Sarasota Reds vs Dunedin Blue Jays

Dunedin, Florida: It took thirteen innings to determine a winner but when it was all said and done, the Sarasota Reds fell to the Dunedin Blue Jays 3-2 on Sunday afternoon at Knology Park.

Like the night before, the Reds jumped out to an early lead. Chris Valaika delivered a two out single to right to put a runner on the bases. Juan Francisco drove home the runner with an RBI double to left to give the Reds a 1-0 lead.

The Reds would get another run in the top of the third to increase their lead. Justin Turner drew a walk to get things going. Valaika then singled to left, advancing Turner to third base. Francisco would pick up his second RBI of the afternoon by driving home Turner with a ground out to first, increasing the Sarasota lead to 2-0.

The Blue Jays cut the lead in half during the bottom of the fourth inning. Sean Shoffit was hit by a pitch to put a runner on first. Shoffit stole second and then later scored on an RBI double by Brian Dopirak to cut the lead in half 2-1.

Dunedin would tie the game an inning later on a solo home run by Brad Emaus to tie the game 2-2.

The game would remain tied through the next seven and a half frames. Then in the home half of the thirteenth inning, the Blue Jays offense would strike for the winning run. Emaus would reach on a fielding error to lead off the inning. He would advance to third on a single by Luis Sanchez. Chris Emanuele drove home the winning run with a single to short, scoring Emaus and handing the Reds a 3-2 loss.

During the pitching stand-off, the Reds Logan Ondrusek pitched three no-hit innings with five strikeouts out of the bullpen. The Reds pitching staff combined for fourteen strikeouts in the game.

Ruben Medina was charged with the loss for the Reds and Brandon Camardese was the winning pitcher for Dunedin.

Click on the photo above to view the Reds/Blue Jays game gallery.

Sarasota Reds vs Dunedin Blue Jays

Dunedin, Florida: The Sarasota Reds held off a late inning charge by the Dunedin Blue Jays to walk away with a 6-4 on Saturday night at Knology Park. The Reds took the lead first and never relinquished the lead to earn the road win.

The Reds broke the scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning. Drew Stubbs led off the inning with a triple to right field. Carson Kainer plated the run with a ground out to third, scoring Stubbs. Jason Louwsma would then follow with a double to center. Louwsma would move to third on ground out by Justin Tordi and then later score on an RBI single by Anthony Esquer to give the Reds a 2-0 lead.

The Reds would add another run to their total in the top of the sixth inning. The inning once again got started with an extra base hit by Stubbs, this time a double to left. Stubbs would steal third and then score on an RBI single by Louwsma to increase the lead to 3-0.

The Blue Jays picked up their first run in the bottom of the sixth inning. David Smith doubled to center to get things going. Brian Dopirak would drive home the run with an RBI single to score Smith and pull the D-Jays to within two runs of the lead 3-1.

The Reds pushed across another run in the top of the seventh inning. Chris Heisey reached base after being hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Heisey stole second base and would later score on an error to extend the lead to 4-1.

Both clubs would exchange runs in the eighth inning. In the top of the inning it was an RBI single by Esquer to score Kainer to put a run on the board for Sarasota. Then in the bottom half, Smith drove home Sean Shoffit to put a Blue Jay run on the board. The score was 5-2 at the end of the eighth inning.

Sarasota would pick up one more run on the night in the top of the ninth inning. Turner struck a line drive double to left to lead off the inning. He would advance to third on a single by Valaika and then scored on a ground out by Juan Francisco to give the Reds a 6-2 lead.

The Blue Jays tried to mount a rally in the bottom of the ninth inning. Cory Patton homered to right to lead off the inning. Jesus Gonzalez followed by hitting a double to the right field corner. Gonzalez would advance to third and then later score on two wild pitches by the Reds closer Sean Watson. Watson would recover by striking out Shoffit to end the inning and nail down the 6-4 victory for the Reds.

Rafael Gonzalez picked up the win for the Reds and Watson the save.

Click on the photo above for pictures from the Reds/Blue Jays game.

Florida Auto Exchange Stadium

Dunedin, Florida: Florida Auto Exchange Stadium in Dunedin is the home to Florida operations of the Toronto Blue Jays. The stadium is the spring training home to the Toronto Blue Jays as well as the regular season home to the Dunedin Blue Jays of the Florida State League and the Dunedin High School baseball program.

Built in 1990 on the site of the former Grant Field, Florida Auto Exchange Stadium is one of the top five facilities to catch a spring training game according to Sports Illustrated. The stadium has 5,510 seats and has three picnic areas along with air-conditioned skyboxes.

The stadium has been the Florida home of the Blue Jays since its construction. In fact, the Blue Jays have held spring training in Dunedin ever since their inaugural season in 1977.

They came close to holding regular season games here in 1995 during the Major League Baseball strike. When the league proposed using replacement players, the Blue Jays looked to move their games to Dunedin due to an Ontario law that did not allow the use of replacement players. However the strike was resolved prior to the start of the regular season and there was no need to hold a regular season game in Dunedin.

