Cabrera staked Scherzer to a 2-0 lead, a score that would remain the same until the sixth inning when he would again drive in a run against Garcia with a single up the middle. Garcia, who had allowed just 1 hit since Cabrera’s first inning homerun, would finally succumb to some fatigue with Cabrera’s single, followed by a Victor Martinez single. Garcia’s final line of 5.1 innings, 6 hits, 4 runs (3 earned), 0 walks, and 6 strikeouts looks pedestrian, but from innings two through 5, he successfully kept  the Tigers’ lineup off balance and off the scoreboard.

Cabrera would finish the day with 3 hits in 4 at bats with the 1 homerun and 3 RBI. It is the type of dominant performance that the Tigers need as the rest of the lineup can be pitched to. Cabrera is the best hitter in the series and the Tigers need to exploit that advantage. For a hitter with such talent, it is odd that Cabrera is somewhat underrated. He won’t be mentioned as a serious MVP candidate, but that looks to be an injustice. He led the American League in hitting with a .344/.448/.586 slash line with a league leading 48 doubles, 30 homeruns, and 105 RBI.

Perhaps the glancing over of his Pujols-like seasons is due to the perception that he is somewhat of a lazy player and does not play the game “the right way”. The perception is exacerbated by his two incidents involving alcohol over the past few seasons. But, a player with a career .317/.395/.555 batting line is someone who has elite skills. His Manager also describes a player who may just be misunderstood.  ”He has a lot of energy. What comes out of Cabrera, if you watch him, is how much he loves to play the game. He’s like a big kid, or a little kid, however you want to look at it. He just loves to play the game. He’s the most instinctive player I have. He’s smart. When I mess up, he knows it. Not all of them do, but he does,” said Jim Leyland.

That doesn’t sound like a player who isn’t into the game. Perhaps his game two performance will have some sort of impact on how he perceived around Baseball. Cabrera has appeared in the post season once before as a 20 year old rookie for the 2003 World Champion Florida Marlins. His first post season homerun was hit against Roger Clemens. He added his second career homerun at a time that the Tigers needed a jump in an important game two. For Cabrera, the chance to get back to the post season means so much. “A lot. We work for this. We work to get to the playoffs. We work to get a chance to win the World Series, if you get a chance. When you’re here, you have nothing to lose. You have to go out there and play hard and try and do your job,” said Cabrera.

While the offensive story was all about Cabrera, the Tigers most dominant player was right hander Max Scherzer. The day didn’t start that way as Scherzer threw 11 of 12 pitches out of the strike zone in the first inning. But, after walking two batters in the first inning, Scherzer would settle in. Even the hit he gave up, wasn’t hit hard. Robinson Cano would bloop a hit to left field to get the Yankees in the hit column. He’d give up a walk and hit in the seventh before giving way to Joaquin Benoit. Scherzer ended the night with six shutout innings, allowing just 2 hits, 4 walks, and striking out 5.

Max Scherzer is no stranger to expectations. He’s been a pitcher who has dominant stuff, but has failed to find any sort of consistency. The 26 year old averages 8.7 K/9, but has also allowed 69 homeruns over the past three seasons. This season has been his most inconsistent. He allowed 29 homeruns, 207 hits in 195 innings, and posted a career high 4.43 ERA. But, he posted the best walk rate of his career while maintaining his strikeout rate. Scherzer is expected to be the Tigers’ second starter, but obviously hasn’t put together a season that has lived up to his expectations. Game two showed the full potential of the young right hander who was acquired by the Tigers in that three-way trade that involved Curtis Granderson, Austin Jackson, and Ian Kennedy. When locked in, Scherzer can dominate a game.

Leyland was effusive with his praise of his pitcher. “Well, you never know what’s going to happen. Big stage, and he was terrific. There was no question about it, he was terrific today against a great lineup. He powered the ball pretty good, mixed his pitches well, got some outs with change ups. He pitched a terrific game,” stated Leyland.

