Scoreboard - July 19, 2007

Li-Hua Lan / The Post-Standard
Kevin Barker takes a throw to tag out Rochester's Jose Morales after Morales was trapped in a run-down.

Rochester 7 at Syracuse 10

Record 50 - 46

W: T. Taubenheim (4-5, 5.72); L: R. Mullins (0-1, 27.00); SV: J. James (2)
HR: ROC: M. Tolbert (5), T. Oeltjen (2).

From redwingsbaseball.com/MiLB.com: Adam Lind went 4-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored as Syracuse beat visiting Rochester, 10-7, on Thursday.

Lind singled and scored in the second inning, delivered another base hit in the third, ripped an RBI double in the fourth and stroked his first triple of the year in the seventh to pace a 15-hit attack for the Chiefs (44-52).

The 24-year-old left fielder fell a homer shy of the cycle while raising his batting average to .328.

Ray Olmedo slapped run-scoring singles in the second and third and Curtis Thigpen delivered a two-run single in the second for Syracuse.

Chiefs starter Ty Taubenheim (4-5) picked up the win, despite allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks with three strikeouts in five innings. Justin James retired the final four batters for his second save.

Matt Tolbert went 3-for-5 with a solo homer, his fifth, in the first and a run-scoring triple in the fifth. He fell a double short of the cycle for the Red Wings (51-46). Trent Oeltjen belted a two-run homer, his second.

Rochester starter Ryan Mullins (0-1) surrendered nine runs on 12 hits while striking out two and walking one in three frames.

McDonald to Twins: Red Wings right fielder Darnell McDonald was promoted to the Minnesota Twins on Thursday.

McDonald was lifted in the third inning of Rochester's game in Syracuse. He went 1-for-2.

The former No. 1 draft pick was acquired from the Washington Nationals on June 26 and hit .282 with two home runs, 13 RBI and 6 stolen bases in 22 games for the Red Wings.

Boxscore
Log
Wrap
Democrat
Post Standard
R News

Trenton at New Britain

Record: 45 - 47

From rockcats.com: Tonight's Eastern League contest scheduled for 7:05 PM at New Britain Stadium between the Rock Cats and visiting Trenton Thunder has been cancelled due to wet grounds. The heavy rains that doused much of Connecticut late this afternoon simply left the field too wet to play.

This evening's Rainout will be made up tomorrow afternoon (Friday, 7/20) when the two clubs will play a Twi-Night Doubleheader starting at 5:35 PM.

Fans holding tickets for tonight's game may exchange them for any other 2007 Regular Season game at New Britain Stadium.

Trenton, the New York Yankees' Eastern League affiliate, will be in New Britain tomorrow, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. Good seats remain available for all games. Fans interested in catching the action may call (860-224-8383) or visit the Rock Cats Box Office at New Britain Stadium between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM (M-F), or on Saturday between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Those wishing to purchase tickets on-line may do so by visiting the club's website at http://www.rockcats.com.

Rock Cats
Thunder
Herald
Courant


Rusty can't wait for fireworks!

Fort Myers 5 at Sarasota 2

Record 13 - 14

W: D. Shinskie (5-3, 3.63); L: S. Watson (1-2, 5.46); SV: R. Delaney (1)
HR: FTM: L. Ugueto (2).

E: Tolleson (17, fielding).

After the home run derby against Vero Beach, currently the worst team in the Florida State League, the Miracle bats cooled down against their I-75 rivals, but Fort Myers still picked up the win, 5-2 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota.

The Miracle withstood the loss of starting pitcher Yohan Pino to a AA promotion, with southpaw Kyle Aselton taking the spot start.

Steve Tolleson took a walk to begin the game and moved to 3rd on a Juan Portes double. Danny Valencia would single Tolley in to get the Miracle on the board in the top of the first inning.

After allowing only a walk to Michael deJesus in the first, Aselton allowed a Chris Valkaka single to lead off the 2nd, but he was taken out at second when the Miracle failed to turn a double play against Tonys Gutierrez. Miguel Perez walked, and then B.J. Szymanski signed to bring in Gutierrez. The Miracle got double done against Gerardo Cabrera to end the inning.

Portes, Erik Lis and Valencia were all called on strikes on the top of the 3rd. The Reds took the lead when Cody Strait walked, stole second and then came home on a Daniel Dorn single.

The Miracle got the run back, plus one in the top of the 4th when Edward Ovalle singled his way onto base and Luis Ugueto hit the only home run of the game out to right.

Fort Myers field manager was ejected by home plate umpire Cory Hinga in the top of the 5th after a Portes walk. Valencia would triple him home with a fly ball to center field.

Ugueto would get on base after the Reds failed to turn the double against him. He would then steal 2nd, and 3rd, and come home on Jeff Christy's sac fly.

Aselton's final line would be 2 runs on 3 hits and 4 walks, while striking out 2. (Got to watch those walks, Pookie, their not your dogs, don't need to be walkin' them.) The mustache twins, David Shinskie and Rob Delaney, would allow a combined 3 hits over the next 5 innings to secure the win.

Valencia and Ugueto were both 2-for-4. Portes struck out twice, and Lis Ked 3 times.

Boles could locate no playing time for the versitle Toby Gardenhire who owns a first base, third base, middle infield and outfielder's gloves as well as catchers gear and glove. "I catch in the bullpen when I'm not playing," Gardenhire said of his way of helping the team despite seeing limited fielding time. "It's nice for a team to have that third catcher."

The two teams rematch today with a 6:00 PM start in Sarasota before the series switches to Fort Myers. Jay Rainville (5-9, 3.75) goes to the mound for the Miracle against the Reds Robert Manuel (5-3, 3.16).

Boxscore
Log
Wrap
Miracle
News-Press
Notebook
Breeze
NDN
Herald Tribune

Wisconsin 1 at Beloit 3

Record 13-11

W: D. Leatherman (6-3, 3.16); L: K. Parker (3-7, 2.64); SV: A. Slama (1)
HR: None.

E: Berg (3, throw).

From snappersbaseball.com: Back to back RBI doubles from Chris Parmelee and Danny Berg helped the Snappers claim game one of the double header against the Wisconsin Timber Ratters. Newcomer Anthony Slama pitched the final three outs of the game to notch his first save of the season.

The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the sixth inning when the Snappers would jump ahead. Chris Parmelee doubled home Joe Benson from second to give Beloit the early 1-0 lead. Benson led the inning off with a single to third. Parmelee’s RBI was his 48th of the season.

Wisconsin jumped back into it with a run of their own in the top of the seventh inning. Jamie McOwen singled home Reed Eastley from second to tie the game at 1-1.

Three doubles by the Snappers in the bottom of the eighth inning helped Beloit claim the lead. Joe Benson led off with a double to left-center and was driven home off the bat of Chris Parmelee two batters later. Danny Berg then followed Chris with his 11th double of the season. The three doubles gave the Snappers a 3-1 lead heading into the ninth inning.

Slama came into the game and slammed the door on the Timber Rattlers to save the day for Beloit. The win pushed Beloit’s second half record to 13-11.

Boxscore
Log
Wrap
Snappers

Wisconsin 2 at Beloit 4 (7 Innings)

Record 14-11

W: J. Carnevales (4-3, 3.63); L: M. Wagner (0-1, 4.96)
HR: WIS: G. Dickey (2). BEL: C. Parmelee (12), E. Tintor (2).

From snappersbaseball.com: Eli Tintor hit a walk-off two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Snappers a 4-2 win over the Timber Rattlers. Tintor’s walk-off blast helped Beloit sweep the double header from Wisconsin.

The Timber Rattlers scored runs in both the top of the second and third innings to take a 2-0 lead after three. Gaven Dickey hit his second home run of the season in the third to push Wisconsin ahead by the 2-0 count.

Chris Parmelee hit his team leading 12th homer of the season in the bottom of the fifth inning to draw the Snappers to within one, 2-1. Parmelee’s blast came off of Wisconsin starter Steve Richard.

The Snappers scored one more in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the game up at 2-2. After the Snappers loaded the bases, Steve Singleton hit an RBI single to right, scoring pinch-runner Yancarlos Ortiz from third. Chris Parmelee attempted to score from second on the single by Singleton and collided with Timber Rattlers’ catcher, Juan Beltran at home. Beltran held onto the ball and Parmelee was out. Juan then got up and threw a punch at Parmelee, causing both benches to clear. After a few minutes of straightening things out, Parmelee and Beltran were ejected by the home plate umpire.

