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.

Fisher's romp over Rock Cats

New Hampshire 12 at New Britain 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Rock Cats win pitcher's duel at Dodd

New Britain 2 at Connecticut 1

W: Y. Pino (4-4, 4.26); L: D. McKae (6-5, 4.14); SV: B. Julianel (22)
HR: None.

There haven't been too many pitching duels for the New Britain Rock Cats, but they won one Friday night against the Connecticut Defenders.

Yohan Pino worked 7 solid innings, allowing only 1 run, earned, on 2 hits and pair of walks while fanning two. For their state rivals, Dave McKae also allowed 1 earned run on 8 hits and no walks while striking out 3 over seven innings. It was the unearned run that did him in.

Adam Witter walked in the bottom of the 2nd inning for the Defenders, as did Eddy Martinez-Esteve. Following a fly out to Carlos Sosa, and a pop out to Ryan Rohlinger, Simon Klink singled to drive in Witter. A throwing error by David Winfree in right field put runners on second and third, but Pino got Kyle Haines to ground out, ending the threat.

Drew Butera was hit with a pitch in the top of the 3rd, and a throwing error by Rohlinger allowed Matt Moses to reach on a force attempt. The runners would advance on the play and following a pop out to Steve Tolleson, Luke Hughes would ground out, plating Butera.

Danny Valencia doubled in to the top of the 4th and two outs later was singled in by Felix Molina. Molina would try to steal 2nd, but was caught, retiring the side.

Dustin Martin would get on base on a ground bunt single in the top of the sixth and Valencia would double again, but Martin was taken down at home as the Defenders saved the extra run.

Rob Delaney replaced Pino in the bottom of the 8th and allowed a single to Haines. He'd not be able to advance however as Delaney made quick work of the other three batters he faced.

Ben Julianel gets the job done as closer but he likes to make it interesting. After getting Pablo Sandoval to pop out, Witter and Martinez-Esteve took walks off of him. Carlos Sosa would go down on strikes and a wild pitch would advance the runners. Rohlinger then ground out, stranding his teammates and ending the contest.

Valencia was 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and a run. Winfree was 2-for-4 with a double. Molina was 1-for-3 with a RBI and Tolleson, Hughes and Martin were all 1-for-4, Hughes with a RBI, the other two being one hit wonders.

Butera was 0-for-2 at the plate with a run.

The save was Julianel's 22nd of the season.

Game two of the series is Saturday night at the Dodd. First pitch is set for 6:35 PM with Ben Snyder (1-2, 7.66) on the hill for Connecticut, while the Rock Cats counter with Jeff Manship (1-5, 4.50).

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Note: While there has been no word as to which Rock Cat will be replacing Brian Duensing on the Rochester Red Wings staff, it is expected that the outgoing Cat will be replaced in New Britain by Jose Mijares.

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Rochester 3 at Scanton/WB 7

W: J. Karstens (6-4, 3.80); L: B. Duensing (5-11, 4.32)
HR: SWB: M. Carson (6), A. Gonzalez (3).

Brian Duensing's last start prior to his departure for Beijing was less then memorable as the Rochester Red Wings blew a 3 run lead and ended up losing 7-3.

Duensing allowed 5 runs, all earned on 10 hits and a walk and fanned only 2 in 6.1 innings to record his 11th loss of the season.

Adam Everett would get things rolling for the Wings with a soft line drive to center. Darnell McDonald then doubled to move Everett to 3rd. Garrett Jones would go down on strikes before Randy Ruiz doubled in the pair to give the Wings a two run lead.

Matt Macri would walk in the top of the 2nd and after a pop out to Alejandro Machado, advanced to second on a Ryan Jorgenson single. Jason Pridie's single moved Macri to 3rd and following a coaching visit to the mound, Everett would knock a line drive to right to plate him.

Matt Carson homered for the Yankees in the bottom of th 4th. Juan Miranda singled and Cody Ransom walked. One out later. JD Closser singled to load up the bags. Chris Stewart then sent a ball to Everett at short that saw Miranda come home. Nick Green sacrificed in Ransom to tie up the game.

