==================================
Double A
==================================

The Rock Cats enjoyed a night off. They will return
to action tonight at home against the New Haven
Ravens.

Bowen heats up with the spring
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=8304742&BRD=1641&PAG=461&dept_id=17739\
&rfi=6

==================================
Triple A
==================================

Danny Klassen hit his fifth home run in the top of the
12th inning to deliver the Toledo Mud Hens past the
Rochester Red Wings, 6-5.

Klassen, who had two hits and two runs scored,
connected on a two-out solo shot to snap a 5-5 tie.
Wendell Magee keyed a five-run rally in the ninth
inning with a two-run single. Kevin Jordan capped the
rally with a run-scoring fielder's choice to tie the
score at 5-5. Terry Pearson (4-0) allowed two hits
over two scoreless innings to pick up the win.
Fernando Rodney struck out the side in the final frame
to notch his 13th save for Toledo, which won its
second consecutive extra-innings contest.

Luis Rodriguez stroked a bases-clearing double to
complete a five-run outburst in the sixth inning to
give Rochester a 5-0 lead. Shane Andrews had two hits,
including a run-scoring single, for the Red Wings, who
dropped to 12-16 this year at Frontier Field. Jeromy
Palki (2-2) took the loss, surrendering a run and
three hits with five strikeouts over three innings.

Boxscore
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/scores103/103163/20030612INTL-ROCHESTER-0nr.htm

==================================
Single A - Advanced
==================================

The 2003 version of the Fort Myers Miracle
accomplished everything they could during the first
half. They walked away with the division, finished
tops in batting average and runs in scored in the
Florida State League, but there was still one more
piece of business to take care of Thursday night at
Jack Russell Memorial Stadium and that was victories
by a Miracle team in a half. As a result of their 5-1
win over the Clearwater Phillies, the 2003 first half
champion Fort Myers Miracle can be considered one of
the greatest Miracle teams in history.

Win number 44 came relatively easy, but looked a lot
like many of their other 43 in the first half. Great
pitching, timely hitting and solid defense. Jeff
Randazzo tossed five solid innings allowing just one
run on four hits, while walking one and striking out
three to earn his third victory of the season. The
Miracle got on the board with an RBI double from
Michael Sandoval in the second. They put up two more
runs in the third on a sac fly from Joe Mauer and an
RBI single by Jason Kubel. Kubel finished the night
3-5 with two RBI and a stolen base. They tacked on two
more runs in the seventh on an RBI double from Joe
Mauer and an RBI single from Kubel.

The Miracle finished the first half 44-26 and walked
away with the Western Division title. They surpassed
the 1996 second half Miracle team, which had 43
victories and finished ˝ game back of the Tampa
Yankees for a playoff spot.

(Recap by Sean Aronson, Fort Myers Miracle)

Boxscore
http://www.geocities.com/fmmiraclegal/boxscores/061203box.html

Miracle set new record for wins
http://vh40039.vh4.infi.net/news/sports/030613miraclemain.html

3 Miracle to start All-Star Game
http://vh40039.vh4.infi.net/news/sports/030613miraclenotes.html

==================================
Single A - Game One
==================================

The Quad City River Bandits outdueled the Chiefs in
the first game and outslugged Peoria in the nightcap
as they swept a doubleheader from the Chiefs, 2-1 and
7-5, on Thursday at O’Brien Field. Bryan Kennedy
thrilled three doubles as one of the day’s offensive
stars, while relievers Pat Neshek and Peter Tautor
each picked up their third win of the season.

With the first game even, 1-1, in the top of the
eighth, Quad City’s Kennedy laced a double down the
right field line. He was immediately replaced by pinch
runner Ron Perodin, who was bunted to third by Danny
Matienzo. After Omar Burgos grounded out, Alex Romero
slapped a two-out double down the third base line to
bring home Perodin for a 2-1 River Bandits lead.

Pat Neshek struggled a bit but closed the door in the
bottom of the inning. After he struck out the first
two men, Reid Gorecki and Travis Hanson had
consecutive singles to put men at the corners with two
outs. But Neshek struck out the side as he got John
Santor to wave and miss at a slider that broke out of
the zone.

Neshek picked up his third win of the year after
hurling two scoreless innings. He struck out five and
did not walk a man.

Quad City took the lead against Peoria’s Blake
Hawksworth in the top of the second inning. With one
out, Burgos lined a double down the left field line.
Romero followed by pulling an RBI double into right
for a 1-0 Quad City advantage.

The Chiefs evened the score in the bottom of the
fourth inning. Jutt Hileman opened the inning by
lining a double off of Garrett Guzman’s glove in
left-center, and Travis Hanson contributed a one-out
single into left to put men at the corners. John
Santor drove home Hileman for the tying run with a
sacrifice fly into center.

T.J. Prunty went six innings in a strong outing for
Quad City. He allowed just one run on six hits,
striking out two. It was Prunty’s fifth no decision of
the year.

Boxscore
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/scores103/103163/20030612MID--PEORIA----1nr.htm

==================================
Single A - Game Two
==================================

In the second game, Peoria took an early lead against
Quad City’s Adam Harben, scoring once in the bottom of
the first inning. Mike McCoy had a one-out double, and
was brought home on a single from Reid Gorecki.