The game remained tied until the bottom of the ninth inning. Matt Betsill, subbing for ejected Chris Parmelee, led the inning off with a double. Betsill was then driven home by the hero of the night, Eli Tintor. Tintor hit a line drive over the left field wall, sending the Snappers home happy.

Starter Cole Devries picked up a no-decision going eight strong innings and striking out nine Timber Rattlers. Reliever Jesus Carnevales pitched an inning of relief to claim his fourth win of the season.

Boxscore
Log
Wrap
Snappers
BDN*
Post Crescent

* Article published Thursday, July 19


Photo courtesy of the Elizabethton Star

Kingsport 2 at Elizabethton 4

Record 22 - 6

W: M. Tarsi (3-1, 3.27); L: E. Ramirez (0-3, 6.75); SV: B. Erickson (3)
HR: None.

E: Leveret (2, throw), Lawman (7, throw).

From MiLB.com: Michael Tarsi hurled five solid innings to lead host Elizabethton past Kingsport, 4-2, on Thursday night.

Tarsi (3-1) allowed two runs on five hits while walking one and striking out seven. Ludovicus Van Mil gave up a hit and fanned five over the next two innings, Spencer Steedley worked a perfect eighth and Blair Erickson tossed a scoreless ninth to earn his third save.

The first-place Twins (22-6) totaled just four hits and went 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position. Gregory Yersich doubled home Ozzie Lewis in the second inning and Rene Tosoni plated Estarlin De Los Santos with a sacrifice fly in the third.

Mark Dolenc delivered an RBI single in the fourth to extend Elizabethton's lead to 3-0 and Matthew Lawman followed with a run-scoring groundout.

Mets starter Elvin Ramirez (0-3) surrendered all four runs on three hits in 3 2/3 innings. He walked four and fanned three as his ERA jumped to 6.75. Jose Bierd and Angel Calero combined to pitch 4 1/3 scoreless frames.

Jose Jimenez went 3-for-4 with a run scored and Brandon Richey stroked a two-run double in the fifth for Kingsport (13-14).

Note: Yeah!!!!! They finally got De Lo's name right! ::does little happy dance::

Boxscore
Log
Wrap

Catching up with the E-Star

Thursday
Notebook

GCL Twins - idle

Current Record: 18 - 6

The Twins take on the Pirates tomorrow at noon at the Lee County Sportsplex. Winston Marquez should be getting the start for the Twins.

DSL Blue Jays I 3 at DSL Twins 5

Current Record: 19 - 19

W: M. Garcia (4-2, 2.44); L: H. Alvarez (1-2, 5.82); SV: E. Santana (1)
HR: None.

Boxscore
Log

VSL Cubs/Twins 2 at VSL Astros 9

Current Record 27 - 27

W: Y. Perez (3-1, 3.77); L: P. Guerra (6-4, 3.99)
HR: VSL CHC/MN: A. Martin (2).

Boxscore
Log

Scoreboard - July 18, 2007

Angela Madonia / The Post-Standard
Ray Olmedo slides safely into home past the tag from Rochester catcher Jose Morales.

Rochester 4 at Syracuse 5 (10 innings)

Record 50 - 46

W: B. Neal (5-5, 4.12); L: B. Korecky (2-3, 3.73)
HR: ROC: M. Tolbert (4). SYR: C. Mottola (11), R. Roberts (5).

From redwingsbaseball.com: Russ Adams scored the game-winning run in the 10th inning as Syracuse beat visiting Rochester, 5-4, on Wednesday night.

Adams led off the bottom of the 10th with a single and moved to second base on a walk by Ryan Roberts. Ray Olmedo followed with a sacrifice bunt to reliever Bobby Korecky (2-3) who threw wildly to first base and allowed Adams to cross the plate with the decisive run.

Roberts helped the Chiefs (43-52) trim a 4-1 deficit with a solo homer, his fifth, in the sixth and Chad Mottola added a solo shot, his 11th, in the seventh. Wayne Lydon went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored.

Syracuse's Blaine Neal (5-5) recorded two outs to pick up the win. Starter Mike MacDonald surrendered four runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out four in 6 1/3 frames.

Matt Tolbert gave the Red Wings (51-45) an early lead with a three-run homer, his fourth, in the third. Tolbert finished 2-for-4 with a double and Denard Span went 3-for-4 with a run scored.

Rochester starter Brian Duensing allowed three runs on four hits and a walk with two strikeouts in six innings.

Boxscore
Log
Wrap
Democrat
Post Standard
R News

Connecticut 6 at New Britain 13

Record: 45 - 47

W: J. Mijares (4-0, 3.58); L: B. Anderson (1-4, 3.92)
HR: CT: T. Von Schell (5).

From ctdefenders.com: Though the rain was pouring steadily in Norwich, it passed through New Britain fast enough for the Defenders and Rock Cats game to take place at 12:05 p.m. as scheduled. The Defenders put things together at the plate, but the Rock Cats onslaught was too much as New Britain topped Connecticut 13-6 on Wednesday.

The Defenders started a two out rally to get on the board in the top of the first. OF John Bowker hit a double to right field and 1B Tyler Von Schell followed with a single to score Bowker and give the Defenders a one run lead. DH Carlos Sosa followed to slap a double in the right field corner and Von Schell attempted to score all the way from first, but despite a collision at the plate, C Korey Feiner held on to the ball to retire the big first baseman.

The Rock Cats responded in the bottom of the frame. OF Brandon Roberts led of with a triple to right field and came in to score on groundout by SS Trevor Plouffe. The score was tied 1-1 after a full inning of play.

In the top of the second inning the Defenders came one batter short of batting around. The team left the bases loaded but picked up a couple of runs on a 2-run single by OF Alex Requena. The Defenders added another run in the top of the fifth inning on RBI single by SS Trey Webb to score Von Schell who was hit by the pitch to lead off the inning. After five full innings the Defenders led 4-1.

After Connecticut extended their lead to four runs with a run in the top of the seventh, the Rock Cats exploded in the bottom of the frame. The team batted around and plated four runners in the inning, including a 2-run double by Feiner to tie up the game at 5.

Brian Anderson and the Defenders had things unravel in the bottom of the eighth inning. The Rock Cats continued their surge of offense, collecting 8 hits and two walks to score eight runs and break a 5-5 tie. The big blow was dealt by OF Matt Allegra who collected a bases loaded 3-run triple. Taylor Wilding took over and couldn’t stop the bleeding, allowing two inherited runners to score and surrendering two single as well. When the inning concluded the Rock Cats held a 13-5 lead.

The Defenders received a solo HR from Von Schell in the bottom of the ninth but it was all they’d get as Jose Mijares retired three of the next four he faced to preserve the Rock Cats win, 13-6. Brian Anderson (BS, 6)(L, 1-4) blew his sixth save of the season and absorbed his fourth loss of the year after an inning of work, surrendering 7 runs (5 earned), 8 hits, 1 walk, and striking out a batter. Jose Mijares (W, 4-0) collected his fourth win of the season after turning in 2 innings of work, giving up 1 run, 1 hit, walking 1 and striking out 2 batters. Trey Webb went 3 for 5 with 2 RBI and a run scored, Tyler Von Schell went 2 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBI, and Alex Requena went 1 for 3 with 2 RBI in the loss.

The Rock Cats remain at home to take on the Trenton Thunder for a 7:05 PM start on Thursday. The Rock Cats website remains an Eastern League disgrace.

Boxscore
Log
Wrap
Defenders
Herald
Courant
Bulletin


Jeff Manship

Fort Myers 10 at Vero Beach 2

Record 13 - 14

W: J. Manship (4-1, 2.90); L: J. Butler (2-3, 6.90)
HR: FTM: E. Ovalle (8), B. Dinkelman (4), S. Tolleson (4), D. Valencia (4). VER: S. Pedroza (13).

The home run derby continued Wednesday in Vero Beach as the Miracle pounded out 13 hits including 4 home runs, to defeat the Devil Rays 10-2 at Holman Stadium.