Like Ivan Nova in game one, Scherzer showed remarkable poise for a big moment in a park that is conducive to homeruns. “ I think he’s a real thought out guy. I think he zeroed in today. He was locked in. He was determined,” said Leyland. For Scherzer, it was all about focusing and sticking with the game plan. “You really can’t focus on the ballpark per se. I was more focused on the quality of their hitters. And making sure I was executing pitches throughout the whole night. Even when I was behind in the count, never giving in in a situation where it could cost me. They’re a very good power hitting ballclub. For me it was making sure whether it was a fastball or off speed pitch that no matter the situation I had to execute it no matter what,” said Scherzer.

Aside from evening up the series heading to Detroit, Scherzer has helped put the Yankees in their nightmare scenario. Game three will be the long awaited duel between Justin Verlander and C.C. Sabathia. Every game is a must win, but the Yankees feel a bit extra pressure due to the inconsistency of their game four starter, A.J. Burnett. Burnett wasn’t supposed to start in this series, but the rainout has forced him into action. If Verlander does dominate the Yankees and lead the Tigers to a game three victory, the Yankees’ season will come down to A.J. Burnett, their much maligned and most inconsistent starter.

But, that is still a game away. For now, both teams will trust their aces in a series that has been marked by superstar play. Robinson Cano and Miguel Cabrera have each seized the spotlight thus far. Now, it is the pitchers’ turn. With the specter of A.J. Burnett on the horizon, the Yankees will be a desperate team in game three. Although Burnett is perfectly capable of dominating a start, the circus that his presence brings with the media questions and anxiety of every pitch will loom over game four, especially if the Yankees are down 2-1.

Quick Cuts

Because of a rules change, rule 4.12 C, the game will not start over. Instead, the game will resume in the bottom of the second inning with the score tied at one. The lineups will obviously be the same, but the pitching matchup is impacted. The announced game two starters, Doug Fister and Ivan Nova, will now become the relievers for game one with Fister taking over in the bottom of the second and the Nova beginning in the top of the third. In addition to the game rescheduling, both teams will have to shuffle their pitching staff.

“We’ve been dealing with this all year long. Both teams are going through the same thing,” said Yankees Manager Joe Girardi. Jim Leyland agreed, “This is not a big deal. Everyone is scurrying around to adjust things, but let’s not get too excited.”

Both Managers are saying the right things, but the fact is that they are losing their ace and will likely have them for just one start in this series. The Yankees planned on starting Sabathia on short rest for game four. Verlander was going to start game five. Now, both Managers will try to find a spot for their respective aces.

Leyland has already decided on his rotation. Tomorrow night, Doug Fister will start the bottom of the second inning for the Tigers. “We’ll line it up with Fister tomorrow, Scherzer on Sunday, and Verlander on Monday. Porcello will start too,” stated Leyland. Girardi wasn’t ready to announce his plans for Detroit. “Yeah, Nova will throw tomorrow and Garcia on Sunday. From there, I don’t know. We’ll have to see how C.C. feels,” said Girardi.

It is possible that Sabathia starts against Verlander in game four. Sabathia did hint that he may lobby to start on Sunday, which would give him a potential game five start. “I want the ball as much as possible,” said Sabathia. But, Girardi did rule out starting Sabathia on Sunday. He, of course, could change his mind depending on the health of his ace. Sabathia admitted that it would depend on how he feels. Everyone thinks of his outing as 27 pitches. But, a starting pitcher does much more than that. “I did throw 27 pitches, but I did a full warm up. On side days, I don’t do a full warm up,” said Sabathia. The Yankees will make a decision based on Sabathia’s health.

Aside from the two aces, the rainout does impact both teams. The Tigers have more immediate concerns with the resumption of game one. Leyland has set up platoons at multiple positions. He had the right handed lineup in against the southpaw Sabathia. Nova, a right hander, will be facing a different lineup than had it been game two. Leyland will have to decide when and where to deploy his bench. It obviously can’t be early on. “Good question. That’s the one little dilemma. It’ll work out. I’m gonna keep my lineup and see how the game plays out. I’m not going to pull my guys in the second inning. That’s the way it is,” said Leyland

For the Yankees, it is all about having Sabathia for two two starts. The Yankees’ weakness is their rotation. Now, with consecutive games, the Yankees may have to use a fourth starter. That would mean A.J. Burnett.

