DATE: May 12, 2012 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Colin Curtis’ 10^th Inning Double a Walk Off Winner in 3-2 SWB Victory

SWB Yankees down Durham in team’s third consecutive extra inning game

Rochester, NY – Colin Curtis was mired in a 0 for 20 slump and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (18-16) outfielder had not picked up a hit since a fifth inning single on May 6^th against the Pawtucket Red Sox. Heading into his 10^th inning at bat against the Durham Bulls (13-24) in Saturday’s game, Curtis was 0 for 3 with a strikeout in four plate appearances. He broke out of the slump with a line drive double over Kyle Hudson’s in left field giving the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre a 3-2  10 inning win over Durham, in the team’s third consecutive extra inning game; the longest run of consecutive extra innings games in SWB Yankees history.

Colin Curtis post game audio on game winning hit

Steve Pearce got the Yankees on the board in the bottom half of the third culminating a 10 pitch at bat against Durham starter Jim Paduch with a two run shot to left center scoring Curtis, who reached on a two out fielder’s choice. With a 3-2 count, Pearce fouled off four straight pitches to keep the at bat alive before hitting his team leading seventh homer of the season giving the Yankees a 2-0 lead.

The Bulls struck right back in the top of the fourth with back-to-back homers to open the inning off Yankees starter Nelson Figueroa to tie the game at 2-2. Leslie Anderson led off the inning with his first homer of the season into the bullpen in right field and Henry Wrigley making his first career Triple-A start followed theAndersonhomer with a solo shot of his own to left tying the game at 2-2.

Figueroa settled in for the Yankees after the fourth and pitched two scoreless innings until he was removed following the sixth.  Paduch was lifted after the fourth inning forDurham, who got three scoreless innings from former SWB Yankee pitcher Romulo Sanchez.  Juan Cedeno replaced Figueroa in the seventh inning and kept the Bulls at bay through the eighth.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre made a bid for the lead in the home half of the eighth inning with Yadil Mujica at second base following a lead off double and Pearce at first after an intentional walk.  Jack Cust ripped a line drive to centerfield that looked like a tie break hit untilDurhamcenter fielder Jesus Feliciano ran the ball down with a spectacular over the shoulder catch to keep the game tied at two.

For the third consecutive game, the Yankees were forced to play extra innings as the game went to the 10^th tied at 2-2.  Kevin Whelan (WP, 1-0) gave up a two out single to Anderson before getting Wrigley to fly out to left to set the stage for Curtis’ game winner in the bottom half of the inning.

Post game audio with Kevin Whelan on a big team win

Mujica started the rally in the bottom of the 10^th with a one out single to center off Josh Lueke (LP, 0-2).  Kevin Russo reached on a fielder’s choice when Lueke threw high to second base on a comebacker to the mound.  Bulls shortstop Shawn O’ Malley skied to grab the high throw but came down on the bag in time to force Mujica.  With two down and Curtis at the plate, Russo stole second to get into scoring position, sliding in ahead of the throw from Durham catcher Stephen Vogt.  Curtis worked a 3-1 count in his favor off Lueke before lining his sixth double of the season off the top of the fence for the game winning hit.

The Yankees and Bulls play game three of the four game series at Frontier Field on Sunday afternoon with a 1:05 PM first pitch. Left hander Manny Banuelos (0-2, 4.50 ERA) is the scheduled starter for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre while Durham will counter with right hander Chris Archer (2-4, 5.50).

HOME, HOME ON THE ROAD…
The Yankees play their 16th straight game as the “home” team on Saturday night against the Durham Bulls in the second game of a four game series at Frontier Field in Rochester with a 7:05 PM first pitch.  When the series wraps on Monday night, the Yankees will hit the road (like we haven’t been doing that all season!) for the first time since April 25th with a four game series in Toledo from May 15th – May 18th and then four more in Ohio as the Yankees will play the return series in Columbus against the Clippers May 19th – 22nd.  SWB will spend a day off on the road in Buffalo before opening a four game “home series” at Bufflo on May 23rd.

GAME NOTES…
The Yankees and the Bulls meet for the second game of a four game series and for the second game of eight matchups in 2012.  The Yankees will travel to Durham Bulls Athletic Park for a four game series June 5th – June 8th.

SWB Yankees Game Notes May 12th vs. Durham

PRE GAME AUDIO…
Due to the time limit on the pregame show today’s audio with SWB Yankees outfielder Cole Garner runs about five minutes.  I had a great conversation with the first year Yankee and the total interview ran a bit longer than that.  Here it is in its entirety.

A LONG TIME SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED…
It’s a little odd to see the Durham Bulls and SWB Yankees square off with neither team in first place in it’s respective division in the International League standings.  Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s run of five consecutive North Division titles (’06-’10) came to an end in 2011 as the Yankees finished in third place in the North 8.0 games behind division winning Pawtucket.  The Bulls who have won five straight division titles, matching SWB’s run have some work to do to make it six consecutive South Division titles in 2012.  Durham who lost 13 consecutive games from April 12th – 25th is currently 9.5 games behind South leading Gwinnett.  The Yankees are a bit closer to the top of the IL North trailing division leading Pawtucket by 4.5 games.  The last time that either Scranton/Wilkes-Barre or Durham did not win its division was 2005.