But the Bandits gave Harben some help, scoring twice
in the second to take back the edge. After Romero and
Kaulana Kuhaulua each singled, Jose Morales doubled
down the left field line to bring both men home.

Quad City added three more runs to the edge in the
third, as Matienzo singled home Jesus Merchan, who had
opened the frame with a single. With two away,
Kuhualua laced a double into right for a 5-1 lead.

Peoria scored a pair of unearned runs in the third
inning and touched up Harben for another run in the
fourth to slice Quad City’s lead to 5-4. Harben
allowed a single and a two-out walk in the bottom of
the fifth before giving way to reliever Peter Tautor.
Tautor coaxed a soft grounder from Terry Evans as the
Bandits maintained their lead through five innings.

The Bandits then expanded their edge in the top of the
sixth inning. Jose Morales lined a single to center to
open the frame, and was bunted to second. Trent
Oeltjen had an infield single to put men at the
corners. Merchan had a groundout to score Morales, and
Kennedy followed with his third double of the day, a
blast to center, to put Quad City up 7-4.

Peoria scored an unearned run in the seventh, but
Tautor fanned Evans to seal the win, his third of the
year. Tautor allowed just an unearned run on one hit
and struck out three in earning a win.

Harben was solid in his Midwest League debut. The
19-year-old, added to Quad City’s roster on Wednesday,
allowed just two earned runs on six hits but did not
get a decision. He struck out one and walked two.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits continue their five-game
series at Peoria with Friday evening. Quad City will
send Josh Hill (4-1, 3.59) to the mound against
Donovan Graves (4-2, 2.08). First pitch is scheduled
for 7:00, and pregame coverage on WKBF AM 1270 begins
at 6:45.

NEXT HOME GAME: The River Bandits don’t return home
until Thursday, June 19, when they take on the Clinton
LumberKings in the first game of the second half. It
will be a Q106 2-for-1 Beverage Night at John
O’Donnell Stadium. Tickets are available for all River
Bandits games by calling (563) 324-3000.

(Recaps courtesy of http://www.riverbandits.com/)

Boxscore
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/scores103/103163/20030612MID--PEORIA----2nr.htm

Chiefs lose twice as streak reaches seven
Quad City sweeps doubleheader with 2-1 and 7-5 wins
http://pjstar.com/sports/chiefs/g175263a.html

River Bandits 2, Chiefs 1 (8) River Bandits 7, Chiefs
5 at O'Brien Field
http://pjstar.com/sports/chiefs/g175261a.html

FORMER BANDIT NAMED TOPPS PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Josh Rabe continues to produce in the Twins farm
system, is best Eastern Leaguer in the month of May
http://www.riverbandits.com/?entry=203

==================================
Rookie League
==================================

The Twins and first-round draft pick Matt Moses are
closing in on an agreement, and the high school third
baseman taken 21st overall could be signed by the end
of the week if talks continue at their swift pace,
Twins scouting director Mike Radcliff said.

Radcliff wouldn't mention or confirm specific figures
but said the gap between the sides is small.

Moses figures to get a bonus in the $1.4 million to
$1.5 million range, based on the No. 23 pick signing
for $1.375 million, and two picks just ahead of Moses
closing in on bonuses of just over $1.6 million.

Moses, who has a Clemson baseball scholarship, made it
clear from the day he was drafted that he wants to
start his professional career, and he still has time
to sign in time to be in a Twins minor league uniform
for the June 16 start to the Twins' two
first-year-player leagues.

==================================
Twins News
==================================

Game Recap, Boxscore and Play-by-play
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/scores103/103163/20030612ML---MINNESOTA-0nr.htm

Twins rout Rockies, 15-3
http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/sports/baseball/mlb/minnesota_twins/6\
077570.htm

TOM POWERS: Rivas' progress is slow
http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/sports/baseball/mlb/minnesota_twins/6\
077555.htm

Pierzynski, Twins hammer Rockies 15-3
http://www.startribune.com/stories/509/3933926.html

TWINS REPORT: Mientkiewicz gives Morneau a hand
http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/sports/baseball/mlb/minnesota_twins/6\
076646.htm

Twins set to promote Mauer to AA
http://www.startribune.com/stories/509/3934441.html

TV-radio sports: KFAN, Twins players start to patch
things up
http://www.startribune.com/stories/509/3933649.html

Do the Twin Cities deserve the Twins?
http://www.startribune.com/stories/509/3935852.html

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS AT TWINS
http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/sports/baseball/mlb/minnesota_twins/6\
076600.htm

Twins/Diamondbacks Preview
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=twincities&page=mlb/scores/liv\
e/pv8221.htm

Baseball Insider: Diamondbacks still hoping to contend
http://www.startribune.com/stories/509/3934380.html

==================================
Transactions
==================================

Minnesota Twins - Signed catcher Greg Najac and
assigned him to the Gulf Coast League Twins (Rookie).


__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Calendar - Free online calendar with sync to Outlook(TM).
http://calendar.yahoo.com