Scoreboard for June 23, 2007

Charlotte 0 at Rochester 1

Record 39-33

W: C. Cali (3-0, 2.66); L: C. Haeger (3-10, 5.28)
HR: ROC: D. Deeds (5).

From RDC/Redwingsbaseball: It might officially be summer, but that hasn't stopped the Rochester Red Wings from doing some spring cleaning this weekend.

Their brooms were out for the second straight night Saturday, as they swept the Charlotte Knights in a second straight doubleheader, 1-0 and 5-3 at Knights Stadium in Fort Mill, S.C. Rochester also defeated Charlotte 5-2 and 6-0 on Friday.

Rochester extended its winning streak to a season-high seven games. Their recent surge has the Wings within a half game of Buffalo, which won Saturday, for the International League's North Division lead.

Doug Deeds hit a solo home run to right field with one out in the bottom of the eighth to win the opener for the Wings (40-33). Rochester was the acting home team because it was a makeup game for a postponement at Frontier Field in April.

The Wings struggled offensively in the opener. Besides Deeds' homer, only Alexi Casilla and Glenn Williams had hits. Prior to the game, Rochester was a combined 48-for-148 in its last five games.

Denard Span's eight-game hitting streak came to an end, though he only had two appearances. He grounded out and struck out. He was on deck when Deeds hit his home run.

The Knights (31-46) had perhaps the best chance to score in the first seven innings. Charlotte had the bases loaded with two outs in the fourth, but Rochester right-hander Jeremy Cummings forced Earl Snyder to pop out and keep the game scoreless.

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Rochester 5 at Charlotte 3

Record 40-33

W: R. Barrett (2-1, 4.38); L: E. Sierra (0-1, 4.50); SV: B. Korecky (18)
HR: None.

From RDC/Redwingsbaseball: Rochester's bats came alive in the second game. They used a two-run fourth and three-run sixth to pull away.

Matthew LeCroy hit a two-run double off the wall in the fourth, scoring Brian Buscher and Garrett Jones for a 2-0 lead.

The Knights scored a run in the fourth and a run in the fifth to tie the score.

LeCroy regained the lead for Rochester with a single in the sixth, picking up his third RBI of the game. The next batter, Trent Oeltjen, reached base on an overthrow, scoring pinch-runner Tommy Watkins. Deeds then hit a sacrifice fly to score Oeltjen, putting the Wings ahead 5-2.

Charlotte had a chance to come back in the bottom of the sixth. It loaded the bases with no outs, forcing the Wings to bring Bobby Korecky into the game.

Korecky worked through the jam, forcing a groundout and two lineouts.

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New Britain 5 at Connecticut 4 (12 innings)

Record: 34-35

W: J. Martinez (1-3, 2.72); L: J. Hedrick (2-4, 3.29)
HR: CT: P. Dobson (2).

From ctdefenders.com: It was a great day at the ballpark on a Salute To Veterans night at Dodd Stadium on June 23. The Defenders hosted the New Britain Rock Cats in game 2 of a 4 game set that brought 6,038 to the ballpark, marking the first time that Dodd has seen 5,000 plus fans for three games in a row since August of 2000. Comcast’s CN8 also televised the game to over 60 towns to bring Defenders action on screen. Brooks McNiven started and was dynamite, but after leaving the game, the Rock Cats battled back to tack an extra inning game 5-4.

The Defenders staked McNiven to a 4-run lead after they put up four runs in the bottom of the second inning off a 3-run HR (2) by 1B Pat Dobson and an RBI single off the bat of OF John Bowker. It remained a 4-0 ball game until the top of the sixth inning, when the Rock Cats finally pushed a run across on Brooks. OF Brandon Roberts led off with a triple and the following batter SS Trevor Plouffe hit a sacrifice fly to right field to drive in the run.

It was 4-1 headed into the eighth inning and Yosandy Ibanez replaced McNiven and ran into all sorts of trouble. He surrendered four straight singles after retiring the leadoff man of the inning. Brian Anderson replaced Ibanez and when the inning was complete, the Rock Cats put up three runs to tie the game at 4. The Defenders squandered an opportunity in the bottom of the ninth inning as they put runners at second and third with just one out, but failed to push a run across.

In the bottom of the inning, after the first two batters went down in order, OF Carlos Sosa provided a spark with a double to right field. But with Sosa down at second base, J.P. Martinez struck out C Steve Holm swinging on a high fastball to secure the victory for the Rock Cats 5-4.

Neither starter factored in the decision. Brooks McNiven went 7 innings, surrendering just 1 run, 3 hits, 1 walk and struck out a batter. Brian Anderson (BS, 4) blew his fourth save of the year, pitching 1.2 innings, allowing an inherited runner to score, and striking out 2 batters. Justin Hedrick (L, 2-4) took the loss after an inning of work, giving up 1 run, 1 hit and walking a batter. J.P. Martinez (W, 1-3) picked up his first win of the year after 2.2 innings of scoreless ball, giving up just 1 hit, walking 1 and striking out 3 batters. Jake Wald and Pat Dobson combined to go 5 for 10 in the game with 1 HR, 5 RBI and 2 runs scored. The Defenders host the Rock Cats in game three of the series on Sunday June 24 at 2:05 p.m.

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Alex Smit

Fort Myers 4 at Palm Beach 6

Record 2 - 1

W: T. Hearne (4-6, 6.41); L: K. Aselton (0-2, 3.19); SV: L. Gregerson (16)
HR: FTM: B. Dinkelman (1), D. Valencia (1). PBC: I. Church (3).

E: Ugueto (12, throw).

From miraclebaseball.com: A pair of three-run innings on Saturday night led the Palm Beach Cardinals to a 6-4 win over the Fort Myers Miracle at Roger Dean Stadium. Things could have been worse for the Miracle as the pitching staff gave out nine walks allowing Palm Beach to strand 15 runners on base.

The Miracle jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead as Dwayne White started things off with a bloop, two-out single to left in the second inning. Newcomer Brian Dinkleman, just called up from low-A Beloit, smacked a two-run shot off the foul pole in right that gave the Miracle their three-run lead.

The host Cardinals responded with three in their third and triple-crown threat Allen Craig belted a RBI-double off the wall in center plating James Rapoport with the Cards first run. Brandon Buckman followed with a RBI on his groundball while Ian Church’s sacrifice-fly brought home Craig with the game’s tying run.

Another Miracle round-tripper in the fourth gave the good guys a 4-3 lead. Danny Valencia, also joining the team from Beloit, smashed a solo-shot off the pole in left as the Miracle regained the one-run lead.

Palm Beach would score three more in the fifth using a long ball of their own to take the lead for good. After Buckman struck out and reached first on a Kyle Aselton wild pitch, Church would follow with a towering two-run shot to left giving the Cardinals their first and final lead of the night.

The second game in the four-game set will take place at 1:05 p.m. Sunday afternoon. The Miracle will send right-hander Yohan Pino (2-3, 1.99) to the mound.