THEY’RE NOW WORKING AGAINST US…
Lance Pendleton who started in game one of the series against the Yankees on Friday night became the second former SWB Yankee that faced off against his old team on the mound this season.  The Yankees saw former teammate Mark Melanconin two of the four games that SWB played against Pawtucket.  The Yankees picked up two runs off Pendleton in his 5.0 innings on the mound Friday night.  Melancon was not as hospitable against his old mates tossing 2.0 scoreless against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

STARTING LINEUPS – May 12th (*Left handed | #Switch hitter)

DURHAM BULLS (13-23)
#32 Kyle Hudson* – LF
#3 Cole Figueroa* – 2B
#23 Jesus Feliciano* – CF
#24 Leslie Anderson* – DH
#36 Henry Wrigley – RF
#30 Stephen Vogt* – C
#33 Matt Mangini* – 3B
#46 Juan Miranda* – 1B
#7 Shawn O’Malley# – SS

#16 Jim Paduch – RHP

SWB YANKEES (17-16)
#7 Kevin Russo – 2B
#9 Colin Curtis* – LF
#25 Steve Pearce – 1B
#29 Jack Cust* – DH
#2 Ronnier Mustelier – CF
#8 Brandon Laird – 3B
#3 Francisco Cervelli – C
#17 Cole Garner – LF
#1 Yadil Mujica* – SS

#20 Nelson Figueroa – RHP

Umpires: HP – Sean Barber, 1B – Mark Lollo, 3B – Kevin Bultron

Forcast from Weather.com: Mostly cloudy with temperatures falling to the low 60s. Winds SW at 15 to 20 mph.

DATE: May 11, 2012 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Durham Spoils Yankees Five Run Comeback with 10 Inning 8-7 Win

Cole Garner homer highlights five run seventh as SWB came from 7-2 down

Rochester, NY – Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (17-16) came all the way back from a 7-2 deficit to tie the game at 7-7 with a five run seventh highlighted by a Cole Garner’s three run homer. The Durham Bulls (13-23) who would prevail, taking the opening game of the four game series by a score of 8-7 in 10 innings on Friday night at Frontier Field in Rochester.

The first two innings was a pitchers duel between Ramon Ortiz and Lance Pendleton, but theDurhamoffense awoke in the top half of the third inning, taking a 5-0 lead. Craig Albernaz scored on a Cole Figueroa line drive to center for the first run. In the next at bat, Jesus Feliciano singled up the middle allowing Kyle Hudson to score from second. Despite the run scoring, Figueroa was called out at second base on the force play. Reid Brignac capped off the five-run third inning with a monster three-run home run off the advertising boards in left field.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre chipped away at theDurhamlead with a two-run fourth inning. Francisco Cervelli got the Yankees on the board with a line drive single to left field, scoring Ronnier Mustelier. Later in the inning, Yadil Mujica scored Colin Curtis on a line drive to right field.

The Yankees threatened again in the bottom of fifth when Mustelier roped a two-out double over Steve Salazar’s head in right field moving Jack Cust over to third. However, Pendleton battled back in the next at bat by striking out Curtis stranding Mustelier and Cust in scoring position.

The Bulls extended their lead to 6-2 in the top half of the sixth. With two outs in the inning and runners on the corners Mike O’Connor threw over to first to try and pick off Craig Albernaz, but Shawn O’Malley then broke for home and scored on the double steal. Cervelli was credited with an error for allowing Albernaz to advance to third. Juan Miranda then placed an RBI single in between Ray Kruml and Curtis in right-center, making it a 7-2 game after 6 1/2 innings.

The Yankees responded in a big way with a five-run seventh inning. Steve Pearce started the rally with a solo home run way over the advertising boards in left field. Cust then singled and Mustelier was hit by a pitch. Curtis then bounced into a fielder’s choice giving the Yankees runners on the corners. Cervelli then roped a single down the third base line scoring Cust from third. Cole Garner then crushed a three-run homer into the left field bullpen tying the game at 7-7. It was Garner’s first home run of the season.

The Bulls took an 8-7 advantage on an infield single off the bat of Figueroa. O’Malley scored from third on the perfectly placed slow roller.

Mike O’Connor suffered the loss falling to 1-1 for the Yankees, while Brandon Gomes improves to 1-0 with the win.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre fell to 17-16 and Durham improved to 13-23. The Yankees and the Bulls take the field again tomorrow night at 7:05 for game two of a four game series inRochester. Nelson Figueroa (1-1, 6.35) gets the ball for the Yankees, while Jim Paduch (1-1, 3.46) gets the nod forDurham.

-SWB YANKEES-

(Photo courtesy of Bare Antolos)

New York Yankee left-handed pitcher Andy Pettitte took the mound for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in front 13,584 fans at Frontier Field in Rochester, NY. It took much cooperation between four different organizations, but Red Wings general manager Dan Mason felt it was a great success, as well as a great day for the people of Rochester.