The Rays took 2 off Jeff Manship early when Garrett Groce came home on a Rhyne Hughes ground out and was followed Sergio Pedroza, who hit his 13th yarder of the season.

Josh Butler lasted until the 3rd inning before the Miracle found their way onto the scoreboard, when an Erik Lis triple brought in Brian Dinkelman and Juan Portes. Danny Valencia then homered Lis across the plate to double up the Devil Rays mark.

A Johnny Woodard walk, combined with home runs to Edward Ovalle and Brian Dinkelman greeted Chris Kelly for his first inning on the mound in the top of the sixth.

Jonathan Beltre faired no better in the eighth, as Steve Tolleson went yard to bring in Ovalle and Dinkelman.

Jeff Christy was 2-for-4 on the night, Valencia was 3-for-5 with a run and 2 RBIs, Lis was 2-for-5 with a run and 2 RBI's, Dinkelman was 2-for-5 with 3 runs, and 1 RBI and Tolleson as 1-for-5 with a run and 3 RBIs. Luis Ugueto struck out twice, going 1-for-5 at the plate.

Toby Gardenhire caught the last inning of the game, but did not see any at bats. Manship was stellar on the mound, pitching 8 innings and allowing 5 hits and 1 walk to go with the 2 runs and striking out 8.

The win moves the Miracle into fifth place in the West Division, 5.5 games behind Tampa who no-hit the Jupiter Hammerheads Wednesday in Tampa Bay.

The Miracle now begin a four game home-and-home series against the Sarasota Reds starting at Ed Smith stadium Thursday night at 7 PM eastern time.

Boxscore
Log
Wrap
Miracle
News-Press
Breeze
NDN


Staff photo by Rob Lucas
Joe Benson waits for a pitch during the Snappers’ 4-3 win over Wisconsin Tuesday.

Wisconsin at Beloit, Suspended - Rain

Record 12-11

From snappersbaseball.com: The Snappers and Timber Rattlers had to suspend their game tonight due to inclement weather and poor field conditions. The score was 0-0 in the bottom of the first inning when the game was suspended. Beloit and Wisconsin will now finish tonight’s game tomorrow night (July 19th) starting at 4:30 pm. The two teams will then play another 7 inning game after the conclusion of game one.

Boxscore
Log
Wrap
Snappers
BDN*
Post Crescent

* Article published Wednesday, July 18

Bristol 1 at Elizabethton 3

Record 20 - 6

W: B. Tippett (4-0, 0.66); L: C. Burdie (0-3, 8.10); SV: B. Erickson (2)
HR: None

From MiLB.com: Bradley Tippett became the latest four-game winner in the Appalachian League as Elizabethton defeated visiting Bristol, 3-1, in the first game of Wednesday afternoon's doubleheader.

Tippet (4-0) hurled 1 2/3 perfect innings in relief of starter David Bromberg. The 19-year-old native of Australia, who has allowed just one earned run over 13 2/3 innings pitched this season, joins Bromberg and Bluefield's Clifford Flagello as the only four-game winners in the Appy League.

Bromberg allowed a run on four hits and four walks over 4 2/3 innings, and his seven strikeouts increased his league-leading total to 39. Blair Erickson pitched around a hit and a walk in the seventh and nabbed his second save.

The Twins got on the board in the first inning, as Estarlin De Los Santos walked to lead off the frame and came home when third baseman Logan Johnson made a throwing error on Deibinson Romero's infield single. Matthew Lawman contributed an RBI single in the fourth, while Mark Dolenc walked and eventually scored on a wild pitch.

Jose Martinez's RBI single with one out in the fifth inning accounted for the only run the Sox would score in the ballgame.

Charlis Burdie (0-3) took the loss, allowing three runs on six hits over 3 2/3 innings. Hector Santiago and Daniel Albritton combined on 2 1/3 perfect frames. Elizabethton snapped a four-game losing streak with the victory, while Bluefield's four-game winning streak came to an end.

Boxscore
Log
Wrap

Bristol 2 at Elizabethton 11 (7 innings)

Record 21 - 6

W: M. McCardell (1-0, 1.80); L: G. Infante (1-2, 6.35)
HR: ELI: O. Lewis (3), W. Connor (2), R. Tosoni (1).

From MiLB.com: Ozzie Lewis homered and drove in a career-high five runs as host Elizabethton routed Bristol, 11-2, to sweep Wednesday's doubleheader.

Lewis smacked a three-run homer, his third, in a five-run fifth inning and ripped a two-run single and scored in a four-run sixth.

Wesley Connor went 2-for-2 with a two-run homer, his second, and Rene Tosoni was 3-for-4 with a solo homer, his first, and scored twice for the Twins (21-6).

Michael McCardell (1-0) yielded a run on three hits and a walk with a career-high nine strikeouts over five innings to win his first start with Elizabethton. The 22-year-old right-hander went 2-0 with one save and a 2.50 ERA in four games for the Gulf Coast Twins before being promoted on July 1.

Sox starter Gregory Infante (1-2) allowed two runs -- one earned -- on two hits and a walk with three strikeouts over three frames.

Duarte Yapor hit an RBI double in the seventh for Bristol (7-20), which lost its sixth straight.

Boxscore
Log
Wrap

Catching up with the E-Star

Wednesday

GCL Twins 4 at GCL Orioles 3

Current Record: 18 - 6

W: L. Martin (1-1, 3.68); L: A. Conklin (1-1, 3.66); SV: C. Nolte (1)
HR: ORI: T. Kolodny (4).

The Twins found an 8th inning rally to give Lee Martin his first win of the season as they defeated the Orioles for the first time in July, 4-3.

The O's got on the board first when Tyler Kolodny doubled a fly ball out to left field in the second inning. Joshua Tarnow's single brought him home with 2 outs, but starting pitcher Danny Berlind was able to Nicholas Ray to ground out to end the inning.

Kolodny then homered off Berlind in the 4th to make it 2-0 O's. The Twins meanwhile did not get much out of starter Conrad Orman, who worked 6 innings for Baltimore's rookie squad allowing only 4 hits, and walking 3 while striking out 4.

A pitcher change to Andrew Conklin in the 7th lead to the Twins rally in the 8th. James Beresford singled to get on base, but Conklin got Jeanfred Brito to pop up and Ramon Santana to strike out. Yangervis Solarte and Juan Richardson following with a pair of singles that brought Beresford home.

Alex Soto replaced Danny Rams and drew a walk after Solarte ane Richardson orchastrated a double steal that saw Solarte come home. The Orioles tried to hold the Twins off by bringing in pitcher Leonardo Huches. But a pair of passed balls by catcher Joshua Tarrow saw Richardson across the plate. Jon Waltenbury drew a walk, and with David Hernandez at the plate, the speedy Soto stole home to give the Twins their four runs. Hernandez ground out to end the inning.

The O's took one back on a Kolodny single, a Lee Ellis double and a Robert Vasquez ground out, but could not tie up the game.

Belind allowed 2 runs, both earned on 4 hits, 4 walks and 8 strike outs in 5 innings. Martin allowed only 2 hits and one walk in 2 innings. Chas Nolte came into shut down the game, allowing the late run for the Orioles on 2 hits while striking out 3 over 2 innings.

Berseford was 2-for-4 in the game with a run, while Waltenbury drew 2 walks.

The Twins take Thursday off, getting back to work on Friday when the Pirates visit the Lee county Sports Complex for a noon game.

Boxscore
Log
Herald Tribune

DSL Indians at DSL Twins

Current Record: 18 - 19

Postponed - Rain

VSL Cubs/Twins - idle

Current Record 27 - 26

No Game Scheduled

Scoreboard for July 16, 2007

Rochester 3 at Syracuse 5

Record 50 - 44

W: J. De Jong (3-0, 2.10); L: J. Miller (1-4, 3.76); SV: B. Neal (9)
HR: SYR: K. Barker (11).

From MiLB.com: Kevin Barker went 3-for-3 with a homer as Syracuse defeated visiting Rochester, 5-3, on Monday night.

With the Chiefs (42-51) trailing, 3-0, in the third inning, Barker delivered an RBI single to trim the deficit. He led off the fifth with his 11th home run and smacked a single and scored in the seventh.

Wayne Lydon added a two-RBI double for Syracuse and Ray Olmedo went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs.

