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SkyChiefs Notes

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LIND=WIN Triple-A rookie Adam Lind's walk-off HR in the bottom of the 9th gave the SkyChiefs the 3-2 win over Ottawa last night. It was the first walk-off HR for the SkyChiefs since Aaron Hill beat the Red Barons with a 9th inning solo shot April 26th of last season. Lind has been part of the game-winning run the last three nights, scoring the game winning run on Saturday and driving home the game winner on Friday. Over the last four games Lind is 8-12 (.667) with three walks and has scored a run in three straight. Lind has reached base in 16 of his first 18 Triple-A games has collected six multi-hit games. The Blue Jays third round pick in the '04 draft is hitting .352 with 3 HR and 7 RBI since being promoted from Double-A New Hampshire.

RUSS SHAKES THE RUST OF HIS LEGS After stealing a base in his third game of the season for Toronto this season on April 6th Russ Adams went 91 games without a steal combined between Toronto and Syracuse before swiping a bag in each of the last two games.

DOING GREAT WHEN LEADING LATE Lind's walk-off helped preserve the SkyChiefs perfect record when leading after eight innings. Syracuse is now 43-0 when heading to the 9th with a lead, 41-1 when leading after 7 and 43-1 when leading after 6 innings.

SKYCHIEFS PITCHERS LOOKING TO FINISH THE WAY THEY STARTED The SkyChiefs pitching staff finished April with an IL best 2.78 ERA. After that the team ERA increased each month all the way up to a 5.06 ERA in the month of July. So far in August the pitching staff has rebounded and currently have a 3.38, the third lowest in the IL this month behind the team they just faced Ottawa (3.33) and tonight's opponent Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (3.25). During the five-game series with Ottawa the SkyChiefs pitching staff had a 2.63 ERA and allowed just 28 hits in 41 innings pitched.

HOMERS HELP The SkyChiefs are 8-2 the last ten games that they have hit at least one home run and 0-5 the last five games that they have failed to connect for a long-ball.

MOTTOLA WATCH SkyChiefs outfielder Chad Mottola collected his 110th double in a Syracuse uniform last night and is now two shy of moving into a tie with Rick Bladt for third on the All-Time two-bag list. Mottola also stands third on the All-Time HR list with 81, thirteen behind second-place Hank Sauer. The 15-year professional has collected a hit in four straight including home runs in back-to-back games Friday and Saturday.

THE WIN CAME EASY-"LEE" Josh Towers was one ball lost in the lights away from throwing the first nine-inning complete game for Syracuse this season but ended up leaving the game with two-outs and two runners on in the ninth. SkyChiefs closer came Lee Gronkiewicz on and retired Ottawa centerfielder Luis Terrero on three pitches keeping the scored tied at 2-2. Lind's walk-off gave Gronkiewicz his third win of the season. The 28-year old right-hander has factored in the decision in five of his last six appearances, registering four saves and a win.

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The Buffalo Bisons today announced that pitcher Jeremy Guthrie has joined the team for the start of their seven-game roadtrip. Guthrie was optioned by the Cleveland Indians yesterday when pitcher Andrew Brown was promoted to the Tribe.

Guthrie made his first Major League start for the Indians in the second game of a doubleheader with the Kansas City Royals at Jacobs Field on Saturday. He went 4.2 innings and allowed four runs on five hits (6BB, 5K) in a no-decision.

With Buffalo, Guthrie is 7-4 with a 3.25ERA in 17 games this season. His ERA is the 10th lowest mark in the International League. He is also third on the Bisons in innings pitched (99.2IP) and strikeouts (74) and has held opponents to a .226 (83-368) batting average.

For more information, please contact the Bisons Media Relations Department at (716) 846-2019.

truebluefan

TODAY'S GAME: Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons take on the Pawtucket Red Sox in the first of a two-game series from McCoy Stadium (7:05 p.m.). The Herd is coming off a big series win, taking three of four from the Wild Card-leading Rochester Red Wings. Looking to keep it going tonight in Rhode Island, the Bisons will turn to RHP Rob Bell. Bell threw six innings in a no-decision against Ottawa last Tuesday. Pawtucket will counter with RHP Charlie Zink, who took a no-decision in Rochester last Wednesday despite six innings of three-run ball (6H, 3BB, 2K).

Rob Bell

-Last Outing (8/8 vOTT): (ND, 6.0IP, 6H, 7R, 6ER, 2BB, 3K) in Bisons' 12-9 Win.

-2006 w/ Bisons: (8-8, 4.15, 1S)(26G, 117.0IP, 118H, 62R, 54ER, 29BB, 78K).

-2006 as a starter: (6-7, 4.36)(17GS, 99.0IP, 95H, 56R, 48 ER, 27BB, 66K).

