It was a night filled with agony and anticipation mixed with a pulsating sense of dread, fear, and hope. Finally, exhalation, for the Rays and Cardinals. The Red Sox and Braves fell to earth and saw all hope shattered. Rookie Freddie Freeman’s face as he grounded into a double play to end the Braves chances, put the harsh period on what looked like a sure thing. The heartache etched into his young face as he watched the opponent celebrate.

In the mix of all the action young rookies and hopeful prospects such as Freeman were trying to make an impact, rising to the occasion  to show the team what they are capable of. For them it’s one part sports contest, one part audition.

For Yankees pitcher Dellin Betances it was a chance not to help the team clinch a playoffs spot, that was done, but it was to showcase a little bit more of his talent. He allowed one hit and two walks, striking out two Orioles batters. It looked good early for the Yankees and the game appeared to be in cruise-control. But Betances name will now be attached to one of the greatest comebacks in baseball history. The Rays rallied from a seven-run deficit to defeat the Yankees 8-7. Betances did what he needed to do, pitching two innings, allowing a hit and two walks. He also struck out two. Looking ahead to 2012, he can rest assured that he’s passed a very big test. The Rays were simply entering into some sort of unimaginable destiny.

On September 4th Tampa was nine games back in the Wild Card on September 3rd, trailing the confident Red Sox. On September 28th they were down seven runs going into the eighth inning and preceded to win the game 8-7 in the 12th inning. Evan Longoria was the star of the upset, but the bullpen had a one-run lead to protect. Rookie relievers Jake McGee and Brandon Gomes played a big part in the Rays holding on.  Gomes pitched a scoreless 11th and McGee did the same in the 12th when the ball was handed over to closer Kyle Farnsworth. McGee had pitched 33 innings for Triple-A Durham before his call-up in May, finishing with a 2.70 ERA and 38 strikeouts. His Durham teammate Gomes had put in 25 innings for the Bulls with a 1.07 ERA. The Rays called on him in May after sending McGee back to the minors.

The Yankees pen also brought out a few young arms including George Kontos, possibly the Yankees most major league ready reliever, and Andrew Brackman pitched in the loss. Kontos pitched 2/3 an inning allowing no runs and no hits. Brackman also pitched in short-relief , also scoreless in his 1/3 of an inning of work.  The Phillies were also not in a do-or-die situation, nothing more than winning a ballgame and setting a franchise record with 102 wins, they too put some of their young pitchers in the spotlight. Justin De Fratus picked up his first major league win when he pitched a scoreless 12th. Michael Schwimmer pitched two innings of one-hit baseball.  De Fratus made his major league debut on the day the Phillies clinched the National League East, add the 28th, a second non-pressure situation to his major league resume. Not a bad way to begin. Career milestones and Phillies milestones seem to go hand in hand for him.

The Phillies National League rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals, called Allen Craig up in June from Triple-A Memphis with 42 at-bats under his belt between there and Double-A Springfield.  Playing the role of spoiler, the Houston Astros could do nothing with Chris Carpenter whose glittering start included eleven strikeouts. Craig went 2-5 with a home run in the Cardinals 8-0 victory. It was a comeback no one believed would happen. The Braves were in control with an 8 1/2 game lead for the wild card.

As the Cardinals fought their way back, Braves closer Craig Kimbrel was closing in on a most unfair destiny. Will people remember that the 23-year old rookie set a major league record with 54 saves in 79 appearances? Hopefully, but add him to the Braves disastrous ending. September was his undoing. He blew three saves in eight opportunities. Let it also be remembered that the Braves were not hitting and the Braves pen was worn out. It was a nothing game to the Phillies. Not a game they needed anyway. The Braves season ended in a 4-3 loss to their long-ago longtime rival.