Chiefs reliever Jordan De Jong (3-0) tossed 2 1/3 hitless innings for the win. Blaine Neal tossed a scoreless ninth to notch his ninth save. Starter Jim Crowell was tagged for three runs on eight hits in 2 2/3 frames.

Red Wings starter Jason Miller (1-4) gave up four runs on eight hits in five innings.

Alexi Casilla, Gil Velazquez and Darnell McDonald each had two hits for Rochester (50-44). Chris Heintz stroked a two-run single in the first.

Notes: RHP Nick Blackburn was placed on disabled list Monday with a strained right forearm. Blackburn is expected to miss his next two starts. INF Ken Harvey was placed on the disabled list, retro to July 15, with a sore right knee. Harvey will have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and is expected to miss the rest of the season. LHP Ryan Mullins and LHP Jay Sawatski will be promoted to Rochester from Double-A New Britain tomorrow. Mullins has a 1-2 record with a 3.51 ERA in eight starts while Sawatski has a 4-3 record with a 4.50 ERA in 31 games (three starts) for the Rock Cats.

Boxscore
Log
Wrap
Democrat
Post Standard
R News

Connecticut 2 at New Britain 3 (13 Innings)

Record: 43 - 47

W: T. Lahey (7-2, 3.55); L: J. Hedrick (2-5, 2.85)
HR: None.

From rockcats.com: Garrett Guzman delivered a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 13th inning to score Luke Hughes from third base and give the Rock Cats a 3-2 win over the visiting Defenders.

Tim Lahey fired three shutout innings in relief to give the Rock Cats the opportunity to win in the final inning. Lahey (7-2) retired all nine batters he faced as he picked up the win.

The Rock Cats first got on the board in the fourth inning when Guzman led off the inning with a single. He moved to third on a throwing error by the Defenders’ third baseman Simon Klink that allowed Brock Peterson to reach first. Felix Molina’s sac fly to center field scored Guzman from third for a 1-0 lead.

Jesse Floyd shut down the Defenders for the first five innings. In the sixth, though, an error by right fielder Matthew Allegra allowed Eugenio Velez to reach third base safely. Alex Requena (3-for-3) delivered a double to center field that tied the game, 1-1. Floyd then walked John Bowker and Tyler Von Schell followed with a single to load the bases. Requena scored on a sac fly by Carlos Sosa that put the Defenders ahead.

The ‘Cats struck back in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI double by Brandon Roberts (3-for-5) to tie the game, 2-2.

Floyd finished with two runs, both unearned, on six hits and two walks. He struck out two through six innings. Jose Mijares retired the all four batters – three on strikeouts – he faced in relief. J.P. Martinez surrendered just one hit and struck out three in two innings of relief.

Defenders starter Brooks McNiven tossed seven solid innings, allowing one run and five hits. Justin Hedrick (2-5) took the loss.

Boxscore
Log
Wrap
Rock Cats
Defenders
Herald
Notebook
Courant
Notebook
Bulletin


The Rays catcher argues with the umpire while Erik Lis retreats to the dugout

Fort Myers 4 at Vero Beach 7

Record 11 - 14

W: M. Wlodarczyk (5-4, 3.33); L: Z. Ward (2-13, 3.36)
HR: FTM: E. Lis (8), B. Dinkelman (3), S. Tolleson (3). VER: S. Pedroza 2 (12).

E: Ward (1, throw), Woodard (1, fielding).

One assumes with a major league rehab on the mound for the opposing team, that Erik Lis is going to hit a home run. That was certainly the case, but it was Brian Dinkelman who slugged one over the fence in the first inning off Al Reyes.

But that lead did not last. Zach Ward hit Jackson Brennan to start off his stint on the mound. Josh Paul reached on a botched attempt at a double play when ward overthrew the ball. Rhyne Hughes then singled to load the bases. Ward got Aaron Sink to ground out, but Brennan came in on the play. Then Sergio Pedroza went yard, his first of 2 home runs in the game.

J.T. Hall used his speed an a pair of singles in the 2nd inning to make the score 5-1 Vero Beach. Ward would settle down after that, but the damage was done. His final line score would be 5 runs, 4 earned, on 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 4 over 5 innings.

Once he got off the mound, the Miracle broke out their bats. Steve Tolleson and Lis both homered in the sixth to make it 5-3, but the Devil Rays took the runs back when Pedroza promptly put one out of the park off soft-pitch reliever Robert Delany. A wild pitch by Delaney saw J.T.Hall reach first on a 3rd strike droped pitch. Then Neil Walton tripled him in, making it 7-3.

Brian Dinkleman drew a walk in the 9th, and scored on a Lis force out which took Juan Portes down at 3nd base.

While the Miracle showed some bat, 10 men were left on base, including Toby Gardenhire who singled in the 7th inning. The Miracle have shown that they have no idea of how to play with men on base in the past, and Monday's game at Holman Stadium was no different.

The two teams rematch tonight with Oswaldo Sosa going to the mound for the Miracle. Tampa Bay's Doug Waechter will make a rehab start for the Devil Rays.

Boxscore
Log
Wrap
Miracle
News-Press
Notebook
NDN
PB Post

Beloit Snappers

Record 11-11

No Turtle Soup today! The the Snappers will begin their season’s longest homestand at beautiful Pohlman Field against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Tuesday.

Snappers


Elizabethton 0 at Danville 2

Record 19 - 6

W: J. Locke (2-1, 4.63); L: H. Reyes (2-2, 4.09); SV: N. Fellman (4)
HR: DAN: B. Hicks (3).

From MiLB.com: Jeffrey Locke and two relievers combined on a four-hitter as Danville blanked visiting Elizabethton, 2-0, on Monday.

Locke (2-1) scattered two hits and two walks while striking out four in five innings. Brett Butts gave up a hit and fanned four in 2 2/3 frames before Nicholas Fellman yielded a hit and recorded four outs for his fourth save.

Brandon Hicks led off the second inning with his third home run and Cole Miles plated Eli Carmona with a single in the seventh for the Braves (15-8), who also managed four hits.

Twins starter Henry Reyes (2-2) yielded one run on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts over five innings.

Deibinson Romero doubled and walked and was the only batter to reach base twice for Elizabethton (19-5).

The game was delayed 81 minutes due to rain

Boxscore
Log
Wrap

Catching up with the E-Star

Saturday
Sunday
Monday


GCL Reds 5 at GCL Twins 11

Current Record: 16 - 6

W: T. Wright (1-2, 8.82); L: J. Marizan (0-3, 13.94)
HR: RDS: N. Soto (1). TWI: Y. Solarte (1).

Thom Wright picked up his first win of the season on the mound, and new-comer Danny Rams went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead the GCL Twins to a 11-5 win over the GCL Reds at the Lee County Sportsplex.

The Twins took an early lead in the first with Jeanfred Brito doubling to lead off. A Ben Revere single moved him to third, and he came home on a Yangervis Solarte single. Juan Richardson hit into a double play, that left Revere at 3rd. Jon Waltenbury walked before Rams brought Revere and Waltenbury home on a ground ball single to center. The Twins took two more walks, but James Beresford flew out to end the inning.

Wright hit Devin Mesoraco with a pitch but he was taken out on a fielder's choice. With one on base, Neftali Soto homered to give the Reds 2. It would be all that Wright would allow though, and the Twins took the runs back in the bottom of the inning when Solarte went yard with Revere on base. Waltenbury took his second walk of the game, moved over to 3rd on a Rams single and come home on a wild pitch by Jose Medina.

Andrew Schmiesing continued the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd when he came home on a Solarte sac-fly.

The Twins exploded for 4 more runs in the sixth with Waltenbury singling in Solarte, and Kevin Harrington plating Waltenbury and Rams on a double in his first at bat back from a separated shoulder. Beresford brought him home before Brito flew out to end the inning.

Jakub Toufar allowed a triple to Soto in the seventh, who scored on a Brodie Pullen single. A Carlos Mendez single off Michael Mopas and a walk to Jordan Wideman led to 2 more for the Reds but that was all they would manage.

Solarte was 3-for-4 with 2 runs and 4 RBIs. Waltenbury saw the bag 3 times, going 1-for-2 at the plate with 2 walks, 3 runs and 1 RBI. Brito was 2-for-4 with a run and Beresford was 2-for-5 with 1 RBI.

