Dellin Betances is working on his consistency in Triple-A. The Yanks could need him at some point this season if the injuries continue to mount. (Image: Michael L. Stein-US PRESSWIRE)

International League North (AAA) – Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (19-19), 4^th Place, 6 GB

• 29-year old journeyman first baseman Steve Pearce leads the team with 7 home runs and a 1.027 OPS.
• Eduardo Nunez who was recently demoted from the Yanks is 3-for-13 in three games.
• D.J. Mitchell has been the pitching star for the team so far; 36 IP, 3-1, 2.75 ERA, 33K, 0.97 WHIP.
• Dellin Betances turned in a fabulous eight-inning effort last night striking out a season high 7.
• Brett Gardner is on a rehab assignment with the team and tripled in his first appearance.

Eastern League Eastern (AA) – Trenton Thunder, (19-16), 2^nd place, 2.5 GB

• Second baseman Ronnier Mustelier is pacing Thunder hitters with a .353 AVG, 5 HR, 20 RBIs and a 1.010 OPS.
• 22-year old Brett Marshall leads the rotation with 4 wins and has a 3.27 ERA and 1.16 WHIP.
• The team is a season best three games over .500.

Florida State League (Advanced A) – Tampa Yankees (16-23), 4^th place, 9 GB

• OF Rob Segedin leads the team with 12 doubles, 5 HR and 21 RBIs.
• Righty Michael O’Brien is 4-1 with a 2.92 ERA and 1.19 WHIP.
• Former Yankee and now manager of the Tampa Yankees Luis Sojo was tossed from last night’s game after arguing a call at first base.

South Atlantic League Southern (A) – Charleston RiverDogs (25-12), 1^st place

• Tyler Austin is raking at Charleston. He owns a .288 AVG, with 11 doubles, 12 HR, 33 RBIs and a 1.028 OPS.
• Caleb Cotham has three wins and leads the rotation with a 2.31 ERA and 1.00 WHIP.
• Catching prospect Gary Sanchez is hitting .333 with 12 doubles, 2 HR and 16 RBI.
• Dante Bichette Jr. is having a rough start; .234, 0 HRs, 12 RBIs and a .610 OPS.

In the coming weeks we’ll look at some of the top prospects in depth and we’ll supply coverage of the MLB First-year Player Draft set for June 4-6, 2012. In the meantime, check out Seedlings to Stars coverage of Yankees prospects here.

You can ‘Like’ Yanks Go Yard on Facebook here. You can follow Yanks Go Yard on Twitter at @YanksGoYardFS and you can follow Chris Carelli on Twitter at @Chris_Carelli.

Joe Girardi explaining that he's getting nothing out of the offense in this game. (Image: Joy R. Absalon-US PRESSWIRE)

Sabathia had a 1-2-3 first inning and couldn’t replicate that again the rest of the night. Chen on the other hand kept the Yankees fluttering in the batter’s box through much of the game.

The Orioles jumped ahead in the second inning on Adam Jones‘ 11th home run of the season. They added a run in the third on a double-play ground out. The O’s scored single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings as well. J.J. Hardy added two hits and two RBIs. Sabathia just couldn’t find a rhythm. He ended with a line of six innings, four earned-runs, eight hits, and four walks along with six strikeouts.

The Yankees offense had only two runners reach scoring position in the first six innings against Chen. In the second, Alex Rodriguez walked and stole second base with no one out, but the next three hitters couldn’t bring him in. In the third the Yanks got singles from Jayson Nix and Derek Jeter. Again, nothing came of it as Nick Swisher bounced into an inning ending double play. Chen set the Yankees down in order in the fourth through sixth innings.

In the seventh, Robinson Cano led off the inning with a double. Rodriguez flew out and Mark Teixeira struck out. Curtis Granderson produced the biggest bang of the Yankees’ night next with his 13th homer of the season, getting the Bombers within 4-2.

With Chen gone, the Yanks tried to make some noise in the eighth against Pedro Strop. He walked Russell Martin and Jeter to start the inning. Swisher grounded into a force play leaving runners at first and third with one out. Cano ended the rally with a grounder to Strop that he converted into a double play.

In the ninth, Orioles closer Jim Johnson took the mound and allowed Teixeira a one-out single. Tex was immediately erased by the third Yankees double play of the night, this time off the bat of Granderson.

The loss left the Yankees with a 20-16 record and 2.5 games back of the O’s and Tampa Bay Rays.

NOTEWORTHY

• David Robertson, who hit the DL yesterday for the first time in his career will be unable to throw a ball for the next 7 to 10 days.
• Ivan Nova is confident he can stay on turn for his next start.
• Clay Rapada was available last night if needed, despite battling some dizziness in Monday’s game, which was attributed to mixing Excedrin and antibiotics.
• Also, according to MLB.com reporter Bryan Hoch, manager Joe Girardi ruled out the chance of taking Phil Hughes out of the rotation to help the depleted bullpen.

YANKEES TRAVEL TO TORONTO FOR TWO-GAME SET

The Yankees left Baltimore last night and set off for Toronto to face the Blue Jays for the first time this season. The Jays are 19-18 and sit four games back of the Orioles and Rays. Below is a chart of both teams statistical leaders going into today’s contest.

TODAY’S GAME

Hiroki Kuroda is set to face off against Kyle Drabek in the first game of the series. Both pitchers have pitched better than their records indicate.

EDITORIAL NOTE

Later today we’ll take a look at what’s happening with the Yankees’ minor league system in what will be a weekly report.

You can ‘Like’ Yanks Go Yard on Facebook here. You can follow Yanks Go Yard on Twitter at @YanksGoYardFS and you can follow Chris Carelli on Twitter at @Chris_Carelli.