole 2nd and 3rd. A throwing error by catcher Jeff Lanning, who was attempting to catch him stealing allowing Austin to score. (Good going guys, way to support Shooter!)

The Twins would not tie it up until the bottom of the fifth, when Evan Bigley doubled off Austin starter Jose Trinidad, then moved to 3rd on Juan Richardson's ground out. Lanning would single one out later to score Bigley.

Greeneville responded in the top of the sixth with Jose Altuve doubling with one out on the board. A wild pitch by Hunt moved Altuve to 3rd and a second wild pitch would allow Altuve to score. Hunt just managed to miss the rare four-strike out inning when he got Ebert Rosario to ground into a force out to end it.

Jon Waltenbury doubled out to center off Trinidad, then came home on a Michael Herrington single. Bigley ground into a force out that nabbed Harrington at 2nd, then proceeded to steal 2nd. A throwing error by Astro's catcher Carlos Mojica allowed Bigley to advance to 3rd. Richardson would sacrifice him in, putting the E-Twins on top again.

Thom Wright replaced Hunt in the top of the 7th, and following a ground out to Devon Torrence, walked Carlos Mojica. Jorge De Leon singled and Wright would plunk Wilton Infante with a pitch to load the bags. Kyle Carr would come into take over from Wright, and walked Jay Austin to force in a run, tying the game. Lee Martin then stepped up to the mound and got Altuve to fly out and Frank Almonte to ground out to retire the Astros.

Colton Pitkin replaced Trinidad on the mound in the bottom of the stanza and after giving up a single to Lanning, induced Beresford to hit into a double play. He'd then take Dominic De La Osa out on strikes to end the inning.

Kyle Miller walked off Martin in the top of the 8th and would be replaced by Albert Cartwright as a pinch-runner. Cartwright then stole 2nd. Rosaro's single to right plated Cartwright. Rosario would then steal 2nd, and Torrence would take a walk. Mojica's sac-bunt advanced the runners but Rosario would be taken down at the plate, allowing Jorge De Leon to reach on a fielder's choice. A throwing error by Alex Soto on the pick off attempt moved Torrence to 3rd. Infante took a walk and a passed ball by Soto allowed Torrence to score. Steve Blevins would come in to replace Martin and unleashed a wild pitch that send De Leon to 3rd and Infante to 2nd. They'd be stranded there, as Austin ground out to first.

Kody Hinze homered in the top of the 9th, and Danny Rams did the same for the E-Twins in the bottom of the inning, but the Twins bats could not over come the 2-run deficit from the 8th inning.

Lanning was 2-for-3 with a RBI, Waltenbury was 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and Harrington was 2-for-4 with a RBI. Beresford was the one hit wonder of the game going 1-for-3 at the plate. Bigley and Rams were both 1-for-4, Bigley with a double and a pair of runs, and Rams with the home run (1 R, 1 RBI).

The E-Twins finish up the 3 game series 1-2, and host the Pulaski Mariners for a 3 game series starting on Thursday at 7:00 PM.

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Dragons sweep Snappers

Beloit 4 at Dayton 5

W: M. Klinker (5-4, 3.52); L: M. Tarsi (4-9, 5.50); SV: Z. Stewart (2)
HR: None.

Mike Tarsi allowed 5 runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out six to take the loss for the Beloit Snappers who could quite get enough out of their late inning rally to overcome the Dayton Dragons.

Ozzie Lewis doubled in the top of the 2nd and Andrew Schmiesing doubled him in one out later to put the Snappers on the board first. After that it would be all Dragons for a while.

Logan Parker doubled in the bottom of the stanza and, after Jason Bour was called out on strikes, Angel Cabrera singled him in.

The bottom of the third brought a double from Zach Cozart, who was driven in by Neftali Soto's line drive single to put the Dragons on top by one.

Devin Mesoraco doubled to lead off the bottom of the 4th, and Parker singled him to 3rd. Angel Cabrera's grounder to left brought in Mesoraco, and a walk to Brandon Menchaca loaded the bags. Cozart went down on strikes, Soto singled to drive in Parker and Cabrera, making it 5-1 Dayton.