Ryan Lavarnway was behind the plate for the Red Sox when Robert Andino hit the game-winning single that gave the Orioles, a team with nothing but pride to play for, the 4-3 victory. Lavarnway’s was another face in a crop of prospects that experienced that historic day in baseball. All Lavarnway can do is look forward to his bright future. One that all who watched that brilliant night of baseball got a good look at.

Both teams head into the playoffs relatively healthy and have received the benefit from clinching their playoff berth early. The Tigers finished September with a 20-6 record, their best month of the season. Part of that was their competition as they haven’t faced a team with a winning record since August 25^th, their last game against the Tampa Rays. The other part is the fact that the Tigers were battling for the second seed in the playoffs, ultimately falling short against the defending American League Champion Texas Rangers on the last day of the season. Meanwhile, the Yankees finished with a 16-12 September record, losing their final final four games of the season. But, the Yankees infamously decided to rest their veteran players for the post season. Now, the Yankees will try to turn it back on while the Tigers will merely try to keep the ball rolling.

Statistically, the two teams are quite similar with their pitching staffs. While the Tigers may have a bit more stability after Justin Verlander in the rotation, the Yankees have matched the Tigers during the regular season in a tougher division and in a tougher home environment. The Tigers’ rotation finished the season with a 72-47 record with a 4.10 ERA, a 3.94 FIP, and a 3.91 xFIP. In 991 innings, they’ve allowed 999 hits, struck out 6.51 batters per nine innings, 2.49 BB/9, and 1.00 HR/9. They’ve induced a groundball rate of 45.2 percent.

Yankees starters had a 71-45 record with a 4.03 ERA, a 3.97 FIP, and a 3.84 xFIP. In 979.1 innings, they’ve allowed 996 hits, struck out 7.09 batters nine innings, 2.88 BB/9, and a 1.01 HR/9. They’ve induced a groundball rate of 45 percent.

Tigers’ relievers won 23 games against 20 losses in 449 innings. They have allowed 401 hits, while averaging 7.98 K/9, 4.37 BB/9, 0.78 HR/9, with a 3.93 ERA, 3.98 FIP, and a 4.21 xFIP. Meanwhile, the Yankees relievers won 26 games against 20 losses in 479 innings. They have allowed 427 hits, while averaging 8.46 K/9, 3.65 BB/9, 0.79 HR/9, with a 3.12 ERA, 3.65 FIP, and a 3.83 xFIP.

Despite the perception, both clubs have pitched essentially the same. Offensively, the Yankees may have a slight advantage. Yankees batters hit .263/.343/.444 with 222 homeruns and 867 runs scored. They’ve produced a 9.9% walk rate, 18% strikeout rate, .181 ISO, .346 wOBA, and 113 wRC+. The Tigers have hit .277/.340/.434 with 169 homeruns, 787 runs scored. Tigers’ batters have produced a 8.4% walk rate, 18.3% strikeout rate, .157 ISO, .336 wOBA, and 109 wRC+. Taking into account the ballpark factors, the offenses similar with the exception of the Yankees stealing 98 more bases than the Tigers.

The Tigers may enter the series as a slight underdog, but they do have the two best players in the series. Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera are the best pitcher and hitter on the field. But, the Yankees dwarf the Tigers in terms of lineup depth, patience, and attack variety. The Tigers have more name-brand depth in the rotation while the Yankees relievers have been more stable, strikeout more batters, and have Mariano Rivera to close out games. The latter is a clear advantage no matter the opposition’s closer.

Although Jim Leyland and Joe Girardi appear to be polar opposites on the bench, both have proved to be aggressive in the playoffs and quick with the relief hook. Girardi is always seen with his customary binder while Leyland is perceived more as the throwback, old school type of Manager. But, both Managers play the match up game and like to push things on the base paths. While the Tigers are not a fast team, Leyland will put runners in motion and try to sneak in a run at times. Both have presided over World Series winning teams and both have the ability to impact the game.

Keys to the Series

Can C.C. Match Verlander?

