Ladendorf homers as Twins cool off Reds

GCL Reds 1 at GCL Twins 5

W: M. Garcia (2-1, 3.61); L: E. Hildenbrandt (3-2, 2.92); SV: M. Schiavoni (2)
HR: TWI: T. Ladendorf (1).

The Twins took an early lead Friday at the Lee County Sportsplex and never relinquished it, picking up a 5-1 win over the 3rd placed Reds in the South Division standings.

Andres Diaz singled his way onto base and one out later, Tyler Ladendorf hit his first home run of the season over the left field. That was definitely a feel good run as Ladendorf has struggled at the plate this season and everyone has been pulling for him.

Maurico Pimentel and Kevin Coddington hit back-to-back singles off Twins starter Martire Garcia. Alexis Oliveras singled to drive in Pimentel for the Reds lone run. Garcia would induce Humberto Sosa to ground into a double play and then took Eli Rimes out on strikes to retire the side.

Jakub Hajtmar doubled in the bottom of the sixth, and Gonzalez singled him in. Andres Diaz would take a single too, but Hyeong-rok Choi would flyout, ending the inning.

The Reds replaced Canadian hurler Evan Hildenbradt with Bryan Gardner in the bottom of the seventh. Ladendorf would go down on strikes, but Danny Rohlfing drew a walk. Herbert Lara singled and Arron Hicks doubled to score the pair, to give the Twins their fourth and fifth runs.

Garcia worked six for the Twins allowing just the one run on 3 hits and a walk while striking out six. He's been somewhat of a human strike out machine all season long. Mauro Schiavoni picked up his second save of the season, allowing a pair of hits while fanning two over three innings.

Ladendorf lead the attack, going 2-for-3 at the plate with run and 2 RBIs. Diaz would finish up 2-for-4 with a run, while Hicks, Hajtmar, Danny Ortiz, and Gonzalez were all 1-for-4, Hajtmar with a run, Hicks with 2 RBIs and Gonzales with one, leaving Ortiz to be the one hit wonder of the game.

Lara finished up 1-for-3 with a run at the bottom of the order. Rohlfing would hit 0-and-2, but parlayed a walk into a run for the Twins.

The Twins finish off this four game set on the road against the GCL Red Sox at the City of Palms Complex. As it's Saturday, the game beings at 10:00 AM. The Twins then rest on Sunday.

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The Dominican Summer League game between the DSL Cubs1 and the DSL Twins was postponed due to rain from Tropical Storm Fay, which is likely to threaten the Florida coast early next week. The DSL Twins are schedule to take on the DSL Reds on the road on Saturday, weather permitting, for a 10:30 AM game. With seven games left in the season, it's likely that the game will not be made up.

Lakeland issues Miracle their 8th shut out of the season

Lakeland 9 at Fort Myers 0

W: J. Nickerson (11-3, 3.66); L: D. Guerra (10-8, 5.44)
HR: LAK: M. Bertram (7).

"What's wrong with Deolis tonight?" Iris was wondering in the first inning.

"What's always wrong with Deolis?" We'd been talking about who would be getting promoted and who would be staying--Spencer Steedley says "I'm staying", and I said I thought Guerra would be staying with the Fort Myers Miracle as well.

"He's been in this league for FOUR years!" Alex Burnett exclaimed. Actually, it's more like 2 1/2 as he split 2006 between Hagerstown and Port St. Lucie.

"But he's not progressed Alex," I remind him. Although he does have a better win/loss record than he did last night. Still, after tonight he's probably leading the Florida State League in walks, so I'm not sure how you can consider him a candidate for promotion.

"Unless they promote him and put him in the bullpen." Which wouldn't be a bad idea. Too bad we don't have anyone to take his place right now.

In any case, Michael Bertram picked up right were he left off on Thursday night, cracking home runs over the fence as the Lakeland Flying Tigers issued a 9-0 drubbing to the Fort Myers Miracle.

Guerra issued walks to Justin Justice and Louis Ott before Bertram's 7th home run of the season went over the right field wall. Jeremy Laster and Jordan Lennerton followed it up by drawing walks, as did Brandon Timm, loading the bags. Gustavo Nunez ground into a force out that scored Laster, and took Timm out at 2nd. Jeff Kunkel ground out, but plated Lennerton while he was doing it. Carmelo Jaime would be called out on strikes.

"How long are they going to leave him out there?" I often wonder those things myself, but no one was warming up in the bullpen.