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Peoria 2 at Beloit 3

Record 2-1

W: R. Delaney (1-0, 0.68); L: M. Maradeo (0-1, 2.70)
HR: None.

From snappersbaseball.com: On the largest attendance night of the season the Snappers provided quite a show for the fans. Newby Matt Betsill had a game winning, bases loaded single to center to give Beloit a 3-2 win on the Snappers’ fourth fireworks night of the season.

Peoria jumped out to an early lead on a Josh Lansford RBI single to center. Lansford’s single gave the Chiefs a 1-0 lead.

Beloit battled back in the bottom of the third inning off the bat of Matt Betsill. Betsill drove a double to center field, scoring Yancarlos Ortiz from third base. Ortiz led the inning off with a single to left-center and advanced to third on a throwing error by Brian Leclerc. Yancarlos’ run tied the game up at 1-1.

The Snappers and Chiefs remained tied until the bottom of the eighth inning when Chris Parmelee doubled home Eli Tintor from second base. Parmelee’s RBI gave the Snappers a 2-1 lead.

Peoria scored a run off of the Midwest League’s leading closer, Rob Delaney, to tie the game at 2-2 in the top of the ninth. The run resulted in Delaney’s first blown save of the season.

The Snappers loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth and one of the newest Snappers, Matt Betsill, delivered the game winning base hit. Betsill’s RBI single gave Beloit the 3-2 victory.

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Snappers Bolster Roster

Beloit Snappers Press Release

The Beloit Snappers have added three players to their roster, all effective today. Matthew Betsill, Whit Robbins, and Eli Tintor will all come to Pohlman Field in time for Saturday night’s game against the Peoria Chiefs. All three players were in Beloit at one point in time last season, and all three have spent the first half of the season with the Fort Myers Miracle.

Matthew Betsill batted .280 with 4 doubles and 7 RBI’s in 28 games played last season for the Snappers. Betsill also had a .363 On-Base Percentage.

Whit Robbins batted .304 with 3 home runs and 26 RBI’s in 32 games for Beloit last year. Robbins had a .484 Slugging Percentage for the Snappers in 2006.

Eli Tintor batted .285 with 12 home runs and 54 RBI’s in 116 games for the Snappers last season. Tintor was third on the team last season with 117 hits.

The moves leave the Snappers’ active roster at 24, 1 below the Midwest League maximum.

Greeneville 5 at Elizabethton 14

Record 3 - 0

W: H. Reyes (1-0, 3.60); L: L. Cespedes (0-1, 12.00)
HR: GRE: A. Gonzalez (1), K. Miller (1), E. Rosario (1). ELI: H. Sanchez (1).

From MiLB.com: Mark Dolenc went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored as Elizabethton pounded visiting Greeneville, 14-5, on Saturday.

Dolenc doubled home two runs in the second inning, singled in the fifth and delivered an RBI groundout in the sixth before stroking another base hit in the eighth as the Twins (3-0) remained unbeaten.

Estarlin De Los Santos also drove in three runs, Gregory Yersich went 3-for-3 with two walks, two RBIs and two runs scored and Henry Sanchez belted a solo homer, his first, for Elizabethton.

Twins starter Henry Reyes (1-0) allowed two runs on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts over five innings.

Ebert Rosario went 2-for-4 with a solo homer for the Astros (1-4).

Greeneville starter Leandro Cespedes (0-1) surrendered four runs on four hits and two walks with one strikeout in three frames.

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GCL Orioles 1 at GCL Twins 11

Current Record: 3 - 1

W: R. Gessmann (1-0, 0.00); L: C. McCurry (1-1, 9.00)
HR: None.

The GCL Twins destroyed the Baltimore Orioles 11-1 at the Lee County Sports Complex for a early morning game.

Winston Marquez, a left hander who has been compared to Johan Santana, took the start and went four strong innings. The O's only run came in the fifth when he walked 2 and allowed a double. He was pulled after two outs in favor of Rodney Gessman, who struck the out the first batter he faced to close the inning.

Marquez would finish up allowing 1 run (earned) on 3 hits and 4 walks while striking out 4 in 4.2 innings worth of work. Gessman picked up the win, allowing no runs, no hits and striking out 1 in 1.1 innings worth of work.

Jeanfred Brito, who was 4-for-4 with 2 runs, 1 double, 1 RBI and a walk today, started out the first inning with a single. Yangervis Solarte and Ben Revere followed suit before Ken Harvey struck out. Juan Richardson and Jon Waltenbury continued the offensive onslaught, making it 4-0 in the inning before David Hernandez flew out and Nick Biagini struck out to end the inning.

James Beresford came home in the second on a Solarte sac-fly and Revere plated Brito to make it 5-0. Ken Harvey hit a double but Revere would be stranded at 3rd as Richardson ground out and Waltenbury lined out to end the inning. In the third Brito plated Hernandez who doubled to get on base.

Harvey, who was rehabbing and was 2-for-4 with 2 doubles and a walk in the game, hit another bomb in the fourth to drive in Revere, giving the Fort Myers team a 8-0 lead into the fifth inning.

Revere who was 3-for-3 with 1 double and 1 walk up to the 8th inning got on base again when he was hit by a pitch. Harvey walked and Richardson reached on a throwing error by O's 1st baseman Elvin Polanco. Revere came home on the play. Waltenbury ground into a force out. Daniel Rohlfing ground out, but Harvey came home on the play. Biagini sinled to bring in Waltenbury and end the scoring for the game.

Nick Lobanov (1BB, 1K), Lee Martin (1H, 1BB, 1K) and Charles Nolte (1H, 1K) finished off for the Twins.

Notes: The Russian 18-and-under national team who is in Fort Myers for a series of exhibition games attended the contest. Russian coach Michael Kornev said his club is in town "just to play some games." The 18-under squad chose Fort Myers largely because one of its former players, left-handed pitcher Nikolay Lobanov, is in town playing for the Gulf Coast League Twins.

That gave us a crowd of about 25 people watching the game, a GCL sell out.

The GCL Twins had 11 hits in the first three innings alone. Baltimore struggled as they didn't bring enough pitchers along. Their coaching staff blamed it on a small team as the O's are fielding three short season teams this year, instead of just two.

Solarte and Hernandes were both 2-for-4 with 1 double and 1 run each.

Missing persons: Nick Papasan is at the Lee County Complex rehabbing. Jakub Hajtmar, Matt Ryan, Taylor Rowe and Elliott Biddle were send over to Australia to the baseball academy. Lefy Kyle Edlich had surgery on his shoulder and was sent home, but the Twins retain his contract.

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Scoreboard for June 22, 2007

Charlotte 2 at Rochester 5

Record 37-33

W: N. Blackburn (4-1, 1.79); L: L. Broadway (5-3, 3.53); SV: B. Korecky (17)
HR: ROC: B. Buscher (1).

E: Span (3, fielding), Feiner (2, throw).

From MiLB.com: Brian Buscher went 2-for-3 with a home run as Rochester rallied past Charlotte, 5-2, in the opener of Friday's doubleheader.

