Cats, wings both winners

New Britain 7 at Bowie 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Indianapolis 5 at Rochester 6

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



Friday: Binghamton 4 at New Britain 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Saturday: Binghamton 5 at New Britain 8

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Sunday: Binghamton 5 at New Britain 6

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cats drop 3rd straight to Bowie

New Britain 6 at Bowie 8

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Reading sneaks past Cats; Wings hold off Hens

Reading 4 at New Britain 3

W: C. Carrasco (6-7, 4.05); L: A. Swarzak (3-8, 5.67); SV: J. Pope (5)
HR: REA: G. Golson (9). NBR: D. Winfree (13).

The Reading Phillies slipped by the New Britain Rock Cats in the 4th inning and hung on to win, 4-3 at New Britain Stadium.

Luke Hughes doubled off Carlos Carrasco to lead off in the bottom of the first. Following fly outs to Dustin Martin and Danny Valencia, Erik Lis singled to put men on the corners. David Winfree then cracked his 13th home run of the season over the left field wall to give the Cats a 3 run lead.

A throwing error by Toby Gardenhire put Lou Marson on board on the top of the 2nd. He would advance to second as the ball when into the dugout on the throw to first. Jeremy Slayden would pop out before Neil Sellers' ground out moved Marson to 3rd. A passed ball by Drew Butera would plate the Phillies catcher.

Greg Golson would go yard in the top of the 4th, his ninth of the year going over the left field wall to cut the Rock Cats lead to one. Marson singled and following a fly out to Slayden, so did Sellers. Brad Harmon's grounder to center plated Marson to tie up the game and Mike Eylward sacrifice brought in Sellers to put Reading on top.

The Rock Cats would only managed a total of five hits in the game, three off Carrasco and a pair off Sam Walls. Carrasco went on to strike out 7 over six innings for the win.

Anthony Swarzak worked six innings as well, giving up all four runs, 3 earned, on 7 hits and a pair of walks. Zack Ward and Rob Delaney would split the final 3 innings.

Dustin Martin (1-for-3 with a walk) and Brock Peterson (1-for-4) had the other two hits for New Britain.

The final game of the series is Thursday night, with southpaw Ryan Mullins (7-6, 3.99) throwing out the first pitch at 7:05 PM. Reading counters with Fabio Castro (7-1, 4.33).

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The New Britain Rock Cats announced prior to the game that Steve Tolleson (broken finger) had been activated and infielder Brian Dinkelman (elbow) was placed on the disabled list.

Tolleson, who has started games at second base, shortstop and center field this season, was batting .335 with five homers and 34 RBI when he went down June 27.

Dinkelman, also a second baseman/shortstop, is batting .247 with a homer and six RBI since arriving from Class A Fort Myers on June 16.

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Toledo 6 at Rochester 9

W: P. Humber (5-7, 5.55); L: A. Martinez (2-3, 5.13); SV: B. Korecky (14)
HR: ROC: J. Pridie 2 (11), R. Jorgensen (7).

The Rochester Red Wings weathered a late six-run inning by the Toledo Mud Hens to hang on to win 9-6 at Frontier Field Wednesday night.

Alejandro Machado doubled in the bottom of the 3rd, then came home on a Ryan Jorgenson single combined with a Mike Hessman throwing error.

Darnell McDonald followed suite, doubling in the bottom of the 4th, and Garrett Jones then doubled to trade places with him. A Randy Ruiz single moved Jones to 3rd and after a coaching visit to the mound a wild pitch by Anastacio Martinez allowed Jones to score. Ruiz would advance to 2nd as well, in perfect position to be doubled in by Matt Macri. Trevor Plouffe would hit a sac bunt to move Macri and following a pop out to Machado, Ryan Jorgenson would double Macri in. Jason Pridie then cracked a ball over the right field wall for his 10th home run of the season, making it 7-0 Wings.

Jogensen and Pridie would hit back to back home runs in the bottom of the 7th, both going over the left field wall.