It would be shocking if Justin Verlander didn’t win the Cy Young Award. The 28 year old ace posted a 24-5 record with a 2.48 ERA in 32 starts. In 251 innings, he allowed just 174 hits, 57 walks, and struck out 250 batters. He has been the league’s best all-around pitcher this season. But, he struggled against three teams, all in the American League East. The Orioles (15 innings, 8 runs), the Rays (13 innings, 7 runs), and the Yankees (12 innings, 6 runs) are the only three teams to average more than 2.92 runs a game against the Tigers’ ace. But, regular season statistics can only go so far. Verlander has progressed from good pitcher to one of the handful of legitimate aces in the league. He will be difficult to beat even once and he will loom large in a decisive game five start as Jim Leyland has stated that he won’t use his ace on short rest no matter the circumstances.

In order for the Yankees to win, they will need their ace to match Verlander. Sabathia’s statistics don’t compare to Verlander’s, but he has been one of the best pitchers in the game against the toughest competition. The southpaw won 19 games and posted a 3.00 ERA in 237 innings while allowing 230 hits, 61 walks, and striking out 237 batters. The Tigers touched him up a bit during their two games as Sabathia allowed 16 hits and 7 runs in 13 innings. He walked 5, but did strike out 13 hitters. Sabathia will have to pitch more like the playoff dominator that he was in 2009 when he allowed just 3 runs in 22.2 innings during the first two rounds rather than the one whose career post season ERA is 4.66 in 13 starts.

Will the best player on the field be the best player in the series?

Take Miguel Cabrera out of the Tigers’ lineup and they likely don’t make the playoffs, or at least run away from the Indians like they did, as he was the only player on the roster to score over 100 runs, hit 30 homeruns, walk more than 56 times, get on base over 40 percent of the time, and slug over .505. If Cabrera wasn’t in the lineup, the Tigers would have a collection of some very good hitters (Victor Martinez, Alex Avila), but not a group that could hit with the Yankees. Miguel Cabrera has to be every bit the 1.033 OPS hitting force that he was during the regular season. If not, the Yankees duo of Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano will be too much, especially when considering that their supporting cast is much more dangerous and patient. Cabrera hasn’t been to the post season since his rookie year of 2003 with the Marlins and will have to produce to his regular season norm.

Perhaps the most underrated all-time great hitter, Cabrera has torched the Yankees this season to the tune of .417/.467/.750 with 2 homeruns in 24 at bats. If Cabrera has one of those elite level series, the Yankees will have a difficult time overcoming that.

Will the real Doug Fister Stand Up?

Since coming to the Tigers, Doug Fister has been one of the best pitchers in the American League. In 10 starts, Fister won 8 of 9 decisions with a 1.79 ERA. Even more impressively, Fister allowed just 6.9 H/9 and averaged a career best 7.3 K/9. Although he lost his only start against the Yankees, he did pitch generally well, giving up 7 hits in 7 innings, but allowing just 3 runs, 1 walk, and striking out 5.

Fister is on a roll and may have evolved into a reliable second starter. But, his periphery statistics don’t spell out “sure thing” as Fister is the exact opposite of a strikeout pitcher. Before being traded to the Tigers, Fister was averaging just 5.5 K/9, which is also his career average. He also was average close to 9 hits per nine innings, while minimizing the impact with his impeccable control.

Fister’s work with the Tigers has been incredible. But, much of it is a result from an extraordinary September where he averaged 9.00 K/9 and allowed just 15 hits in 34 innings with a 0.53 ERA. His .159 BABIP may explain some of the statistics, but the increase in strikeouts is something to watch. If Fister has discovered the strikeout, his control will make it tough for the patient Yankees. If, however, he reverts back to being the 5.5 K/9 pitcher he’s been for his career, the Yankees lineup is too patient and makes too much contact for him to be effective. Fister’s performance goes a long way in deciding if the Tigers have a rotation advantage.

After C.C., then What?

