Made the trip to Scranton last night for the SWB Yankees first game of the season. Here are some of my observations on the game to add to the highlights posted by Greg earlier. Day started out sunny and close to 90 degrees and ended a cool 60 degrees and rainy. But it was well worth the trip as the Yankees shut out the Mets' Triple-A affiliate, Buffalo Bisons 1 - 0. Starter Ivan Nova pitched well over 4 innings (4 K's) and came out of the game after a rain delay of over an hour. Mark Melancon (2 innings) and Boone Logan (2 innings, 4 K's) continued in relief to preserve the shut out with Jonathan Albaladejo coming in to pick up his first save with a 1-2-3 ninth. Melancon got the win. We should continue to see performances like this by the bullpen all season. As constituted, the SWB bullpen could be as good, if not better than some in the majors.The only scoring came from David Winfree who slammed a home run over the left centerfield wall 3 pitches after the rain delay. In Jesus Montero's debut at Triple-A, he batted sixth and in his first at bat, roped a line drive double to left. He also flied out deep to right and grounded out in his last at bat. Sparkling defensive plays by both corner infielders Kevin Russo, 3B and Juan Miranda, 1B shut down potential Buffalo rallies to preserve the slim Yankee lead. It was the third straight opening day shut out win for the Yanks.
Other items of note:
- Montero looked decent defensively behind the plate and seemed to have a good rapport with each of the pitchers.
- Miranda had a solid double to left and walked in the 3 spot in the order.
- Batting lead off Russo was on base twice with a hit and a walk in 4 at bats.
- Though he wasn't charged any errors, Eduardo Nunez looked very shaky at short. Hopefully it's only opening night jitters.
- Mets prospect Ike Davis (son of former Yankee reliever Ron Davis) looked great going 3 for 4 for the Bisons. The lefthanded first baseman had a solid double to deep center off lefty Logan, who otherwise pitched great. I can see Davis, the 18th pick in the 2008 draft, getting a shot real soon with the Mets at 1B. Not sure why he's not there already after a solid spring.
- Top pitching prospect Zach McAllister makes his regular season Triple-A debut tomorrow night against veteran knuckleballer RA Dickey.
