R-Phils run over Rock Cats

New Britain 8 at Reading 13

W: J. Outman (4-4, 3.41); L: A. Gabino (3-4, 3.38)
HR: REA: N. Sellers (11), J. Slayden (10), M. Eylward (3).

The New Britain Rock Cats got off to a great start, recording 4 runs in each of the first 2 innings - then they sort of stopped. Meanwhile the Reading Phillies took advantage of an already suspect bullpen to rally past and win, 13-8.

Kip Bouknight did not fair all that well for Reading although he did get Dustin Martin to ground out to start the game. He end gave up a single to Brian Dinkelman before getting Erik Lis to ground out. Brock Peterson and Matt Moses took back-to-back singles which plated Dink before David Winfree would double the pair in. Felix Molina's single to center drove in Winfree for the first Rock Cats' four. Molina would be caught stealing 2nd for the final out.

Southpaw Ryan Mullins would give up back-to-back singles to start the bottom of the inning, and a throwing error by Toby Gardenhire put Javon Moran on 3rd. Brad Harman would ground into a double play that scored Moran and following a Lou Marson single, Jeremy Slayden would fly out to end the inning.

Gardenhire, Drew Butera and Martin all singled off Bouknight to start the top of the 2nd. Dinkelman's grounder to center would plate Gardenhire, then Erik Lis would triple to clear off the bags. At this time, Travis Minix came in for the R-Phils and the Cats' fun evaporated as he quickly got Peterson and Winfree out on strikes, and Moses to pop out in foul territory.

Joey Hammond drew a walk from Mullins to start the bottom half the stanza. Neil Sellers then singled, but Mike Eylward and Jake Blalock both flew out. Moran reached on a Molina fielding error that loaded the bags, and Mike Spidale would walk to load the bags. Harmon would ground out to end the inning, but not the R-Phil scoring.

Marson walked in the bottom of the 3rd, but Slayden ground into a force out. Hammond would double in Slayden. Following a ground out to Seller, Eylward put his 3rd yard ball of the year over the left field fence to score two. Blalock would single and Moran walk before Spidale flew out to end the inning.

The bottom of the fourth saw Harmon single and one out later, come home when Slayden went yard, over the left field fence, for his 10th of the season.

Yohan Pino would work the fifth without giving up a run, but in the sixth saw Marson walk and, one out later, Hammond double him in, tying up the game.

Armando Gabino replaced Pino for the bottom of the 8th and lead off with a walk to Eylward. Blacklock singled, but Moran bunt into a force out that took Eylward out at 3rd. Spidale singled to load the bags while Harman's follow up single scored Blalock and Moran. A wild pitch brought in Spidale and following a fly out to Marson that put Harmon on 3rd, a single to Slayden brought in the Aussie to make it 12-8, Phillies.

Seller's 11th home run of the year gave the R-Phils 13 to finish off the contest, and also the Phillies largest come back win in 10-years.

Gardenhire and Butera were both 2-for-4 with a run each. Dinkelman was 2-for-5 with a pair of runs and a RBI. Lis would drive in 3 with his triple, while Winfree brought in 2.

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Lehigh Valley 1 at Rochester 2

W: F. Liriano (5-2, 4.07); L: T. Blackley (3-5, 4.46); SV: B. Korecky (11)
HR: None.

Francisco Liriano worked 7 stellar innings allowing only 4 runs ad a walk while striking out 9 to blank the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. Never mind that Lehigh Valley is the worst team in the International League. It was still a good outing for him.

The Rochester Red Wings would put 2 runs on the board in the fourth, then hang on to claim the win from the Iron Pigs.

Darnell McDonald lead off the bottom of the fourth frame with a walk. One out later, Randy Ruiz would double him. Matt Macri put Ruiz on 3rd, and Sergio Santos sacrificed in Ruiz for the Red Wings 2 runs.

Tim Lahey worked a scoreless eighth before giving way to Bobby Korecky. Mike Rouse would single to lead off the ninth, and after Mike Cervenak was called out on strikes. Andy Tracy took a walk. Jon Knott then singled to drive in Rouse, but Korecky would the last to batters out on strikes to pick up his 11 save of the season.

The Wings would win on only three hits, with Ryan Joregenson going 1-for-2 with a double and a walk which did not factor into the scoring.

Liriano's nine strikeouts tied the team high for 2008, with Kevin Mulvey reaching that figure twice.

The two teams rematch Tuesday at Frontier Field, with a 7:05 PM start with Phillip Humber (4-6, 5.19) taking to the mound for the Wings vs. lefty Les Walrond (1-7, 3.86) for the Pigs.

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Infielder Howie Clark was activated from the Wings' disabled list on Monday, taking the roster spot of Denard Span, who has been promoted to Minnesota. Clark did not play Monday night. He has been out the past three weeks with a strained oblique.