Alberto Gonzalez singled in the bottom of the 5th and advanced to second on McDonald's throwing error. Carson's sac-bunt moved him to 3rd. Miranda's line drive to right plated him to give the Yankees the lead.

Macri would double with two outs in the top of the sixth, but could not convert as Machado ground out to send the Wings back on Defense.

Following a strike out to Bernie Castro, Alberto Gonzalez homered in the bottom of 7th. That would finish it for Duensing with Julio Depaula taking over. Depaula would take Carson out on strikes, but walked Miranada. Ransom then doubled to score Miranda and a Broussard line drive single brought in Ransom.

Everett and Garrett Jones were both 2-for-4 at the plate, Everett with a run and a RBI. Macri was 1-for-2 with a pair of walks, a double and a run

Howie Clark (1-for-4) and Pridie (1-for-5) were the one hit wonders, while McDonald and Ruiz were 1-for-4 with doubles, Ruiz with 2 RBIs as well; Machado and Jorgensen were 1-for-3, Machado with a double, Jorgensen with a walk.

Jeff Karstens took the win for the Yankees, his sixth of the season, allowing 3 runs, earned on 9 hits and a pair of walks while striking out 5.

The two teams rematch Saturday at 7:00 PM.

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Reliever Carmen Cali (5-0, 3.38 ERA) will make the spot start Saturday night against Kei Igawa (9-5, 3.80) .

Manager Stan Cliburn entered Friday's game with 999 wins as a minor league manager; Cliburn has a 1,252-1,206 overall managerial record, with 253 of those wins in the Independent Texas/Louisiana League from 1995-1999. Dave Machemer is the only former Red Wings manager to have 1,000 or more minor league wins on the active manager list.

Friday's game ended a streak in which the Red Wings had hit at least one home run in 12 straight games (19 home runs during a 12-game stretch). Alejandro Machado just missed extending the homer streak, doubling off the top of the fence in the ninth inning. Rochester hit 12 home runs during the just completed eight-game homestand, out-slugging the IL home run leaders (Toledo) 8-4 during a four-game series. The 96 home runs Rochester has hit so far this season is the most in one season since 2005 (139).

The Twins lost OF Carlos Gomez after he was injured colliding with the outfield wall making a catch. Gomez needed to be carted off the field after injuring his back, and was taken to a hospital for tests.

New Hampshire Rocks Cats, 8-1

New Britain 1 at New Hampshire 8

W: R. Ray (4-4, 3.35); L: Y. Pino (3-4, 4.57); SV: J. Machi (1)
HR: NHM: J. Arencibia 2 (8), S. Campbell 2 (8), B. Jeroloman (6).

There's not much defense against the long ball as the New Britain Rock Cats found out Sunday. The New Hampshire Fisher Cats put five over the wall in route to a 8-1 drubbing at Automerchants.com Stadium.

Scott Campbell's 7th home run of the season opened things up for the Fishers as he put a Yohan Pino pitch over the right-center field wall. Ryan Patterson followed that up with a walk and a line-drive single by Travis Snider got Patterson over to third. J.P. Arencibia would sacrifice the Fisher's center fielder in to give New Hampshire an early 2 run lead.

They added to it in the bottom of the 2nd when David Smith doubled and Kyle Phillips took a walk. An Andrew Pinckney single loaded up the bases, and a Ryan Klosterman sac-fly plated Smith. Campbell and Patterson would both pop out however to end the Fisher's scoring threat - for the moment anyway.

Arencibia would go yard in the bottom of the 3rd, his 7th of the season going over the left field wall. Pinckney doubled in the bottom of the fourth, and following a ground out to Klosterman, Campbell's second of the game would give the Fisher Cats a nice six run lead.

While the Rock Cats managed 8 hits in the game, Drew Butera would have to reach on a Klosterman fielding error in the top of the 5th to lead to the Rock Cats only run. Dustin Martin and Matt Moses hit back-to-back singles which put the Rock Cat's catcher over the plate.

Jason Miller would replace Pino in the bottom of the 5th. Pino would leave after allowing six runs - all earned - on 8 hits and a pair of walks while fanning 3 over four innings. Arencibia greeted Miller with his second home run of the game, his 8th of the season going over the left field wall. After walking Jeroloman and allowing a single to Smith, Miller would strike out 3 straight to get out of the inning.