Buscher slammed a two-out solo shot, his first, in the first, and hit a leadoff single to spark a three-run third inning. Tommy Watkins doubled twice and Trent Oeltjen went 2-for-3 with a triple for the Red Wings (37-33), who have won four straight.

Rochester starter Nick Blackburn (4-1) gave up two unearned runs on seven hits and a walk with four strikeouts over six innings. The 25-year-old right-hander has not allowed an earned run in 34 1/3 innings, has won his last four decisions and boasts a 1.79 ERA. Bobby Korecky tossed a hitless seventh for his 17th save.

Knights starter Lance Broadway (5-3) yielded five runs on 10 hits and three walks while fanning four over six frames.

Gustavo Molina hit an RBI single in the second for Charlotte (31-43). Danny Richar singled and scored in the third on an errant throw by catcher Korey Feiner.

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Rochester 6 at Charlotte 0

Record 38-33

W: B. Duensing (3-1, 2.10); L: S. Babula (2-2, 3.66)
HR: ROC: D. Span (1).

From MiLB.com: Brian Duensing tossed a five-hitter as visiting Rochester blanked Charlotte, 6-0, to complete a sweep of Friday's doubleheader.

Duensing (3-1) struck out three without issuing a walk en route to his first career complete game. The 24-year-old left-hander retired the final eight batters and lowered his ERA to 2.10.

Denard Span clubbed a two-run homer, his first, for the Red Wings (38-33), who have won five straight. Matthew LeCroy and Brian Buscher stroked back-to-back RBI singles in the seventh, and Garrett Jones and Matt Tolbert each plated a run.

Charlotte starter Shaun Babula (2-2) surrendered four runs on five hits and two walks with a strikeout over 3 2/3 innings.

The Knights (31-44) threatened in the second, as Kenny Perez singled and moved to third on Wiki Gonzalez's base hit, but Duensing induced Kenny Kelly to ground into an inning-ending double play.

Rochester also won the opener, 5-2.

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New Britain 7 at Connecticut 8

Record: 33-35

W: T. Wilding (1-0, 4.50); L: D. Powers (1-4, 5.35); SV: O. Matos (2)
HR: NBR: B. Peterson (9). CT: J. Wald (4).

E: Crawford (1, missed catch), Plouffe (17, throw), Mijares (1, fielding).

From ctdefenders.com: Dodd Stadium saw 5,000 plus fans on hand for the second consecutive game on Friday June 22 as the Connecticut Defenders hosted their cross-state rivals, the New Britain Rock Cats. The crowd was treated to plenty of offense by both squads, and after jockeying back and forth, the Defenders staved off the Rock Cats for a 8-7 victory.

Defenders jumped on the board first in their initial at-bats after 2B Eugenio Velez tripled and OF Trey Webb singled to drive in Velez for a 1-0 lead. The Rock Cats responded in the top of the second inning with a 3-run blast off the bat of 1B Brock Peterson that jumped over the left field wall, catapulting New Britain ahead 3-1. But Connecticut came back in the bottom of the third inning with four runs, including a sacrifice fly by 3B Mark Minicozzi, followed by a 2-run bomb over the left wall by SS Jake Wald. The Defenders led 5-3 after four full innings.

The Defenders led 7-6 heading into the eighth inning as Taylor Wilding entered his second inning of work in relief of starter Garrett Broshuis. He looked sharp in the seventh inning in his double-A debut, but ran into some trouble in the eighth frame. He surrendered a 1-out single to pinch-hitter Luke Hughes, but Rashad Eldridge grounded into a fielder choice and the lead runner Hughes was retired. The following batter OF Matt Allegra drove a double over the head of OF Trey Webb in left-centerfield and Rashad Eldridge came all the way around to score the tying run of the game.

In bottom of the eighth inning 2B Eugenio Velez jolted this crowed with a leadoff triple and Webb hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring the speedy Velez to put the Defenders back out in front 8-7. In the top of the ninth, Osiris Matos entered and closed the door on the Rock Cats, retiring the side in order to preserve the 8-7 win.

Neither starter, Tristan Crawford or Garrett Broshuis, factored in the decision. Jason Powers (L, 1-4) dropped his fourth game of the season, pitching 2 innings, surrendering just 1 run, 3 hits and striking out a batter. Taylor Wilding (BS, 1)(W,1-0) blew a save, but picked up his first double-A win after tossing 2 innings, giving up 1 run, 2 hits and striking out 3 batters. Osiris Matos (S, 3) collected his third save of the year with a 1-2-3 ninth inning. The Defenders look to make it 4 in a row as they host the Rock Cats on Saturday June 23 at 6:35 p.m.

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Sarasota 5 at Fort Myers 6

Record 2 - 0

W: A. Gabino (2-0, 1.23); L: D. Lutz (1-3, 3.48)
HR: None.

E: Betsill (9, fielding), Robbins (7, fielding).


Javi Sanchez

From miraclebaseball.com: After surrendering four unearned runs in the top of the eighth allowing the Sarasota Reds to take a 5-4 lead, the Fort Myers Miracle responded with two in the bottom of ninth for a 6-5 win over the Reds. Edward Ovalle picked up the walk-off single to center, sending the crowd of 3,233 on "Big Splash" day at the park, home happy as the Miracle improved to 2-0 in the second half.

Luis Ugueto led off the Miracle ninth with a pinch-hit double to right. Steve Tolleson followed with a sacrifice bunt that Reds reliever Derrik Lutz threw away, allowing Ugueto to score, tying the ballgame at five apiece. After a passed ball and a ground out from Dwayne White moved Tolleson to third, Ovalle would line a 1-0 fastball back up the middle plating Tolleson with the game-winner.

Sarasota's four-run eighth resulted in all four runs being unearned thanks to two Miracle errors in the inning. Josh Holden led off with a single to left, followed by Mike Griffin reaching on a Matt Betsill fielding error. A passed ball and Mike DeJesus single later, the Reds had cut the lead to 5-3. A Tonys Gutierrez sac-fly brought the Reds to within one before a two-run, go-ahead single off the bat of Danny Dorn.

The Miracle began the afternoon with three in the first thanks to a bases-loaded walk from Whit Robbins and a two-run single from catcher Javi Sanchez. Tolleson would give the Miracle a 4-0 lead with his RBI-triple in the fourth. The first Reds run of the day came in the fifth as Holden picked up his first of two RBI with a single to left.

The Miracle now head out on a four-game road trip beginning Saturday night with the Palm Beach Cardinals. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. at Roger Dean Stadium with RHP Anthony Swarzak (0-0, 1.54) starting for the Miracle.

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Peoria 3 at Beloit 0

Record 1-1

W: J. Renshaw (6-4, 4.57); L: A. Burnett (3-5, 3.64); SV: A. Maestri (3)
HR: PEO: R. Canzler (6).

E: Singleton (14, fielding), Lugo (3, pickoff).

From snappersbaseball.com: Peoria’s pitching staff only allowed four hits in their 3-0 win over the Snappers Friday night. Beloit starter Alex Burnett pitched six and one thirds innings of six hit, three run baseball to pick up his fifth loss of the season.

