Yankees MiLB News: The Triple-A All Star Game

Jose Pirela-Mandatory Credit: thetimes-tribune.com

The Triple-A stars were out bright Wednesday night. The International League’s All Stars duked it out against the Pacific Coast League All-Stars from Durham Bulls Athletic Park in North Carolina. The International League walked away victorious, 7-3.

The festivities began Monday evening when Mets’ first base prospect Allan Dykstra blasted his way to the 2014 Triple-A Home Run Derby Championship Belt. Dykstra, the 24-year old, left-handed power house for the Las Vegas 51s. He hit six home runs on the evening, defeating a field of three International League stars and two other Pacific League Stars. His one home run in the final round locked up victory against fellow Pacific Leaguer and Kansas City Royals catching prospect Francisco Pena.

While the PCL may have been the victors of the Home Run Derby, all did not fair as well in the All-Star Game Wednesday night. The New York Yankees were represented by Scranton/Wilkes-Barre second baseman Jose Pirela. Pirela, the lone Yankees’ prospect to appear in the game, started the night and batted second in the line-up. Pirela, accustomed to being the RailRiders lead-off man, went hitless on the evening, however, that didn’t stop him from helping in the INT League’s victory. Pirela drew two walks in his three at-bats while scoring a run. The INT scored early and scored fast and the PCL never had a chance. It was 4-0 heading into the third and by the end of the six, the International League had a commanding 7-1 lead.

The game featured home runs by Los Angeles Dodgers’ outfield prospect Joc Pederson for the PCL, as well as a shot by Washington Nationals’ minor league catcher Jhonatan Solano. The INT All-Stars starting pitcher, Toronto Blue Jays’ farmhand Liam Hendricks, locked down the victory, striking out four, and walking none in his two innings of work.

Jose Pirela and the SWB RailRiders return to action Thursday night against the Charlotte Knights. Diego Moreno will take the mound to kick off the second half of the season. First pitch is 7:05 PM.