The affiliates coordinated their schedules well, as just as one breaks for all-star weekend, the other schedules two double-headers, so those who follow the minors can still get their fair share of games. If that’s not enough to spark your interest, last night also featured two pitchers debuting at Double-A and New Hampshire putting on a fine ninth-inning rally. The only question is: did it succeed?

Toledo 5 @ Syracuse 2 - Box Score

As you probably know, Ty Taubenheim’s been struggling this year. Last night marked his second strong outing in a row, although it wasn’t near as impressive as his appearance on June 9th. Taubenheim gave up four runs over 6.1 innings last night, but he walked one batter and struck out seven. Both of those mark improvements on his yearly ratios and to be successful, Taubenheim will have to demonstrate better control. He’s done that his last two starts. Brian Wolfe, who allowed an inherited runner to score that was the fourth run charged to Taubenheim, gave up two hits and a walk over 1.2 innings. One of the hits was a Ryan Raburn solo homer in the eighth inning. Blaine Neale pitched a scoreless ninth.

The Chiefs’ 2 through 5 batters went hitless and they only managed seven hits on the game. Ryan Roberts and Wayne Lydon each had a pair. The only extra-base hit was by Roberts and he also had an RBI and a walk on the afternoon. Both of Syracuse’s runs were scored with two out and Kevin Barker stole his second base of the year. Outside of that, and arguably even including that, there wasn’t much to talk about offensively.

Erie 8 @ New Hampshire 7 - Box Score

The Fisher Cats only scored in two innings during the game. They scored four in the fourth, to reduce Erie’s lead from 7-0 to 7-4 and then scored 3 in the ninth to get within one run. New Hampshire had nine hits on the evening, a third of which were by Aaron Matthews. The Seawolves got two quick outs in the fourth inning and the inning looked to be routine. However, Santos doubled and Rob Cosby singled, to put runners on the corners for Matthews. Matthews singled in Santos and pushed Cosby to second for Ryan Patterson, who promptly hit a 3-run home run. Four consecutive hits later and the Fisher Cats were within three runs of Erie.

Although the game was relatively uneventful until the ninth inning, that inning had more than its share of drama. Matthews doubled to begin the inning and then Patterson fouled out to Erie third baseman Kody Kirkland. David Smith walked and Erie switched pitchers. With Alan Mills now pitching, Dustin Majewski walked to load the bases and bring up the tying run. Ryan Klosterman struck out and Chip Cannon pinch-hit for leadoff batter Manny Mayorson, who was 0-4 on the evening. Cannon walked and Juan Peralta came on to run for him. The tying run was now at first and the winning run was up to bat with two out in the ninth inning. Robinzon Diaz then singled, scoring Smith and Majewski and Peralta went all the way to third. Men were on the corners with two out. The tying run was ninety feet away from scoring and the winning run was on first when Santos, the Fisher Cats #3 hitter came up to bat. There are not too many more dramatic situations in a regular season game. However, the Fisher Cats were not the victor last night as Mills struck out Santos and ended the game.

Dunedin – No game

Dunedin has all weekend off because of the FSL All-Star Game in Daytona. Two Dunedin Blue Jays will be participating in the contest: catcher Brian Jeroloman and outfielder Cory Patton. Both players should see action in the contest as the Western Division is led by Dunedin’s coaching staff, as the team won the 2006 Western Division Championship. Manager Omar Malave, Hitting Coach Paul Elliott, Pitching Coach Darold Knowles, Trainer Andrew Muccino, and Strength & Conditioning Coach Rob Helmick will all be at the contest, as well. Congratulations to all seven Dunedin representatives and best of luck at the competition.

Lansing 4 @ Fort Wayne 3 (7) (Game 1) - Box Score

Lansing 2 @ Fort Wayne 5 (7) (Game 2) - Box Score

Lansing had only six hits on the night and all were singles. So maybe they clumped their hits together, you might be saying to yourself. Well, they scored in three different innings and their 2, 4 and 6 hitters all went hitless. So how did they score four runs and beat the Wizards? In the second Matt Lane singled with one out and then Sean Shoffit walked. After Liuzza popped out, Jonathan Baksh singled to score Lane. In the third, also with one out, Yuber Rodriguez walked and was singled to third by Travis Snider. A passed ball allowed Rodriguez to score and Snider to move to second. Joey Metropolous was walked to bring up Lane. A wild pitch to Lane moved up Snider and Metropolous and Lane was walked. A sacrifice fly by Shoffit scored Snider and then a groundout ended the gift-wrapped rally.

In the sixth Liuzza singled, was wild pitched to second and moved to third on a Baksh ground out to second. Raul Barron pinch-ran for Liuzza and Jonathan Diaz flied out to left. Easy as pie, you think? You’re wrong. The fly ball wasn’t deep enough to score the pinch-runner and doubt was growing as to whether Lansing could take the lead. However, Scott Campbell hit a clutch single and gave Lansing the lead and the eventual victory. While it would be nice to give the credit entirely to our hitters, I don’t think that’d be an accurate reflection of what happened.

In the second game Chris Reddout suffered his first loss of the season. He went three innings and allowed three runs on five hits and a walk. Adam Rogers, who has also pitched for both New Hampshire and Dunedin, finished off the last three innings and gave up two runs on three hits and a walk. There was nothing to write home about on the mound, nor was there at the plate. The Lugnuts got five hits from five different players and the only one that went for extra bases was a triple by Barron. This triple scored Shoffit and then a single by Chris Emanuele scored Barron. After that Snider walked to load the bases, as Campbell had walked between Barron and Emanuele. With one out and the bases loaded in the fifth, this was Lansing’s chance to get back in the game. However, Brian Pettway went down looking and Lane went down swinging and the rally was flushed out. Campbell went 1-1 with three walks.

3 star selection

3rd star – Reidier Gonzalez, 6 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K

2nd star – Aaron Matthews, 3-4, 2 R, 2B, RBI, 4 TB

1st star – Scott Campbell, 3-5, RBI, 3 BB, 3 TB