Phil Humber picked up the win, working five innings for the Wings, scattering 5 hits and a pair of walks while striking out 5. Mariano Gomez worked the next two before giving way to Danny Graves at the top of the 8th.

Graves would hit Brett Clevlen with a pitch to start out, then walked Jeff Larish. A visit from the coach did little, as Graves then hit Mike Hessman, loading the bases. Mike Holliman took a single off him to score Clevlan. Kody Kirland then walked to force in Larish, which also forced Stan Cliburn to remove him from the mound. Tim Lahey would come in, and get Max St. Pierre to line into a double play. He then walked Derek Wathan to fill up the bags again. Freddy Guzman doubled to clean off the bases and a Timo Perez double brought in Guzman before Bobby Korckey was called from the bullpen to get the final out.

Pridie was 3-for-5 with a pair of runs and 3 RBIs, Jorgenson as 3-for-4 with a double, two runs and two RBIs. Machado and Ruiz were 2-for-4 with a run each, while McDonald, Jones and Macri all chipped in with doubles.

Korckey picked up his 14th save of the season on 1.1 innings worth of work.

The two teams rematch Thursday for an 11:05 morning contest on Summer Camp day. Right hander Kevin Mulvey (3-8, 3.97 ERA) will start against Toledo's Chris Lambert (10-5, 3.10).

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With the victory, the Wings are one win away from securing their first series win over the Mud Hens since 2001.

By scoring seven runs, the Wings earned their 41st victory in which they scored four or more runs this season.

Former Red Sox and Expos star Bill "Spaceman" Lee was at the game, as part of a promotion for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield's Healthy Blue plan. Lee signed autographs for fans, and pitched to two Healthy Blue members on the field before the game.

Double and Triple A All-stars announced

The Double-A Eastern League All-Star Game will also take place July 16, and three former Miracle will be in it. Left-handed pitcher Ryan Mullins, and infielders Luke Hughes and Steve Tolleson have all been named to the All-star game from the Rock Cats squad. They will be joined by pitcher Ben Julianel who was signed by the Twins as a minor league free agent.

The game is due to be played at Merchantsauto.com Stadium, home of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

Hughes, the Rock Cats' 23-year-old handyman extraordinaire who, despite a lengthy stay on New Britain's disabled list earlier this year, continues to either lead or be among the League leaders in several different offensive categories. At the time of today's announcement, the versatile (and now healthy) native of Perth, Australia is batting a lusty .340 with 14 Home Runs and a Slugging Percentage of .621. Earlier this week, Luke was notified of his selection to play for the World Team in the 2008 Futures Game scheduled for Yankee Stadium on Sunday, July 13th.

Tolleson, a 24-year-old University of South Carolina product, is one of 8 Infielders selected for the League's Mid-Summer Classic. Son of former big leaguer Wayne Tolleson - Steve has appeared in 58 games for the 2008 Rock Cats and, while both versatile and steady with the glove, he has shown significant offensive punch in his first trip to the Double-A, Eastern League. At the time of his selection, Steve was 4th in the League in Batting (.335), posting 21 Doubles, 5 HRs and 34 RBI in 58 total games.

Mullins, a 6'6”/202-pound product of Vanderbilt University, is one of just three left-handers on the Northern Division's glittering staff. The lanky 24-year-old native of Nashville, TN has been the Rock Cats most reliable starter in 2008. At the time of his selection, Ryan was 6-6 over 16 starts with an ERA of 3.84.

Julianel, a 28-year-old southpaw from Rancho Madera, CA, will work out of the Northern Division's bullpen – a location from which he has been outstanding for the 2008 Rock Cats. The 6'2”/184-pound lefty is among the Eastern League leaders in both appearances (35) and Saves (15), while his 2.66 ERA has consistently been among the best on entire New Britain staff.

