truebluefan

Bisons Garko Recalled to Cleveland

The Cleveland Indians today announced that they have recalled infielder Ryan Garko from the Buffalo Bisons. With the roster space, the Herd has activated infielder Jake Gautreau off the disabled list.

Garko, 25, has hit .248 (90-363) with 18 doubles, 15 home runs and 59RBI in 102 games with the Herd this season. He leads the team with 45 walks and is second in RBI, tied for second in home runs, third in hits and tied for fourth in doubles. His .353 on-base percentage is second on the Bisons among those who qualify.

This is Garko's second call-up this season. He joined the Tribe from June 30 to July 4 and appeared in two games (1-2, 2B, 2RBI). He collected his first Major League hit with a pinch-hit two-run double off Cincinnati's Brian Shackelford on July 1.

Gautreau, 26, has hit .184 (38-206) with 10 doubles, seven home runs and 23RBI in 58 games. He was placed on the disabled list on July 20.

truebluefan

AUGUST 10: Friends of the Library - County of Henrico; $2 Burger Night

Local area reading All-Stars will be honored during the game. Burgers are only $2 each all game long.

AUGUST 11: Dax Norris Bald Appreciation Night

Join Rihcmond Braves player Dax Norris as we celebrate baldness. The first 2,500 fans through the gates will receive a Dax Norris mask and bald cap. The less hair you have, the less your ticket costs. If you aren't bald, you can go to any area Great Clips and get your head shaved. All bald fans will have a chance to win a trip to Bald Head Island, NC.

AUGUST 12: Bank of America Night & Welcome Mats

Help honor our local heroes as Bank of America and ESPN 950 AM present our Neighborhood Champions celebration. Also, the first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive a Richmond Braves welcome mat.

AUGUST 13: Nationwide "On Your Side" Hispanic Baseball Day; Virginia Ford Dealers Diamond Dash and Family Toss

Come learn about the contributions of Hispanic players to the wonderful game of baseball, brought to you by Nationwide Insurance. Then the Virginia Ford Dealers bring you Diamond Dash and Family Toss. After the game kids 12 and under can run around the bases and then families can head to the outfield to play catch.

AUGUST 14: McDonald's Monday

Bring in your McDonald's Arch Card to the box office and receive two General Admission tickets for the price of one, courtesy of McDonald's.

truebluefan

TODAY'S GAME: Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons take on the Ottawa Lynx in the second game of their two-game series from Dunn Tire Park (7:05 p.m.). The Herd looks to earn the series split after losing to the Lynx last night, 5-4. Rob Bell will take the mound for Buffalo. Bell earned the win in his last start allowing just two runs in seven innings of work against Norfolk on August 8. Ottawa will counter with RHP Tim Kester. Kester was tagged with the loss in his last outing against Scranton/Wilkes Barre on August 1 (6.2IP, 4H, 2ER, K).

Rob Bell

-Last Outing (8/3 vNOR): (W, 7.0IP, 4H, 2R, 2ER, 1BB, 2K) in Bisons' 8-2 Win.

-2006 w/ Bisons: (8-8, 3.89, 1S)(25G, 111.0IP, 112H, 55R, 48ER, 27BB, 75K).

-2006 as a starter: (6-7, 4.06)(16GS, 93.0IP, 89H, 49R, 42ER, 25BB, 63K).

-Pitched on 3 straight days, 4/13-15, earning his first win and save of the season.

-2005 w/ TAMPA BAY: (1-1, 8.28)(8G, 3GS, 25.0IP, 41H, 25R, 23ER, 12BB, 13K).

-2005 w/ Durham: (1-3, 7.71)(22G, 2GS, 44.1IP, 64H, 39R, 38ER, 20BB, 26K).

-Signed as a free agent, December 14, 2005.

FAMILIAR FOES: The Bisons will play the final 28 games of the 2006 regular season against teams within the International League North division. Despite last night's loss, the Herd is still tops in the IL North for best divisional record (30-22).

STREAKING: Rob Bell is 4-2 in his last eight starts and will be looking for his third straight win tonight against the Lynx. In his last four starts, Bell has gone 2-0 with a 2.63 ERA (24.0IP). The righty has continued to keep the bases empty by allowing just 17 hits and seven walks during the four-game stretch.

SOLID STAFF: Heading into tonight, the Bisons have posted the third lowest ERA in the International League (3.40).

BRING 'EM IN: Last night, Jason Dubois collected his 76th RBI of the season, tying him for second most in the International League. He went 1-4 and scored Jason Alfaro on a fielder's choice in the third inning on Monday. In his last 18 games, Dubois has collected 25 RBI. He continues to lead the team with 19 home runs (T4th in IL) and a .496 slugging percentage (4th in I.L.).