The Twins host the Red Sox Tuesday at noon before heading out to Twin Lakes Park on Wednesday.

Boxscore
Log
Herald Tribune

DSL Yankees I 7 at DSL TWins 8

Current Record: 17 - 19

W: R. Acosta (2-2, 2.38); L: E. Tapia (0-1, 3.93); SV: R. De La Rosa (8)
HR: DSL NYY1: J. Santamaria (2).

Boxscore
Log

VSL Pirates 13 at VSL Cubs/Twins 1

Current Record 26 - 26

W: L. Bueno (5-0, 1.44); L: E. Ibarra (2-4, 3.20)
HR: None.

Boxscore
Log

Scoreboard for July 15, 2007

JAY CAPERS RDC staff photographer
Red Wings starter Dave Gassner made an early exit Sunday after he was tagged for nine runs in the 2-plus innings he worked vs. Indianapolis.

Indianapolis 16 at Rochester 3

Record 50 - 43

W: K. Bouknight (1-1, 4.50); L: D. Gassner (3-10, 5.46)
HR: IND: Y. De Caster (6), B. Bixler (5). ROC: T. Watkins (5).

E: Casilla (9, fielding).

From redwingsbaseball.com: The Indianapolis Indians pounded out 17 hits, beating Rochester 16-3 Sunday afternoon at Frontier Field. [The Indianapolis Indians pounded out 17 hits, beating Rochester 16-3 Sunday afternoon at Frontier Field. Tommy Watkins homered, and Chris Heintz had two hits and two RBI as Indianapolis ended the Wings' five-game win streak. Rochester leaves Monday for a 10-game, eight-day roadtrip to Syracuse and Ottawa; the Wings return home July 24 for a four-game homestand.

Rochester started Dave Gassner let Indianapolis take an early lead in the first. Lead-off batter Russ Johnson hit a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Shortstop Watkins was able to hold Johnson on second as he caught a driving low ball for the second out. Brad Eldred then smacked a line drive down the third base line to plate Johnson and give the Indians a 1-0 lead. Gassner then struck out the final batter to end the inning.

The Red Wings picked up a pair of first inning hits against Indians starter Kip Bouknight, but couldn't pick up a run. The Indians came right back against Gassner in the second, combining two hits and two walks to score one run and load the bases for Brian Bixler. Bixler, 1-for-6 in his previous bases-loaded at-bats this season, belted a grand slam off Gassner over the wall in left to stake Indianapolis to a 6-0 lead.

The Indians knocked Gassner out of the game in the third, picking up three more runs and bringing Brad Baker out of the Rochester bullpen and into the game. Baker allowed one hit, and one walk before striking out the final batter to end the inning.

The Wings offense struggled since the first inning with no hits until the fifth, when Watkins smashed a solo home run into the left field bullpen to put the Wings on the scoreboard. The Indians were not phased as they were able to retire the next two batters holding their lead, 9-1.

Yurendell de Caster started the top of the sixth by walloping a solo home run into the Wings bullpen to take back the nine run lead, bringing the score to 10-1. The Indians scored again as a ground rule double by Michael Ryan; Ryan scored by a line drive down the third base line from Luis Matos. Matos was brought home on a base hit to center field by Luis Ordaz, increasing the Indians lead 12-1.

Casilla led off the bottom of the sixth with a line drive to center field for a single. He moved to second from another line drive to center field by Matthew LeCroy. Both moved into scoring position as Doug Deeds grounded out. With two outs, Heintz singled to left field, plating Casilla and bringing the score to 12-2. LeCroy and Heintz were stranded on base as the inning ended from a pop foul to third by Brian Buscher.

The Wings tried to turn their luck in the seventh by making multiple defensive changes. They were unsuccesful as an error by Casilla and two singles allowed by Baker loaded the bases with no outs. Baker then walked in the next two runs before manager Stan Cliburn brought in Julio DePaula, who started by hitting Matos with a pitch, giving another run to the Indians. Matos was upset and took a long time walking to first, while talking to umpire Rob Healey; Healey then warned both dugouts, which prompted a spriited discussion with Indians manager Trent Jewitt. It took Rochester seven batters before they were able to get the first out of the inning, followed by a double play to end the inning. The Indians recorded four runs for the inning, bringing their lead to 16-2.

Indianapolis starter Kip Bouknight was cruising along into the eighth when he hit Gil Velazquez with a pitch; Bouknight and Jewitt were ejected, and Mark Corey came in to pitch. Heintz delivered his second run-scoring hit of the day off Corey, who struggled with his control and loaded the bases after two consecutive walks. Corey went to a full count on Oeltjen, who took a called third strike to end the inning.

NOTES: The total runs and hits were each the most given up by the Rochester pitching staff this season..Buscher went 0-for-3 with a walk, ending a six-game hitting streak during which he hit .571 (12-for-21) with four doubles, two home runs and six RBI. Buscher had five multi-hit games during the six-game hitting streak. Buscher has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games, hitting .429 (15-for-35) with four doubles, two home runs and eight RBI ... The Red Wings offense had crushed the ball during the five-game winning streak that ended Sunday, batting .353 (60-for-170) as a team. Before Sunday's loss, Rochester’s offense had a great start to July batting .305 (120-for-393) as a team with 10 or more hits in seven of 12 games. Tommy Watkins homered, and Chris Heintz had two hits and two RBI as Indianapolis ended the Wings' five-game win streak. Rochester leaves Monday for a 10-game, eight-day roadtrip to Syracuse and Ottawa; the Wings return home July 24 for a four-game homestand.

Rochester started Dave Gassner let Indianapolis take an early lead in the first. Lead-off batter Russ Johnson hit a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Shortstop Watkins was able to hold Johnson on second as he caught a driving low ball for the second out. Brad Eldred then smacked a line drive down the third base line to plate Johnson and give the Indians a 1-0 lead. Gassner then struck out the final batter to end the inning.

The Red Wings picked up a pair of first inning hits against Indians starter Kip Bouknight, but couldn't pick up a run. The Indians came right back against Gassner in the second, combining two hits and two walks to score one run and load the bases for Brian Bixler. Bixler, 1-for-6 in his previous bases-loaded at-bats this season, belted a grand slam off Gassner over the wall in left to stake Indianapolis to a 6-0 lead.

The Indians knocked Gassner out of the game in the third, picking up three more runs and bringing Brad Baker out of the Rochester bullpen and into the game. Baker allowed one hit, and one walk before striking out the final batter to end the inning.

The Wings offense struggled since the first inning with no hits until the fifth, when Watkins smashed a solo home run into the left field bullpen to put the Wings on the scoreboard. The Indians were not phased as they were able to retire the next two batters holding their lead, 9-1.

Yurendell de Caster started the top of the sixth by walloping a solo home run into the Wings bullpen to take back the nine run lead, bringing the score to 10-1. The Indians scored again as a ground rule double by Michael Ryan; Ryan scored by a line drive down the third base line from Luis Matos. Matos was brought home on a base hit to center field by Luis Ordaz, increasing the Indians lead 12-1.

Casilla led off the bottom of the sixth with a line drive to center field for a single. He moved to second from another line drive to center field by Matthew LeCroy. Both moved into scoring position as Doug Deeds grounded out. With two outs, Heintz singled to left field, plating Casilla and bringing the score to 12-2. LeCroy and Heintz were stranded on base as the inning ended from a pop foul to third by Brian Buscher.

The Wings tried to turn their luck in the seventh by making multiple defensive changes. They were unsuccesful as an error by Casilla and two singles allowed by Baker loaded the bases with no outs. Baker then walked in the next two runs before manager Stan Cliburn brought in Julio DePaula, who started by hitting Matos with a pitch, giving another run to the Indians. Matos was upset and took a long time walking to first, while talking to umpire Rob Healey; Healey then warned both dugouts, which prompted a spriited discussion with Indians manager Trent Jewitt. It took Rochester seven batters before they were able to get the first out of the inning, followed by a double play to end the inning. The Indians recorded four runs for the inning, bringing their lead to 16-2.