The story all season has been what the Yankees would do about their lack of rotation depth. The answer turned out to be nothing as Ivan Nova became a Rookie of the Year candidate and both Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia were able to give the Yankees better than league average results. A.J. Burnett had his typical topsy turvy season, but he did give 190 innings. The Tigers, at least on paper, have a better 2-4 rotation. The Yankees already have stated that they’ll use a 3 man rotation for round one with Sabathia pitching game 4 on short rest and Nova presumably getting the game 5 start on regular rest.

The Yankees got through the regular season with that rotation, but it is not a playoff ready rotation in that there aren’t a ton of strikeouts to be had. The Yankees will try to mask this problem with a deep bullpen. Phil Hughes will try to replicate his 2009 bullpen success as he slides into the pen, making a game potentially a 5 to 6 inning affair for the Yankees’ starters. With Hughes now leading into Rafael Soriano, David Robertson, and Mariano Rivera, the Yankees will try to just piece enough from their third starter and allow the bullpen to work. All of that assumes that Ivan Nova will handle his first post season work like he has during his rookie season. The Yankees’ rotation is clearly a question mark and could be reason for their downfall. Joe Girardi will have a quick hook and rely on his stellar bullpen.

Can Alex Rodriguez be a factor?

Alex Rodriguez played in just 99 games this season. He played in just 15 September games after appearing just 4 times in August. In 373 at bats, Rodriguez did hit .276/.362/.461 with 21 doubles, 16 homeruns, and 62 RBI. He still has noticeable trouble running the bases and his range at third base is very limited. He no longer is the best hitter in the lineup and he doesn’t have to be. But, if he can stay healthy enough to be a power threat over the course of the series, it just further separates the Yankees’ power advantage. The Yankees have been real cautious with Rodriguez this season with the playoffs in mind. If their plan worked, the Yankees lineup just got deeper.

Can Nick Swisher shake the playoff troubles?

Nick Swisher isn’t one of the core members of the Yankees’ lineup, but his role in the lineup is important as he is one of their most patient hitters and is an 800+ OPS player in the bottom half of the lineup. But, Swisher is just a career .162/.302/.314 hitter in 8 playoff series. He hit well in last season’s division series (4 for 12), but has failed to hit over .150 in any other playoff series as a Yankee. Of course, the sample size is small, but perception does lead to lineup changes. Swisher will be given every opportunity to hit, but if the Yankees find themselves short on offense in the series, he will be one of the first changes if he gets off to a slow start.

Can Austin Jackson get on base enough?

Austin Jackson is one of the more exciting players in the game with his combination of speed, power, and defense. But, he hit just .249/.317/.374 this season with 181 strikeouts. He regressed during his sophomore season and the all of those potential pitfalls seen from his rookie year came to fruition this season. The Yankees kept Jackson off the base paths during the regular season, but if Jackson can get on base enough to use his speed, the Tigers will have their one speed option to work with. If Jackson, can’t get on base, the Tigers become a station to station type team.

Can Alex Avila stop the Yankees’ running game?

Alex Avila won’t win the MVP Award, but he should get some votes as the 24 year old catcher became the second most important player in the Tigers’ lineup. He’ll need to hit, but his more important role will be to limit the Yankees’ running attack of Brett Gardner, Curtis Granderson, Derek Jeter, and Eduardo Nunez. The Yankees were third in the League with 147 stolen bases while also leading in homeruns. Avila threw out 32 percent of all would-be base stealers (40 of 85) and will need to limit the Yankees running attack.

Prediction that means nothing

The series that may be the most competitive of the four series will be tightly contested. Given the Yankees’ bullpen advantage and lineup depth, they’ll be able to overcome the Tigers advantage of having the two best players on the field. Yankees in 5.