Guerra managed to get through the 2nd inning, with only a walk to Bertram.

He was back in action in the 3rd however, leading off with walk to Lennerton. Timm doubled and Nunez singled, which drove in Lennerton and put Tim on 3rd. That did it, as Jeff Smith fetched Matt Williams out of the bullpen. Kunkel would sacrifice in Timm, although I'm fairly certain it was an accident and he was really trying to hit it over the fence. Jaime singled to move Nunez to 3rd and Justice walked to fill the bases. Ott's fly ball to center turned into a sac-fly as Nunez scored. Michael Bertram lined out to send the Miracle up to bat.

Jonah Nickerson held the Miracle to 4 hits and a walk over 7 innings, striking out 3. Indeed, the Miracle never put enough of an offense together to threaten.

Williams would go on to work four innings, Oswaldo Sosa took one, and Blair Erikson took one, allowing a single and walking 2, but managing to keep the Tigers off the board.

Lennerton would take a walk in the top of the ninth off Danny Santiesteban. Timm doubled him to 3rd, and Nunez's sac fly would score him. Kunkel and Jaime would both walk as well, before Santiesteban got Justice out on strikes.

Ryan Perry would walk Woodard in the ninth, but there were no last minute rally attempts as the Miracle were quietly blanked during a golf give away night.

The rubber-game of set is Saturday night with a special 6:05 start time. Steedley (0-3, 10.59) should be on the mound for the Miracle. "Son of a Sailor" the Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band will perform a post-game concert.

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The two Lobanov's left to play for Team Russia in some European Tournament or other. Nicky did this last year about the same time as well.

Team USA lost to Cuba in 11 innings in Olympic action. Former Miracle Terry Tiffee finished up 2-for-4 at the plate to lead the US attack (USABaseball.com / Duensing's Blog). The US stormed back however to take a 5-4 win over Team Canada. Brian Duensing, another former Miracle, hurled 3.1 scoreless innings of relief to pick up the win as the US improved to 2-2 in the Beijing games (USABaseball.com).

Twins prospect Ben Revere was honored by the MWL Managers in the most recent issue of Baseball America as Best Batting Prospect, Best Strike Zone Judgment, Fastest Baserunner, and Most Exciting Player. Revere currently leads the league in batting average (.380) and on-base percentage (.433), while also tied for second in stolen bases (41) and third in slugging percentage (.498). Ben also leads the Snappers in average, hits (122), doubles (17), triples (9), stolen bases, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Revere will be finishing the 2008 season with Beloit. Look for him to be in a Miracle uniform when the 2009 season opens.

Four different Miracle were honored in the same article as the best in the Florida State League. They are Anthony Slama (Best Reliever), Wilson Ramos (Best Defensive Catcher), Yancarlos Ortiz (Best Infield Arm), and Jeff Smith (Best Manager Prospect). All ranking were compiled by field managers in their respective leagues.

Dunedin now leads the West Division by 10.5 games over the Tampa Yankees with 16 games left to play in the season. While anything is possible, it appears the Miracle will one again dance with Dunedin in the playoffs. Jupiter is currently leading the East Division, but has only a one game lead over Daytona.

Twins top O's on wild pitch

GCL Orioles 6 at GCL Twins 7

W: K. Mota (2-0, 1.21); L: J. Reyes (0-3, 3.32)
HR: None.

The GCL Twins scored in the bottom of the 10th inning to pick up a 7-6 win over the GCL Orioles on Thursday at the Lee County Sportsplex.

The Orioles jumped on Jean Mijares early when Garabez Rosa doubling with one out on the board. Luis Ramirez flew out, but Jerome Hoes and Edinho Meyer both took walks to load the bags. Omar Casamayor doubled to clean them off. Casamayor would try to stretch it for a triple however and was taken out at 3rd on the throw, letting the Twins have a turn at the plate.

Anderson Hidalgo took a walk then stole 2nd base. A throwing error by catcher Janensis Guerrero advanced him to 3rd. Danny Ortiz would take a walk before Mike Gonzalez doubled to plate Hidalgo. Jae-Hyung Jang struck out and Reggie Wiliams popped out to end the inning.

Hyun-wook Choi singled out to right, then stole second. Wang-Wei Lin, newly reactivated off the DL, took a walk. Juan Sanchez singled to fill the bases. Hicks would pop out before Hidalgo sacrificed in Wook to make it 3-2 O's.