Peoria’s Russ Canzler hit a two-run homer in the top of the fourth inning to give the Chiefs an early 2-0 lead. Two innings later Peoria added another run to give them a 3-0 advantage.

That is all that they would need as the Snappers were unable to muster any runs on the night. Steve Singleton, Joe Benson, Wilson Ramos, and Chris Parmelee all had one hit in the loss to Peoria.

From the BDN: "Reinforcements are expected in Saturday..."

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GCL Twins 4 at GCL Red Sox 0

Current Record: 2 - 1

W: D. Berlind (1-0, 0.00); L: A. Bajoczky (0-1, 9.00)
HR: None.

The GCL Twins shut out the GCL Red Sox on the road, 4-0 behind a strong performance by 7th round draft pick Danny Berlind.

Michael McCardell, a sixth round pick from Pennsylvania took the start for the Twins, allowing only 1 hit and 1 walk in 4 inning while striking out five.

Berlind took the next 4 innings in relief, and the Twins bats came alive in the top of the sixth. Wang-Wei Lin doubled and came home on a Ben Revere triple. The Twins first rounder was playing in his first professional game, and belted a long ball to into right field. Juan Richardson reached on a field error by shortstop Oscar Tejeda, and the speedy Revere crossed the plate to make it 2-0 Twins.

The Minnesota crew would extend that lead in the top of the 9th, when Jon Waltenbury singled, Andrew Schmiesing walked and Jame Beresford got on base on a force out, which Schmeising taken out at second. Beresford stole 2nd, and missed catch by Tejeda allowed Waltenbury to score and Beresford to move to 3rd. He was plated by a Lin single, to make the score 4-0. Revere would ground out and Richardson strike out, to end the inning.

Closer Danny Rondon finished off the game, allowing only a single to Tejeda before striking Jonathan Egan out to give the Twins their second victory of the new season.

Yangervis Solarte and Waltenbury were both 2-for-4 at the plate, Lin and Richardson were both 2-for-5, Beresford and Revere were both 1-for-4 with a run each, Revere also recording an RBI and a walk.

The Twins return home to face the Baltimore Orioles at the Lee County Sportsplex. The game has a 10 AM start, as the team will be traveling to Dolphins Stadium in Miami afterward to watch their parent Minnesota Twins take on the Florida Marlins.

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Scoreboard for June 21, 2007

KRIS J. MURANTE RDC staff photographer
Rochester's Matt Garza delivers a pitch in the Wings 4-0 win over Columbus Thursday. He allowed four hits through seven innings.

Columbus 0 at Rochester 4

Record 36-33

W: M. Garza (4-6, 3.41); L: E. Fruto (3-3, 3.48)
HR: None.

E: Span (2, fielding), Tolbert (8, fielding).

From redwingsbaseball.com: The Red Wings finished at .500 over their eight-game homestand with a 4-0 win over the Columbus Clippers Thursday night at Frontier Field. Matt Garza (4-6) returned to his old form after giving up no runs on four hits while striking out eight in seven innings pitched. Tommy Watkins, Trent Oeltjen and Denard Span--the bottom three batters in the lineup--each had two hits to give Garza some much-needed run support. The Wings hit the road for 10 games over the next eight days, before returning to Frontier Field Saturday night June 30.

The Clippers threatened in the first inning but were unable to score any runs. Bernie Castro led off with a double to left field and was moved to third on a groundout by former Red Wing Brent Abernathy. Alexi Casilla then saved a run on a diving play on a grounder to second in which the runner didn't advance home. Garza then struck out cleanup batter Kory Casto to get out of the inning unscathed.

The Wings did all their damage in the third. After Watkins' bunt single led off the inning, Oeltjen executed a hit-and-run with a high-chopping single over first baseman Larry Broadway's head. Span followed with a run-scoring single to give the Wings a 1-0 lead. Casilla then reached out and slapped a 1-2 fastball to left field to score Oeltjen, and two batters later Jose Morales grounded into a force out at second base that scored Span, making it 3-0. A passed ball by catcher Brandon Harper scored Casilla to extend the lead to 4-0.

Garza continued to baffle the Clippers following the Wings run support, showing great command of his fastball while mixing in an effective curve ball to throw hitters off balance.

Carmen Cali replaced Garza in the eighth, finishing off the final two innings by giving up no runs on one hit and striking out one.

Columbus starter Emiliano Fruto (3-3) took the loss after giving up three earned runs on seven hits in five innings pitched.

NOTES: Tolbert went 0-3, lowering his average to .367... Tolbert is now second in the IL batting race behind Louisville's Jeff Keppinger, who went 2-for-4 tonight to raise his average to .369... Garza was named to the United States team for the MLB Futures Game Sunday July 8... The 2007 Futures Game will be held at AT&T Park in San Francisco and will be broadcast live at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

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New Hampshire 2 at New Britain 0

Record: 33-34

W: E. Fowler (1-0, 0.00); L: K. Waldrop (1-4, 5.14); SV: J. Machi (2)
HR: None.

E: Molina, F 2 (14, fielding, fielding).
PB: Geiger (9).

From rockcats.com: New Hampshire’s Eric Fowler impressed in his Double-A debut as the Fisher Cats downed the Rock Cats 2-0 at New Britain Stadium.

Fowler (1-0) fired six shutout innings. The Rock Cats managed just five hits off of the 24-year-old lefthander, who is ranked as Toronto’s 11th best prospect. Jean Machi picked up where Fowler left off and fired three shutout innings of his own to notch his second save.

Rock Cats’ starter Kyle Waldrop (1-4) allowed ten hits, but limited the Fisher Cats to one run through six innings. The Fisher Cats broke through in the fifth inning with an RBI single by Sergio Santos for a 1-0 lead.

In the ninth, the Fisher Cats’ Dustin Majewski doubled off reliever J.P. Martinez (3IP, 3H, 1R) to open the inning. Majewski advanced to third on a passed ball by catcher Kyle Geiger. Ryan Klosterman’s sac fly to center field scored Majewski.

The Fisher Cats pounded out 13 hits, led by a three-hit night by Chip Cannon. For the Rock Cats, Trevor Plouffe and Brock Peterson had two hits apiece.

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Steve Tolleson

Fort Myers 9 at Sarasota 7

Record 1 - 0

W: A. Smit (1-3, 5.44); L: J. Rojas (0-1, 9.00); SV: E. Morlan (10)
HR: SAR: J. Piepkorn (5).

E: Ugueto (11, throw).

From miraclebaseball.com: Kicking off the second-half of the season right where the first half began in Sarasota, the Fort Myers Miracle wanted to make sure the second 70 games didn’t start off the way the first 70 did. The season-opener began with a 2-0 loss in a quick pitcher’s duel, but that wasn’t the case on Thursday night. The Miracle cranked out nine runs on eleven hits in a back-and-forth 9-7 win over the host Sarasota Reds at Ed Smith Stadium.