“I think all parties involved realized it could be great for baseball and great for the city of Rochester and thankfully it all worked out for the best,” Mason said. “It’s a day a lot of people in these parts will remember for a long, long time.”

The reason it took so much cooperation from four different organizations is, the Red Wings were scheduled to host the Buffalo Bisons for a series finale on the same Sunday afternoon as Pettitte was scheduled to make his next minor league appearance on his road back to the show. In order for Pettitte to pitch in Rochester, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre moved its game with the Pawtucket Red Sox from Dwyer Stadium in Batavia, NY to Frontier Field.

With the help of the Yankees, Red Sox, Bisons, and the Red Wings, Pettitte made his start in front of the second largest crowd in Frontier Field history. The left-hander went five innings and suffered the loss. However, Mason was most impressed with Pettitte off the field. The day before his start Pettitte told Mason he wanted to sign autographs for 15 minutes after the press conference was over. He ended up signing for 45 minutes in the Frontier Field concourse.

“About 10 minutes into his autograph session, we announced to the crowd that he only had about five more minutes and he had to get going. He turned to me and said, ‘you know what Ill just keep going for a little while and Ill let you know when you need to make the announcement for 10 more minutes, but you don’t have to worry about making any announcements any time soon.”

Mason feels Pettitte is one of those guys who just “get it.”

“What really impressed me is every signature that he did he would look at the person and shake their hand and say hey have a great day, thanks for coming,” Mason said. “You talk about a guy who gets it and is just a great representative for baseball, you cant get much better than what he did here yesterday (May 6, 2012).”

May happens to be the month Frontier Field will host the most games during the 2012 season. Between the Yankees and Red Wings there will be 26 games and, because of this Rochester has coined the month of May as “Baseball Month in Rochester.”

“May seemed to be the month with the most games and we are in the midst of a 22 game home stand between May 1^st and May 22^nd,” Mason said. “So, we are doing something unique, we are encouraging fans if they come out to one game a week in the month of May, they got a chance to win a one year lease on a Toyota Camry. “

Mason is using the month of May as a way to ensure fans come back in the middle of the summer.

“We are trying to get people excited about baseball early in the season, so we see them a lot more in June, July, and August,” Mason said. “Typically, like most other teams, that’s when we really start drawing; when the weather gets nicer and the kids get out of school.”

The Rochester organization is using the month of May as an opportunity to give back by raising money for numerous charities every day.

“We’ve got a raffle going every night of some great autographed memorabilia. We have contacted some of our friends in Major League Baseball and they have sent us some unbelievable items, as well as some items from the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees and the Red Wings that we are doing every night,” Mason said. “We are raising a lot of money for charity; hopefully over $10,000 and we are off to a great start. Some lucky fan is going to be driving away here on June 2^nd with a one-year lease on a brand new Toyota Camry.”

Overall, Mason felt he had to do something special during such a unique season.

“When we found out we were going to be hosting 26 games in 31 days, we felt the need to do something special about that,” Mason said. “It’s the one-month this year when we are hosting more games than any other month and obviously we have 110 games now in 152 days.

The Yankees and Clippers discussing the matters of the day

SWB YANKEES GAME NOTES  – May 11th…
The same exciting notes (hitter’s, pitcher’s, hitting and fielding stats) that are passed out at the stadium.  More information than you could possbile ever want (or need) to know.

SWB Yankees Game Notes 5-11

THEY’RE PLAYING THE FEUD…
The above photo was snapped during the eighth inning tussle between the Yankees and Clippers in the final game of the four game series Thursday afternoon.  Pre game guest Jack Cust told Jim Mandalaro of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle yesterday: “It was a great win, because that game got a little heated.  We sure gave the fans a little excitement.”  When all was said and done both the Yankees Manny Delcarmen and Matt LaPorta of the Clippers got tossed from the game in the top of the eighth inning.  Thanks to some interesting scheduling, the Yankees and Clippers renew acquaintences again very soon when SWB visits Columbus May 19-22.  Eight games in 16 days.  Not the greatest set up you could hope for.

I KNOW YOU…
The Yankees have seen some very familiar faces over the current portion of the “home stand” at Frontier Field.  With Durham coming that does not change.   SWB will get a chance to face former Yankee Lance Pendleton (’10 – ’11) in the opening game of the four game series on Friday night as well as seeing first baseman (and now outfielder) Juan Miranda (’09 – ’10).  Getting a chance to see Miranda might just be worth the price of admission. A couple of more faces familar to Yankees fans and to the coaching staff, Romulo Sanchez (’09 – ’10) is pitching out of the Durham Bullpen and former Yankees Triple-A pitching coach Neil Allen who was on Dave Miley’s staff in 2006 in Columbus is with the Bulls for his second season as their pitching coach.  Allen was the pitching coach for my first season in minor league baseball in 1995 with the now defunct Mobile BaySharks of the Texas-Louisiana League, which was managed by former SWB Red Barons skipper Butch Hobson.  Full circle people, full circle….