The Twins would tie it up in the 3rd with Mike Gonzales singling. J.J. would reach on a force attempt and Williams single again saw three men on. Wook sacrificed Gonzales in this time for the equalizer.

Miguel Achil replaced Donis De La Cruz for the bottom of the 4th, and got Hicks and Hidalgo to ground out before allowing a line drive single to center. Ortiz then stole 2nd, and would be doubled in by Gonzales to put the Twins on top. Jakub Hajtmar would replace Gonzales as a pitch runner, and J.J. singled Hajtmar in. A wild pitch ty Achil moved J.J. to 3rd, but Williams would ground out to end the inning.

Mijares would hit Xavier Avery with a pitch in the top of the 5th. After Rosa flew out and Ramirez popped out, Avery stole 2nd. Hoes then singled to drive Avery in, to put the Orioles down by only one.

Marcus Moore replaced Achil in the bottom of the sixth, and Hicks singled. Hidalgo doubled to drive in Hicks restoring the two run lead.

The top of the eighth saw Ramirez and Hoes hit back-to-back singles. Meyers' sac-bunt moved the pair and a single to Casamayor scored Ramierz. Grolman Gonzalez sacrificed in Hoes to tie up the game.

Kelvin Mota would replace Tonkin for the top of the ninth. Despite allowing singles to Avery and Rosa, he'd manged to keep the O's off the board. Neither could the Twins capitalize on Hidalgo's walk in the bottom half of the stanza, so the game went into extra innings.

Edinho Meyer singled in the top of the 10th, but Mota took Casamayor out on strikes and got Gonzalez and Guerro to ground out to send the Twins to the plate.

Jean Carlos Reyes took over the pitching for the Orioles and allowed a lead off single to Williams. Wook's sac-bunt moved him to 2nd and a wild pitch by Reyes got him to 3rd. Reyes then unleashed a second wild pitch, putting Williams over the plate and handing the Twins the win.

Gonzales finished up 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles, a run and a pair of RBIs. Williams was 2-for-5 with a run. Wook and Sanchez were both 1-for-3, Wook with a run and a RBI and Sanchez with a walk.

Hidalgo was 1-for-2 with a pair of walks, a double, a run and two runs scored. Ortiz was 1-for-4 with a walk and a run and J.J. and Hicks were each 1-for-5, J.J. with a RBI, Hicks with a run.

The Twins face the Reds on Friday at the Lee County Sportsplex for a noon game; they travel to the City of Palms complex on Saturday for a 10:00 AM contest.

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DSL Twins 6 at DSL Diamondbacks/Reds 1

W: A. Salcedo (4-4, 1.42); L: T. Gutierrez (1-8, 4.19)
HR: None.

The DSL Twins knocked out six run on 10 hits to down the DSL Diamondbacks/Reds on the road Thursday morning.

Henry Rodriguez tripled in the bottom of the first for the Dia-Reds, and came home one out later on a Angel Logrono single for the only host run.

Randy Pina doubled, then moved to 3rd on a Carlos Vasquez sac-bunt in the top of the 3rd. Danny Santana singled him in, then stole 2nd base. Yorby Martinez would reach on fielding error, plating Santana for the second Twins run.

Vasquez singled in the top of the fifth, then advanced on back-to-back ground outs by Santana and Martinez. Mercedes would single him in, for the insurance run.

Gustavo Delgado would replace Dia-Reds starter Teo Gutierrez for the top of the six. Felix Caro flew out before Yancarlo Franco singled and advanced to 2nd on Delgado's throwing error. Juan Blanco took a walk and Pina would be hit by a pitch to load the bags. Franco would try to steal home but would be caught. He should have stayed where he was as Vasquez was then walked. Mario Lujan was brought in to replace Delgado, and Danny Santana doubled off him to clean off the plates, scoring three.

Blanco and Pina were both 2-for-3, Blanco with a triple and a run and Pina with a double and a pair of runs to lead the attack. Danny Santana was 2-for-5 with a double, a run and 4 RBIs. Vasquez was 1-for-2 with a walk and 2 runs.

Mercedes and Franco finished up 1-for-4 each at the plate, Mercedes with a walk and a RBI, while Franco shared the one his wonder title with Jairo Rodriguez, who ended the game 1-for-5.

Adrian Salcedo picked up his 4th win of the season, allowing 1 earned run on 3 hits and a pair of walks while striking out 8 over 5.2 innings.

The Twins host the DSL Cubs1 on Friday for a 10:30 AM Dominican time game. The two teams are tied at 40-24 each for third place in the DSL B.C. North Division, 2 games behind the division leading DSL Yankees2.