Indianapolis starter Kip Bouknight was cruising along into the eighth when he hit Gil Velazquez with a pitch; Bouknight and Jewitt were ejected, and Mark Corey came in to pitch. Heintz delivered his second run-scoring hit of the day off Corey, who struggled with his control and loaded the bases after two consecutive walks. Corey went to a full count on Oeltjen, who took a called third strike to end the inning.

NOTES: The total runs and hits were each the most given up by the Rochester pitching staff this season...Buscher went 0-for-3 with a walk, ending a six-game hitting streak during which he hit .571 (12-for-21) with four doubles, two home runs and six RBI. Buscher had five multi-hit games during the six-game hitting streak. Buscher has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games, hitting .429 (15-for-35) with four doubles, two home runs and eight RBI...The Red Wings offense had crushed the ball during the five-game winning streak that ended Sunday, batting .353 (60-for-170) as a team. Before Sunday's loss, Rochester’s offense had a great start to July batting .305 (120-for-393) as a team with 10 or more hits in seven of 12 games.

Boxscore
Log
Wrap
Democrat
Notebook
IndyStar
R News

New Britain at Portland

Record: 42 - 47

Postponed - Rain

From portlandseadogs.com: Sunday’s (July 15th) game between the Portland Sea Dogs and New Britain Rock Cats at Hadlock Field has been postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Saturday, August 18th at 6:00 PM at Hadlock Field.

Fans with tickets for the July 15th game may exchange their tickets at the Hadlock Field Box Office for a ticket of equal or lesser value to any remaining 2007 Sea Dogs home game, subject to availability. Any questions regarding tickets should be directed to the Sea Dogs Box Office at 207-879-9500 or by email to tickets@seadogs.com.

Tickets for the August 18th doubleheader are good for both games. The doubleheader will consist of two seven inning games.

Boxscore
Wrap
Portland
Courant
Press Herald


Johnny Woodard

Fort Myers 4 at Vero Beach 3

Record 11 - 13

W: J. Rainville (5-9, 3.75); L: J. Beltre (3-2, 5.82); SV: E. Morlan (12)
HR: VER: A. Sisk (11).

PB: Christy (4).

From Miracebaseball.com: A four-run top of the seventh inning turned out to be just enough as the Fort Myers Miracle held on for a 4-3 win over the Vero Beach Devil Rays at Holman Stadium. Half of the 10 total hits came in the seventh as the Miracle win their fourth-in-a-row for the first time this season.

Rays starter Jeff Kamrath worked into the seventh retiring Edward Ovalle with a one-pitch groundout to second. Johnny Woodard would follow reaching on Kamrath’s only walk of the day, before Dwayne White ripped a double of off first baseman Rhyne Hughes’ glove, putting runners at second and third.

Kamrath would depart after White’s double, finishing his day with 6.1 innings, two runs, five hits and eight strikeouts. Reliever Jonathan Beltre would enter as Jeff Christy greeted him with a double just inside the first base bag to plate Woodard and White with the game’s tying runs.

Toby Gardenhire would promptly bring around Christy with the go-ahead run on a single to center. Gardenhire would later score what turned out to be the difference-maker on an Erik Lis sacrifice-fly to left.

Vero Beach had a 2-0 lead before the four-run Miracle seventh. Aaron Sisk belted a one-out, solo home run in the second for the game’s first run. A pair of doubles by Chris Cunningham and Matt Devins would put the Rays up a pair until their run in the seventh cut it to one.

Back-to-back one-out hits from Cunningham and Garrett Groce, along with a walk issue to Devins, would load the bases for Vero Beach. On Kyle Aselton’s strikeout of Jackson Brennan, Cunningham was able to score from third on Christy’s passed ball. Aselton then fanned Rhyne Hughes to end the inning.

Jay Rainville picked up the win tossing six innings, allowing two runs on five hits, with six strikeouts. Eddie Morlan worked around a single in the eighth and a pair of walks in the ninth for the save, his 12th of the year. Brian Dinkelman extended his hit-streak to eight with a single in the seventh, apart of a 1-for-5 day. Steve Tolleson also pushed his to six with his first of two singles on the day, in the Miracle sixth.

Game two of the series will fire off at 7:00 p.m. Monday night. The Miracle will see another big-leaguer on rehab as RHP Al Reyes (0-0, 0.00) from Tampa Bay will start for Vero Beach. RHP Zach Ward (2-12, 3.14) will toe the hill for the Miracle.

Boxscore
Log
Wrap
Miracle
News-Press
Breeze
PB Post

The Charlotte County Redfish lost their third straight, 7-2 to the Macon Music. The level of play is similar to A-Ball, but the players aren't as good. I'll be doing a report on my baseball blog later. It was an amusing adventure.

As for Saturday's trivia question, the answer is 3 boxes and a can of silly string, but Liam said he didn't really know because he slept through the whole thing. Sure he did.

Smit in Dayton: Alexander Smit made his first start for the Low-A Dayton Dragons Sunday after being claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds. He went three innings, walking 1 and striking out 4, and got a no decision in the Dragons 3-2 win over the Clinton Lumber Kings.

Beloit 3 at West Michigan 5

Record 11-11

W: K. Cedano (1-0, 6.75); L: D. Vais (5-2, 4.70); SV: E. Clelland (6)
HR: None.

E: Ortiz (21, throw), Singleton (16, throw).

From oursportscentral.com: The Whitecaps did not need extra innings Sunday afternoon as they broke a 2-2 tie with three runs in the eighth inning to defeat Beloit 5-3 for their second straight win.

After going to extra innings the first three games of this series, the game looked headed that way until James Skelton and Brennan Boesch led off the eighth inning with back-to-back singles.

Whitecaps 1B Ryan Strieby hit an RBI-sacrifice fly to right field to score Skelton to make it 3-2 Whitecaps. Michael Bertram singled in the next at-bat and Jeramy Laster walked to load the bases. Center field Gorkys Hernandez hit a sacrifice fly to right field that scored Boesch. Audy Ciriaco then hit an infield single to shortstop and Bertram scored on a throwing error by Beloit shortstop Yancarlos Ortiz to make it 5-2 West Michigan.

Whitecaps reliever Ed Clelland relieved Kelvin Cedano after he put two runners on in the ninth. Clelland was able to preserve the lead for his sixth save of the season. Cedano (1-0) picked up the win in relief after coming in for starter Matt O'Brien, who went 6.0 innings with two runs allowed and five strikeouts.

Beloit starter Alex Burnett went 7.0 strong innings with just two runs allowed (one earned) but was taken out for Danny Vais (5-2), who took the loss by allowing three runs in 0.2 innings of work.

With the victory, the Whitecaps take three of four games from Beloit and are now 16-7 in the second half and 54-39 overall on the season.

Boxscore
Log
Whitecaps

Elizabethton 1 at Danville 3

Record 19 - 5

W: C. Rodgers (1-1, 3.60); L: M. Allen (2-1, 2.10); SV: T. Palica (1)
HR: DAN: C. Johnson (5), B. Hicks (2).

E: Leveret (1, fielding).

From MiLB.com: Chad Rodgers allowed one run in five innings to help host Danville curtail Elizabethton, 3-1, on Sunday.

Rodgers (1-1) scattered three hits and struck out three for his first win since Aug. 15, when he was pitching in the Gulf Coast League. Thomas Palica pitched four shutout innings to notch his first save of the season.

Cody Johnson smacked a two-run homer, his fifth, in the third and Brandon Hicks hit a solo shot in the fifth for the Royals (16-8).

Rene Tosoni's RBI double in the third scored the lone run for the Twins (19-5), who have lost a season-high three straight.

Elizabethton starter Michael Allen (2-1) allowed three runs on seven hits in six innings, whiffing seven and walking one.

Boxscore
Log
Wrap

GCL Twins 7 at GCL Pirates 4

Current Record: 15 - 6

W: J. Eacott (2-0, 0.61); L: G. Amato (0-1, 4.91); SV: D. Rondon (6)
HR: PIR: J. Fitzpatrick (5).

The Twins staged a late game rally after being shut out through 5 innings to win 7-4 at Pirate City Sunday in front a fairly large crowd of onlookers.

Pirates starter Kyle McPherson held the Twins to only 2 hits through 5 innings, but ran into trouble in the sixth. Jeanfred Brito bunted himself onto base and Ben Revere followed it up with a single. Ricardo Paulino replaced McPherson and with 2 outs, gave up a wild pitch which moved the pair over a base. Juan Richardson doubled them in to put the Twins on the board.