Miller would work the sixth as well before giving way to Frank Mata for the seventh. After getting Arencibia out on strikes, Mata got tagged by Jeroloman as the Fisher Cat's catcher put this sixth home run of the season over the right field wall.

Armando Gabino finished up, allowing a single to Klosterman in the 8th.

Toby Gardenhire would go 2-for-4 at the plate as would Danny Valencia but neither factored into the scoring. Moses and Molina were both 1-for-3, Moses with a pair of walks and a run scored and Molina with a walk. Martin and Butera were each 1-for-4, Martin with a walk and Butera with the lone New Britain run.

Thoroughly rocked, the Cats tuck tail and head back to New Britain stadium for a 4-game series against the Reading Phillies.

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Cats scratch out win on road

New Britain 4 at Harrisburg 2

W: R. Delaney (1-0, 1.64); L: B. Perez (3-4, 6.62); SV: B. Julianel (17)
HR: NBR: B. Peterson (10). HAR: E. Baez (1).

The New Britain Rock Cats rallied late to break at 2-2 tie and went on to win 4-2 against the Harrisburg Sentators at Commerce Bank Park.

New Britain got on the board first when Brock Peterson homered in the top of the 4th with one out up an no one on base. The single shot homer, his 10th of year, went over the left field wall. Following a Dustin Martin ground out, Danny Vanecia doubled, then came home on a Eric Lis fly-ball single to center.

Harrisburg took one back in the bottom of the inning, with Edgardo Baez hitting hit first home run of the season over the center field wall.

New Britain starter Yohan Pino worked 5.1 innings, being charged for both runs on six hits and a pair of walks while fanning six.

Pinto would get Bill Rhinehart to strike out before giving up a single Baez. New Britain field manager Bobby Cuellar then called for Rob Delaney out of the bullpen. Luis Antonio Jimenez hurt his former team by doubling off Delaney to score Baez. Delany was charge with the blown save, and would finish off the six and work the seventh.

Bobby Brownlie worked seven innings for Harrisburg, giving up both runs on six hits and three walks while striking out 4. Beltran Perez replaced him for the top of the eighth, getting Peterson to strike out swinging before giving up a single to Dustin Martin. Martin would be picked up and caught stealing second however, with Valencia the plate. The Boca Raton, Fl, native then took a walk. Lis doubled to drive him in to put the Cats on top again.

The Sens' Leonard Davis doubled in the bottom of the 8th, but that was all they would see out of All-star Ben Julianel, as he used a pair of pop outs and a ground out to end the inning.

With two outs in the 9th, Luke Hughes doubled and Brian Dinkelman took a walk. Petereron then singled Hughes in for the insurance run.

Julianel allowed a single to William Bergolia in the bottom of the 9th with one out on the board, but then used a pair of fly outs to end the contest.

Hughes, Lis and and Moses were all 2-for-4, Hughes with a run and a pair of doubles, Lis with a double and a RBI. Peterson was 2-for-5 with a run and a pair of RBIs. Valencia was 1-for-3 with a walk a double and 2 runs, while Martin was 1-for-4 with a walk.

The two teams rematch on Wednesday at 6:35 pm on Batman Movie Night. Jordon Zimmermann (3-2, 4.12 ERA) will be the Senators' Joker to Jeff Manship's (1-2, 3.91 ERA) Batman for New Britain.

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Tuesday's game in Charlotte between the Charlotte Knights and the Rochester Red Wings was postponed by rain, and will be made up as part of a doubleheader Wednesday beginning at 5:15 PM.

LHP Simonitsch Released by Minnesota Twins

New Britain Rock Cats Press Release

New Britain, CT – The New Britain Rock Cats announced this afternoon that LHP Errol Simonitsch, a 25-year-old Glendale, CA native who spent portions of three different seasons playing in New Britain, has been released by the Rock Cats' parent organization, the Minnesota Twins.

The New Britain fan and clubhouse favorite had his career set back by a shoulder injury that was discovered near the conclusion of the Twins' 2007 Spring Training. The 6'4"/230-pound southpaw was Minnesota's 6th Round selection in the 2003 Draft out of Gonzaga University.

