Yankees’ Minor League Roundup For April 17th

Mar 13, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Zoilo Almonte (65) doubles during the second inning of a spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Baby Bombers had an excellent day Thursday as the minor league affiliates went 5-0. Check out how this undefeated day happened in the roundup below:

TRIPLE-A 

Game 1 – Scranton Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (6-6) defeat the Buffalo Bisons (7-4) 2-1 

This game was a walking tightrope for both of these starting pitchers. Scranton starter, Brian Gordon,  and Buffalo starter, Ricky Romero, each walked four batters, but managed to only give up three combined hits. Gordon gave up only one hit in 5.2 innings pitched while striking out two to go with the four walks. Scranton got the scoring started in the third inning on a RBI single by second baseman Jose Pirela to give them a 1-0 lead. It remained that way till the bottom of the 7th when reliever Matt Daley gave up a RBI single to Buffalo’s Chris Getz to tie the game. The game would go to extra innings. In the top of the 9th, Carmen Angelini hit a RBI single to center field that scored Ronnier Musteiler to hand Scranton the win. Danny Burawa got his second win of the season in relief with Mark Montgomery picking up his second save.

March 10, 2013; Dunedin, FL, USA; New York Yankees infielder Jose Pirela (97) catches a fly ball during the second inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium. (Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)

Game 2 – Scranton Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (7-6) defeated the Buffalo Bisons (7-5) 7-2 

The RailRiders were able to sweep the doubleheader in Buffalo by going heavy on the home runs. Scranton hit four homers in the game off of Kyle Drabek, including two by Zoilo Almonte. Almonte now has three home runs on the season. The other two homers were hit by first baseman Corban Joseph and Pirela. Both of these players hit their first home runs of the season. As for the pitching staff, Chase Whitley picked up his first win of the season by throwing five innings of shutout ball, giving up two hits, striking out five, and walking two. Eight of the nine hitters in the RailRiders’ order reached base in the win. Scranton goes for its third straight win tomorrow night at 7:05 PM as they begin a home series with the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs.

DOUBLE-A 

Trenton Thunder (8-6) defeated the Erie Seawolves (5-7) 5-3 

The Thunder picked up their second straight win on Thursday night with the help of first baseman Kyle Roller. The game was scoreless for the first three innings. In the bottom of the 4th inning, the Thunder bats broke through for three runs. Left fielder Taylor Dugas drove in two runs with a RBI triple to right field. Third baseman Dan Fiorito would later drive in Dugas on a RBI double.  In the bottom of the 5th inning, Roller hit a two-run homer to extend the lead to 5-0. It was Roller’s third home run of the season and his second in as many days.

Trenton’s starter, Joel De La Cruz, threw 5.2 innings pitched, giving up no runs on six hits and striking out three. De La Cruz picked up his second win of the season while Diego Moreno picked up his third save in a scoreless 9th inning. Trenton will continue their series with Erie at home on Friday night at 7:05 PM as they seek their third straight win.

CLASS-A ADVANCED 

Tampa Yankees (8-6) defeated the Daytona Cubs (2-12) 6-5 in 10 innings

In an extra-inning affair, the Tampa Yankees found a way to get a victory in extra innings after losing a 5-1 lead. Tampa scored runs in five of the first six innings with the offense led by Peter O’Brien. The reigning Florida State League Player Of the Week picked up a RBI double in the first inning to get the scoring started. It was O’Brien’s tenth RBI of the season. In the following inning, Jake Cave would hit a triple to right field to make the score 2-0. Tampa’s starter, Dan Camarena, went 5.1 innings pitched, giving up two runs on four hits. He did have some issues with command as he walked four batters in the no-decision, while striking out three.

Unfortunately, the bullpen couldn’t hold the lead as Daytona tied the game with three runs in the bottom of the 6th and a run in the 8th. In extra innings, Tampa broke the tie with a RBI single to left field by left fielder Cody Grice to score right fielder Zach Wilson. Tampa will continue their series in Daytona tomorrow night at 7:05 PM.

Charleston RiverDogs (7-7) defeated the Rome Braves (5-10) 8-7

Charleston completed the sweep for the Yankees’ minor league affiliates on Thursday by coming back from a 7-4 deficit in the bottom of the 6th inning. The RiverDogs jumped out in front in the first inning when left fielder Michael O’Neill hit a bases-clearing triple to left field that gave the team a 3-0 lead. After Rome scored two runs in the top of the second, right fielder Aaron Judge drew a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the inning to make it 4-2, Charleston. It was a bad day on the mound for Brady Lail as he gave up four earned runs (six total) on seven hits in 5.1 innings pitched.

Despite being down 7-4, the team didn’t quit. After a throwing error allowed two runs to score in the sixth inning to cut the lead to 7-6, the RiverDogs tied it in the seventh inning on a solo shot to left field by Judge, his first home run of his professional career. They would take the lead in the bottom of the 8th inning via a RBI single to left by second baseman Tyler Wade. Stefan Lopez picked up the win in relief with Nick Rumbelow picking up his second save. Charleston goes for their fifth straight win tomorrow night at 7:05 against Rome with Caleb Smith (1-1, 2.00 ERA) taking the mound for the RiverDogs.