Angel Morales singled in the seventh, stole 2nd, and came home on a Jon Waltenbury double. Ramon Santana's sac fly brought Waltenbury over the plate to tie up the games.

Danny Rams doubled in Richardson in the 8th to put the Twins on top. Waltenbury singed to lead off the ninth and was replaced by pinch runner Wang-Wei Lin. Lin moved to second on a sac bunt by Andrew Schmiesing and then made the trade pay off, coming home on a Santana single. The play at first when into the Pirates dugout, so Santana moved over to second and then to third on a Brito single. Revere plated Santana, which pretty much ended the scoring with Brito being caught stealing third and Yangervis Solarte grounding out.

Santos Arias struggled a bit when Santana, who was making his first appearance of the season off the rehab list, misplaed a ground ball, allowing Caleb Fields on base. Andew Biela's line drive moved him around. Arias got Quincy Latimore out on strikes. Rams, making his first professional appearance, passed a ball that moved the pair and Arias walked John Fitzpatrick. Daniel Bombeck ground into a force out which which took out Fitzpatrick, but Fields scored on the play. Biela came home on a Josue Peley single before Arias got Yonely Canal to ground out.

Arias allowed a double in the 2nd ining but the Pirates could not capitalize. Fitzpatrick would homer in the 3rd before Arias left the mound in favor of Nelvin Fuentes.

Last Sunday, the Orioles had some problem with someing Fuentes does on the mound which they felt was a balk. Umpire Benjamin May seemed to agree with them, as the called Fuentes for a balk, which lead indirectly to Victor Alverez's run in the 6th. This is something the coaching staff will need to work on with Fuentes to get cleaned up as it might prove costly later.

Jarrad Eacott picked up the win in relief, allowing only 1 hit and walking 2 in 2 innings worth of work. Closer Danny Rondon made the game a little interesting by walking 2 in the ninth, but shut the door to preserve the Twins win.

After watching the Miracle all week, I have to say that his was a very satisfying, well managed game by Nelson Prada who delt well with Arias' struggles on the mound and guided his young team to a win. I have not seen this kind of attention out of Kevin Boles and I'm certain that under a different field manager, the results would not have been the same. Prada is one of the best coaches we've had in the Gulf Coast League since I've been watching them. He treats his young men professionally and they all respond as such.

Please note that the boxscore and log all list Danny Rohlfing as the catcher of record. This is incorrect. The Twins 2nd round pick in the 2007 draft, Danny Rams caught the game, and I have to say, Rams is one BIG player. They have him listed a 6'2" and 220 pounds, but he looked bigger than that. I would have put him at at least 6'4". I do have video of him, which I will get upload this evening. The Pirates facility, at least the seats under the tunnel, are not really good for either video or photography, where as the back fields, where I can shoot, offer no seating.

Waltenbury finished the game 3-for-4 with 1 run and 1 RBI. Revere was 3-for-5 with the same. Richardson was 2-for-4 with 1 run and 2 RBIs. Angel Morales struck out twice. Rams had only 1 hit in the game, going 1-for-4 with a double. and 1 RBI.

Boxscore
Log
Herald Tribune

DSL TWins

Current Record: 16 - 19

No Game Scheduled

VSL Cubs/Twins 6 at VSL Mets 3

Current Record 26 - 25

W: E. Figueroa (1-1, 3.27); L: J. Mejias (4-2, 2.48); SV: C. Rojas (1)
HR: VSL NYN: R. Alvarez (1).

E: Martinez (12, throw), Blanco (14, fielding).

Boxscore
Log

Scoreboard for July 14, 2007

Indianapolis 4 at Rochester 8

Record 50 - 42

W: B. Bass (3-2, 4.83); L: J. Sharpless (1-3, 3.20)
HR: IND: B. Eldred (9), M. Ryan (7).

From redwingsbaseball.com: Trent Oeltjen and Denard Span had key hits in an exciting 8th inning as the Wings batted around to defeat the Indianapolis Indians Saturday night at Frontier Field, before a paid crowd of 10,935 on Latino Night.

The game remained scoreless until the fifth inning when Brad Eldred lofted a deep fly ball to left field that just barely had enough hang time to deposit itself in the visitor bullpen. Left fielder Oeltjen made a leaping effort, but the ball sailed over his glove for a solo home run. The only other hit allowed by Blackburn to this point was a single to the leadoff hitter in the first who was quickly erased on a double-play.

On the offensive side of the diamond, the Wings were retired in order until there were two outs in the bottom of the fifth when Brian Buscher slapped a soft line drive on a 2-2 pitch in the hole between the shortstop and third baseman. Jose Morales followed with a single of his own and aggressive base running by Buscher allowed him to advance to third while Morales moved up to second on the throw by the center fielder. With two runners in scoring position and two out, Oeltjen could not cash in and grounded out to the second baseman.

In the sixth, the Indians attempted a squeeze on a 1-2 pitch from Blackburn, the ball rolled slowly out toward the mound and Blackburn flipped the ball toward catcher Chris Heintz who could not hold on to the ball allowing the run to score. Former Red Wing Michael Ryan hit a two-run homer over the bullpen in right field to make the score 4-0.

Span responded the next inning with a triple to centerfield on a 1-0 pitch. Alexi Casilla hit a solid ground ball single through the right side of the infield to put the Red Wings on the board. After hits by Matt Tolbert and Darnell McDonald loaded the bases with none out, the Indians replaced McLeary with Juan Perez. The left-hander Perez walked the left-hitting Doug Deeds to force in a run and make it a 4-2 game. Glenn Williams got credit for an RBI fielder's choice when Luis Ordaz couldn't handle Williams' line drive cleanly, getting only a force at second for the first out with the score now 4-3. Buscher worked Perez for a walk to re-load the bases for Morales, 2-for-5 (.400) in previous bases-full at-bats this season. But Perez fanned Morales, and got a hard-hit ground ball out from Oeltjen to escape the sixth with the 4-3 Indy lead.

After a leadoff walk to Eldred in the seventh, Blackburn went to a 1-2 count before calling for Wings trainer Tony Leo. Stan Cliburn followed and Blackburn exited the game, with Brian Bass coming into the game. Medical examination showed that Blackburn strained his right forearm and is expected to miss his next start.

McDonald led off the 8th inning with a hard ground ball to third that the fielder could not handle allowing him to reach first. On the very next pitch, McDonald stole second base to put himself in scoring position with no one out. After Deeds struck out, a wild pitch advanced McDonald to third. A walk by Williams brought the hot-hitting Brian Buscher to the plate with runners on the corners. With Franquels Osoria on in relief and Tommy Watkins running at first for Williams, Buscher drilled a 1-0 pitch to right to plate McDonald and tie the score at 4-4. With Watkins at third, Oeltjen hit a go-ahead double and put two runners in scoring position for Span. Span delivered with another hit and cashed in two two-out RBI to keep the rally going. After two walks, McDonald returned to the plate for the second time in the inning and walked to force in another run.

Bass returned to the mound for the 9th inning and retired the Indians to close out the game and got the win with three shutout innings of relief.

NOTES: Saturday's game started after a 30-minute rain delay...LHP Errol Simonitsch, who has been out all season with a shoulder injury, began his comeback effort Friday night with two scoreless innings for the GCL Twins.... LHP Glen Perkins had a setback while pitching for Class A Ft. Myers Saturday night, and will not pitch for the Wings this week as originally planned... Former Wings pitcher Mike Smith was MiLB.com's Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week last week, after winning two games including a six inning, seven strikeout performance. Smith is a starter for St. Louis' Memphis Triple-A club......

Boxscore
Log
Wrap
Democrat
Notebook
IndyStar

New Britain 1 at Portland 3

Record: 42 - 47

W: J. Masterson (2-0, 0.00); L: A. Swarzak (2-3, 4.30); SV: M. James (16)
HR: None.

E: Moses (3, fielding).

From portlandseadogs.com: Justin Masterson (2-0) fired six scoreless innings in his Hadlock Field debut, leading the Sea Dogs to a 3-1 victory over the New Britain Rock Cats on Saturday night at Hadlock Field. Portland improved their winning streak to five games and look for their third, 4-game series sweep on Sunday afternoon.