TODAY ON THE HOME STAND…
Friday marks the 14th game of an 18 game 19 day “home” stand for the Yankees.  Who have hosted games in Allentown, PA, Rochester, NY, Batavia, NY and Rochester again.  Scranton/Wilkes-Barre has not been the road team since an April 25th game at Pawtucket.  The Yankees will play eight on the road starting on May 15th against Toledo and Columbus.  Following an off day on the road (in Buffalo) the Yankees will be back at “Home” against the Buffalo Bisons from May 24th – 27th and then will host Toledo at Frontier Field in Rochester from May 28th  – 31st.

WOW!…
The starting lineup for the Durham Bulls (below the Gustavo Molina photo) features seven left handed hitters, one switch hitter and just one right handed batter. The Bulls roster features nine left handed hitters, one switch hitter and just right hander.  I can’t recall an IL roster in my five years here that had even half that many lefties.

Gustavo Molina’s first SWB hit in 2012 was the game winner in the 10th inning on Thursday against Columbus.

STARTING LINEUPS – May 11th (*Left handed | #Switch hitter)

DURHAM BULLS (12-23)
#32 Kyle Hudson* – LF
#3 Cole Figueroa* – 3B
#23 Jesus Feliciano* – CF
#24 Leslie Anderson* – DH
#5 Reid Brignac* – 2B
#46 Juan Miranda* – 1B
#34 Jeff Salazar* – RF
#7 Shawn O’Malley# – SS
#4 Craig Albernaz – C

#14 Lance Pendleton – RHP

SWB YANKEES (17-15)
#7 Kevin Russo – 2B
#51 Ray Kruml* – CF
#25 Steve Pearce – 1B
#29 Jack Cust* – DH
#2 Ronnier Mustelier – 3B
#9 Colin Curtis* – RF
#3 Francisco Cervelli – C
#17 Cole Garner – LF
#1 Yadil Mujica* – SS

#35 Ramon Ortiz – RHP

Umpires: HP – Kelvin Bultron, 1B – Sean Barber (CC), 3B – Mark Lollo

Forcast from Weather.com: Clear. Windy early. Temperatures falling into the low to middle 50s. W winds at 15 to 20 mph, diminishing to 5 to 10 mph.

________________________

Pre game Audio – SWB Yankees designated hitter – JACK CUST

DATE: May 10, 2012 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Yankees Win Third Straight Game with 4-3 10 Inning Win

Jack Cust’s two run HR ties game in the eighth, Gustavo Molina’s RBI single wins game in 10th

Rochester, NY – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (17-15) scored the first run of the game vs. the Columbus Clippers (17-16) for the first time in the four game series but ended up having to come from behind again for a 4-3, 10 inning win.  The Yankees needed extra innings for the first time all season tying the game Jack Cust’s two run homer in the eighth and winning in the 10^th on Gustavo Molina’s RBI single.

The Yankees scored the games first run for just the ninth time in 32 games on the season picking up a single tally in the bottom of the first inning off Columbus starter Corey Kluber.  With two out Steve Pearce sent what seemed to be a routine fly ball to medium left that was wind blown and out of the reach of Clippers left fielder Matt LaPorta.  The hit was ruled a double and the inning was extended for Cust, who picked up the first of his three RBI’s on the day dropping a single in right center against the over shifted defense that featured seven of the nine defenders on the right side of the diamond.  Only third baseman Andy LaRoche and LaPorta were to the left of second base during all of the Cust at bats on the day.  Cust’s 17^th RBI of the season gave the Yankees a 1-0 lead.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre had some defensive issues of their own as the Clippers grabbed a 2-1 lead with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth off Yankees starter D.J. Mitchell.  Former Yankee Chad Huffman led off the inning for the Clippers with a double inside the bag at third.  The next hitter, Jose Lopez sent a warning track fly ball to left that Brandon Laird misjudged into an RBI double when the wind carried the ball back towards left center, falling 10 feet to Laird’s left and tying the game at 1-1.  After Lopez made third on a ground out, he came home to score on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Beau Mills.

The lead got extended to 3-1 with a single run in the fifth off Mitchell, who allowed three straight singles with two out in the inning.  Huffman got credit for the RBI with a single to left scoring Cord Phelps who led off the inning with a single and went to second base on a botched pick off throw to first base that got past Pearce.

Kluber kept the Yankees off the scoreboard for the remainder of his afternoon although SWB had a golden opportunity in the bottom of the fourth trailing 2-1.  The Yankees loaded the bases with none out with Pearce leading off the inning with a single, moving to second on a walk to Cust and to third on an infield single from Ronnier Mustelier.  With the bases chucked, Laird hit a comebacker to Kluber who started a 1-2-3 double play for the first two outs of the inning.  Molina struck out with runners at second and third and the inning produced no runs.