Erik Lis’ RBI-double and Danny Dorn’s RBI-single accounted for each team’s run in the first inning. The Miracle followed with RBI-singles from Matt Betsill and Steve Tolleson in the second, before a Reds error, Eli Tintor sacrifice-fly and Betsill’s second-RBI of the night shot the Miracle out to an early 6-1 lead.

Sarasota’s top-ranked offense kicked into gear in the third as Jeremiah Piepkorn smashed a three-run shot to left bringing his Reds to within two. After Caleb Moore’s RBI-single to right in the fourth gave the Miracle another brief, three-run cushion, the Reds would quickly cut into the lead with two more in the fourth.

Eric Eymann’s run-scoring double and Josh Holden’s RBI-single brought the contest to a 7-6 Miracle advantage. Sarasota would tie the ballgame in the seventh as Mike DeJesus’ double, followed by Craig Tatum’s double, would bring in the Reds seventh, and tying run.

After Tolleson led off the Miracle eighth with a walk and later move to second on a groundout from Luis Ugueto, Tolleson would pick up his second stolen base of the night, swiping third with one out. Juan Portes promptly followed with a sac-fly to right giving the Miracle their third run of the night.

Insurance in the form of Tintor’s RBI-single in the ninth brought home Dwayne White with the ninth and final Miracle run of the night. Six of the nine innings on Thursday night saw the Miracle leadoff man reach base with four of those six to reach, resulting in four of the nine runs.

The Miracle and Reds now shift venues back to Hammond Stadium for a 12:05 p.m. matinee on Friday afternoon. The Miracle send RHP Oswaldo Sosa (2-4, 2.65) to the mound on “Big Splash” day at the ball park.

Notes: The SaraReds (43-27) promoted five players to Double-A Chattanooga after they closed out the first half Wednesday with a 7-4 victory over the Clearwater Threshers (39-31).

Cincinnati director of player development Terry Reynolds said outfielder Jay Bruce, infielder Adam Rosales along with right-handed pitchers Johnny Cueto, Ramon Ramirez and Josh Roenicke were called up Wednesday.

Diamond Dogs: The answer to yesterday's trivia question is Jackson. Jericho begat Toucan, who begat Jackson, who begat Rutgers. And Rutgers fled Fort Myers to be replaced by a big, orange, ugly Pom-Pom-aranian.

Interestingly enough, while the Mircle got out of the live animial act, there is a golden, Jake the Diamond Dog, that tours parks as a special show and does all the things the Jericho did for the Miracle, many, many, years ago. Chase, another golden, is the mascot for the AA Trenton Thunder.

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Peoria 1 at Beloit 3

Record 1-0

W: T. Robertson (2-1, 1.80); L: R. Hernandez (2-2, 4.64); SV: R. Delaney (23)
HR: BEL: B. Dinkelman (7), W. Ramos (4).

From snappersbaseball.com: Back to back homers propelled the Snappers to a 3-1 victory over the Peoria Chiefs on Thursday night. Brian Dinkelman and Wilson Ramos started the game off for the Snappers in the bottom of the first inning with back to back home runs, giving Beloit an early 2-0 lead.

Peoria scored a run of their own in the top of the second inning to draw to within one run. That would be all that the Beloit pitching staff would allow for the night.

The Snappers added one more to stretch the lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning. Chris Parmelee tripled home Johnny Woodard, who walked earlier, to give Beloit the two run advantage.

Tyler Robertson pitched six innings of five hit, one run baseball to pick up his second win of the season. Robertson also added another six strikeouts on the night.

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Elizabethton Twins

Record 2 - 0

No Games Scheduled

GCL Twins 2 at GCL Reds 6

Current Record: 1 - 1

W: B. Rice (1-0, 6.00); L: T. Wright (0-1, 6.00); SV: R. Nickols (1)
HR: None.

E: Waltenbury (1, fielding).
PB: Hernandez (1).

The GCL Twins fell 2-6 to the GCL Reds in the game at the Ed Smith Training Complex in Sarasota, Florida Thursday.

Thomas Wright took the start for the Twins, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits and 4 walks in 3 innings while striking out 4.

The Reds got on the board in the second inning. Rafael Sanchez singled his way onto base and was brought home on a Jordan Wideman double with one out. Alexis Oliveras then hit a sac-fly that plated Nettali Soto. Justin Reed would walk before Madhames Moreta struck out to end the inning.

Sanchez got on base in the third as well, this time on a passed ball by catcher David Hernandez. Soto would double him home on a fly to center field.

Arias Santos pitched one inning of relief before Jakub Toufar came in for 3 innings, allowing 3 more runs on 7 hits and 1 walk while striking out 2.

Alexis Oliveras reached on a fielding error by Jon Waltenbury at 1st, which allowed Sanchez to score again in the bottom of the 7th. It was a big day for the Reds 1st baseman, who was 3-for-4 with 3 runs. Soto batted in 3 for the rookie Reds.

The Twins would not get on board until the 8th inning, when Yangervis Solarte walked. Hernandez and Nick Biagini followed suit. Catcher Daniel Rehlfing, who was taken by the Twins in the 14th round of this years draft, ground out, but Solarte was able to cross the plate safely. Hernandez scored on a James Beresford ground out.

Looking a bit like the FSL Fort Myers Miracle, only Beresford and Hernandez recorded hits for the Twins, who are now 1-1 on the season.

The Twins play the Red Sox tomorrow at noon at the Red Sox Player Development Complex on Edison Street in Fort Myers.

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Scoreboard for June 20, 2007

KRIS J. MURANTE RDC staff photographer
Tommy Watkins looks to put the tag on Darnell McDonald, who had one stolen base and was caught once.

Columbus 1 at Rochester 2

Record 35-33

W: D. Gassner (2-7, 4.92); L: C. Michalak (2-2, 3.22); SV: B. Korecky (16)
HR: None.

From redwingsbaseball.com: Dave Gassner threw 8 innings of 4 hit ball to lead the Red Wings over the Columbus Clippers Wednesday night at Frontier Field 2-1. Gassner got help offensively from Glenn Williams who went 2 for 4 and batted in both of Rochester's runs.

The Clippers scored early but then were held scoreless for 7 innings by Gassner. Bernie Castro led off the game with a triple. He scored on a groundout by Brent Abernathy to go up 1-0 in the first. That is all the Clippers could muster against Gassner.

The Wings tied it up in the fourth inning when Jose Morales led off with a single. Williams hit a double to the wall that plated Morales.

In the sixth inning, Rochester pushed ahead. Again it was Morales and Williams who sparked the run. Morales reached base on a throwing error by Clippers third baseman Kory Casto. Garrett Jones hit an infield single and Williams hit a single down the left field line to score Morales and put the Wings on top 2-1.

Bobby Korecky came in to get the save in the 9th, his 16th of the season which is good for 3rd in the IL.