The stadium operated under several names during its history thanks to selling its naming rights to local businesses. The original name of the stadium is Dunedin Stadium at Grant Field but was known briefly as Knology Park through the 2008 season. Then in preparation of the 2011 season, the naming rights were sold again and the stadium was renamed Florida Auto Exchange Stadium for the next seven years.

Click on the photo above for pictures of Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.

Updated January 22, 2011

Sarasota Reds vs Fort Myers Miracle

Sarasota, Florida: The Sarasota Reds held on to win a close one run game against the Fort Myers Miracle on Saturday night at Ed Smith Stadium. Great pitching from the Reds Jordan Smith helped secure the 2-1 victory.

The Reds jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. Justin Turner singled to left to put a runner on the bases. Chris Valaika followed with an RBI double to right, scoring Turner and gave the Reds a 1-0 lead.

The Reds pushed across another run in the second inning. Drew Stubbs doubled to center to lead off the inning. Jason Louwsma reached first after being hit by a pitch to give the Reds runners on first and second. Reds manager Joe Ayrault called a double steal to put both runners in scoring position for Anthony Gressick. Gressick knocked in the runner with sac fly to right, scoring Stubbs and increasing the lead 2-0.

The Miracle would strike for a run to cut the lead in half in the top of the third inning. Brian Dinkelman and Rene Tosoni delivered back to back singles with one out to put runners on the bases. Juan Portes followed with an RBI single to score Dinkelman and pull the Miracle to within a run of the lead 2-1. But the Reds closed the door and held on for a 2-1 win.

Jordan Smith picked up the win for the Reds and Sean Watson got the save. Cole Devries suffered the loss for Fort Myers.

Click on the photo above to view the Reds/Miracle photo gallery.

Fort Myers Miracle

Fort Myers, Florida: The Fort Myers Miracle are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. The Miracle are in the Southern Division of the Florida State League. The Miracle are five time Florida State League Champions.

The history of the Fort Myers franchise actually begins in 1926 when the Fort Myers Palms were organized. The club was moved to Miami the next year and operated a as the Miami Hustlers. The Hustlers were deactivated in 1928 and remained deactivated until 1962 when they became the Class D affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies and renamed the Miami Marlins. Then in 1963, the league changed class status and became an Advanced A league.

The club changed affiliations to the Baltimore Orioles in 1966 and were renamed the Miami Orioles. They remained with the Orioles until the end of the 1981 season. They could not land another affiliate for 1982 so they played as an independent franchise for 1982 and reverted back to the Miami Marlins team name.

The team had gotten a new affiliate in time for the 1983 season, this time it was the San Diego Padres. Their affiliation would only last for two seasons. Afterwards, the club reverted back to independent status for the 1985 season and would remain this way through the 1991 season. During this stretch, the team was renamed the Miami Miracle in 1989.

In 1992, the franchise was moved back to Fort Myers by their new owners and they began an affiliation with the Minnesota Twins which is still in place today.

The franchise won five Florida State League Championships (1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1978) and two division titles (1995, 2008).

The Miracle play their home schedule at Hammond Stadium, a 7,500 seat stadium that resembles Churchill Downs. The stadium which opened in 1991 is also the spring training home of the Minnesota Twins.

Click on the photo above to visit my Fort Myers Miracle photo gallery. Here you will find game pictures and player pictures of the Miracle.

Busch Gardens Tampa: Curiosity Caverns

Tampa, Florida: This darkened cavern in Nairobi is home to Busch Gardens nocturnal neighbors. The entrance to the cave is tucked away on the backside of the Myombe Reserve. The cave is home to bats, snakes, sugar gliders and many more animals that enjoy the darkness. The cavern is the smallest, overlooked animal attraction in the park, but it is an interesting look at the nocturnal animals and a good place to escape the heat and sun for a little.

For more pictures, visit my Busch Gardens photo page.

Updated November 20, 2009.

Sarasota Reds vs Tampa Yankees

Sarasota, Florida: The field is ready, the fans fill the seats and the players take the field, its time for opening day, Sarasota Reds style. The Reds kicked of their 2008 home schedule on a winning note by defeating the Tampa Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium.

The tightly fought contest seven and a half scoreless innings before the Reds finally scored the lone rune of the game. Seth Henry led off the inning with a line drive to left. He advanced to second on a sac bunt by Michael DeJesus and later to third on a ground out by Chris Valaika. Juan Francisco drove home the runner with a single to right, scoring Henry and giving the Reds the 1-0 win.

Matt Belisle, in Sarasota on a rehab assignment from the Cincinnati Reds, picked up the victory. Belisle was one out shy of a complete game shut-out, being pulled from the game with two outs in the top of the ninth after reaching his pitch count. He allowed just two hits and struck out three.

Click on the photo above to view my Reds/Yankees photo gallery.