But, all of that is predicated on the weather. With the forecast for rain on Saturday as well, there is a very real possibility of another rainout. Baseball Vice President Joe Torre said every effort was made to avoid this. “We certainly would not start a game if we had a forecast for heavy rain whether it was a marquee matchup or not. The forecast changed,” stated Torre. The problem would be if Saturday is rained out as well. At this point, Major League Baseball doesn’t have a back up. One option could be a Sunday doubleheader. “We are going to have to come up with a plan if we get rained out tomorrow,” said Torre. When asked about a double header possibility, Torre responded with a smile, “We haven’t settled anything, but at the same time we have to play these games.”

Game one will resume Saturday  night at 8:30 with game two now on Sunday at 3:07 PM. If the weather holds, there won’t be any off days for the series. That impacts the Yankees more with their thin staff. Knowing the weather in New York, that won’t matter and Joe Torre will have to get the plan ready. Baseball could see the first playoff double header in its history.

]]> http://www.gothambaseball.com/2011/10/rainout-impacts-yankees-tigers/feed/ 0 http://www.gothambaseball.com/2011/06/williams-continues-hot-start-as-si-yanks-fall-to-%e2%80%98clones/ http://www.gothambaseball.com/2011/06/williams-continues-hot-start-as-si-yanks-fall-to-%e2%80%98clones/#comments Mon, 20 Jun 2011 01:34:54 +0000 Robert M. Pimpsner http://www.gothambaseball.com/?p=2196

While the majority of the attention was on the rehabbing Phil Hughes, it was the young centerfielder Mason Williams who shined once more. Williams who has been one of the best hitters so far in this early season went 3 for 5 for the Staten Island Yankees. The younger prospect’s average is currently at .385 for the year and has been at home in the leadoff spot in the lineup.

The Baby Bombers were the first to score, plating two runs in the top of the third. Casey Stevenson started it off with a leadoff walk then went to second on a one-out single by Shane Brown and scored on a ground ball single to right field by Mason Williams. Williams then went to second on the throw just barely making it. Cito Culver then sharply grounded out to second to bring in Brown and give the Yankees a 2-0 lead.

Phil Hughes went four and a third innings for Staten Island, being lifted after 61 pitches and a monster homerun by Cyclone batter Nelfi Zapata. The pitch that was sent into the scoreboard was a changeup that stayed over the plate.

Wilton Rodriguez replaced Phil Hughes and was the losing pitcher. Rodriguez went two and two third innings allowing four runs on five hits and two walks.

Staten Island plated their third run in the top of the seventh inning. With one-out Mason Williams singled to left and then stole second and went to third on a throwing error by the catcher. Cito Culver then grounded out to bring in Mason Williams and give the Yankees their third run.

Mat t Tracy was the final pitcher for the Yankees throwing an inning and striking out two.

Tomorrow night the Yankees will travel to Hudson Valley to open a series with the Hudson Valley Renegades. They will return home on Tuesday.

With the Yankees officially shutting down Nick Johnson for the season, basically ending his New York career, Austin Kearns’ role just got a bit bigger.

Mainly being used as the first outfielder of the bench, Kearns also spell Curtis Granderson against tough lefties. On a bench devoid of a homerun threat when Lance Berkman’s in the lineup, the big bat of 6’4 righty allows the Yankees to introduce power in late inning scenarios.

Although a right-hander, Kearns hits righty pitching statistically better this year (.286 to .264) than left-handers. Blessed with plate discpline, albeit not as strong as Johnson’s, Kearns has always been able to bring the threat of the long ball to every at-bat. Hampered by injuries in recent years, the former Cincinatti Red prospect has topped the 15-homerun plateau four times in his career reaching a high of 24 in ’06.

Switching between his platoon with Granderson and pinch-hitting duties, Kearns has been able to shake off a rough start to his Yankee career by racking up 5 RBIs in the past week. With two homers in limited duty the past month, the Yankees’ fourth outfielder has provided a presence in a lineup that has scored 9 runs or more four times this week.

As September approaches and legs tire out, the addition of Austin Kearns will be a boon for the Yankees down the stretch. In October as well, Kearns platoon role will help fortify a lineup of power hitters.

Defense was the key to the game for the Staten Island Yankees as they limited the Aberdeen Ironbirds to just one run allowing 16 runners to reach base, ten via the walk.