NOTES: Tolbert went 2-4, raising his average to .373. Tolbert entered the day leading in the IL batting race. Louisville's Jeff Keppinger, who was playing a game in progress in the 5th inning batting .361. ..After the game, 3B Brian Buscher was promoted from Double-A New Britain, and 3B Matt Moses was sent to New Britain. Buscher was batting .310 with 7 HR and 35 RBI in 61 games for the Rock Cats...The Red Wings offense has produced just one home run in their last 60 innings. Rochester has hit just 35 home runs, 13th in the International League (Ottawa has just 19 home runs). Rochester is on pace to hit just 75 home runs, which would be the fewest home runs they’ve hit in a season since 1989 when they hit 66. The Red Wings now have a 35-33 record, despite being outscored by their opponents 267-262....Former Wings and Twins catcher Rob Bowen was traded from San Diego to the Cubs on Wednesday.

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New Hampshire 8 at New Britain 9

Record: 33-32

W: J. Mijares (2-0, 4.13); L: M. Roney (0-1, 10.80)
HR: NHM: S. Santos (14).

From rockcats.com: Rashad Eldridge knocked in the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Rock Cats snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 9-8 victory over New Hampshire. The Rock Cats needed to come back twice in the game – scoring six runs in the second and then two in the seventh – to walk away with the win in the first game of Wednesday night’s doubleheader.

The Rock Cats took a 7-5 lead into the final inning of the seven-inning game. Jose Mijares allowed a walk and a single before serving up a three-run homer to Sergio Santos that gave the Fisher Cats the lead again, 8-7. In the bottom of the seventh, the Rock Cats clawed back with back-to-back singles by David Winfree and Felix Molina. Jeff Christy delivered an RBI single to center field to tie the game. Brandon Roberts’ groundout moved the runners up a base before Eldridge sent a single to center field to score Molina for the winning run. The Fisher Cats’ Matt Roney (0-1) suffered the loss.

Eldridge led a 15-hit attack by the Rock Cats with a team-high three hits, including a triple. He also knocked in three runs and scored two runs.

The Fisher Cats took an early lead in the top of the second as they clubbed out five hits – including RBI singles by Ryan Patterson and Robinzon Diaz and a two-run single by Manueal Mayorson – and used one walk to take a 4-0 lead.

In the bottom of the second, the Rock Cats retaliated with an offensive attack of their own. Matthew Allegra led off the inning with a double and scored on a single by Garrett Guzman. Winfree and Molina followed with back-to-back singles. With the bases loaded and one out, Brandon Roberts hit an RBI single to score Guzman. Eldridge then delivered a two-run single to right field that tied the game, 4-4. Trevor Plouffe knocked in Roberts on an infield groundout to put the Rock Cats ahead, 5-4. Brian Buscher rounded out the scoring spree with an RBI double to right field. New Hampshire starter Russ Savickas (6ER, 7H) was knocked out of the game after just 1 2/3 innings and was replaced by Seth Overbey. The reliever walked Allegra before retiring Guzman on a groundout to end the inning.

Josh Hill tossed five innings in his Double A debut for the Rock Cats. The Australian native allowed seven hits and five runs, but most of the damage was done in the second inning. Mijares (2-0) picked up the win despite blowing the save opportunity.

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New Hampshire 2 at New Britain 1

Record: 33-33

W: T. Thorpe (4-2, 4.30); L: F. Mata (0-3, 5.40)
HR: NBR: T. Plouffe (7).

From rockcats.com: Chip Cannon’s RBI double in the ninth inning gave New Hampshire a 2-1 win over the Rock Cats in the nightcap of Wednesday’s doubleheader.

Rock Cats’ starter Jay Sawatski and the Fisher Cats’ Jo Matumoto delivered a good old-fashioned pitchers’ duel to start the game.

Sawatski allowed just one run on three hits and two walks in six innings. He retired the first two batters he faced in the first inning, but walked the next two. Aaron Matthews then delivered a single to center field to knock in Sergio Santos from second for a 1-0 Fisher Cats’ lead.

The Rock Cats didn’t get on the board until the sixth inning. Trevor Plouffe fouled off pitch after pitch to extend his at-bat to ten pitches before he sent the final pitch over the wall for a solo home run that tied the game, 1-1. Matumoto exited after 5 2/3 innings, allowing four hits, including the home run. He struck out five.

The Rock Cats had the chance to win the game in the bottom of the seventh, when Brock Peterson singled and Felix Molina and Rashad Eldridge reached on back-to-back walks. Plouffe came to the plate with two outs and sent a long fly ball to right field that was caught for the final out and sent the game into extra innings.

Tracy Thorpe (4-2) fired two shutout innings for the Fisher Cats to pick up the win. Frank Mata (0-3) took the loss after allowing the Fisher Cats’ run in the ninth. Tim Lahey tossed two shutout innings in relief for the Rock Cats.

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Armando Gabino proved very popular with the eight year olds at Miracle Baseball camp
Tampa 4 at Fort Myers Miracle 0

Record 30 - 40

W: D. McCutchen (7-1, 2.79); L: Z. Ward (2-9, 3.05)
HR: None.

E: Tolleson (14, throw), Portes (11, fielding).

Tonight's trivia question is what is the name of the mascot that was in between Toucan and Rutgers?

Well, you know, we had to discuss something. In the light of the afternoon at GCL, we say "Oh, it's getting better." I mean, Paul Kelly was playing his rehab assignment with the GCL team and Drew Thompson says he's going to start playing in GCL games next week. So we've got some players getting healthy that can help us.

But for tonight, Zach Ward struggled a bit, allowing 3 runs (earned) on 9 hits while striking out 5 in 5 innings worth of work. Some sloppy fielding by Juan Portes at third was a contributing factor.

Steve Tolleson and Erik Lis were both 1-for-3, the only 2 hits of the game. Kevin Russo doubled in Jose Tabata in the fourth, and then came home on a Tim Battle line drive. Both hit went past Portes and Lis had to field them, and Lis is not really flexible enough to be a outfielder.

Russo also plated Colin Curtis in the fifth inning, this time with a line drive to center.

Armando Gabino gave up the fourth run in the eighth. Daniel McCutchen pitched seven strong innings for Tampa to pick up the win, Elvys Quezada and Gerardo Casadiego both shut the door on the Miracle in relief.

It was team card set night. I also caught Kevin Boles bribing a fan with a team autographed bat to cheer for the Miracle. It was also the last day of Miracle Baseball Camp, so perhaps being out on the field and playing with Children all day tired the guys out.

Fort Myers finishes the first half of the season with a 30-40 record, good for fifth in the six team West Division. The begin the second half of the season tomorrow, in Sarasata against the Reds, who won the division, 1.5 games ahead of Tampa Bay.

There was a brief delay after the home plate umpire was hit by a ball. It was determined that he was unable to finish the game, so the contest was played with just one official. I do not think it had any bearing on the results of the game.

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Donovan Night

Beloit Snappers

All-star Break - No Games Scheduled

1st half Record 44-26 (1st Place)

From snappersbaseball.com: The Beloit Snappers have activated catcher, Allan de San Miguel, from the disabled list and assigned catcher, Greg Yersich, to Elizabethton. Both moves are effective today and put the Snappers’ roster at the Midwest League maximum of 25.