Simonitsch made his first appearance in New Britain in 2005 when, following his June 22nd promotion from Ft. Myers in the Florida State League, he went 6-5 in his Eastern League debut season. Combined with his 8 victories at Fort Myers, his 14 total wins that year was the most of any pitcher in the entire Minnesota minor league system. He returned to the Hardware City in 2006 and led the club with 26 starts and 148.2 total innings worked. As the staff workhorse, he compiled an 8-14 record and his 22 decisions were the team high.

After starting the 2007 Season on New Britain's Disabled List, Simonitsch was returned to Extended Spring Training in Florida to continue his rehabilitation. He eventually was assigned to the Gulf Coast League Twins and then Ft. Myers where he finished strong, posting a combined 5-0 record and 3.72 ERA in 10 games.

After rejoining the Rock Cats on May 12th of this year, Simonitsch made six starts and compiled a 1-4 record with a 9.96 ERA. He allowed 49 hits and 12 walks while striking out 17 in 28 innings. His sole New Britain victory this year came last week in Altoona, PA; his final defeat came just last night at home when, against the same Altoona team, he surrendered 12 hits and seven Runs over five-plus innings of work.

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In related news, Luke Hughes was placed on the disabled list and RHP Yohan Pino was reactivated.

The 23-year-old Hughes was placed on the Disabled List (6/9) with a strained left groin; the 24-year-old Pino is returning to active status (6/10) after having been disabled on May 16 with a strained right shoulder.

Hughes has been New Britain's top offensive player since Opening Day/2008. He goes to the DL as one of the Eastern League's top hitters; he holds a .335 BA while also being either in sole possession or tied for the League lead in a range of offensive categories from Home Runs (13) to Slugging Percentage (.618) to Runs Scored (41). Hughes appeared in 47 total games for the 2008 Rock Cats and collected 64 Hits.

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· Matt Tolbert had the cast on his left hand removed and he's now donning a splint on his surgically repaired left thumb. Twins field manager Ron Gardenhire said Wednesday that a best-case scenario would have Tolbert back playing Aug. 1.

· Shortstop Adam Everett's stress reaction in his right shoulder has not calmed down as quickly as the club hoped. Everett likely will not begin a throwing program until after the team returns from its current road trip.

· Gardenhire said Wednesday that he still expects his team to reduce its pitching staff from 13 to 12 following Thursday's game in Cleveland.

Twins prospects receive season ending honors

Several of the Twins prospects were named to the Minor League season end All-star teams as reported by Baseball America.

Danny Hernandez, who spent the season with the Appalachian League Elizabethton Twins was named to the Rookie team.

1st baseman Eric Lis and pitcher Yohan Pino were both named to the Low A team, Kevin Slowey was named to the High A team and Pat Neshak made the AAA All-star team.

Slowey was also named to the Overall Second All-Star team, while pitcher Matt Garza was named to the Overall First All-star team.

Hernandez was 1-1 with 18 saves, with a 3.81 ERA and issued only 9 walks in 28 innings pitched. There is no doubt that Hernandez has earned a promotion to Beloit, and if he keeps up the sterling work, he could well make it to High A ball by mid-season of 2007.

Pino has gone 6-0 with a 1.67 ERA in 21 games of relief in Venezuelan Winter Ball this year. He struck out 23 batters, and allowed just 16 hits in 27 innings of work. While with the Snappers in 2006, Pino had a 14-2 record with a 1.91 ERA. In 121 combined innings between the Midwest League and the Venezuelan Winter League he has a 1.86 ERA with 122 strikeouts and has a 20-2 record.

With Barry Zito's signing by the Giants being cited as the sort of money two time Cy Young winner Johan Santana can expect to earn once he makes it to free agency in 2008, many prospect watchers are considering Pino to take over his place on the Twins roster. Pino will start the 2007 season with High A Fort Myers, but expect him to get on the fast track through the minors.

Lis hit .326 with the Snappers in 2006, including 16 home runs will bringing in 70 runs. He scored 69 runs during the year for Beloit, with 4 stolen bases. Lis looked impressive in Fall Instructional as well, and is well suited to take over for Brock Peterson as a Miracle corner man.