In other news, outfielder Darnell McDonald has been elected to represent the Rochester Red Wings at the Triple-A All-Star Game which is also to be played on Wednesday, July 16, in Louisville. McDonald is in his second season in the Minnesota Twins organization, and is batting .307 (6th in IL) with 48 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 68 games for Rochester thus far this season.

Dogs slip past Cats, 7-6

Portland 7 at New Britain 6

W: D. Haigwood (1-0, 2.08); L: A. Gabino (3-3, 2.96); SV: B. Vaughan (4)
HR: None.

This time, home was not so sweet for the New Britain Rock Cats, as the Portland Sea Dogs took an early lead that the Rock Cats could not overcome.

Despite having some of the top pitching prospects in the Twins system, the Rock Cats starters have been spotty at best. Anthony Swarzak would give up 4 runs, 3 earned on 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 2 over 5.2 innings.

Jeff Corsaletti took a walk off Swarzak to start the game and then moved over to 3rd when a pick off attempt when astray on a throwing error by Swarzak. Corsaletti would score on Iggy Suarez's ground out, giving the Sea Dogs a run without a hit ever being recorded.

In the top of the 3rd, Suarez would walk. Zach Daeges doubled him in and then Aaron Bates doubled as well, to bring in Daeges, making it 3-1 Dogs.

Tony Granadillo doubled in the top of the 5th, moved to 3rd on Suarez ground out, and was plated by Daeges double to left.

In a move that might seem familiar to Miracle fans, once the starter came off the mound, the Cats broke out their bats. Armando Gabino replaced Swarzak in the six and in the bottom of of that inning, Jeff Christy singled to start out. Steve Tolleson would strike out, but Dustin Martin then took a walk as well. Luke Hughes who was 0-for-4 in the game with 3 strike out, recorded one of them before Erik Lis doubled out to right to score the two New Britain runners.

Daniel Haigwood would replace Portland starter Michael Bowden. He's be greeted by a Brock Peterson double which brought in Lis. Matt Moses then tripled out to right to bring in Peterson, tying up the game.

It would not stay that way for long. Tony Granadillo took a walk off Gabino who also handed out free passes to Corsaletti and Suarez to load the bases. Daeges would pop out, but a Bates sac-fly brought in a run to put the Sea Dogs up on top again.

Tolleson's double in the bottom of the stanza was wasted as he was left stranded. Kyle Aselton took over the New Britain mound in the 8th, and Andrew Pinckney greeted him with a double. Ryan Khoury's fly out moved the runner to 3rd, and he was sacrificed in by Mickey Hall.

Daniel Bard struck out Hughes, Lis and Peterson in the bottom of the 8th. After Corsaletti had been called out on strikes to open the top of the ninth, Suarez took a walk from Aselton, then stole 2nd. Daeges doubled him in giving the Dogs a 3 run lead.

Beau Vaughan took over the mound for the Boston farm in the bottom of the 9th, and allowed a walk to Matt Moses. Trevor Plouffe double out to right. Following a fly out to Felix Molina, David Winfree, pinch hitting for Christy singled to bring in Moses. Tolleson then singled to drive in Plouffe but that was all the Cats could manage. Martin would strike out and Hughes would fly out to end the game.

Tolleson finished up 3-for-5 with 1 RBI. Peterson was 2-for-4 with a run and a RBI, and Plouffe was also 2-for-4 with a run. Martin, who parlayed a walk into a run but was 0-for-4 at the plate also had 3 strike outs. Lis and Peterson took a pair of K's each.

The Harrisburgh Senators comes to the New Britain Stadium on Monday for a 6:35 PM game. Former Rock Cat Tristan Crawford (1-0, 3.79) is on the Harrisburgh roster and is scheduled to pitch on Tuesday against his former club.

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The International League game between the Rochester Red Wings and the Syracuse Chiefs was suspended by rain, and will be completed as part of a double header on Monday starting at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Syracuse had a one run lead at the time the game was stopped.

Cats double up Dogs in early game

Portland 4 at New Britain 8

W: R. Mullins (4-2, 3.04); L: C. Vasquez (0-1, 27.00)
HR: POR: Z. Daeges (1). NBR: D. Winfree (10).