Before being placed on the disabled list, Allan de San Miguel was batting .206 in 23 games played this season. Allan has 2 home runs and 13 RBI’s so far this year.

Greg Yersich was batting .168 in 40 games played this season with 8 RBI’s.

The Snappers will play four games against Ryne Sandberg’s Peoria Chiefs over the next four days. This will be Sandberg’s last time in Beloit this summer!

The Beloit Snappers enter the second half of the season with a Playoff Birth already secured.

Elizabethton 15 at Kingsport 1

Record 1-0

W: M. Allen (1-0, 1.80); L: E. Ramirez (0-1, 18.00)
HR: ELI: R. Leveret (1).

From MiLB.com: Mark Dolenc went 4-for-5 with three RBIs as visiting Elizabethton pounded Kingsport, 15-1, in the opener of Wednesday's doubleheader.

Dolenc ripped a two-run single and scored in the fourth before smacking another RBI single in the seventh. The former 18th-round draft pick also singled in the first and the third.

Rene Leveret went 3-for-3 with a two-run homer and four runs scored. Gregory Yersich had three hits and four runs scored, and Wesley Connor and Eric Santiago drove in three runs apiece for the Twins (1-0).

Elizabethton starter Michael Allen (1-0) allowed one run on six hits while striking out three and walking two in five innings to pick up the win.

Mets starter Elvin Ramirez (0-1) gave up seven runs -- six earned -- on seven hits and three walks, fanning four in three innings.

Jordan Abruzzo drove in the only run for Kingsport (0-1).

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Elizabethton 6 at Kingsport 4

Record 2-0

W: L. Van Mil (1-0, 0.00); L: A. Calero (0-1, 14.73); SV: A. Slama (1)
HR: ELI: W. Connor (1), B. Petsch (1). KNG: D. Clark (1).

From MiLB.Com: Wesley Connor and Benjamin Petsch hit two-run homers to power visiting Elizabethton to a 6-4 win over Kingsport and a sweep of Wednesday's twinbill.

Connor connected in the fourth inning after Rodolfo Palacios walked. One out later, Starling De Los Santos singled and Petsch cleared the fence in left field to put the Twins (2-0) on top for good.

Rene Leveret had ripped a two-run single in the third for Elizabethton, which also won the opener, 15-1.

Twins starter David Bromberg allowed four runs on three hits and six walks, fanning four in 2 2/3 innings. Ludovicus Van Mil (1-0) walked two and fanned one over 2 1/3 frames for his first win.

Anthony Slama fanned two in the seventh for his first save.

Mets starter Angel Calero (0-1) surrendered six runs on nine hits with two walks and four strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. Marcos Tabata struck out nine of the 14 batters he faced over 3 1/3 frames, allowing a hit and three walks.

Daniel Stegall hit a bases-loaded triple and Darren Clark hit a solo homer for Kingsport (0-2).

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One "Moe" Lap
"Moe" Memories

When I die, everyone will just say "good riddence" and get on with their lives.

GCL Pirates 3 at GCL Twins 5

Current Record: 1 - 0

W: D. Rondon (1-0, 0.00); L: E. Nunez (0-1, 3.00)
HR: None.

E: Soto (1, throw), Richardson 3 (3, fielding, fielding, throw).

Jon Waltenbury plated Juan Richardson in the 8th inning with one out to tie the game between the Twins and the Pirates, then came home on a James Beresford single to make it the final score Twins 5, Pirate 3 in the GCL Twins home opener at the Lee County Sports Complex.

A good crowd (by GCL standards) turned out for the game which included some good pitching by a pair of Aussies, while Danny Rondon earned his first win of the season.

Liam Hendriks started the game well, but got into some trouble in the third and fourth innings, in part due to some sloppy play by the middle infield. Chad Rice singled to get on base, and then moved to third on a Quincy Latimore ground ball. A throwing error by catcher Alex Soto allowed him to steal home.

Hendriks walked John Fitzpatrick in the fourth. He came on home when Caleb Fields reached on a fielding error by Juan Richardson.

That would make the score 2-1 after Paul Kelly, making a rehab start, drove in Jeanfred Brito for the Twins first run in the third inning.

Hendriks was finished after allowing 2 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks, 1 earned, while striking out 2 in 3.1 innings. He was pulled in favor of lefty Jarrad Eacott.

Eacott gave up one run, unearned in the six, when Ciro Rosero scored on a Joe Munoz grounder that Waltenbury couldn't hang on to.

Beresford drove in Andrew Schmiesing in the fifth, and had the go ahead run...but...the plate umpire called Brito out at 3rd and disallowed Beresford's run despite the fact that James was quite safe before Brito was ever tagged out.

Nelson Prada argued the call, but could not overturn the umpire.

First round draft pick Ben Revere did not participate in the game as his contract has not yet been validated. Schmiesing, the Twins 11th round draft pick was 2-for-3 with 2 doubles and one strike out. Wang-Wei Lin was 3-for-4. Waltenbury, Brito, Beresford and Yangervis Solarte were all 2-for-4 in the game.

The Twins play the GCL Reds in Sarasota tomorrow and the Red Sox at the Red Sox player development complex on Friday, both games are at noon. They return home Saturday to face the GCL Orioles for a 10:00 AM start.

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Scoreboard for June 18, 2007

JEN RYNDA staff photographer
Rochester's Matt Tolbert sends a fly ball to left field during the third inning against Columbus on Monday at Frontier Field. The International League's batting leader has three home runs and 26 RBI in 48 games.

Columbus 6 at Rochester 0

Record 33-33

W: J. Magrane (1-1, 3.94); L: J. Cummings (3-5, 4.21)
HR: COL: D. Jimenez (7).

From redwingsbaseball.com: Three Red Wings pitchers combined to end Brandon Watson's league-record hitting streak, but three Columbus pitchers held the Wings to just two hits as the Clippers beat Rochester 6-0 Monday night at Frontier Field.

Rochester starter Jeremy Cummings drew the assignment of stopping Clippers outfielder Watson's 43-game hitting streak. To open the game, Cummings caught Watson looking on a 3-2 pitch that Watson thought was ball four. In the third inning, Watson drilled a 3-1 pitch to center but Denard Span tracked it down at the warning track

In the fourth, cruising along with four strikeouts, Cummings ran into trouble. After a single and walk to open the frame, D'Angelo Jimenez hit his seventh homer of the year, a drive to right field that bounced off the billboard wall above the Wings' bullpen. Cummings settled down after the homer, striking out Watson for the second time to get the third out of the inning.

Columbus pushed the lead to 4-0 in the fifth, with Kory Casto picking up an RBI single. That prompted Cummings' exit, and Carmen Cali's entry into the game. Cali got an inning-ending double play grounder from Jimenez to end the threat.

In the meantime, the Wings managed just a single and two walks in four innings against Clippers starter Jim Magrane. With two outs in the fourth, Span pounded a shot at first baseman Larry Broadway, who appeared to take the ball off his face after one hop. The hustling Span made it all the way to second base on what was scored a double, and Broadway was helped off the field with Brent Abernathy replacing Broadway in the field. Casilla flied out to center to thwart the Wings' scoring chance.