Cody Allen took over in the seventh inning and turned in a scoreless inning before a little drama took place in the top of the eighth.  With Manny Delcarmen on the hill and two outs facing LaRoche a pitch that came in behind the back of the Clippers third baseman drew the ire of LaPorta from the Clippers dugout.  He yelled at Delcarmen from the top stop of the first base dugout and Delcarmen yelled back and both benches and bullpens emptied.  No punches were thrown as there was a bit of gesturing on both sides and when the dust settled LaPorta and Delcarmen were ejected by home plate umpire and crew chief Chad Whitson.

Cust played hero in the bottom of the eighth inning with a two run shot to right center off Allen for his third homer of the season scoring Pearce who led the inning off with his second double and third hit of the afternoon.  Cust’s second and third RBI’s of the day tied the game at 3-3.

Neither club could get a run across in the ninth inning so the Yankees became the final team in the IL to play an extra inning game as the teams went to the 10^th.  Chase Whitley (WP, 4-1) recorded a 1-2-3 top of the 10^th setting the stage for Molina’s game winning hit.  Pearce got the Yankees going again with his third double and fourth hit of the game off Clippers reliever Jeremy Accardo (LP, 0-2).  Cust was intentionally walked and with one down Laird’s fly ball to right center was deep enough to advance Pearce to third.  Molina wasted no time singling to left on the first pitch he saw for the game winning hit and a 4-3 Yankees win.

The Yankees and Durham Bulls open up a four game series Friday night with a 7:05 PM first pitch from Frontier Field.  Right hander Ramon Ortiz (0-3, 4.18 ERA) gets the start for the Yankees while the Bulls will send right hander and former Yankee Lance Pendleton (1-1, 4.38 ERA) to the mound.

-SWB YANKEES-

Dellin Betances delivers a pitch during Wednesday night’s 2-1 Yankees win over Columbus

SWB YANKEES GAME NOTES…
Instead of the usual cut and paste job on the front page of game notes only, I thought in all of my wisdom (that and “borrowing” ideas from other blogs) it would be a good idea paste a link to the entire package of game notes as opposed to just the first page.

SWB Yankees Game Notes 5-10

FAMILIAR FACES…
The Yankees have seen some very familiar faces over the current portion of the “home stand” at PNC Field.  With Pawtucket at Frontier Field on Sunday, if everyone wasn’t too busy trackign every movement of Andy Pettitte, they missed a couple of former SWB Yankees pitchers in Mark Melancon (’09-’10) and Ross Ohlendorf (’07- ’08). With the departure of the Paw Sox and Columbus heading into the other visiting club house at Frontier Field it brought the arrival of outfielder Chad Huffman (’10) and on the third day of the four game series pitcher Zach McAllister (’09 – ’10) fresh off of his first Major League win for Cleveland on Monday night over the Chicago White Sox.  The Yankees reunion doesn’t stop with Columbus leaving town, when Durham comes in, SWB will get a chance to face former Yankee Lance Pendleton (’10 – ’11) in the opening game of the four game series on Friday night as well as seeing first baseman (and now outfielder) Juan Miranda (’09 – ’10).  Getting a chance to see Miranda might just be worth the price of admission.

GOOD INK FROM OUR “NEW” HOME TOWNPAPER…
Jim Mandelaro who normally spends a great deal of his time as the Rochester Red Wings beat writer for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle took some time to write a great story about the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees and their season on the road.  Please no one get bent out of shape about the use of the moniker “Empire State”.  It’s a very infomative story and I am not just saying that because I am in it.

POINTS AND PLACES UNKNOWN…
I am not certain of what his upcoming status will be and where he goes from here but Brett Gardner is not in the SWB Yankees starting lineup nor is he with the team for the final game of the four game series with the Columbus Clippers.  The smart money would certainly be on a Gardner sighting in New York at some point very soon.

Ramiro Pena testing his leg before SWB Yankees Columbus Clippers game

STARTING LINEUPS – May 10th (* left handed / #switch hitter)

COLUMBUS CLIPPERS (17-15)
#12 Cord Phelps# – 2B
#17 Chad Huffman – RF
#39 Jose Lopez – DH
#6 Matt LaPorta – LF
#27 Beau Mills* – 1B
#24 Andy LaRoche – 3B
#11 Gregorio Petit – SS
#36 Matt Pagnozzi – C
#41 Ben Copeland* – CF

#44 Corey Kluber – RHP

SWB YANKEES (16-15)
#7 Kevin Russo – 2B
#9 Colin Curtis – CF
#25 Steve Pearce – 1B
#29 Jack Cust* – DH
#2 Ronnier Mustelier - 3B
#8 Brandon Laird – LF
#55 Gustavo Molina – C
#17 Cole Garner – RF
#1 Yadil Mujica – SS

#21 D.J. Mitchell – RHP

Umpires: HP – Chad Whitson, 1B – Gerard Ascani, 3B – Jon Saphire

Forcast from Weather.com:  Partly cloudy and windy. Temperatures rising towards the upper 50s. Winds NW at 20 to 25 mph.