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Miracle power past Flying Tigers

Lakeland 5 at Fort Myers 6

W: C. Gutierrez (3-1, 2.89); L: R. Garcia (4-3, 4.63); SV: A. Slama (24)
HR: LAK: M. Bertram 2 (6). FTM: W. Ramos (13), D. Santiesteban (6).

Danny Santiesteban's home run in the bottom of the sixth put the Fort Myers Miracle on top, and Anthony Slama came in to shut the door, giving the Miracle a 6-5 win over the Lakeland Flying Tigers.

Justin Justice and Luis Ott hit singles to open up the contest and Michael Bertram put a ball over the right field fence to spot the Flying Tigers a 3 run lead. "Wait. I want to start this over," said Twins assistant general manager Rob Antony, who was late getting ot his seat. I'm sure Alex Burnett wanted to start over as well. He walked Cale Iorg who then stole 2nd, but then got Jordon Lennerton out on strikes. Jeramy Laster flew out and Devon Thomas popped out to send the Miracle up to bat.

The home town team would not get something going until the bottom of the 2nd when Johnny Woodard was hit by a pitch. He'd move to second on Danny Berg's ground out, then came home on a Santiesteban single.

The Twins may be interested in putting Santiesteban on the mound full time, but Mr. Santiesteban does not yet appear ready to relinquish the lumber.

Bertram put his 2nd home run of the night over the wall in the top of the third inning, to make it 4-1 Tigers.

Danny Lehmann drew a walk off Duane Below in the bottom of the third and Yancarlos Ortiz singled his way onto base. After Garrett Olson popped out, Edward Ovalle singled out to left to fill up the bags. Wilson Ramos then launched his team leading 13th home run of the season over the right field fall for a grand slam putting the Miracle on top.

The bottom of the fourth would see Lehmann and Ortiz hit back-to-back singles. Below then walked Garrett Olson which sent Tigers' field manager Andy Barkett walked out to the mound to retrieve the ball from Below. He'd pass it off to Ramon Garcia who got Ovalle to pop out and Ramos to ground into a double play to end the inning.

Sarmelo Jaime singled in the top of the 5th and moved to 2nd on a wild pitch. Justice singled him ot 3rd and after a line out to Ott and a fly out to Bertram, Burnett would hit Iorg with a pitch to load the bases. Lennerton singled to drive in Jaime, but Burnett got Jeramy Laster to ground into a force out to retire the Tigers before more damage could be done.

Carlos Gutierrez replaced Burnett for the top of the sixth, getting three quick outs after allowing a lead off single to Thomas.

Danny Santiesteban then put his sixth of the year over the left field fence to put the Miracle back on top.

Despite a single to Justice in the bottom of the ninth, the Tigers did not seriously threaten through the remainder of the contest. Gutierrez got his 3rd win of the season, while Slama earned his 24th save.

Berg, Santiesteban and "Air" Ortiz were all 2-for-4, Santiesteban and Ortiz with runs, Santiesteban with a pair of RBIs. Ramos and Lehmann were both 1-for-3 with a run, Ramos with 4 RBIs, Lehamann with a walk. Ovalle was 1-for-4 with a run.

The two teams rematch tomorrow with Deolis Guerra (10-7, 4.93) on the mound for Fort Myers vs. Lakeland's Jonah Nickerson (10-3, 3.86). It is Golf Giveaway Night at the stadium. It is also Miraclefans.com annual Cheer for Tigers night. We realize the Lakeland Tigers don't have any fans, and like to give them a hurray once a year when they come into town so they will feel welcome.

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It was Ramos' fifth grand slam of the season, setting a new franchise record for the team. Ramos also ties Juan Portes for the most grand slams hit all time.

Twins prospect and former 1st rounder Henry Sanchez has reportedly left the Gulf Coast League. Twins Director of Minor Leagues Jim Rantz says that Sanchez will be taking the rest of the summer off "to regroup".

Lakeland's Jordan Tata was injured during Wednesday night's game and will reportedly retire rather then try to rehab again. Tata started the season on the injured reserve and has had a tough time coming back.

Pirates down Twins, pull ahead in playoff race

GCL Twins 1 at GCL Pirates 4

W: G. Amato (2-0, 0.00); L: A. Sanchez (2-3, 3.71)
HR: None.