-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 23 games of the 2006 regular season against teams within the International League North division. With three straight wins over Rochester, the Herd added to the North's best divisional record (34-23).

HITS A PLENTY: After being held hitless in consecutive games for only the second time this year (8/10-11), Kevin Kouzmanoff has responded with seven hits in his last eight at-bats. He went 4-4 yesterday with a double, an RBI and two runs scored. Combined with his time at Double-A, Kouzmanoff is hitting .389 (95-244) with 19 home runs and 63RBI in 79 games.

RBI MACHINE: Give Jason Dubois another RBI yesterday as he drove in the go-ahead run with a single in the eighth inning. The slugger is now second in the International League with 81RBI. Thirty of those RBI have come in his last 23 games. Dubois also leads the Bisons with 20 home runs (T4th in the IL), and a .490 slugging percentage (4th in IL).

MORE RUN PRODUCING: Fellow outfielder Jason Cooper has driven in at least one run in each of his last seven games (10RBI). Since August 5, Cooper has hit .333 (6-18) with an extra-base hit in four of the seven games he's played (2B, 3B, 2HR). His 53RBI on the season are second only to Jason Dubois on the team's active roster.

SOLID STAFF: Entering today's game, the Bisons pitching staff has posted the third lowest ERA in the International League at 3.41. The Herd has also given up fewer home runs than any team in the IL (64) and the fourth fewest hits (997).

HOT BAT: Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera has hit in 11 of his last 12 games with a .364 average (16-44) and nine runs scored. The stretch has raised his average 56 points from .213 to .269.

truebluefan

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Indians begin their 10th homestand of 2006 on Tuesday when Norfolk comes to Victory Field for a 7 p.m. contest. The stretch continues through Aug. 22 with two games against the Tides (Aug. 15-16), two vs. the Charlotte Knights (Aug. 17-18), three against the Richmond Braves (Aug. 19-20) and two vs. the Durham Bulls (Aug. 21-22).

Tues., Aug. 15 -- Norfolk @ 7:00 p.m. WHMB-TV 40 Night -- Fans can pick up 2-for-1 admission coupons at WHMB-TV 40. Call 317-773-5050 for more information.

Wed., Aug. 16 -- Norfolk @ 2:00 p.m.

Business Day Game -- Take a break from the office and enjoy the final weekday afternoon game of 2006.

Thurs., Aug. 17 -- Charlotte @ 7:00 p.m.

Razor Shines Returns -- Razor Shines, arguably the most popular player in Indianapolis Indians history, returns to Victory Field. Shines, who now manages the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, led the Tribe to five American Association regular-season titles during the 1980s (‘84, ‘86, ‘87, ‘88 and ‘89).

Fri., Aug. 18 -- Charlotte @ 7:00 p.m.

Friday Night Fireworks -- Fans will be treated to a post-game fireworks spectacular courtesy of Pepsi and WFBQ-FM.

Sat., Aug. 19 -- Richmond @ 5:30 p.m. (DH)

Doubleheader -- Enjoy two games for the price of one as the Indians and Braves finish a suspended game from June 25. The first contest will be completed as a nine-inning game, while the second contest will be a seven-inning affair.

Famous Chicken Appearance -- One of the most exciting shows in all of sports stops by Victory Field courtesy of Clarian Health Partners, Pepsi and FOX-59. The Famous Chicken will be available for photos and autographs during the second game of the twinbill.

Ceremonial Pitch -- NBC Sports personality Bob Costas will throw out a ceremonial pitch.

Sun., Aug. 20 -- Richmond @ 2:00 p.m.

Back-to-School Binder Giveaway -- It's another Souvenir Sunday at Victory Field as the first 4,000 fans receive an Indians Back-to-School Binder courtesy of WTHR-13.

Autographs and Knot Hole Run -- Select players will sign autographs on the concourse from 12:45-1:15 p.m. and members of the Pepsi-Comcast Indians Knot Hole Club are invited to run the bases after the game.

Hyundai Sunday -- "Hyundai Sunday" will feature an interactive car display in which fans can check out the new Hyundai Sonatas and Tucsons. One lucky fan will win a brand-new Sonata if the Indians hit for the cycle in the fifth inning.

Mon., Aug. 21 -- Durham @ 7:00 p.m.

Monday Dollar Menu -- Hot dogs, popcorn, peanuts, Cracker Jack® and potato chips will be available for just $1 each.

Tues., Aug. 22 -- Durham @ 7:00 p.m.

Budweiser Night -- Fans can pick up 2-for-1 admission coupons at participating Budweiser locations. Visit the promotions page on IndyIndians.com for more information.