GCL Twins double up GCL Orioles

GCL Twins 6 at GCL Orioles 3

W: J. Mijares (1-0, 3.86); L: J. Reyes (0-2, 5.40); SV: K. Mota (2)
HR: None.

Martire Garcia would allow 3 runs on 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 5 over five innings for the GCL Twins, but walked away with a no decision and the Twins scored late to pick up the win over the GCL Orioles at Twin Lakes Park.

The Twins got onto the board first as Herbert Lara lead off with a single. The speedy Venezuelan would then be plated by Aaron Hicks line drive double to center. Danny Ortiz would single to left to drive in Hicks, giving the Twins two.

The Orioles took it back through as Jerome Hoes and Edinho Meyer hit back-to-back singles off Garcia. Michael Gioioso reached on a throwing error by Garcia and Hoes scored on the play. After getting Edwin Cintron out on strikes, Gracia then gave up a single to Javier Santana that brought in Meyer, tying the game.

The bottom of the fourth would see the O's take the lead with Gioioso walking with one out on the board. He would then steal 2nd and advance to 3rd on a throwing error by catcher Jae-Hyung Jang. Cintron's sac fly would bring in Gioioso for the go ahead run.

With Jean Carlos Reyes on the mound for the Orioles, J.J. would double in the top of the 7th. He'd try to stretch it for 3 however, and would be taken down at third. Juan Sanchez drew a walk and Lara's line drive moved him to 2nd. Hicks would walk to load the bags, and Ortiz would single to bring in Sanchez, with Lara hot on his heels. Ladendorf would line into a double play to retire the Twins.

They'd return in the top of the 8th however, with Andrew Conklin on the mound for the O's. Mike Gonzalez would fly out before Hyeong-rok Choi singled. Jakub Hatjamr hit into a ground out that moved Rocky to 2nd. Danny Rohlfing would replace J.J. as a pinch hitter and the Missouri native would double to drive in Rocky. Sanchez then doubled as well to plate Rohlfing.

Jean Mijares picked up the first win of the season, working 2 innings of relief and allowing 2 hits and striking out 2. Kelvin Mota finished up the last two innings, allowing only 1 hit and a pair of walks to the host team.

Sanchez was 2-for-3 with a walk, a run and a RBI; Hicks and Gonzalez were both 2-for-4, Hicks with a walk, a run and a RBI and Gonzalez with a walk. Lara would go 2-for-5 with a pair of runs.

The Twins take on the Sarasota Reds Tuesday at the City of Sarasota Complex, starting at noon.

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Monday's game between the Dominican Summer League Twins and the DSL Red was postponed due to rain. A make up date was not announced.

Two Domincans earn weekly honors

The Minnesota Twins announced today that Fort Myers Miracle infielder Yancarlos Ortiz has been named Twins Minor League Player of the Week. Ortiz went 6-for-19 (.315) with four RBIs, three walks and two runs scored.

Defensively, Ortiz has been tremendous earning nicknames like "The Human Hoover" as he continues gobbles up every ball that comes his way.

A non-drafted free agent from San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, Ortiz is hitting .278 this season with 19 RBIs.



In Beloit, another Dominican earned weekly honors. Santos Arias was named by the Midwest League as their Pitcher of the Week after pitching a complete game shutout on June 26th against the Clinton LumberKings. During that outing, Santos allowed just three hits while striking out four in a 2-0 win by the Snappers.

So far this season, Santos is 4-3 with a 2.39 ERA in 11 starts. Arias has pitched 67.2 innings, allowing 23 runs (18 earned) while striking out 54 batters and walking just 13. The right-hander also has a 1.03 WHIP with opponents batting a measly .227 against him.

Signed by the Twins as a non-drafted free agent in February of 2005, Arias is originally from La Romana, Dominican Republic. Coming into this season, he had a career minor league record of 17-9 with a 2.18 ERA in 24 starts. He led the Dominican Summer League in innings (95.0), wins (10) and was sixth in ERA (1.23) during the 2006 season.

McCardell stiffles Kernels offense

Cedar Rapids 1 at Beloit 2

W: M. McCardell (5-1, 2.88); L: C. Howard (0-1, 3.24)
HR: None.

Mike McCardell worked all 9 innings Sunday, allowing only one run on 5 hits while fanning five in route to his 5th victory of the year. McCardell retired 15 batters straight from the 5th inning on, ensuring the Beloit Snappers victory over the Cedar Rapids Kernels.

Hector Estrella would double off McCardell in the top of the 4th with one runner out. Following a pop out to Efren Navarro, Jay Brossman singled to drive in Estrella. Brossman would steal 2nd, but Clay Fuller struck out swinging to end retire the side.

Beloit would not tie up the game until the bottom of the sixth, when Mark Dolenc took a walk, then stole 2nd base. Estarlin De Los Santos doubled to plate Dolenc, then would move to 3rd on Chris Cates sac bunt. However, Deibinson Romero would go down on strikes and Ozzie Lewis would ground out to end the inning.