Masterson scattered three hits, issued one walk and fanned seven, throwing 91 pitches over six frames. The Rock Cats were 0-for-7 with runners-in-scoring position off the young righty and wasted two lead-off doubles.

Anthony Swarzak (2-3) suffered the loss for New Britain, despite six innings of work on one run and two hits. Bubba Bell tripled with one-out in the third inning and scored on Swarzak’s wild pitch for the game’s first run.

Hunter Jones hurled two scoreless innings, retired six of seven batters and fanning four to earn his first Double-A hold. Mike James allowed a run in the ninth inning but struck out Felix Molina and Luke Hughes to secure his 16th save of the season.

New Britain’s bullpen continued their struggles in the series and has allowed seven runs in the first three games. In the seventh inning, Frank Mata relieved Swarzak and allowed a double to Chad Spann and walked Jeff Natale to start the inning. Cory Keylor advanced the runners with a sacrifice-bunt, his first in 251 career games in Double-A. Bryan Pritz delivered with an RBI single and John Otness produced a sacrifice fly.

The Rock Cats scored their lone run on Brock Peterson’s Maine Monster single, scoring Matt Moses, who doubled with one-out off James in the ninth.

Masterson and Jones combined to retire 21 of 23 batters faced after Felix Molina led off the second inning with a double. Chad Spann went 2-for-4 and scored a run, making his second career start at first base.

The Sea Dogs look for a four-game sweep of the Rock Cats on Sunday afternoon at Hadlock Field. Lefty Daniel Haigwood (3-4, 5.04) goes opposite Jesse Floyd (4-7, 4.67).

Allied Home Mortgage Big Dog of the Game – Justin Masterson

Notes...Bubba Bell picked up his first triple and stolen base...Hunter Jones has at least one strikeout in all seven appearances with Portland...Mike James has converted 10 straight save opportunities.

Boxscore
Log
Wrap
Portland
Herald
Courant
Notebook
Press Herald


Brian Dinkelman

Jupiter 8 at Fort Myers 11

Record 10 - 13

W: Y. Pino (4-3, 1.73); L: J. Iehl (0-2, 4.74); SV: A. Gabino (3)
HR: JUP: C. Ross (2).

If this had been a hockey game, I would have called it a barn burner. Some people like those kinds of things. Lots of hits, lots of scoring. Myself, I like good pitching and I don't like watching the first baseman duck when a ball is thrown his way. But that's just what Gaby Sanchez did in the second inning. And they called it a throwing error?

Glen Perkins got off to a bad start, allowing a home run to Cody Ross. He lasted one inning, giving up 3 runs on three hits. Aaron Thompson, who is also coming off rehab lasted 2 innings although after spending over 15 minutes on the mound in the first inning, I don't know what they were trying to prove by letting him back out there. He gave up 4 runs on 3 hits, 4 walks and struck out Luis Ugueto.

Then there was the fifth inning. Someone was just asking how you get a in the park home run. Well, you hit a line drive out to left field, then you throw it in and try to make a play at the plate. Then Trent D'Antonio fires the ball to Jonathan Fulton who misses it, and it goes all the way down the 3 base line, way out to the yellow fowl pole. That's how you do it.

I'm amazed that only two errors were called, as the Miracle had their moments as well.

Brian Dinkleman was 3-for-4 with 4 runs, 2 walks, 2 RBIs. Steve Tolleson and EriK Lis were both 2-for-5 with 1 run. Jeff Christy went 3-for-5 with a run and an RBI. And Juan Portes' hitting streak came to and end, as he was 0-for-2 and walked 3 times.

Yohan Pino pitched 4 innings for the Miracle, giving up 2 runs on 4 hits while striking out 5. David Shinskie came in for two. Adam Hawes pitched to four batters before Kevin Boles brought Armando Gabino in. This created some groans in the stands but...

"Your other choices are Rob Delaney, who's a soft pitch, or Kyle Aselton."

"Never mind. Common Gabino!"

We are running out of pitchers.

So, an interesting game with a combined 25 hits. It looks like Perkins has some work in front of him and I wouldn't be surprised to see him hang out with the Miracle for a while. The team heads out on the road now for 4 against Vero Beach, another team with some sloppy fielding work.

Milt has promised reprecusions for my wearing of Marlins garb for this series. Jay, Penny and Ozzie are all talking to me, as is Toby Gardenhire, who did not play again, it didn't seem to bother any of them.

However, it did leads up to our trivia question of the night, which is "How many boxes of saran wrap do you need to wrap a car?" I'm afraid I don't know the answer to this one. Yet.

I'm off to Bradenton and I thought I'd swing by Charlotte on the way home and see Cecil Fielder's Red Fish play. So don't look for me online Sunday.

Boxscore
Log
Wrap
Miracle
News-Press
NDN
PB Post
LEN3

Beloit 1 at West Michigan 2 (11 Innings)

Record 11-10

W: C. Fien (4-0, 3.95); L: J. Carnevales (3-3, 3.86)
HR: None.

E: Ortiz (20, throw), Betsill (3, missed catch), Lugo (4, missed catch).

From oursportscentral.com: West Michigan and Beloit did not disappoint in game three of their series as Whitecaps DH Scott Sizemore scored on a dropped ball by the pitcher during a rundown to give the ‘Caps a 2-1 victory in 11 innings.

The Whitecaps were shutout all game until the bottom of the ninth inning when pinch hitter James Skelton singled to center field that scored Sizemore from second to tie the game at one apiece.

The next run didn't come until the bottom of the 11th when Sizemore led off with a single into right field. Two batters later, Santo De Leon singled to right field, sending Sizemore to third base. After a pitching change for Beloit, Jose Lugo faced Deik Scram with one out and runners at the corners. The Whitecaps went for a squeeze play, the Snappers pitched out and caught Sizemore in a rundown. Lugo came over on the rundown and dropped the ball allowing Sizemore to score to give the Caps the win.

Casey Fien (4-0) received the win for a scoreless inning of work while Jesus Carnevales (3-3) suffered the loss for putting Sizemore on base in the 11th.

Beloit starter Tyler Robertson mowed down the ‘Caps for 7.2 scoreless innings for the no-decision while Whitecaps starter Lauren Gagnier limited the Snappers to one run in 7.0 innings on just three hits.

This was the third straight night that Beloit and West Michigan went into extra innings. The last time the Whitecaps went to extra frames three straight games was on July 26-28, 2000.

Boxscore
Log
Whitecaps
GR Press

Elizabethton 4 at Burlington 8

Record 19 - 4

W: H. Arias (2-0, 4.56); L: M. Tarsi (2-1, 3.18)
HR: ELI: R. Leveret (6), M. Dolenc (2). BUR: J. Santos (4).

E: De Los Santos (10, throw).

From MiLB.com: Jose Santos' first career grand slam powered host Burlington over Elizabethton, 8-4, on Saturday.

The Royals (15-8) had a 2-1 lead in the fifth inning when Santos crushed his fourth homer. He also walked and scored on Kyle Martin's single in the seventh.

Starter Henry Arias (2-0) got the win after yielding a run on three hits and two walks with five strikeouts in five frames

Twins starter Michael Tarsi (2-1) gave up five runs on seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts in four innings.

Rene Leveret and Mark Dolenc hit solo homers for Elizabethton (19-4), which has lost two in a row for the first time this season.

Boxscore
Log
Wrap

GCL Twins

Current Record: 14 - 6

No Game Scheduled

Evidently, Nelson just found out I have a website for the team. He reportedly found it "nice" that someone is covering the guys.

DSL TWins 5 at DSL Rockies 1

Current Record: 16 - 19

W: A. Caceres (3-1, 1.30); L: C. Suarez (2-1, 3.28)
HR: DSL TWI: M. Soliman (3), Y. Franco (1).

E: Pinto (5, pickoff).

Boxscore
Log

VSL Tigers 3 at Cubs/Twins 1

Current Record 25 - 25

W: V. Larez (3-0, 2.50); L: J. Agudo (1-1, 3.21); SV: L. Oliveros (14)
HR: VSL DET: L. Salas (1).

E: Requena (7, fielding).

Boxscore
Log

Around the Minors:
PiPress