PRE GAME AUDIO – SWB Yankees Manager Dave Miley

DATE: MAY 9, 2012 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Betances Masterful in Yankees 2-1 win over Columbus

Right hander tosses a season high eight innings while Steve Pearce hits game winning homer

Rochester, NY – While it may not have been the start that Dellin Betances (WP, 2-1) had in mind, the finish was more than to his liking.  The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (16-15) starter was touched up for a home run on the first pitch of the game by Cord Phelps but in typical 2012 fashion the Yankees came from behind for the 11^th time in 16 wins, picking up a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Clippers (17-15) at Frontier Field on Wednesday night.

The Clippers got out of the gate as quickly as a team possibly could.  On the first pitch of the night from Betances in the top of the first, the lead off man Phelps hit the ball over the wall in right field into his own bullpen for a 1-0 lead. Betances shook off the first pitch homer and retired the next eight Clippers hitters he faced including at one point striking out four straight.

The Yankees did not waste any time tying the game in the bottom of the first inning offColumbusstarter Eric Berger (LP, 0-1).  Brett Gardner playing his second rehab game with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre led off the bottom of the first inning with a triple to left center over the head of Russ Canzler.  WithGardneron third, Kevin Russo flew out to straight away centerfield deep enough to score Gardner and the game was tied at 1-1.

Both pitchers kept the opposition off the scoreboard with Betances retiring eight straight before Phelps picked up the second and final hit of the night for the Clippers with two out in the third.  After the single by Phelps, Betances retired the next 10Columbushitters in succession.  Berger was not as dominant, but kept the Yankees off the scoreboard through the bottom of the third inning allowing only a two out third inning walk toGardner.

Steve Pearce broke the 1-1 tie in the bottom of the fourth inning with his fifth homer of the season.  The lead off shot to left field became the fourth homer and second game winning home run that Pearce has hit at Frontier Field this season.  The solo shot off Berger was a majestic fly ball that Canzler tracked all the way to the wall in left before watching it leave the yard.  The Yankees turned over a 2-1 lead to Betances who carried it through the eighth inning.

The 8.0 innings for Betances is his longest Triple-A outing in 11 starts between 2011 and 2012.  The previous long start was a 7.0 inning effort in an August 29^th loss toPawtucket at PNC Field in 2011.  The right hander allowed two hits (both to Phelps) and one run with two walks and seven strikeouts.  Each time he walked a batter he threw an inning ending double play.  The pair of 4-6-3 double plays ended both the seventh and the eighth innings.

Kevin Whelan (SV, 8) pitched a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts to pick up the save.

The Yankees and Clippers warp up the four game series Thursday afternoon with a 1:05 PM first pitch from Frontier Field.  Right hander D.J. Mitchell (2-1, 3.13 ERA) gets the start for the Yankees while the Clippers will send right hander Corey Kluber (3-2, 3.78 ERA) to the mound.

-SWB YANKEES-

Frontier Field, Rochester, NY | Wednesday, May 8, 2012 | 7:05 PM

COLUMBUS CLIPPERS (17-14) vs. SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE YANKEES (15-15)

Game # 31 | Home # 21

COL – LH Eric Burger (0-3, 4.37 ERA (Akron) vs. SWB – RH Dellin Betances (1-2, 6.35)

TONIGHT’S GAME…
The longest “home stand” of the season for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre continues as the Yankees play game three of a four game series with the two time defending Triple-A “National Champion” Columbus Clippers at Frontier Field.  Due to Monday’s washout, Tuesday night’s double header made up for Monday’s rain out as the teams spilt the twin bill. Columbuswon 1-0 in game 1, the Yankees won game 2, 4-3.  Wednesday is game 13 (6-6) of an 18 game stretch where the Yankees are the designated “home team.” Scranton/Wilkes-Barre took three of four fromLehighValley(4/26-4/29) to open the “home stand” before moving on toRochesterand splitting a four game (2-2) series with the Red Wings.  SWB andPawtucketplayed one game at Dwyer Stadium and one at Frontier Field completing a two game series (0-2) on Sunday.  After the four game run with Columbus, SWB will wrap up the 18 game “home” stretch with four against Durham(5/11 – 5/14).

YANKEES AND CLIPPERS…
Since the Yankees Triple-A affiliate moved to NEPA (fromColumbus) following the 2006 season, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre holds a 21-20 advantage in head-to-head matchups withColumbus. The Yankees have an 8-12 record at PNC Field vs. the Clippers and over the same stretch are 12-7 on the Clippers home turf (6-5 at Huntington Park which opened in 2009). SWB is now 9-13 as the “home” team vs. Columbus with the DH split on Tuesday night.  The Yankees and Clippers met in the 2010 Governors’ Cup Playoffs in a series won by Columbus 3-1.  All time, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre is 107-134 vs. the Clippers with a 48-72 record at PNC Field and a 58-61 mark in Columbus.

