by August 31, 2009 – The Staten Island Yankees moved even close to the first place Brooklyn Cyclones when they defeated the Vermont Lake Monsters, 5-3. The win combined with a Cyclones loss brings the Baby Bombers within half a game of first place in the McNamara Division.
Jimmy Paredes arguably had the best night out of everybody in the Yankees lineup. The 6 foot 1 inch second baseman was 3 for 5 on the night and was only a homerun away from hitting for the cycle. Paredes also had the most assists than any other fielder in the game with 5. He was joined by outfielder DeAngelo Mack who was 3 for 4 in the game.
The Yankees struck first plating two in the top of the first inning. Jimmy Paredes started it off with a line drive single to left and then stole second base before Justin Milo walked. A throwing error by the Vermont pitcher allowed Paredes to move to third when the ball went into center field. DeAngelo Mack then lined a single to right to plate Paredes and move Mile to third. Luke Murton then lined another single to right to score Milo for the second run of the game.
The Lake Monsters then got one run back in their half of the first. However in the top of the fourth Staten Island added 3 more to their lead. Kelvin Castro walked with an out and moved to second on a ground out before Carmen Angelini walked before Jimmy Paredes hit a bases clearing triple. Paredes scored on a passed ball to give the Yankees a 5-1 lead.
Vermont plated single runs in the sixth and seventh inning to cut the lead to 5-3 but the Yankees held on for the victory. Ben Watkins got the win in his second start for the Baby Bombers, tossing 5 innings allowing 3 hits and a walk while striking out 8. He was followed by Michael Solbach and Griffin Bailey who both allowed two runs in 3 combined innings. Gavin Brooks finished it off pitching a scoreless inning striking out the side with the bases loaded after a pair of walks and an infield single to earn the save.
Notes: Tomorrow night the Staten Island Yankees will go for the sweep behind starter Matt Richardson. They will then return to the Richmond County Bank Ballpark on Wednesday for a brief two game series with the Aberdeen Ironbirds.
