Dogs' night out moved
to June 30

Bad weather forces promotion postponement

By David Dorsey
Fort Myers News Press

The Fort Myers Miracle called off the dogs, so to speak, postponing Friday night's "Dog Days of Summer" promotion to Thursday night, June 30, because of the rain.

"We're going to unleash the promotion on a 'Thursty Thursday,' " said Miracle promotions director Andrew Seymour.

The "Thursty Thursday" promotion means half-price beer. All dogs will be admitted to that game for free.

BLADES TRIBUTE

The Miracle will pay tribute to the playoff run made by the Florida Everblades hockey team before today's scheduled 5 p.m. doubleheader against the Sarasota Reds.

Brad Church, an Everblades forward, will be on hand with some of his teammates. The Everblades lost in the Kelly Cup Finals to Trenton, N.J.

MOVING UP

Utility player Ben Pattee, who was featured in The News-Press on Friday, received a promotion to Double-A New Britain, where he got two hits in his first start Thursday night.

"He was really happy," Miracle manager Riccardo Ingram said. "He's off to a good start. He's fired up."

Pattee's promotion occurred as part of the domino effect that began Tuesday, when the Minnesota Twins placed INF Luis Rivas on the disabled list and called up Brent Abernathy from Triple-A Rochester. That was followed Wednesday by SS Nick Punto going on the DL and INF Terry Tiffee being called up from Rochester.

To replace Pattee on the roster, the Miracle added right-handed relief pitcher Jannio Gutierrez.

Gutierrez went 3-2 with a 2.18 ERA last season for the Miracle and 2-3 with a 3.53 ERA in 2003. He also went 0-1 with a 6.61 ERA in 10 appearances last season at the Double-A level.

"He pitched here some the last two years," Ingram said. "He's been around this league. He'll help us out."

PITCHING PROBLEM

Ingram said the rainy weather has wreaked havoc on his starting pitching rotation. He's still not sure who will start and who will miss a start Sunday against Dunedin after tonight's games against the Sarasota Reds.

"That's just how it is with this weather," Ingram said. "You get with the pitching coach and collaborate on it. You just try to make a decision that will get the guys the work that they need to get."

The blessing in disguise, Ingram said, is that extra rest should help the starters when they get back on the mound.

"Normally, it's better for them, because they're stronger for their first couple of innings," Ingram said. "The relievers, they're used to that role of being ready whenever. I don't think it affects the relievers as much as it does the starters."

FSL ALL-STARS

Ingram announced to the team Thursday that OF Denard Span, 3B Matt Moses and RHP Nick Blackburn had been selected to the Florida State League All-Star Game, to be played at 7:05 p.m. Saturday, June 18, in Clearwater.

"They were appreciative of their selections," Ingram said. "The guys all applauded for them."

Ingram said closer Jay Sawatski and SS J.R. Taylor also deserved a look at making the All-Star team.

Sawatski has seven saves, a 1-1 record and a 1.78 ERA. Taylor is hitting .294 with 13 RBI and six stolen bases.

"We were thinking that Sawatski deserved a shot at it," Ingram said. "It's a tough selection. Someone always gets slighted. But you can only have so many.

"It's a good award to have; but the good thing in pro ball, the ultimate goal, is to move up to the next level."