BIG BAT: Kevin Kouzmanoff has hit in each of his first seven games at the Triple-A level. The third baseman is hitting .321 (9-28) with three doubles, three home runs and five RBI, good for a .750 slugging percentage. Added to his great start with Double-A Akron, Kouzmanoff is now hitting .382 (104-272) with 18 home runs and 60RBI in 74 minor league games.

ROSTER MOVE: The Indians have recalled Ryan Garko today. The infielder hit .248 (90-363) with 18 doubles, 15 home runs and 59RBI in 102 games. He also led the Bisons with 45 walks. With the roster space, the Bisons have activated infielder Jake Gautreau off the DL. Gautreau has hit .184 (38-206) with 10 doubles, seven home runs and 23RBI in 58 games with the Herd.

truebluefan

TONIGHT'S GAME: The first of a three game home and home series and the first of two in Norfolk. The 11th of 16 meetings, the sixth of eight at Harbor Park. Richmond is 6-4 vs. the Tides, 2-3 at Norfolk. Game three of a four game road trip (Richmond is 1-1). The 37th of 48 meetings vs. South Division clubs (Braves are 18-18 vs. the South) and the 18th of 24 road contests vs. South Division clubs (Richmond is 7-10). The Braves were 5-11 vs. the Tides last season, 2-6 at Harbor Park. The Braves are 357-403 all-time vs. Norfolk. The Braves are third in the South, 24 games behind first place Charlotte. The Tides are fourth in the South, 25.5 games out.

SUNDAY'S GAME: The Braves beat the Durham Bulls 7-4 Sunday at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The Braves erupted for five runs in the third to snap a nine game road losing streak. The Bulls took a 1-0 lead in the first on an RBI double by Delmon Young. Richmond tied the game in the third when Dax Norris chased a run home with a single to start a five run uprising. Gregor Blanco knocked two in with a single to put the Braves in front. Cesar Crespo forced in a run with a walk. Bill McCarthy capped the rally with an RBI single to give Richmond a 5-1 lead. The Braves added to that lead in the sixth. Carlos Mendez smashed a solo home run and Jonathan Schuerholz knocked in a run with a double to give the Braves a 7-1 lead. The Bulls rallied in the eighth on a three run homer by Kevin Witt to make it 7-4. Brian O'Connor earned the win. Manny Acosta picked up a save. Jim Magrane took the loss. Schuerholz, McCarthy, Blanco, and Michael Ryan had two hits each for the Braves. Witt and Brent Butler had two hits for the Bulls.

COLLECTING HARDWARE: The International League named Braves infielder Jonathan Schuerholz and pitcher Lance Cormier the league's Batter and Pitcher-of -the-Week for the period from July 31-August 6. Schuerholz and Cormier become the first pair of teammates to sweep the IL weekly awards since Louisville's Pedro Swann and Alex Graman earned awards during the final week of 2005 (Aug. 29-Sept. 5). Schuerholz and Cormier helped lead the Braves to a 6-1 record last week. They join Michael Ryan, Tony Pena, and Scott Thorman as Braves IL weekly award winners this season.

STREAKERS: Brayan Pena has hits in nine straight games (13-37 .351). Cesar Crespo's five game hitting streak ended Sunday. Gregor Blanco has a four game hitting streak (6-15 .400). Martin Prado's three game hitting streak ended Sunday. Jonathan Schuerholz is hitting .390 (16-41) in 11 starts at shortstop. Prior to playing three games at short in June, his last action at shortstop was one game with Myrtle Beach in 2004. Phil Stockman has not allowed a run on the road with Richmond this season (seven appearances, 14 innings pitched on the road). Jonathan Johnson has worked four straight scoreless outings over 7.1 innings. Richmond is hitting .333 over their last seven games. They are averaging just over 11 hits per game over that span. The Braves are second in the IL in extra inning games played with 16 (one behind Rochester). Braves pitchers are hitting .228 with one RBI (13-57). Braves pinch hitters are hitting .133 (6-45).

ROAD TRIPPIN': Prior to Sunday, the Braves last road win came on July 18 at Ottawa. The Braves have not won back to back road games this season. Richmond is last in the IL in road wins. They have beaten Norfolk three straight times but have lost their last three games at Harbor Park. Richmond has won nine of their last 11 home games. They have already surpassed last season's total number of home wins (28).

truebluefan

SYRACUSE (NY) - The Syracuse SkyChiefs announced today that the "Tour For The Cure" will make a stop at Alliance Bank Stadium for the SkyChiefs Wednesday August 9th 2:00 PM game versus the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons. Fans are invited to stop by the Tour For the Cure Table on the stadium concourse and buy a raffle ticket for a SkyChiefs autographed team bat to help raise funds for cancer research.

The Tour for the Cure is a unique venture to raise funds for cancer research. In collaboration with the Jimmy Fund and the world-renowned Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the Tour will visit 180 major & minor league baseball stadiums across the United States. The Tour combines the great American pastime with this vital American cause.