Great seats for all nine games are available by going online at Indianapolis Indians: Home, visiting the Victory Field Box Office at 501 W. Maryland Street or calling Ticketmaster at 317-239-5151.

truebluefan

Durham NC - Durham finished their second-to-last home stand and final home day game in style as the heart of the Bulls' lineup cranked out three home runs on their way to a 4-3 victory over the Louisville Bats on Monday afternoon at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

A two-out solo shot by Kevin Witt broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the sixth inning, after Delmon Young and Wes Bankston each homered in the first inning. All four of the Bulls runs came via the long ball, and all came with two outs. Witt finished 2-4 with two runs scored and his 34th home run of the season, which tied a Triple-A Bulls record set by Scott McClain in the 1998 season. Young's shot was his seventh of the season, and Bankston's two-run homer was his second. Andy Abad led the Bats attack with a 2-3 day while scoring once and drawing a walk.

After a solid start by Brian Stokes (five innings pitched, three runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk, with three strikeouts), Jason Childers (2-2) picked up the win for the Bulls, giving two innings of scoreless relief while walking one and striking out one. Jose Rodriguez pitched a scoreless inning with one hit allowed, and Edwin Jackson picked up his third save of the season, all within the last four days, by pitching a scoreless ninth inning with one hit allowed. Phil Dumatrait (5-6) took the loss for the Bats, going six and one-third innings while allowing four runs on seven hits and four walks, while striking out two.

Durham heads to Toledo tomorrow, as RHP Doug Waechter (1-8) faces RHP Chad Durbin (9-6) at Fifth Third Field. The next Bulls home game is on Wednesday, August 23 at 7:00 p.m., as Durham hosts the Norfolk Tides. Tickets are available at the Durham Bulls Box office, by phone at (919) 956-BULL or online at 2006 Durham Bulls Baseball Club.

truebluefan

August 14, 2006 - Edgardo Alfonzo went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, but the Columbus Clippers rallied with two late runs to knock off the Tides 3-2 in ten innings Monday afternoon.

Alfonzo, who has now hit safely in 13 of his last 14 starts, singled in the second inning and homered to lead off the fourth. The 32-year-old raised his average to .276 in 25 games with Norfolk, and he is now hitting .360 (18-for-50) over his last 14 starts.

Alfonzo's home run gave the Tides a 2-1 lead, and Norfolk led by that score until Columbus tied the game at 2-2 on an RBI fielder's choice by Mitch Jones in the 8th inning. The Clippers then took the lead in the top of the 10th inning, as Kevin Thompson led off the frame with a double and scored one batter later on a single by Aaron Guiel off of Norfolk reliever Blake McGinley (2-2).

Columbus hurler T.J. Beam (2-0) picked up the win, yielding just two walks in 2.0 shutout innings of relief. Former Tide Octavio Dotel also pitched for Columbus, throwing a perfect 7th inning.

Tides starter Oliver Perez turned in his best outing in a Norfolk uniform since being acquired in a July 31 trade. The 24-year-old southpaw allowed just a solo home run to Wil Nieves in 6.0 innings of work, walking one and striking out seven. Perez threw 111 pitches in the outing, 71 of which were for strikes.

Norfolk plated the first run of the contest on an RBI single in the 3rd inning off the bat of Jose Offerman.

The Tides will head to Indianapolis Tuesday night for the start of a four-game road trip. Brian Bannister (0-3, 10.61) is scheduled to take the hill for Norfolk, with the Indians scheduled to counter with right-hander Ryan Vogelsong (2-4, 2.88). Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.

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RICHMOND, VA- The Toledo Mud Hens beat the Richmond Braves 7-5 Monday at The Diamond. The Hens jumped out to a 4-0 lead and held off several Braves rallies to gain a split of their two game series.

The Hens jumped out to a 1-0 first inning lead on a home run by Alexis Gomez. The added three second inning runs on an RBI single by Ramon Santiago and sacrifice flies by Maxim St.Pierre and David Espinosa. James Jurries homered in the bottom half to cut Toledo's lead to 4-1. The Braves made it 4-2 in the third on a Martin Prado sacrifice fly. St. Pierre chased a run home with a single in the fourth to give the Hens a three run lead. The Braves moved to within a run on a Cesar Crespo RBI single in the fourth and a RBI single in the fifth by Carlos Mendez. The Hens tacked on two more runs in the seventh on an RBI ground ball by Gomez and a run scoring single by Ryan Ludwick. Crespo produced a run with a ground out in the eighth to make it 7-5.

Mike Maroth picked up the win. Daniel Curtis took the loss. Lee Gardner collected his 26th save of the season. Jurries had three hits for Richmond. Santiago and Ludwick had two hits each for Toledo.

The Braves open a 10 game, eight day road trip with a doubleheader in Columbus at 6:05 Tuesday. Richmond returns home August 23 For more information please call 359-4444.

truebluefan

Napoleon Calzado had two RBI and starter Tim Kester threw 6.2 innings of shutout baseball, as the Lynx beat the Red Wings 3-0.