2010 first round pick Cito Culver and third rounder Rob Segedin were in the middle of the action making great defensive plays throughout the game.  The 17 year old Culver was able to ease into his new assignment as there was just an intimate crowd of 1,503 fans in attendance.   “I just try to play defense how I know how,” he said after the game, “Defense is going to be defense wherever you go, maybe its hit a little bit harder but I just try to play like I was taught.”

The Baby Bomber offense was lead by Kyle Roller who was 2-for-4 with a monster three-run homerun that cut through the heavy winds.  Shane Brown, Rob Segedin, Gary Sanchez, Cito Culver and Kelvin Duran counted for the other five Yankee hits.

Staten Island was the first to get on the board when they put a three-spot up in the bottom of the fourth inning.  Shane Brown started it off with a walk but was quickly erased when Casey Stevenson laid down a hard hit bunt that the pitcher fielded and went to second for the force out.  Stevenson went to second after Rob Segedin singled to center and both runners would score on the hard hit homerun to right field by Kyle Roller.

In the bottom of the fifth the Yankees added another run to their lead.  Mike Ferraro had a one-out walk and then went to second on a wild pitch before moving to third on a single by Kelvin Duran.  Ferraro came home to score when Shane Brown hit a ground out to the shortstop.

Staten Island starter Nik Turley earned the win throwing 79 pitches over five innings allowing just two hits but walking six and striking out four.  Turley sat between 88-91 MPH with his fastball throughout the night.  He was followed by Richard Martinez who walked two and allowed a hit in his two innings of relief work.  St. John’s University product Dan Burawa followed on the mound allowing a run on three hits and walk in the eighth inning and sitting between 94-96MPH with his fastball.

In the bottom of the eighth inning the Staten Island Yankees plated another run.  With two-outs in Rob Segedin was hit-by-the-pitch before moving to second on a passed ball.  He scored when Kyle Roller legged out his third triple of the season.

Notes: Left-handed pitcher Matt Jernstad is making a spot start tomorrow for Staten Island.  Jernstad was 4-2 with a 2.23 ERA over 40.1 innings in six games for the Windy City Thunderbolts of the Frontier League.  All six were starts and he went a minimum of six innings in each start and going seven innings four times.  Right-handed relief pitcher and All-Star Preston Claiborne earned a promotion to the Florida State League as he was sent to the Tampa Yankees after the game.

In front of a sold out crowd at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark the Brooklyn Cyclones came from behind to earn a season series split with the Staten Island Yankees.

The Cyclones were the first to get on the board plating four runs in the first inning off of Yankees starter Mike Gipson.  After Darrell Ceciliani grounded out to second Wilfredo Tovar singled to short, stole second before Jeff Flah singled.  Jon Bonfe then sent a fly ball to left for an RBI single before J.B. Brown cleared the bases with a three-run homerun.

Gipson went two and two-third inning allowing four runs on four hits and walk while striking out four of the fourteen batters he faced.  He was relieved by Richard Martinez who went an inning and a third striking out three.

In the bottom of the third the Baby Bombers took advantage of some bad Brooklyn fielding to take the lead.  Kelvin Duran started it off with his first base hit with the Staten Island Yankees, a double to center.  He came around to score when Shane Brown singled to right and then advance to third on a throwing error by the right fielder.  Brown then scored when Casey Stevenson singled before Kelvin De Leon struck out.  Kyle Roller then reached on a failed force attempt when the shortstop committed a throwing error that allowed Stevenson to be face at second.  Newcomer Gary Sanchez then got his first base hit and RBI for Staten Island with a single that goes up the middle and bringing home Stevenson.  New third baseman Rob Segedin then double to center for his first Staten Island Yankees hit and RBI, scoring Kyle Roller while Gary Sanchez moved to third on the play.  Sanchez then scored the go ahead run when Luis Parache grounded out to the second baseman.

Daniel Burawa made his professional debut, the right-hander out of St. John’s University threw a shutout inning in relief allowing just a walk before Bryant Cotton took over on the hill.