BACK FOR MORE….
Brett Gardner will continue his rehab stint for the SWB Yankees on Wednesday night in Rochester.  He will hit in the leadoff spot for the Yankees and get the start in left field.  Gardner has been on the DL since April 18^th with a strained right elbow.  In his first game with SWB on Tuesday night (game 1 of DH) Gardner went 2-3 with a pair of singles off left hander David Huff. With NY this season,Gardner is hitting .321 (9-28) with 5R, 2 2B, 3RBI, 5BB, 7K and 2SB.  His last extended stretch with SWB was in 2008 when he hit .296 (101-341) with 12 2B, 11 3B, 3HR and 32 RBI’s.  He stole 37 bases for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 46 attempts.

THE WRONG SIDE OF A BLANKING…
With a 1-0 shutout loss to Columbus in the first game of Tuesday’s double header, the Yankees season high losing streak was extended to five games.  The shutout loss was the fourth of the season for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre who is now 2-4 involving games where one of the two teams fails to get on the scoreboard.  The Yankees are already two thirds of the way to their total number of times being blanked in 2011 when the Yankees went 13-6 in games involving a shutout.

A NOTICEABLE IMPROVEMENT…
Yankees lefty Manny Banuelos who took the loss in game one of the DH on Tuesday by a 1-0 count, continues to improve since coming off the disabled list from a back injury that sidelined him from April 13^th – May 1^st.  In his first two starts of the season (pre-injury) Banuelos was a combined 0-1 with a 10.13 ERA, allowing 14H, 6R, 6ER with 7BB and 2K’s in 5.1 IP. In his last two starts the left hander is 0-1 with a 1.04 ERA allowing 6H, 1R, 1ER with 0BB and 8K’s in 8.2 IP.

HOME COOKING ON THE ROAD (FOR NOW)…
The Yankees are 12 games into a stretch of 18 straight games at “home” and during the first two months of the season are 36 of the first 56 games as the team batting last.  The Yankees are scheduled to play 18 of 29 on the road in June, 16 of 28 on the road in July and 20 of 32 on the road in August and September.

THE NEWEST BACKSTOP…
Catcher Gustavo Molina rejoined the SWB Yankees from Double-A Trenton and made his 2012 SWB debut in game two of Tuesday DH going 0-3.  He hit .253 with 4HR and 21 RBI for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 47 games in 2011 began the 2012 season with the Thunder hitting .304 (7-23) with 6HR and 14RBI in six games. Molina was on the DL with the Thunder from April 12^th – May 3^rd with a stiff back.

BUMPS AND BRUISES…
The Yankees have placed infielder Doug Bernier on the 7-Day Disabled List retroactive to May 7 with a strained oblique.  The current SWB Yankees roster sits at 24, one below the 25 man limit.

THE STARTER…
Dellin Betances makes his seventh start for the Yankees against Columbus on Wednesday night at Frontier Field…Betances picked up a victory over Lehigh Valley in an SWB “home” game at Coca-Cola Park on April 27^th for his first career win at the Triple-A level…His last time out he battled control again in a no decision against Rochester on May 3^rd, walking six batters for the third different time on the season… Betances has allowed 27 walks and has struck out 21 hitters in 28.1 IP in 2012…He allowed single runs in both the first and second innings and took a 3-2 lead to the top of the fifth before allowing the equalizer, leaving after 5.0 IP with a no decision…Wednesday’s start will be his first career appearance against Columbus.

THE SKIPPER…
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Manager Dave Miley picked up the 1,600^th win of his minor league managerial career in the Yankees 7-5 win over Buffalo on April 13^th.  Miley is in his seventh season as the manager of the Yankees Triple-A team, taking the helm as the manager of the Columbus Clippers in the Yankees final season inOhio’s capital city (2006). He has been the only manager the SWB Yankees have had in their six year history.  In 21 seasons managing in the minor leagues, Miley has compiled a 1,612-1,229 record, including a 497-388 mark leading the Yankees top affiliate. Miley has a posted a winning record in 18 of his 20 previous seasons as a minor league manager.

A SEASON UNLIKE ANY OTHER…
The Yankees will play the entire 2012 schedule on the road while their home stadium PNC Field is slated to undergo a $43.3 million renovation project.  SWB will play “home” games in six different venues during the 2012 season.  The Yankees will play 37 games at Frontier Field inRochester,NY, 10 games at Alliance Bank Stadium in Syracuse,NY, eight games at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown,PA seven games at Dwyer Stadium inBatavia,NY, six games at Coca-Cola Field inBuffalo, NY and four at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, RI.