Ryan Mullins picked up his 4th win of the 2008 season in part one of a split-game double header on Saturday afternoon at New Britain Stadium. Mullins allowed 4 runs - only one earned - on 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 5 over six innings.

Brock Peterson's fielding error in the first allowed Jeff Corsaletti to reach from the lead off position in the first inning. A Iggy Suarez ground ball moved Corsaletti to 2nd. Zach Daeges then doubled in Corsaletti with Suarez ending up on 3rd. Mark Wagner would get taken out on strikes and Aaron Bates would pop out before a John Ottness ground ball to left allowd the pair of runners to come in, giving Portland an early three run lead.

David Winfree would homer in the bottom of the 2nd - this 10th of the season - to take back one run. After Matt Moses was taken out on strikes, Trevor Plouffe tripled, then came home on a Dustin Martin ground ball to cut the Dogs' lead to only one.

In the bottom of the 4th, Plouffe would take a walk, and Martin would be hit by a pitch to put two runners on base. Then pair then worked a double steal. Jeff Christy's sac-fly brought in Plouffe. Martin would then steal 3rd, just in time for Steve Tolleson's line drive to bring him in to put the Cats up by one.

Daeges homered in the top of the 6th to make tie the game up again, but New Britain would take advantage of Carlos Vasquez in the bottom of the stanza.

With one out on the board, Plouffe and Martin hit back-to-back singles. Christy would reach on a fieldign error by Andrew Pinckney which also allowed Plouffe to score. Tolleson's grounder to center field allowed Martin and Christy to score. Tolleson would advance to 2nd on the throw, which worked out well as Erik Lis doubled to bring him in. Giving the Rock Cats a four run lead.

Zack Ward finished up the game, allowing on 1 hit in the final inning. Luke Hughes saw his 17-game hitting streak snapped, as he went 0-for-4 at the plate, with one strike out.

Tolleson was 4-for-4 with 1 run and 3 RBIs in the lead off slot. Plouffe and Martin were both 2-for-2, Plouffe with a walk and 3 runs and Martin with 2 runs and 1 RBI for the Rock Cats.

The two teams play an evening game, starting at 6:35 PM Eastern Time.

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Portland 6 at New Britain 2

W: T. Hottovy (1-0, 3.60); L: J. Miller (1-1, 3.94)
HR: POR: A. Bates (2). NBR: B. Peterson (4).

The Portland Sea Dogs rocked the New Britain Rock Cats 6-2, in Saturday's night cap. Portland would get to New Britain starter Jason Miller in the top of the second when Zach Daeges walked. He would be caught stealing however, so when Andrew Pinckney doubled, there was no one on base for him to drive in. No problems there, Ryan Khoury singled Pinckney in for the first run of the contest.

In the top of the 4th with two outs on the board, John Otness would be hit by a pitch. He then advanced to second on a called balk. Pindkney would take a walk, and Khoury would double hin the pair. That finished it for J-Mill, who turned the mound over to Jay Sawatski. Mickey Hall's grounder to right brought in Khoury giving the Dogs 3 more.

An Erik Lis single followed by a Brock Peterson home run provided the offense for the Cats in the bottom of the stanza.

The Boston farm club however wasted no time taking it back as Jeff Corsaletti singled out to center, then stole 2nd base. Aaron Bates would then put one over the fence to give the Dogs their bone.

Lis and Peterson both finish up 2-for-3 with a run, Peterson with 2 RBIs. Dustin Martin was 2-for-3 as well, but did not factor into the scoring.

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New Britain scratches Bowie late

Bowie 6 at New Britain 7

Record 19 - 12 (2nd Place, Northern Division)

W: A. Gabino (3-1, 0.93); L: G. Casadiego (0-3, 4.95)
HR: BOW: F. Bynum (1). NBR: S. Tolleson (3).