Enerio Del Rosario replaced Matthew Klinker on the mound for the Dragons in the top of the 7th, and would take a couple of quick ground outs. Mark Dolenc singled then stole 2nd. A throwing error by Bour moved him to 3rd , while a second error, this one by Parker, allowed Jeanfred Brito to reach and Dolenc to score. Chris Cates and Ben Revere hit back-to-back singles to score first Brito and then Cates. Deibinson Romero would reach on a fielding error that also sent Revere to 3rd, but the Dragons brought in Henry Arias to get the last out and the Snappers would get no more.

Schmiesing would go 2-for-4 with a double and a run, while Cates and Revere were 2-for-5 each, Cates with a run and Revere with a run scored. Brito and Lewis were both 1-for-4 with a run, Lewis with a double and Brito with a walk. Dolenc finished up 1-for-3 with a run.

That does it as the Dragons sweep the series. The Snappers now take a day off for MLB's All-Star game. They return to action on Wednesday at Pohlman Field, where they will host the West Michigan Whitecaps for a 3-game series. First pitch is due out at 7:00 PM.

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Greeneville 3 at Elizabethton 5

W: B. Tippett (5-1, 1.66); L: H. Villar (1-2, 4.66)
HR: ELI: J. Waltenbury (3).

The Elizabethton Twins were back in the win column, thanks in part to a stellar effort by Aussie starter Brad Tippett, who worked seven innings, scattering 6 hits and walk while striking out 8.

Jon Waltenbury got things started off when he when yard out to right center field, his 3 of the year, in the bottom of the first inning.

Adam Severino took a walk to open the bottom of the 3rd, and James Beresford singled. Dominic De La Osa singled to drive in Severino, while Beresford came home on a balk.

Juan Richardson singled in the bottom of the fourth and was plated by Angel Morales follow up double.

Patrick Urckfitz would replaces Henry Villar in the bottom of the sixth, and would still be on the mound in the seventh when Morales reached on a throwing error, then advanced to 2nd on a balk. Severino would go down on strikes, but Beresford drew a walk. De La Osa ground into a force out that took Morales out at 3rd, but Nick Romero's line drive would plate Beresford for the E-Twins five.

Danny Rondon worked the 8th for the E-Twins and gave way to Mark Hamburger in the 9th. With one out on the board, Hamburger gave up walks to Kody Hinze and Ebert Romero. Federico Hernandez ground into a force out that took Rosario out at 2nd, but a wild pitch by Hamburger advanced Hernandez. Devon Torrence then walked to fill the bases. Kyle Miller walked, forcing in a run, while Jose Alluve singled to plate two more. Hamburger finally got Ricardo Bonfante to pop put to end the contest.

Everyone in the line up had at least a single, except for Sevarino. No one had a multi-hit games.

The two teams rematch tomorrow with the first pitch due at 7:00 PM, one of the very few games being played on All-star Tuesday.

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Elizabethton's Shooter Hunt was named the Appalachian League Pitcher of the Week for the week ended July 13. Hunt made the most of his five innings against Johnson City Friday, striking out 10 Cardinals and allowing no hits in his second start of the season. Hunt is still working on his endurance, but he hasn't done too badly as a starter, as he's yet to give up a hit in eight innings while recording 16 strikeouts.

Snappers stun Wizards

Beloit 13 at Fort Wayne 2

W: D. Bromberg (6-6, 5.03); L: W. Pelzer (7-4, 3.39)
HR: None.

The Beloit Snapper offense erupted for 13 run on 13 hits to bury the Fort Wayne Wizards, 13-2.

David Bromberg worked seven scoreless innings for Beloit, allowing only 3 hits and a walk while striking out 9 - the sort of performance that got him named to the All-star game, but which as been lacking of late.

The Snaps began their offensive onslaught in the second inning, with Deibinson Romero reaching on a throwing error by Lance Zawadzki. Reve Leveret singled to move him to second and Mark Dolenc would get hit by a pitch. Allan de San Miguel hit into a force out that brought Romero and Leveret home, but took Dolenc out at 2nd. A throwing error by Lawadzki moved Dirty to 2nd. Andrew Schmiesing then reached on a fielding error that scored the Snappers Aussie catcher. Estarlin de Los Santos ground out and Jeanfred Brito struck out to end the inning.

Chris Cates opened the bottom of the 3rd with a line drive to right, and Ben Revere followed it up with a line drive to left. Romero would reach on force attempt to load the bags. Leveret hit into a force out that scored Cates and took Romero out at 2nd. Dolenc would go down on strikes before Dirty's line drive plated Revere. A throwing error by Danny Payne advanced the runners and Schmiesing doubled them in. De Lo took a walk but Brito ground out to give the Wizards a chance.