]]> http://www.gothambaseball.com/2011/09/alds-preview-tigers-at-yankees/feed/ 0 http://www.gothambaseball.com/2011/07/minor-league-report-five-players-to-watch-2/ http://www.gothambaseball.com/2011/07/minor-league-report-five-players-to-watch-2/#comments Sat, 16 Jul 2011 22:14:30 +0000 Jessica Quiroli http://www.baseballdigest.com/?p=9956

James Paxton, LHP, Jackson Generals, Southern League, Seattle Mariners – It is hard to deny the Mariners 2010 4th rounder(drafted out of the indy league American Association)  a place on this month’s list. While he’s had some struggles overall, the twenty-three-year-old has shined in many ways in June and July, earning himself a spot on the Futures Game roster, where he pitched a scoreless inning. He left Class-A Clinton with a 2.43 ERA, a 1-2 record in six starts, with with 80 strikeouts under his belt. Highlight: On July 1st, Paxton skipped a level and earned a promotion to Double-A Jackson.

Dayan Viciedo, RF, Charlotte Knights, International League, White Sox – Viciedo has raised his average every month since the start of the 2011 season. He finished June hitting .371, 43 hits, nine of them doubles. He’s begun July at an excellent pace. He’s gotten nine hits in his last ten games, hitting .325. July also saw him being selected to play in the Futures Game. Overall, he leads the league with 62 RBI and 16 home runs. Highlight: Hard to choose between the July 1st two-home run-game or the July 7th three-RBI-game.

Michael Maness, RHP, Batavia Muckdogs, New York Penn League, St. Louis Cardinals – Maness has a 0.32 ERA in three starts in July, allowing just 2 earned runs in 28 innings. In four innings of relief he had a 0.oo ERA. Since June 19th he’s walked just three batters. Highlight: On July 1st he went six innings, allowing a run (unearned) a hit, and a walk.

Darin Gorski, LHP, St. Lucie Mets, Florida State League – Gorski has dominated the league all season. He has not had a loss yet and collected 9 wins. He’s also leading the league in strikeouts with 102 and his 1.82 ERA is the FSL lowest. Between June 12th and mid-July he has been a revelation: 9 hits, 10 earned runs, 29 strikeouts in 37 innings. He finished June with a 0.79 ERA. Highlight: A one-hitter on June 27th against the Charlotte Stone Crabs.

Tyler Townsend, 1B, Frederick Keys, Carolina League, Baltimore Orioles – Townsend is on the 7-day DL, but before July 13th he was on an offensive tear. Between June 1st and July 11th he put together a seven-game hit streak. He leads the league with 50 RBI. He’s also collected 23 doubles and 13 home runs. Highlight: On July 9th he had a 3-hit, 4-RBI game. He also hit a home run and drew a walk.

My eye on… Anthony Gose, CF, New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Eastern League, Toronto Blue Jays

Gose is putting up good numbers for the Fisher Cats, hitting .256, with 39 RBI and 9 home runs in 88 games this season. 

“I think he’s definitely gotten himself in place to be a better player,” said Fisher Cats manager Sal Fasano. “Defensively he’s doing ok. I think he’s got the potential to be Gold Glove caliber in the outfield. If he can consistently bring it on a day to day basis it can be.”

In a a game in early July, Gose exhibited quick thinking and feet on the bases, laying a bunt down, as well as getting a hit off of Phil Hughes. His speed and ability to use it smartly showed improvement. He appears to be translating his tools into skills.

“He’s gotten better on the bases. I think his getting caught percentage is a lot better than last year,” Fasano said.

Gose is in his first season at the Double-A level and exhibiting good pitch recognition and even better patience at the plate than earlier in the season.

“I felt good,” said New York Yankees right-handed pitcher Phil Hughes after a 61 pitch rehab appearance for the Staten Island Yankees. “I kind of struggled there in the first inning,” referring to the base-loaded jam he found himself early on in the game.