THE CAUSE

Nearly 1.4 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in 2006, with more than half a million expected to die of the disease. The Tour will raise money for the crucial research that is key to understanding, preventing, and curing cancer.

ABOUT THE JIMMY FUND

The Jimmy Fund is dedicated to the understanding, diagnosis, cure, and prevention of cancer at Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a world-renowned center for cancer treatment and research. The Jimmy Fund provides training for new generations of physicians and scientists and also disseminates innovative patient therapies and scientific discoveries across the United States and throughout the world.

ABOUT THE TOUR FOR THE CURE TEAM

Cass Sapir is a documentary filmmaker from Providence, RI. Cass will share this six-month - 50,000 mile journey through daily video, photo and blog entries online. He will be joined by his twin brother, Tim - and friends and family from across the country - to help raise money before each game.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Donate - 100% of your donation goes directly to the Jimmy Fund

- Online at www.tourforthecure.org

- At your local stadium. To find out when the Tour will be in your area go to

www.tourforthecure.org

Sponsor - The Tour for the Cure is actively seeking corporate sponsorship for direct expenses. Contact sponsorship@tourforthecure.org or 401.474.3827 for more detail on sponsorship opportunities.

Follow the Journey online at www.tourforthecure.org. The site Features an interactive tour map, complete stadium database, photos, video & much more...

truebluefan

For the first time in Charlotte Knights history they have three pitchers with 10 or more wins in one season. With the 3-1 victory over the visiting Durham squad, starter Tim Redding joins Heath Phillips and Charlie Haeger with double digit wins on the season.

Due to the rain that plagued the Charlotte area Monday evening the Knights were forced to schedule two seven inning games for Tuesday.

Redding pitched all seven innings allowing just one run off six hits while striking out nine.

However, his offense did not get going until the bottom half of the seventh with the teams knotted at one looking like it was going to extra innings, Charlotte second baseman Bobby Smith decided to end the game in its tracks with a two-run walk off home run giving Redding his tenth win of the season.

In game two Knights starter Stephen Randolph hoped to make it a foursome and get his 10th win of the season. Unfortunately the tables turned, as the Bulls went on to win game two 13-2.

Durham jumped on top of Randolph from the start with a three run second inning in large part due to Randolph's lack of control. He walked two-of-three batters loading the bases before allowing bases clearing double to Bulls' second baseman Jose Rivas to push the score to 3-0 in a shorten seven inning game.

Durham left fielder Joel Guzman extended the lead with his second solo home run of the day in the fourth inning.

Facing a four run deficit the Knights managed to score one in the fourth, but that was all until the seventh inning.

The Bulls exploded for seven runs in the sixth inning in large part to three run triple from designated hitter Brent Butler pushing the lead to 11-1.

Durham would add two more in the ninth courtesy of Delmon Young's two-RBI double and the score was 13-1.

In a last ditch effort Ryan Sweeney knocked one out into right field that ended in a runner scoring to make the score a final 13-2.

Every Knight's pitcher gave up at least one run in the Knight's 47th loss of the season.

Wednesday serves as an off day for the Knights. They will continue with a single game at Durham Thursday night. Doug Waechter will be throwing for the Bulls and Sean Tracey will be on the hill for the Knights.

truebluefan

Dave Gassner returned to the mound at Frontier Field and tossed five innings of one-hit baseball, boosting the Red Wings to a 1-0 win over the Pawtucket Red Sox Tuesday night at Frontier Field. With Scranton's 2-0 win over Syracuse Tuesday, the Wings and Scranton remain in a first place tie for the International League North Division lead.

The Red Wings posted a first inning run against Paw Sox starter Kason Gabbard (1-6). Lew Ford ripped a double to left field, and Quinton McCracken moved Ford to a third base with a ground ball out to the right side. Garrett Jones delivered an RBI single up the middle to plate Ford and put the Wings on top 1-0.

Gassner, a 16-game winner with the Wings in 2004, was making his fourth appearance of the season and first for Rochester after off-season elbow surgery. Gassner (1-0) worked easily throught the first two innings, helped by a double play in the first inning and a fine play at third base by Terry Tiffee to take a hit away from Tyler Minges in the second. Gassner fanned a pair in the second inning, two more in the third and one in the fifth - finishing his day with a worksheet of five scoreless innings, one hit, three walks and one hit batter to go with the five strikeouts.

Henry Bonilla relieved Gassner in the sixth inning, and got a big assist - figuratively and literally - in the top of the seventh. Bonilla walked Jeff Bailey to start the inning, then centerfielder Ford tracked down Ron Calloway's fly ball to the wall for the first out. Minges drilled a sinking line drive to right field that looked like it would drop for a base hit; McCracken made a running catch for the second out, then fired a strike to Jones at first base to double off Bailey for an inning-ending double play.