With one out on the board, Greg Yersich singled. He'd advance to 2nd on Allan de San Miguel's line out, on a throwing error by shortstop Andrew Romine. Andrew Schmiesing drew a walk before Dolenc would single Yersich in for the game winning run.

Only Lewis, Rene Leveret and de San Miguel failed to get a hit for the Snappers, although de San Miguel walked twice as did Dolenc.

The two teams finish off the 4-game series Monday at 7:00 PM at Pohlman Field.

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The Snappers will be helping out the relief efforts for flood victims in Iowa by donating 50 cents for ever ticket sold to their July 3rd game. Minor League Baseball is heading up the relief efforts with a $50,000 donation. Four Midwest League teams: the Burlington Bees, Cedar Rapids Kernels, Quad Cities River Bandits, and Iowa Cubs were affected by the flooding. (Press Release)

Rock Cats win two, Red Wings Rocked

New Britain 1 at New Hampshire 0

W: K. Aselton (4-2, 4.47); L: R. Ray (3-1, 0.92); SV: B. Julianel (15)
HR: None.

Surprise! Surprise! The New Britain Rock Cats took both sides of a double header from the New Hampshire Fishing Cats, ending the Fisher's win streak.

In game one, lefty Kyle Aselton fired off six innings, scattering five hits and fanning 3. Ben Julianel picked up the save in the last inning and also preserved Aselton's shut out.

The only Rock Cats run came in the top of the 4th when Brock Peterson took a walk, then moved to 2nd on David Winfree's ground out. Felix Molina's line drive to right plated him.

Luke Hughes would go 2-for-3 in the contest, but did not factor into the scoring. Molina was also 2-for-3, with 1 RBI.

Rob Ray took the loss, allowing 1 run on 8 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6 over 6.1 innings.

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New Britain 3 at New Hampshire 2

W: J. Manship (1-2, 4.50); L: D. Harang (2-3, 4.76); SV: B. Julianel (15)
HR: NBR: E. Lis (9).

In game two, the Cats jumped on the board early when Dustin Martin smacked double out to center off Julio Pinto. Brian Dinkelman's ground out moved him to 3rd, before Erik Lis took a walk. Danny Valencia ground into a force out which plated Martin. Valencia would then be caught stealing 2nd.

The Fishers responded in the bottom of the 2nd with Kyle Phillips doubling. Eric Nielson and Anthony Hatch would go down on strikes before Ryan Klosterman's grounder drove in Phillips. Klosterman would move to 2nd on Erik Lis's throw. Scott Campbell then singled out to left to plate Klosterman, before Jeff Manship would get Andrew Pinckney out on strikes.

Those would be the only 2 runs Manship would give up, on 4 hits and a pair of walks while striking out 8 over six innings.

Pinto would work five innings, giving way to Daryl Harang in the sixth. Rocky Palacios would single his way on to base and then be replaced by pinch runner Steve Tolleson. Two outs later, Erik Lis would blast a ball over the right field wall for his 9th home run of the season.

Martin had the only multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 at the plate. Lis, Palacios and Toby Gardenhire were both 1-for-2, Lis with a walk, a run and 2 RBIs. Felix Molina was 1-for-3.

Having had enough of Fishing for a while, the Rock Cats head over to First Energy Stadium to try their paw against the Reading Phillies. Monday's game is set for 7:05 PM.

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Pawtucket 10 at Rochester 0

W: D. Hansack (4-8, 4.39); L: B. Duensing (4-8, 4.25)
HR: PAW: J. Van Every 3 (21), J. Lowrie 2 (5), G. Velazquez (3).

There is no mercy kill rule in baseball, so Mother Nature felt sorry for the Rochester Red Wings and instituted her own, chasing the teams off the field in the 8th inning.

The chances of a Red Wings comeback was probably pretty slim in any case.

Brian Duensing allowed 4 runs, earned, on 3 hits and a pair of walks over 5 innings. Casey Diagle and Julio DePaula fared even worse, as the Pawtucket bats knocked out ten runs on 8 hits over the Wings.

Meanwhile, offensively only Darnell McDonald and Randy Ruiz had the only hits for the Wings, with McDonald getting a double.

The Red Wings now welcome the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs to Frontier Field, for a 7:05 PM game on Monday. It will be a battle of the lefties as Francisco Liriano (4-2, 4.44) is the probable starter for the Wings against Lehigh's Travis Blackley (3-4, 4.66).

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The Twins called up Denard Span and placed OF Michael Cuddyer (finger) on the DL Sunday afternoon. Span started Sunday in right field for the Wings, but came out of the game in the top of the third inning and was congratulated by his teammates in the dugout. He had a 5:12 PM flight from Rochester to Minneapolis.

Beloit OF Ben Revere brought a 22-game hitting streak into Sunday afternoon's contest against Cedar Rapids; Revere was not in the starting lineup Sunday.