The young pitcher made his first ever appearance in the New York-Penn league at the home of the Brooklyn Cyclones in Coney Island, NY. Hughes pitched in front of a crowd of 7,966 going four and a third innings before being lifted after a monster home run by Nelfi Zapata. Over all he allowed three hits and a walk while striking out seven of the batters he faced. His velocity in the game was consistently in the low 90s, hitting a top speed of 95.

Hughes was originally scheduled to pitch another game down in Tampa but due to off days the Yankees decided to send him up to New York. He seemed to have enjoyed it, “Pitching in this type of atmosphere is going to give anybody a shot of adrenaline and a couple MPH to your pitches.”

Phil is expecting to make at least one more rehab appearance in five days with the Trenton Thunder in New Britain but will remain in New York and work out at the Ballpark in Staten Island until the big club comes back into town this week.

As the Brooklyn Cyclones were just starting to put together a two-out rally against Yankees right-hander Branden Pinder, Cyclones right-fielder Javier Rodriguez sent a fly ball into right field that looked like it would fall in for a base hit but Staten Island right-fielder Ben Gamel had ideas of his own. Gamel flew thru the air and made an incredible diving catch to end the game and give the Staten Island Yankees their first win of the 2011 season.

Right-handed pitcher William Oliver, a 35th Round pick from last year’s draft, made the start for the Baby Bombers. Oliver struck out eight Cyclone batters but also allowed four hits and two walks in his four innings of work. He was relieved by Dustin Hobbs who earned the win throwing two innings allowing a run on a walk and two hits.

Staten Island was the first to put runs on the board in the contest. In the top of the fifth inning Ben Gamel started it off with a fly ball double to right and ten moved to third when Reymond Nunez singled to center. After a walk to Casey Stevenson loaded the bases, Shane Brown flew out to short-right field before Jhorge Liccien sent a sacrifice fly to deep right-field to bring in Gamel. Robert Rinard then lined a single to center to bring in Nunez, giving the Yankees a 2-0 lead.

The Yankees went to add an insurance run in the top of the sixth inning after Angelo Gumbs drew a one-out walk, stole second and moved to third on a ground out before scoring on a line drive single to center by Reymond Nunez. But in the bottom of the inning the Cyclones plated their first run after Richard Lucas singled and then scored on a Travis Taijeron double.

Phillip Wetherell came into the game to make his professional debut in the seventh inning. Wetherel allowed a hit and struck out two on 25 pitches, 14 for strikes. He was followed by Zach Arneson who also made his professional debut and struck out one in his inning on 11 pitches, 8 for strikes.

Brandon Pinder then came into the game for the ninth inning. After two quick outs Daniel Muno doubled to right then went to third on a wild pitch. He then came home on a single to center by Brandon Brown. Next up at the plate was Javier Rodriguez who was not an easy out for the Yankee pitcher. After seeing many pictures he sent the ball flying into right field where Ben Gamel made his incredible catch.

Tomorrow night these two teams will meet up again with New York Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes making his rehab start for the Staten Island Yankees. That game will start at 5:00.

After dropping five straight games the Staten Island Yankees were looking for a change of luck and they got just that as they opened a three-game set with the State College Spikes at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on the campus of Penn State University.

Five Staten Island batters had a multi-hit game as Eduardo Sosa led them with three hits; a single, double and triple; while also walking a walk and scoring two runs and driving in three. Garrison Lassiter was 2-for-6 with a run and 2 RBIs to keep his batting average at .316 for the season. Kyle Roller, Mike Ferraro and Casey Stevenson also had two hits a piece while Kelvin De Leon, Jeff Farnham and Shane Brown each had a hit. In total the Yankees hit fourteen runs and worked two walks and struck out just four times in the game.

Mike Gipson earned the win in relief (Robert M Pimpsner/Gotham Baseball)

The hitting was backed up by excellent pitching for the Baby Bombers. Kramer Sneed got the start in place of Mike Gipson who was originally scheduled to start. Sneed was fantastic allowing just three base runners, one hit and two walks while striking out six batters in four innings of work. He was relieved by Gipson who came in and finished the game, pitching the final five innings of the game without allowing a base hit and walking three and striking out four.

