Staten Island Yankees Recap: Domingo Acevedo Shines, But SI Falls 3-1 To Hudson Valley

The scene on the 4th of July in New York City is great when you have the Macy’s Fireworks show. By the end of the night at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark In St. George, the fireworks were in the backdrop during the ninth inning of the Staten Island Yankees’ (9-7) series opener against the Hudson Valley Rengades (8-7).

It was a close game, but in the end, Nic Wilson’s seventh inning home run helped the Renegades (Tampa Bay Rays) take the series opener over the New York Yankees‘ New York-Penn League affiliate by a final of 3-1. In the end, manager Pat Osborn said this experience will be something the players will never forget:

"“This is something they will remember for the rest of their lives,” said Osborn."

Over the first three innings, Staten Island starter Domingo Acevedo was dominant. He had six strikeouts through the first three innings and had a stretch of four consecutive strikeouts during the second and third innings.

In the fourth inning, Hudson Valley was able to get on the board first. Michael Russell led off the inning with a double to deep center field. Two batters later, with Ramirez on third, Angel Moreno was able to beat out a ground ball to Kyle Holder at shortstop for an infield single to put the Renegades up 1-0.

After needing 78 pitches to get through three innings in his last start, Cedeno was able to finish five innings last night. He gave up one run on three hits, struck out seven, and walked one on 63 pitches (40 strikes). I asked the right-hander after the game what adjustment he was looking to make during his outing:

"“I saw the video with the pitching coach and my front shoulder was a little open. I tried to keep my shoulder closed and on a straight line to the plate,” replied Acevedo."

Staten Island would battle back and tie the game in the bottom of the fifth. After a two-out walk by Kyle Holder, Thairo Estrada reached on an error by the first baseman, Nic Wilson. That gave Griff Gordon an opportunity to tie the game and he took advantage of it. Gordon’s RBI single ito right scored Holder after both runners reached on a passed ball. The 23-year old has 19 hits this year and has recored at least hit in 13 of 14 games:

"“He’s swinging the bat very well,” said Osborn. “He has been very consistent and has come up with a number of big hits off left-handers, which is big for him.”"

Two innings later, with Bret Marks in the game, Wilson would make up for his error. With one out, Wilson would hit a solo shot to right center field, his first home run of the season, to give Hudson Valley a 2-1 lead. The lead would become 3-1 in the top of the eighth when a sacrifice fly by Manny Sanchez against Michael Schaub scored Oscar Sanay. Marks would be charged with both runs and would take his first loss of the season.

Gordon’s RBI single in the fifth inning was the only run Staten Island would get starter Roel Ramirez and reliever Bradley Wallace (2-0, 0.00) were able to hold the Baby Bombers to six hits, but it was Wallace who was dominant out of the bullpen. In 4.1 innings, Wallace gave up one hit, struck out six, and walked one to get his second win of the year.

"“He [Wallace] was getting away with his heater. He had a decent breaking ball he was able to command, but both of their pitchers were pounding the strike zone. They challenged us and they did a great job,” said Osborn."

Next Game: The Staten Island Yankees are back in action today against the Hudson Valley Renegades at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark. You can catch the game on MILB.TV at 4:05 PM ET. Luis Cedeno (1-1, 1.88) gets the start for Staten Island against a starter yet to be announced for Hudson Valley.

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