Syracuse 10 Pawtucket 9

Pawtucket scored in each of the first seven innings. Jamie Vermilyea started and continues to try and figure out AAA hitters. Vermilyea gave up a run in the first on a hit and a walk; gave up a two run home run in the second; a solo home run to the untraded Kelly Shoppach in the third; and an unearned run in the fourth. Adrian Burnside and Justin Miller did not do much better, although Miller got the win by keeping Pawtucket off the board in the eighth.

The Chiefs scored five runs in the third off just demoted Lenny DiNardo. The big blows were doubles by Julius Matos and Kevin Barker and a home run by Chad Mottola. Syracuse added three more in the fourth on three hits and two walks. In the top of the seventh, with Syracuse up by one run, Chad Mottola worked a lead off walk and later scored on a single by Guillermo Quiroz. Pawtucket scored two in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game at 9-9 and that was the score when Mottola singled to lead off the ninth. A wild pitch moved Mottola to second and Quiroz was intentionally walked. With two outs Justin Singleton doubled in the eventual winning run. Lee Gronkiewicz pitched a perfect ninth for the save. Mottola was 2-4 with a home run and 3 runs scored, including the winning run. Singleton and Quiroz also had 2 hits each.

New Hampshire 0 Portland 3

New Hampshire ran their losing streak to ten games as Portland completed their their second sweep of New Hampshire in ten days. Josh Banks had faced Portland last Sunday and did a good job considering he was facing the same team back to back. Banks went a week between starts due to a rain out and the six starter system being used by the Fisher Cats, at least until McGowan was called up. The offense was the problem for New Hampshire yesterday as they registered only five hits. Portland scored all three runs in the fourth inning on two hits and a walk, two of the runs were unearned as Chip Cannon made two errors in the inning. Josh Banks line was 6 innings, 5 hits, no walks, 5 K's, 3 runs, 1 earned. No Fisher Cat had two hits, Carlo Cota just recalled from Dunedin had a double.

Jupiter 0 Dunedin 1

Davis Romero produced his second straight excellent start. On July 26th Romero pitched seven shutout innings, three hits and eleven K's. Yesterday he went one better, 8 shutout innings, one hit and two walks, seven K's. Romero lowered his ERA to 3.55. Dunedin scored their only run before making an out, Rodney Medina had an infield single and went to second on a throwing error. Robinson Diaz singled him home and that was all Dunedin scored, or needed. Dunedin had five hits in the game, Medina was 2-3.

Lansing 0 South Bend 9

Danny Core has struggled this year but for five innings yesterday he was looking good, just two hits allowed, but he unravelled in the sixth, four hits including a grand slam, followed by another home run and Lansing were down 5-0. Juan Perez gave up 4 runs in 2 innings. Lansing had five hits in the game, Jason Armstrong and David Hicks had two hits each.

Auburn 2 Staten Island 3

Orlando Trias was masterful through six and a third innings, a long outing for Low A. Trias shutout Staten Island allowing just three hits with two walks and 2 K's. Auburn's run came in the fourth when Josh Bell hit his second home run. Bill Carnline was on the mound to start the eighth and gave up a lead off walk, but Bell threw out the runner trying to steal. The next hitter singled and Adrian Martin came on but two steals and two singles gave Staten Island the lead, and the win. The Auburn offense was held in check, only five hits.

Burlington 9 Pulaski 0

Dennis Bigley started and his rough start to his pro career continued as he allowed five runs, three earned in three innings. Raymon Sanchez followed and gave up three unearned runs in three innings. Pulaski were held to just three hits, Jacob Butler had a double, and Wes Stone had a single to keep his average at .324.

Your Three Star Selection

Third star - Orlando Trias 6.1 shutout innings, 3 hits

Second Star - Chad Mottola, 2-4, home run, 3 runs, 2 RBI's

First Star - Davis Romero, 8 shutout innings, 1 hit

Standings Update

Syracuse record is 54-55. The Chiefs are in fifth place, seven and a half games back of Buffalo.

The Fisher Cats are 51-55, and are in third place, five and a half games back of Portland.

Dunedin are 21-16, good for second place, one and a half games behind Lakeland.

The Lugnuts are 17-20, and are fourth, four games back of two teams.

Auburn are 19-20, in second place, a half game behind Mahoning Valley.

Pulaski are 18-21, in third place, nine games behind Danville.