9/10 Minor League Report - Playoff Edition

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We are lucky enough to have a SWB report from BigGuy tonight.
He won't be doing these all the time by when he does I will
post them. Thanks BG for the great contributions.

(Triple-A) Scranton/Wilkes-Barre beat Gwinnett 4-1 in game 2 of their five-game series (SWB leads series 2-0): Box Score - Recap

The SWB Yanks met the Gwinnett Braves (wild card) in game 2 of the 1st round of the International League Playoffs. The Yanks took a commanding lead in the best of 5 series with a 4-1 win. SWB shutout the Braves in game 1 by a 3-0 score. The series moves to SWB Friday for the final 3 games, if needed.

PITCHING: 22-year old Ivan Nova (1-4, 5.10 in 12 AAA starts) got the start for the Yankees. Nova had 3 very good starts after being promoted from Trenton before the all star break, but struggled the 2nd half of the year. This was easily his best game since the all star break as he had his sinker working beautifully getting 15 groundouts--1 flyout.

Nova tossed a perfect 1st inning, picking up 2 strikeouts. He threw a scoreless 2nd stranding a runner at 2nd after a single and passed ball. He picked up his 3rd strikeout. Nova with another perfect inning in the 3rd, picking up his 4th K, all called 3rd strikes. Nova got 2 quick out in the 4th inning, including another strikeout. He then gave up 3 straight singles to give the Braves their 1st run of the series, cutting the Yanks lead to 3-1. Nova bounced back nicely with a perfect 5th inning, getting 3 ground outs. He got into a jam in the 6th when he gave up 2 1-out singles, but forced a double play to get out of trouble. Nova got 2 quick groundouts in the 7th, and should have had 3 to get out of the inning. An error, infield single, and walk, loaded the bases, but he forced another groundout to get out of the jam. Huge game for Ivan Nova as he picked up the win. 92 pitches--65 strikes. Nova's line: 7.0 IP, 1 run, 7 hits (all singles), 5 K--1 walk

Zach Kroenke, who threw 2 scoreless innings in game 1, came on to pitch a perfect 8th. Another great job by Kroenke.

Kevin Whelan, the hard throwing righty who came from Detroit in the Sheffield deal came on to pitch the 9th. He walked the 1st batter he faced on 4 pitches, then gave up a single, bringing the tying run to the plate with no outs. Whelan buckled down and struck out the next 3 batters to pick up the save. He topped out at 97 with his fastball.

OFFENSE: Jo-Jo Reyes (4-2, 2.86) got the start for the Braves. In the 2nd inning, Kevin Russo reached on an error and was followed by a John Rodriguez single with 1 out. Russo scored when Colin Curtis reached on an error to give SWB a 1-0 lead. In the 3rd, Freddy Guzman had a leadoff walk and stole 2nd base. Austin Jackson and Russo each added RBI doubles for 2 more runs and a 3-0 Yankee lead. The Yanks picked up a solo run in the 5th when Reegie Corona doubled and scored on a Juan Miranda RBI single to give SWB a 4-1 lead. The Yanks wasted leadoff singles by Doug Bernier in the 7th, and Corona in the 8th. They were followed by doubleplays. Miranda had a 2-out single in the 8th, but was stranded. In the 9th, Bernier reached on an error, but was stranded. It was the Braves 3rd error of the game, and 5th in the 2 games.

NOTES: Cody Ransom out with a hamstring injury. Chad Jennings reports Zach Kroenke and Grant Duff have been added to the Arizona Fall League roster. Austin Jackson and Kevin Russo who both played last year are taking the winter off. SWB has had 30 roster moves in 8 days. Rain is in the forecast for Friday nights 3rd game.

Final	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Scranton/WB	0	1	2	0	1	0	0	0	0		4	8	1
Gwinnett	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0		1	8	3

W: Nova (1-0, 1.29); L: Reyes, Jo (0-1, 3.86); SV: Whelan (1)
HR: None.

Offense:
Freddy Guzman: 0-for-3, BB, R, SB (1)
Reegie Corona: 2-for-4, 2B, R
Austin Jackson: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI, R
Juan Miranda: 2-for-4, RBI
Kevin Russo: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI, R
John Rodriguez: 1-for-4
Colin Curtis: 0-for-4, RBI
Doug Bernier: 1-for-4

Pitching:
Ivan Nova (W, 1-0): 7 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K (1.29 ERA)
Zach Kroenke: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (0.00 ERA)
Kevin Whelan (S, 1): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K (0.00 ERA)

Pitches-strikes: Nova 92-65, Kroenke 12-9, Whelan 24-13.

Probable starters for rest of series:

Game 3: SWB LHP Kei Igawa (10-8, 4.15) vs. Gwinett RHP Bobby Brownlie (5-2, 4.13)

Game 4: SWB RHP Zach McAllister (NR) vs. Gwinett LHP Jonny Venters (4-7, 5.62) (if necessary)

Game 5: SWB RHP Anthony Claggett (7-7, 3.07) vs. Gwinett TBA (if necessary)

(Double-A) Trenton (69-72): Trenton's season is over, they finished third in their division, but did not make the playoffs.

(High-A) Tampa completed a two-game sweep over Brevard County yesterday. The first game of the Championship series will be in Tampa on Friday night at 7 PM. Tampa will play either the Port Charlotte or Ft. Myers.

(Low-A) Charleston (Overall: 74-65; Second half: 35-34): The RiverDogs season in over, they finished in second place in their division, but did not make the playoffs.

(Single-A Short-Season) Staten Island and Lowell had game three of their series postponed (Series tied 1-1). Game will be made up tomorrow in Staten Island.

(Rookie) GCL Yanks (33-28): Their season is over after losing to the GCL Marlins in the first round of the playoffs.