In the top of the third inning the Staten Island Yankees opened up their scoring. Casey Stevenson led the inning off with a ground ball single to short and quickly moved to third when Shane Brown reached on a force attempt but a fielding error by the third baseman allowed the runners to be safe. Stevenson then came home when Eduardo Sosa reached on a failed force attempt that was caused by a fielding error by the shortstop. Garrison Lassiter was up next and he grounded into a force out to the shortstop that erased Eduardo Sosa. With runners at the corners Kyle Roller then had an RBI single on a ground ball to right field before Jose Mojica reached on a throwing error by the shortstop that brought home Lassiter and moved Roller to third.

Kyle Roller had two hits (Robert M Pimpsner/Gotham Baseball)

In the top of the fifth Staten Island added two more to their lead. Shane Brown worked a walk to start the inning and then scored when Eduardo Sosa doubled to left. Sosa went to third on the throw and then scored on a fielding error by the second baseman on a ball hit by Garrison Lassiter.

The Baby Bombers added two more in the top of the eighth inning with two-outs. Shane Brown singled to right then went to second when Eduardo Sosa walked and scored on a line drive single to center by Garrison Lassiter that moved Sosa to third. Kyle Roller then sent the ball up the middle of an RBI single bringing home Sosa.

Staten Island would plate the final three runs of the game in the top of the ninth inning. Mike Ferraro started it off with a line drive single to left before moving to third when Kelvin De Leon hit a ground-rule double to center. After Jeff Farnham was hit by the pitch Casey Stevenson sent a ground ball to right field for a two-RBI single scoring Ferraro and De Leon. With Farnham at second and Stevenson at first Shane Brown grounded into a double play to move Farnham over to third for Eduardo Sosa who tripled to bring him in and give the Yankees a 10-0 lead.

These two teams meet up again Thursday night with Zachary Varce scheduled to make the start for the Staten Island Yankees and Shane Greene should finish the series on Friday before the Baby Bombers return home to Staten Island on Saturday night.

The Staten Island Yankees improved their season record to 19-16 thanks to a solo home run by Yankees second baseman Casey Stevenson in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Other than that shot it was mostly quiet for both offenses as pitching was the highlight.  Baby Bombers starter Mikey O’Brien threw six shutout innings to get his league leading sixth win allowing just four hits and two walks on 77 pitches while striking out three of the 23 batters he faced.

He was followed by Matt Jernstad, Preston Claiborne and Chase Whitley who each threw an inning a piece.  Claiborne and Whitley each struck out the side in the eighth and ninth inning respectively.  Chase earned his ninth save of the season which is tied for the league lead.

Casey Stevenson led the Staten Island offense with two hits, the homerun and a single.  Kelvin De Leon, Jose Mojica, Garrison Lassiter and Shane Brown had the other four Yankees hits.

Tomorrow night the Staten Island Yankees and Connecticut Tigers will play the second game of the three-game set with left-hander Nik Turley expected to take the hill for the Yankees.

A pair of long-balls in the top of the seventh inning snapped the Staten Island Yankees losing streak and prevented a sweep at the hands of the hosting Jamestown Jammers.

The Staten Island pitching staff kept the Jammers off the board all night.  Yankees starter Mikey O’Brien had his best outing of the season throwing six shutout innings allowing just four hits and two walks while striking out six batters to earn his league leading fifth win of the season.  He was followed by Mike Recchia who tossed two innings of one hit ball with a strikeout before Chase Whitley took over in the ninth inning, earning his sixth save allowing a walk and striking out two.