The win bumps the Lynx record to 64-59 for the season.

Player Of The Game: Twice Napoleon Calzado drove in a run from second base with two out. He drove in two of the Lynx three runs and went 3-for-4 overall.

Game Recap: The Lynx took the lead in the bottom of the second inning. Luis Terrero singled, extending his consecutive-game hit streak to 13 games, and stole second. With two down, Napoleon Calzado singled up the middle to cash in Terrero. In the fourth inning, Keith Reed hit his 35th double of the season and was knocked in by Andy Tracy, who picked up his team-leading 68th RBI of the season. The sixth inning went down a lot like the second inning, as Calzado came through with a clutch two-out RBI. This time, he doubled to score Howie Clark. Tim Kester threw 6.2 shutout innings and Sendy Rleal and Julio Manon combined for 2.1 no-hit innings to seal the shutout for the hometown Lynx.

Next Game: The Lynx will play the second game of a two-game series against Rochester in a mid-week matinee, with first pitch scheduled for 12:05 pm at Lynx Stadium.

Probable Pitchers: Tuesday vs. Rochester, 12:05 pm, Ottawa RHP Hayden Penn (5-3, 2.17) vs. RHP Pete Munro (7-11, 4.76)

Upcoming Promotions At Lynx Stadium:

August 17th, 7:05 pm - Tropicana Twist-er World Record Attempt. Gather your family and friends and help us break a world record! After the game and with the help of Tropicana Twister, Hot 89.9, you and a ton of other Lynx fans, dance "The Twist" for over 5 minutes and go down in world record history! Participants can quench their thirst afterwards with a complimentary Tropicana Twister drink! Plus, during the game you'll have the chance to win fantastic prizes like dance lessons at Fred Astaire Dance Studios!

In addition to the great promotions, fans can also venture up to the Upper Deck Sports Bar on the third floor of Lynx Stadium. The Upper Deck features nightly food specials and 25 cent chicken wings available after each Lynx home game!

truebluefan

The score stayed in single digits, but the balls were flying out of the ballpark in a 5-3 Indianapolis victory over the hometown Knights.

Between the two teams five hits were home runs. That makes 11 home runs combined between Indianapolis and Charlotte over the short two game series.

The Indians jumped out to an early two-run lead courtesy of a pair of solo home runs in the second inning. Indianapolis sluggers Carlos Maldonado and Gookie Dawkins both took Charlotte Starter Stephen Randolph deep. Those were the seventh, eight home runs hit between the two teams in this short two game series.

That home run total would just get higher as the Indians would add another run via the long ball after first baseman Chris Richard hit his 14th home run of the season extending the Indianapolis lead 3-0.

The ball would continue to leave the park after Charlotte crashed the party in the fourth with a leadoff home run from Casey Rogowski.

Indianapolis quickly countered with two runs in the fifth. This time scoring runs the conventional way after a double by Raul Gonzalez scored one run before Maldonado's single scored the other run and propelled the Indians to a 5-1 lead.

The bats would cool off considerably until Knight's outfielder Rueben Rivera jumped on the home run brigade in the eighth inning with his third home run of the series, this time of the two run variety. That home run capped a three-for-three day at the plate for the Charlotte slugger. Rivera hit two solo home runs in yesterday's loss.

The Charlotte bullpen pitched valiantly. Augustin Montero retired all nine batters he faced including striking out the side in the seventh before Andrew Lorraine retired the side in the ninth.

Charlotte has the chances in the ninth after a leadoff double brought the tying run to the plate on two occasions. The Indianapolis closer Jonah Bayliss started the ninth and pitched equally well retiring the next two batters to secure the 5-3 victory.

The Knights will be in action tomorrow night as they head to Louisville for a short two game series. Heath Phillips will try to get his 15th win of the season. He will battle fellow left-hander of the Bats Mike Gosling.

truebluefan

FORT MILL, S.C. -- Catcher Carlos Maldonado, second baseman Gookie Dawkins and first baseman Chris Richard all blasted solo home runs to help Indianapolis post a 5-3 victory over Charlotte Monday evening at Knights Stadium.

The Indians improve to 66-56 on the season, while the Knights fall to 71-51 overall. Indianapolis increases its lead to 2.5 games over Louisville and Toledo in the International League's West Division, while Charlotte stays 13.5 games ahead of Durham in the IL South.

Indianapolis blasted two home runs in the second inning to take a lead it would not relinquish. Maldonado led off with his sixth roundtripper of the year -- a solo shot to left. Dawkins then added his fifth long ball of the season -- a solo job to left.

Richard added his 14th dinger of 2006 -- a solo shot to r