Brooklyn would tie it up and take the lead in the top of the seventh inning.  James Schroeder started it off with a fly ball single to left and then went to third on a double to left by Darrell Ceciliani.  Bother would come around to score when Wilfredo Tovar singled to right field, giving the Cyclones a 6-5 lead.

Cotton was touched for just those two runs on four hits and a walk.  He struck out two of the ten batters he faced.  Andrew Shive took over for the eighth inning pitching a perfect inning in relief before allowing a run in the ninth on a hit and two walks.

Casey Stevenson led off the ninth inning for the Baby Bombers and on the fourth pitch he saw he launched the ball to the right of the Richmond County Bank Ballpark batter’s eye for a homerun.  After Kelvin De Leon popped up to the catcher before Kyle Roller worked a walk on five pitches.  Designated hitter Gary Sanchez struck out on a check swing before Rob Segedin grounded out to second to end the game.

Bryant Cotton took the loss for the Staten Island Yankees while Brooklyn pitcher Wesley Wrenn earned the win.  Friday night Staten Island travels up to Connecticut to face off with the Connecticut Tigers in a three-game series.  Zachary Varce, Shane Greene and Mikey O’Brien are expected to make the starts in that series.

In the tenth inning and in front of a sold out crowd Staten Island Yankees outfielder Kelvin De Leon sent a fly ball up into the air and over the left-field fence with two runners on base and a 3-2 count for a walk-off three-run homerun making him the hero of the day.

That homerun broke a game that was deadlocked at one run a piece since the top of the sixth inning.

The Staten Island Yankees were the first to get on the board in the game, plating a single run in the first inning without recording a base hit.  Eduardo Sosa walked then stole second and third base.  On an errant throw to third by the catcher Sosa came home giving the Yankees a one-run lead.

In the top of the sixth inning the Mahoning Valley Scrappers plated their only run of the game off of the Staten Island starter Mikey O’Brien.  O’Brien threw six innings allowing just three hits and struck out two out of the twenty batters he faced.

Eduardo Sosa was taken out of the game in the top of the fifth.  He appeared to injury himself sliding into third base with what should have been his third steal of the game.  The umpire called him safe at third but he stood up in foul territory after the play was ended and was tagged out.

Bryant Cotton pitched a scoreless inning out of the bullpen allowing a hit and a walk before Preston Claiborne went two shutout innings allowing a couple hits and striking out five.  Chase Whitley earned the win throwing a shutout tenth inning.

In the bottom of the tenth Garrison Lassiter worked a leadoff walk before moving to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jeff Farnham.  The Scrappers then intentionally walked Luis Parache to pitch to right-fielder Kelvin De Leon who came in as a defensive replacement in the fifth inning.  After working the count full De Leon sent the ball into the wind, which was blowing to left-field, for his fifth homerun of the season giving the Yankees a 4-1 win and avoiding the sweep.

Notes: Friday the Staten Island Yankees will be heading to Troy, NY to take on the Tri-City Valley Cats for a three-game set before the All-Star Break.  Nik Turley, Kramer Sneed and Zachary Varce are scheduled to pitch for the Baby Bombers.  Eduardo Sosa is not expected to be available for the game.  Yankees 12th round pick Dan Burawa joined the team today, wearing number 38.  The St. John’s University product will pitch out of the bullpen this season.

After three hours and thirty-two minutes to play nine innings the Staten Island Yankees walked off with the series win against the visiting Williamsport Crosscutters thanks to the patient plate approach by Yankees first baseman Kyle Roller.

With the bases loaded, two out on the board and a 7-7 tie Roller worked a 3-1 count before taking ball four high to bring home Nick McCoy and win the game.

Rewind to the first inning when Staten Island Yankees starter Kramer Sneed struggled allowing five runs, two earned on 45 pitches.  He was not helped by the Staten Island defense who committed two errors in the inning.  Sneed rebounded in the second inning throwing a scoreless 14-pitch inning.

In the bottom of the first inning the Baby Bombers plated three-runs with two-outs.  Kyle Roller, Kelvin De Leon, Mike Ferraro and Garrison Lassiter had back-to-back-to-back-to-back singles.  Ferraro had one RBI and Lassiter had two in the inning.