Cates opened the bottom of the 4th by reaching on a fielding error - one of seven the Wizards would make over the course of the game. Revere then singled and Romero would get hit by a pitch to load the bags up again. The Wizards finally called for a pitching change, replacing the heavily hit Wynn Petzer with Matt Teague. Teague did not fair much better however, as Leveret double off of him to clean off the bases. Dolenc would single to put two men on before Dirty lined out. Schmeising walked and De Lo would get hit by a pitch to again load up the baggies. Omar Gutierrez was pulled out of the bullpen to replace Teague and would get Brito to hit into a ground out that scored Dolenc. As the team batted around the order, Cates then ground out to end retire the Snappers with the score 12-0.

Things would calm down after that, and the Snappers would not score again until the top of the sixth with De Lo taking a walk with one out on the board. Brito flew out and Cates reached on a throwing error that also put De Lo over the plate.

The bottom of the 8th saw Dutchmen Loek Van Mil come into replace Bromberg. He'd get Yetri Carvajal to line out before waking Parrino. Anthony Contreras singled and wild pitch from Van Mil advanced the pair. Luis Martinez walked before Brad Chalk reached on a force attempt. A throwing error by Van Mil allowed Parrino to score and spoiled Beloit's shut out. Robert Perry would then sacrifice in Cantreras. Zawadzki would walk to load the bags before Van Mil would get Danny Payne to line to end the inning.

Danny Hernandez came in to close the game for the Snappers, striking out two.

Revere and Leveret where 3-for-5 at the plate, Revere with a walk and a pair of runs and Leveret with a double, 3 runs and 4 RBIs. Dolenc was 2-for-4 with a run and a run scored. Brito, Cates, Romero, and Dirty all had singles, while Schmeising had a double.

Having had their full of Wizards, the Beloit continues their trip through the realms of Myth to take on the Dragons in Daytona on Saturday. First pitch is due at 6:00 PM.

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Elizabethton 3 at Johnson City 4

W: S. Maertz (2-0, 4.00); L: L. Martin (2-1, 5.27)
HR: None.

It would take 15 innings, but the Johnson City Cardinals slipped by the Elizabethton Twins 4-3.

The E-Twins got onto the board first when Dominic De La Osa singled, Nick Romero took a walk and Jon Waltenbury singled to load the bags. After Danny Rams went down on strikes, Michael Harrington sacrificed in De La Osa.

Shooter Hunt took the start on the mound for the Elizabethton and dealt through five innings, walking only 2 and striking out 10. Thom Wright would take over the sixth and the Cards saw their first hit when Brett Lilley singled. He'd not go far as Guillermo Toribio ground into a force out, Nico Vasquez's ground out to Toribio at 2nd, and Rams passed a ball, moving him to 3rd. Curt Smith then singled out to left to score Toribio, tying up the game.

And it would stay tied until the 14th inning. Santo Maertz came onto the mound for the Cards, and after a pop out to Bigley, Juan Richardson took a single off of him. A throwing error on the pick off attempt saw Richardson to 3rd. Angel Morales would get plunked by a pitch before James Beresford singled to drive in Richardson putting the Twins on top. But baseball is not sudden death. So the Cards got a chance.

Mark Hamburger was on the mound for the Twins and pitching well. He'd take Ivan Castro down on strikes before Edgar Lara singled. Jarred Bogany replaced Lara as a pinch runner, and Hamburger walked Osvaldo Morales. A passed ball by Alex Soto moved the pair, and a Paul Cruz ground out put Bogany over the plate.

On to the fifteenth inning. Waltenbury walked and Soto double. Harrington was issued an intentional walk to load the plate before Bigley went down on strikes. Richardson would single to drive in Waltenbury, but Soto would be taken out at home and Morales would strike out before more damage could be down.

Lee Martin replaced Hamburger on the mound and allowed a single to Lilley and walk to Toribio. Vasquez advanced the runners with a sac bunt, Martin then intentionally walked Curtis Smith. Invan Castro singled out to center to bring in Lilley and Toribio, ending the game as the Cards had home field advantage.

The teams rematch on Saturday, hopefully for a somewhat shorter contest, as I'm sure they are all worn out from this one. Game time is 7:00 PM Eastern.

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