Watson came to the plate with one out in the eighth with one last chance to extend his record hitting streak. However, Wings reliever Ricky Barrett struck him out and Watson's record-breaking streak came to an end. Barrett also struck out Bernie Castro swinging to set the Clippers down 1-2-3 to end the eighth.

NOTES: Red Wings coach Rich Miller and Patti Ford were married Monday morning at the Crescent Beach Hotel...The Red Wings observed a moment of silence before the game in memory of Messenger Post Newspapers Sports Editor Tom Murphy, who passed away Sunday . Murphy was a 1971 graduate of Greece Olympia High School, and a 1975 graduate of SUNY Geneseo with a bachelor of arts degree in speech communications. He began working at Messenger Post (then Wolfe Publications) in September, 1975, and was a two-time winner of the Rochester Press Radio Club’s Sportswriter of the Year award.... Tommy Watkins celebrated his birthday Monday, wth his mom and stepdad in town from Florida...Matt Tolbert had an 0-for-4 night, dropping his league-leading average to .367.

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New Hampshire 8 at New Britain 7

Record: 32-31

W: J. Litsch (7-2, 2.35); L: B. Baker (2-5, 5.10); SV: M. Roney (1)
HR: NHM: R. Cosby (6). NBR: G. Guzman (7)

From rockcats.com: New Britain showed a lot of heart late in the game, but the Rock Cats fell short of a dramatic comeback with an 8-7 loss to New Hampshire. The Rock Cats have now dropped seven straight.

The Rock Cats used a solo home run by Garrett Guzman in the sixth inning and an RBI by Trevor Plouffe in the seventh to close the gap, 8-3. Guzman then scored on a throwing error by New Hampshire shortstop Sergio Santos in the eighth inning. In the bottom of the ninth, down 8-4, the Rock Cats loaded the bases with no outs on a walk to Rashad Eldridge, a bunt single by Trevor Plouffe, and another walk to Brian Buscher. Brock Peterson and Guzman delivered back-to-back RBI singles to cut New Hampshire’s lead to 8-6. Luke Hughes added a sac fly RBI to score Buscher from third before Matt Roney came on in relief to notch his first save of the season. Roney intentionally walked Felix Molina to load the bases before retiring the next two batters on strikeouts.

Santos led the Fisher Cats with three hits, including two RBI doubles, and scored two runs. Robinzon Diaz also had three hits and scored three runs for the Fisher cats. Meanwhile, Jesse Litsch (7-2) limited the Rock Cats to three runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings. Litsch, who is rated as Toronto’s eighth-best prospect and pitched for the Blue Jays earlier this season, struck out four.

The Rock Cats came out of the gates swinging in the first inning with a leadoff double by Eldridge. Plouffe’s infield groundout moved Eldridge to third and Buscher’s groundout to second base scored Eldridge for a 1-0 lead. The Fisher Cats tied it up in the fourth on an RBI double by Santos.

Rock Cats’ starter Brad Baker cruised through the early part of the game. He retired the first nine of ten batters he faced, including the first seven-straight to step to the plate. In the fourth inning, though, Baker stumbled. The Fisher Cats struck for four runs in the inning, including a two-run home run by Rob Cosby that put New Hampshire ahead, 5-1. The Fisher Cats tagged reliever Tim Lahey for three more runs in the seventh inning, including RBI doubles by Santos and Chip Cannon.

Baker (2-5) finished with five runs on seven hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out five. Guzman and Plouffe both finished the night with three hits apiece.

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Anthony Swarzak

Tampa 6 at Fort Myers Miracle 4

Record 29 - 38

W: M. Martinez (2-2, 2.73); L: K. Aselton (0-1, 3.27); SV: E. Wordekemper (16)
HR: None.

E: Ovalle (3, fielding).

This was not really a game write up I wanted to do. Twice the Miracle blew 2 run leads to fall in 14 innings to the Tampa Yankees, 6-4, Monday night at Hammond Stadium.

The Miracle had their best chance to win this in the bottom of the 8th inning, when Javi Sanchez singled to load the bases with no outs. Whit Robbins, who has been struggling and fell to 8th in the batting order, struck out bringing up designed hitter Matt Betsill. A sac-fly would have done it, but Betsill ground the ball, which was scouped up by second baseman Kevin Russo and thrown home to catcher Francisco Cervelli to take Edward Ovalle out at home. Sanchez was running for second and should have made it, but for some reason decided he didn't want to be at second, turned around, and started running back toward first.

Short stop Reegie Corona tagged him out halfway between the two bases.

Luis Ugueto scored in the bottom of the first on a Ovalle line drive, while Betsill, who had walked to get on base, came home in the bottom of the second on a Steve Tolleson single to left field.

However, Anthony Swarzak ran into some trouble in the third inning, allowing Corona and Colin Curtis both past the plate with 2 outs.

The Miracle regained the lead in the bottom of the 5th, with Ugueto and Juan Portes coming home on an Erik Lis tripple.

Armando Gabino replaced Swarzak to start the 7th, and let the Yankees back into the game with Tim Battle and Cervelli coming home to tie the score.

A passed ball by sanchez, and Ovalle's fielding error in the bottom of the 14th pretty much gave the game to the Yankees with Kyle Aselton on the mound, and the Miracle, who have shown Aselton little love during his stint in the bullpen, could not find any offense to counter with.

Betsill was robbed by Curtis in the fourth inning, as the Yankees left fielder got his glove on a ball that was just clearing the outfield wall.

Portes and Ovalle were both 3-for7 on the night, and Sanchez was 2-for-6 including laying down a beautiful bunt in the 8th that was negated by his chicken brained base running.

Swarzak finished out the game with 2 furn on 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 5 in 6 innings. Only one of the runs was earned.

The Rock Cats released Brian Forystek and called up Josh Hill from Fort Myers. Hill is replaced by Swarzak in the Miracle rotation.

While the move seemed ot make Swarzak's spot on the Miracle roster look like a demotion, GCL coach Milt Cuyler did not think that the Twins were trying to make a statement with Swarzak, and only wanted to keep an eye on him.

Despite the season has been frustrating for the Miracle, don't expect much help from Beloit after the Midwest League All-star break. The Twins are trying to help the Snappers get a new stadium built in Beloit, and a championship in that city would certainly go a long way toward getting them the money they need to get it done.

Beloit is good location for the Twins, being just a hop and skip from Minneapolis, and a good facility would certainly prove to be a well situated rehab location for major leaguers.

It's not a fact of life the Miracle faithful are keen on hearing, but it does show forward thinking by the Twins organization, who is looking to build a strong long-term relationship with Beloit.

(Let's just hope Beloit doesn't pull a Quad City after the new stadium is built!)

I will have additional comments on the Miracle (and Drew Thompson's status), Beloit and Swarzak in a blog entry later today.

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Beloit Snappers

*All-Star Break*