There's little I can say about Slowey that I haven't already said. He spent the first half of the year with the Miracle, record a 4-2 record with a 1.01 ERA and issued only 9 walks in 89 innings pitched. He struggled a bit originally in AA, and ended up with a 4-3 record, a 3.19 ERA and 13 walks in 59.1 innings pitched. He struck out 151 batters between Fort Myers and New Britain, 3 less than Garza's total, and about 6th overall in minor league baseball. Slowey is expected to start the season in AAA Rochester, but might well find a way onto the Twins pitching staff before the season is over.

Neshak made the Twins roster by the end of the season. He posted a 6-2 record with 14 saves in Rochester, a 1.95 era and allowed 14 walks over 60 innings. There's no doubt that he'll become a staple in the Twins bullpen for the coming year.

Garza sped through the minor league system, posting a combined 14-4 record with a 1.99 ERA between Fort Myers, New Britain and Rochester. Following a shakey first outing with the Twins near the end of the season, Garza seems to have solidified. He'll be looked at for a place in the Twins rotation for 2007, a rotation that will need some solid arms following Francisco Liriano's Tommy John surgery and the Brad Radke's retirement.

Not picked for an All-star team was pitcher Oswaldo Sosa, but much like Pino, he's been having an outstanding winter season over in Venezuela. Sosa is 5-0 with a 2.30 ERA in the Winter League. He went 9-7 for the Snappers with a 2.75 ERA. Sosa struck out 95 batters in 117.2 innings for Beloit. He earned a promotion to the Ft. Myers Miracle last season where he went 4-1 with a 2.08 ERA. Sosa, who pitched 34.2 innings for the Miracle in 2006, may start the season in Double A. Certainly, he'll be given a look with consideration for moving him that pitching staff.

Although major league pitchers and catchers don't report for spring training for another 41 days, one notable catcher, Joe Mauer, is in Fort Myers, going through Winter workouts. Mauer is a resident of Fort Myers, were he is less known than he is in the Twin Cities and does not attract a crowd when he goes out. Twins short stop Jason Bartlett is also among the players, getting into early work outs down at the Lee County Sportsplex.

"There’s something driving these players, the fact that they’ve been to the playoffs and they haven’t been to the big game," former Miracle coach and current director of Latin American development Jose Marzan said of the players that are in town early during a recent article in the Fort Myers News Press. "The guys are here early because they want to get ready for the season. It’s not only for individual accomplishments but it’s also because they want to take it to the next level.”

But no worries Twins fans, both Mauer and Bartlett will in the Twins Cities for the opening of Twins Fest on January 26th. Slowey, Garza, and Neshak are also schedule to appear. More information on Twinsfest can be found here.

In other news, the Twins inked pitchers Sidney Ponson and Brad Voyles to minor league deals with invitations to major league camp. Both pitchers will be given a shot at making the major league pitching staff. Ponson's acquisition has drawn some concern from the fans, as his recent numbers have not been strong.

"This is an opportunity for him to compete for one of our rotation spots with a host of others, and he is still just 30 years old," Twins general manager Terry Ryan said in an article on Twinsbaseball.com. "It wasn't too long ago that he threw well over 200 innings. We feel like we are a good fit for him and I thought it certainly was worth taking a shot at bringing in a guy that has the Major League experience that he has."

While it should be noted that many of players brought in to try out for spots in spring training don't make the team or even stay with the organization, the Twins have have had some success bringing in pitchers in the past. Most recently, Dennys Reyes emerged as one of the best left-handed relievers in the league for the club after struggling to find a fit with other teams.

Minor League pitchers and catchers are still nearly two months away, and winter league baseball has ended.

Fort Myers locals are reminded that the Twins will be holding 11 baseball clinics for the area youth, with the first two being held this Saturday at the Lee County Sports Complex.

The two-hour clinics require no registration and are open to boys and girls ages 5 to 16. Twins instructors will teach hitting, fielding, and throwing at each clinic. Parents are encouraged to participate with their sons or daughters in the sessions.

The first clinic starts at 10 a.m and runs until noon, the second clinic starts at 1 pm and runs until 3 pm. More information on the youth clinics can be found at Twinsbaseball.com.