UPCOMING PITCHING PROBABLES

Thursday 1:05 PM
COL – RH Corey Kluber vs.  SWB – RH D.J. Mitchell (2-1, 3.13)

Friday 7:05 PM
DUR – RH Lance Pendleton (1-1, 4.38) vs. SWB – RH Ramon Ortiz (0-3, 4.18)

Saturday 7:05 PM
DUR – RH Jim Paduch (1-0, 1.13) vs. SWB – RH Nelson Figueroa (1-1, 6.35)

Sunday 1:05 PM
DUR – RH Chris Archer (2-4, 5.50) vs. SWB – LH Manny Banuelos (0-2, 4.50)

Monday 7:05 PM
DUR – RH Alex Cobb (Wednesday) vs. SWB – TBA

STARTING LINEUPS – May 9th (* Left Handed / # Switch Hitter)

COLUMBUS CLIPPERS (17-14)
#12 Cord Phelps# – 2B
#17 Chad Huffman – RF
#39 Jose Lopez – 3B
#6 Matt LaPorta – DH
#27 Beau Mills* – 1B
#28 Russ Canzler – LF
#24 Andy LaRoche – SS
#9 Luke Carlin# – C
#41 Ben Copeland* – CF

#43 Eric Berger – LHP

SWB YANKEES (15-15)
#5 Brett Gardner* – LF
#7 Kevin Russo – 2B
#25 Steve Pearce – 1B
#29 Jack Cust* – DH
#2 Ronnier Mustelier  – RF
#8 Brandon Laird – 3B
#3 Francisco Cervelli – C
#9 Colin Curtis* – CF
#1 Yadil Mujica* – SS

#32 Dellin Betances – RHP

Umpires: HP – Jon Saphire, 1B – Chad Whitson (CC), 3B – Gerard Ascani

Forcast from Weather.com: Mostly cloudy. Windy early. Temperatures falling into the low 50s. Winds WNW at 15 to 20 mph.

___________________

Pregame Audio – Former SWB Yankees and current Columbus Clippers pitcher Zach McAllister

Follow the SWB Yankees during the 2012 season from the radio booth on Twitter – @vwoude

and on Facebook – Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees

DATE: May 8, 2012 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Columbus Split Tuesday Twin Bill  

Clippers win opening game 1-0, while Yankees come from behind to win night cap 4-3

Rochester, NY – On the same night the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (15-15) saw their season long losing streak get extended to five with a 1-0 loss, the Yankees came from behind and stopped that streak in its tracks with a 4-3 win.  The Yankees and Columbus Clippers (17-14) split a double header at Frontier Field in Rochester, with the visitors taking a 1-0 win in game one and the Yankees coming from behind to win game two 4-3.

The Clippers would get the only run they would need in the top half of the fifth inning in the first game of the twin bill.  Beau Mills led off the inning off SWB starter Manny Banuelos (LP, 0-2) with a single to right field just out of the reach of second baseman Kevin Russo for a base hit.  The next hitter Andy LaRoche doubled to centerfield out of the reach of Yankees centerfielder Cole Garner scoring Mills for a 1-0 lead.

Clippers starter David Huff (WP, 1-1) took care of the rest as he did not allow a run tossing the four hit complete game shutout for his first win of the season.  The southpaw, making his second start and third appearance of the season walked one and struck out five in his 7.0 innings of work.  Banuelos who took the loss for the Yankees was impressive on the night as well, allowing one run on four hits with three strikeouts in his 5.0 innings.  The left hander’s pitch count was increased to 75 in his second start since coming off the disabled list on May 2^nd.

Game two of the double header got off to a much more offensive start as both the Clippers and Yankees picked up early runs. Columbusgrabbed a 2-0 lead with a pair of runs in the first inning off SWB starter Adam Warren.  Former SWB Yankee outfielder Chad Huffman doubled to right center scoring Cord Phelps who led the inning off with a single for a 1-0 lead.  With one down Matt LaPorta doubled into left center plating Huffman with the second run of the inning.

The Yankees answered with single runs in each of the first and second innings off Clippers starter Kevin Slowey (LP, 2-3).  Jack Cust picked up his SWB best 16^th run batted in with a single to center scoring Kevin Russo, who led the inning off with a single and then stole second base to put himself into scoring position.  SWB tied the game in the second inning at 2-2 on Russo’s two out RBI double to left that scored Ray Kruml who had singled with two out and stole second base to put himself in scoring position.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre grabbed the lead in the bottom of the third on the first Triple-A homer from Ronnier Mustelier, a line shot over the wall in left good for a two run shot off Slowey and a 4-2 Yankees lead.  Cust led off the third with a double to left center and scored on the Mustelier long ball.

Columbus got to with one run at 4-3 scoring a run off Warren in the top of the fourth inning.  With two out and the bases loaded for Cord Phelps, the Clippers second baseman singled to left scoring LaRoche to get the visitors within one run at 4-3.  Clippers manager Mike Sarbaugh waived home the runner from second base Matt Pagnozzi, testing Kruml’s arm in left.  Kruml’s one hop throw was in time and Pagnozzi was tagged out by Yankees catcher Gustavo Molina for the final out of the inning with SWB maintaining the lead at 4-3.

Juan Cedeno (WP, 2-0) picked up the win in relief of Warren tossing 1.0 scoreless innings and Kevin Whelan pitched 1.1 scoreless innings for his seventh save of the season.

The Yankees and Clippers are back to the standard one game, nine inning format on Wednesday night with a 7:05 PM first pitch from Frontier Field.  Right hander Dellin Betances (1-2, 6.25 ERA) gets the start for the Yankees while the Clippers have not announced a starter for the third game of the series.

-SWB YANKEES-