The score remained 5-3 until the bottom of the fourth inning when Staten Island plated another single.  Eduardo Sosa walked with one-out and then went to third after two consecutive wild pitches before scoring on a ground out by Shane Brown.

Williamsport plated single runs in the top of the fifth and sixth inning respectively to expand their lead to 7-4.  However Staten Island began their come back in the bottom of the eighth inning when they plated two runs.  Three back-to-back singles by Jose Mojica, Luis Parache, and Nick McCoy loaded the bases for center fielder Eduardo Sosa who launched the ball to first baseman who knocked it down in foul territory for a infield single.  Jose Mojica scored and Parache came around from second base for the second run.

The comeback was completed in the bottom of the ninth inning.  Luis Parache started it off a two-out homerun to right field.  Nick McCoy then doubled to left before Eduardo Sosa and Shane Brown walked to load the bases for Kyle Roller.  Roller took a big swing at the first pitch but then took the next four pitches to work a walk-off walk and give the Yankees the victory.

Earning the win for Staten Island was Richard Martinez who threw two shutout innings allowing just a hit and striking out two.  He followed Mike Gipson and Andy Shive who threw three and two innings respectively.  The Yankee pitching staff combined for fifteen strikeouts in the game.

Four Yankees had a multi-hit game being lead by catcher Nick McCoy who had three hits, including a double.  Shane Brown, Kyle Roller and Luis Parache had two hits.  Eduardo Sosa, Kelvin De Leon, Mike Ferraro, Garrison Lassiter, and Jose Mojica had singles in the game.  As a team the Baby Bombers left a total of 14 runners on base and was 5-for15 with runners in scoring position.

Tuesday night the Staten Island Yankees will open up a three-game series with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers with Zachary Varce, Shane Greene and Mikey O’Brien scheduled to pitch the series.

Notes: Right-handed reliever Manny Barreda was promoted to Single-A Charleston.  Yankees outfielder Isaiah Brown was suspended for unknown reasons, but it was not for drugs or performance enhancers.

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.

In front of a sellout crowd at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark the Staten Island Yankees defeated the rival Brooklyn Cyclones, 3-2 to snap their recent three game losing streak.

The Brooklyn Cyclones were the ones to strike first platting a single run in the top of the first inning off of Yankees starter Mike Gipson.

Staten Island would remain run-less until the bottom of the third inning when they put a three spot in the line score.  Catcher Jeff Farnham started it off working a walk before Eduardo Sosa singled on a bunt back to the pitcher to put men at first and second.  Wild pitches with Casey Stevenson at the plate lead to both runners advancing 90-feet.   Stevenson then sent the ball all the way to the wall in right field just missing a homerun by less than a feet but did get the RBI on the sacrifice fly.  With a runner at third, Staten Island first baseman Kevin Mahoney then launched the ball to dead centerfield for his sixth homerun of the season, hitting hard off of the batters eye and giving the Yankees a 3-1 lead.

Mike Gipson struck out 5 in 5 1/3 innings - Photo Credit: Robert M Pimpsner

Brooklyn plated their second run in the top of the fifth inning off of Mike Gipson.  Gipson finished up the night allowing just those two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five in five and a third innings of work. He earned the win, his second of the season.  Preston Claiborne relieved him in the sixth inning going an inning and two thirds not allowing a hit but walked two and struck out one.  Mike Recchia threw a scoreless inning, allowing a hit and striking out one before Chase Whitley closed it down in the ninth allowing a hit and a walk while he was on his way to earn his seventh save of the year.

Jose Mojica collected 2 hits to bring his average up to .287 - Photo Credit: Robert M Pimpsner

Kevin Mahoney was 2 for 2 on the night with his 2 RBIs coming on the homerun and working two walks to raise his average to .302 on the season.  Jose Mojica aso had two hits, both of them were doubles.  Eduardo Sosa, Casey Stevenson and Kyle Roller had the other three Yankees hits of the night.

Tonight the Staten Island Yankees and Brooklyn Cyclones will play game three in this four-game home-and-home series.  Zachary Varce is expected to make the start for the Baby Bombers.

Notes: With the win the Staten Island Yankees move to 5-3 in the Battle of the Boroughs, the annual season series against their cross-town rival Brooklyn Cyclones.