The GCL Pirates roughed up Twins starter Angelo Sanchez, taking 3 earned runs of him on 7 hit and a pair of walks over 3 innings at Pirate City in Bradenton.

Meanwhile Gabrial Alvarado limited the GCL Twins to just one hit and pair of walks over the first four innings.

Adenson Chourio singled in the bottom of the 1st then moved to 2nd on Edwin Roman's sac bunt. Jarek Cunningham would fly out before Edward Garcia singled in Chourio to put the Pirates on the board in the bottom of the first.

Cunningham would single in the bottom of the 3rd with one out on the board. Sanchez then unleashed a pair of wild pitches that advanced Cunningham to 3rd. Garcia would take walk before Carlos Silva doubled in Cunningham. Craig Parry's follow up single to center scored Garcia. Sanchez would get Andury Acevedo out on strikes, but issued a walk to Jesus Aguilera to load up the bags. Happily, Kyle Saukko ground into a force out to to end the inning.

Ian Mopas replaced Sanchez for the fourth. After getting Chourio to pop out, he'd give up back-to-back singles to Roman and Cunningham. A throwing error on the Roman's single advanced to him 2nd and he'd come home on Cunningham's line drive. Mopas then picked Cunningham off at first, but walked Garcia and advanced him to second on a balk. Silva ground out however to get Mopas out of the inning.

Ivan Herrera-Rusova replaced Alvarado at the top of the fifth. The top of the seventh would see Josmir Pinto double. Ladendorf ground out, and the Pirates brought in Gary Amato to replace Herrera-Rusova. Amato would get Javier Brown out on strikes, but Jon Goncalves doubled to score Pinto for the lone Twins run.

Pinto would finish up 2-for-4 at the plate with a pair of doubles and a run. Aaron Hicks and Juan Sanchez were both 1-for-4, while Andres Diaz, Brown and Goncalves were all 1-for-3, Diaz and Brown with walks and Goncavles with a double and a RBI.

Sanchez would take the loss, his third of the season. Mopas worked three allowing 1 run, unearned, on 2 hits and 2 walks, striking out just one. Khol Nanney worked the last 2 innings, allowing just one Pirates hit.

The Pirates pull out to a 1.5 game lead in the South Division, while the Twins still head up the wild card race.

The GCL Orioles come into the Lee County Sportsplex for a game against the GCL Twins Thursday at noon. They Twins remain at home to take on the GCL Reds on Friday.

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DSL Yankees2 3 at DSL Twins 2

W: W. Eusebio (4-5, 5.40); L: E. Alvarez (0-3, 2.34)
HR: DSL TWI: D. Santana (1).

Despite a home run by Danny Santana, the Twins fell in extra innings to the DSL Yankees2 at home. Closer Edison Alvarez would suffer the loss, his third of the season.

Santana put a ball over the center field all in the bottom of the first with one out. Yankee's starter Victor Beriguete worked 5.2 innings for the Yankees.

Following a ground out to Oswaldo Arcia in the top of the sixth, Jairo Perez tripled. Eliel Sierra would sacrifice him in. Manuel Soliman would take a walk before Beriguete was lifted in favor of Sherssy Cruz, who finished the inning by getting Jhonatan Arias to ground into a force out.

Beriguete exited the game allowing 2 earned runs on 4 hits and 3 walks while fanning 2.

The Yankees would take an unearned run from Eliecer Cardenas in the third inning. Juan Rijo singled, and Julio Rojas advanced him on a sac bunt. But a throwing error by Yancarlo Franco as 3rd base allowed Rojas to reach and while Rijo took an extra base, moving to 3rd. Keny Rodriguez hit into a double play, but Rijo came home while the Twins were busy taking Rojas out at 2nd.

Alvarez took over in the to of the 8th. In the top of the ninth, Kelvin De Leon tripled off the Twins closer. After Reymond Nunez went down on strikes, Henry Pena would reach on a fielder's choice. The play at the plate failed however, as De Leon scored to tie up the contest.

Eduardo Sosa tripled in the top of the 10th, then came home on a De Leon single one out later. The Twins could find no offense in the bottom half of the stanza to counter with, as Felix Caro went down swinging to end it.

Santana, Arcia, and Perez were all 1-for-4 with Santana and Perez added a run each. Yorby Martinez was 1-for-2 with a walk and a double. Meanwhile the Yankees put seven hits on the board off the Twins pitchers.

The Twins are on the road Thursday against the DSL Diamondbacks/Reds. Game time, as always, is 10:30 AM Dominican time.

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