Kevin Mahoney had a 2-RBI Home run in the seventh inning - File Photo Credit: Robert M Pimpsner

In the top of the sixth inning Staten Island shortstop Jose Mojica broke up the perfect game with a line drive single to left.  All the runs in the game came in the seventh inning when the Yankees batters went deep twice to score three runs.  With one-out Kyle Roller lined the ball to left field, hitting off of an advertisement to plate the first run.  Francisco Arcia then singled on a ground ball to second base before the Jammers went to the bullpen.  With a new pitcher on the hill Kevin Mahoney lined a no-doubter over the right-field fence for a two-RBI homerun.

The Staten Island Yankees had a total of four hits in the game; two of them were the homeruns by Kyle Roller and Kevin Mahoney respectively.  Francisco Arcia had his single in the seventh and Jose Mojica singled in the sixth.

Notes: The game took just two hours and five minutes, the fastest game the Staten Island Yankees have played so far this season.  Tomorrow night the Staten Island Yankees travel to Vermont to face off against the Lake Monsters with Nik Turley, Mike Gipson and Zachary Varce scheduled to take the mound in those three games.

The rubber game of a three game with the Batavia Muckdogs was cancelled after the two teams complete two and a half innings at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark on camp day.

Mike Gipson pitching for the Staten Island Yankees - Photo Credit: Robert M Pimpsner

Mike Gipson got the start for the Yankees and he tossed three shutout innings allowing a hit and striking out three of the ten batters he faced.  Staten Island’s only base hit came off of the bat of right fielder Kelvin De Leon in the bottom of the second inning.

The Baby Bombers will be leaving for a six-game road trip in Jamestown and Vermont before coming home on July 20 to face off against the Hudson Valley Renegades.

STATEN ISLAND, NY – In front of an intimate crowd of 1,930 fans the Staten Island Yankees fell to the visiting Batavia Muckdogs in fifteen innings.  By the end of the night only a few people remained and they were treat to the pitching debuts of a couple of the Yankees position players.

Nik Turley started the game for the Baby Bombers allowing two runs to score, one in the first and another in the third, on three this and two walks.  He struck out four out of the 17 batters he faced on 81 pitches.

The Yankees were able to come back and tie the game up in the bottom of the fourth inning.  Kyle Roller started it off reaching first base on a hit by pitch and then came around to score thanks to a fly ball double to right field by Staten Island right fielder Kelvin De Leon.  After a pitching chance and a strike out De Leon came around to score when catcher Francisco Arcia had a double to right field.

Manny Barreda came into the game in the fifth inning pitching two shutout innings allowing just a hit and striking out three.  Nathan Forer was after him throwing two perfect innings, striking out three batters.

In the bottom of the ninth inning Staten Island attempted a rally.  Shane Brown worked a walk before moving to second on a perfectly placed bunt by Luis Parache.  After a passed ball moved Parache over to third Eduardo Sosa was hit on the elbow.  The Yankees trainer came out and looked at him at first base but he stayed in the game.  Sosa then stole second base to put two runners in scoring position with two outs.

Preston Claiborne came into the game to pitch the ninth inning but went two innings for the Yankees.  Claiborne allowed a hit and walk while striking out three of the six batters.  Chase Whitley took over on the mound for the eleventh inning; he walked two and struck out one.

Because the Yankees pitching staff has been used up the past couple games Josh Paul brought in catcher Jeffrey Farnham to pitch the twelfth inning.  Farnham had two strikeouts and four walks in two innings before Kevin Mahoney took over.  Farnham went to play third with Shane Brown going to second base.

Kevin Mahoney had a scoreless 14^th inning but had to work out of bases loaded trouble.  In the top of the 15^th he allowed four runs, including a three-run homerun to left field for the loss.

In the bottom of the fifteenth inning the Yankees plated some more runs.  Kyle Roller reached base thanks to an error by the Batavia second baseman.  Kevin Mahoney then had a RBI double to right field for the third run.  Francisco Arcia then lined the ball over the right field fence to make it a one-run game.  Shane Brown then worked a walk with two outs before a pitching change.  Luis Parache grounded the ball to the first baseman for the final out of the game.

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