In the eighth inning McCracken again made an inning-ending play, which was also a run-saving play. With Beau Kemp on in relief and runners on first and third with two outs, Trent Durrington stroked a sinking line drive to right field. McCracken made a sliding catch to snag the ball from falling in and end the inning.

Boston Red Sox reliever Keith Foulke pitched the seventh inning, as part of his rehab assignment with Pawtucket. Foulke walked two in his one inning of work, allowing a single and striking out a batter.

NOTES: Gassner was on a pitch count limit of 75 pitches, and actually threw 99 pitches, 55 for strikes. Click here for a QuickTime movie clip of Gassner talking after the game about being back on the mound at Frontier Field...Kemp picked up his third save of the season... Shawn Wooten was ejected by home plate umpire Pete Pederson in the eighth after striking out against Barry Hertzler...The Minnesota Twins promoted righthanded pitcher Matt Garza from Rochester Tuesday. In five starts for the Red Wings, Garza was 3-1, 1.85 (34.0 ip, 7 er), allowing 20 hits with seven walks and 33 strikeouts. To make room for Garza on the 25-man roster, the Twins have optioned righthanded pitcher Mike Smith to R! ochester. Jason Miller will be pitching in Garza's spot for Wednesday's 11:05 AM day game, and Smith will start Sunday...RHP J.D Durbin (shoulder strain) will not pitch again this season...With Monday night's win, the Red Wings moved to an International League best 14-3 in extra inning games this season. Rochester has won nine of their last 10 and 16 of their last 20 extra inning games dating back to last season. The 14 extra-inning wins are the most by an International League team since the 1989 Syracuse Chiefs (15-5) in extra frames....After his game-tying grand slam Monday, Tiffee now has eight career grand slams, and is batting .451 (32-for-71) with the bases loaded in his career. As a Red Wing Tiffee is 12-for-26 .462 with five grand slams and 41 RBI with the bases full.

truebluefan

Norfolk, VA - The Richmond Braves beat the Norfolk Tides 4-3 at Harbor Park Tuesday. The Braves rallied from a 2-0 deficit to win for the seventh time in their last eight games.

The Tides took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a home run by Jose Offerman. The Braves tied the game in the third when a double play ground ball produced a run. Richmond got on the board in the fourth on an RBI single by Brayan Pena. The Braves moved in front in the seventh. Martin Prado blasted his first Triple-A home run to tie the game. James Jurries chased a run home with a single to give the Braves the lead. The Braves added a run in the ninth on an RBI single by Bill McCarthy. The Tides pulled to within a run in the ninth on a sacrifice fly by Ruben Gotay but left the potential tying run at third.

Will Startup collected the win. Manny Acosta earned the save. Yusaku Iriki took the loss. Brayan Pena had four hits for the Braves. Anderson Hernandez had two hits for the Tides.

The Braves visit Norfolk Wednesday at 7:15. Richmond returns home Thursday to face the Tides at 7 PM. For more information please call the Braves at 359-4444

truebluefan

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Center fielder Dewayne Wise and first baseman Earl Snyder combined to go 3-for-7 with one double, two homers and all five RBI as Louisville rolled to a 5-0 blanking of Indianapolis Tuesday evening at Louisville Slugger Field.

The Bats improve to 60-56 on the season, while the Indians fall to 62-53 overall. Indianapolis continues to lead the International League's West Division by one game over Toledo.

Louisville cracked the scoreboard with a pair of runs in the second. LF Andy Abad roped a one-out single to center field before Snyder clobbered his 14th roundtripper of the season -- a two-run shot to left.

The Bats added two insurance runs in the third. LHP Chris Michalak drilled a lead-off single to left before Wise launched his second dinger of the campaign -- a two-run job to right.

The home team closed out its scoring in the eighth when SS Ray Olmedo singled to center and came plateward on Wise's double to right.

Michalak (7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 SO) earned the win, improving to 9-5. He registered two pick-offs in the contest and faced just four batters over the minimum.

RHP Matt Ginter (7.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO) was handed the loss, falling to 2-2 with Indianapolis and 5-11 overall.

LF Mike Edwards went 2-for-4 for the Indians, who managed just four singles on the night.

Wise (2-for-4, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI), Michalak (2-for-2, 1 R) and Snyder (1-for-3, 1 HR) all notched multi-hit games for the Bats.

The two teams move to Victory Field for a Wednesday afternoon matinee at 2 p.m. RHP Ryan Vogelsong is scheduled to start for Indianapolis, while LHP Phil Dumatrait is expected to get the nod for Louisville.

The game will be carried by ESPN-950 AM and IndyIndians.com as Howard Kellman and Scott McCauley have the call. Wednesday's pre-game show begins at 1:40 p.m.

truebluefan