There was very little action around the Twins Minor League system Wednesday, as Beloit and Fort Myers had off days, and Rochester's game was postponed by rain.

The Wings will play two games on Thursday, starting at 11:00 AM

Former Miracle Steve Tolleson hit a home run in the 8th inning that tied up the game between New Britain and Bowie, sending it into extra innings.

Tolleson would then single his way onto base in the 10th inning, move to 2nd on Dustin Martin's sac bunt, then steal 3rd. Brock Peterson's fly ball to right then drive in Tolleson for the game winner.

Bowie would get on the board first, with Breddie Bynum going yard off Anthony Swarzak in the first inning. New Britain took it back however as Luke Hughes extended his hitting streak to 16-games with a line drive single. Martin then singled as well. Hughes would move to 3rd on a wild pitch by Bowie starter David Hernandez. Peterson then doubled the pair in, to make it 2-1 Rock Cats.

Ryan Finan would single for Bowie in the top of the 4th, then come home on a Brian Peterson double, to tie up the game.

Carlos Rojas doubled to start the 5th, then moved to 3rd on a Mike Rodriguez sac-bunt. Luis Montanez singled him home. Following a pop out to Jeff Nettles, Nolan Reimold singled and Finan doubled to drive in 2, giving the Baysox a 3-run lead.

New Britain's Peterson would single in the bottom of the fifth, then move to 3rd on an Erik Lis double. Trevor Plouffe's ground out drove in Peterson, a fly-ball single to right off the bat of Felix Molina brought Lis across the plate.

With Danny Graves on the mound in the top of the 7th, Montanez singled with one out on the board, then stole 2nd. Reimold's double to left brought him in to give the Baltimore farm team a 2-run lead.

New Britain began their rally in the bottom of the 7th, when Lis singled, moved to 2nd on Trevor Plouffe's sac-bunt, 3rd on a Molina ground out, and passed the plate on Toby Gardenhires' fly ball single to right.

Hughes was 1-for-2 in the game, with 1 run before being replaced by Tolleson, who went 2-for-3 with a walk and 2 runs (including the home run) and 1 RBI. The reigning Eastern League Player of the Month fouled a ball off his foot in the 3rd inning, and left the game thereafter.

Lis was 3-for-3 at the plate with a walk and 2 runs, Martin was 2-for-4 with a run.

Peterson, a former Miracle 1stbaseman, provided much of the offense, going 4-for-6 with 1 run and 3 RBIs.

Swarzak was less than sharp on the mound, allowing 5 earned runs on 8 hits and 3 walks while striking out 3 over 4.2 innings. Armando Gabino picked up the win in relief, allowing only 2 hits over 2 innings.

Having won their last 9, the Rock Cats play early tomorrow to finish off the series against Bowie with a 10:35 AM educational day game before heading out on the road.

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Minnesota 13 at Chicago White Sox 1

WP: L. Hernandez (5-1) LP: M. Buehrle (1-4)
HR: MIN C. Gomez (2), CWS J. Dye (5)

One day after Gavin Floyd nearly no-hit the Twins, Livan Hernandez would nearly shut out the Chi Sox, allowing a home run in the 9th to Jermaine Dye to spoil his bid.

Carlos Gomez looked good at the plate for the Twins, going 4-for-6 with 2 runs and 3 RBIs and hitting for the cycle. The Twins pounded out 16 hits, with Craig Monroe, Justin Morneau and Mike Cuddyer all 2-for-5 through the heart of the order as was Nick Punto hitting last. Monroe had 2 runs, Morneau, Cuddyer and Punto a run each while Cuddyer drove in 1 and Punto drove in 5 (yes! five!)

Mike Redmond was 2-for-4 with a run and 3 RBIs.

Gomez, who appeared in 58 games for the Mets last season, homered in the first, tripled in the fifth, doubled in the sixth and singled in the 9th to complete the cyle - backwards it would seem.

The two teams rematch tomorrow with former Miracle Kevin Slowey (0-1, 8.10) making the start for Minnesota.

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