8/29 Minor League Report: Montero & Mitchell Lead SWB to Division Title

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(Triple-A) Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (82-52) beat Buffalo (72-63) 5-1: Box - Recap

SWB clinched their 4th straight North Division title with the win.

Batting:
Kevin Russo 2B: 2-for-4, R
Greg Golson CF: 1-for-3, BB, R
Jesus Montero C: 2-for-4, 2 HR (18), 4 RBI (65), 2 R
Juan Miranda 1B: 0-for-4
Jorge Vazquez DH: 0-for-4, 4 K's
Colin Curtis RF: 1-for-3, HR (4), RBI (24), R, HBP
Chad Huffman LF: 2-for-4
Brandon Laird 3B: 0-for-3
Eric Bruntlett SS: 0-for-3

Pitching:
D.J. Mitchell (W, 1-0): 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 5 K, WP (2.84 ERA)
Kevin Whelan: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K (7.02 ERA)
Eric Wordekemper: 0.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K (3.21 ERA)
Jonathan Albaladejo (S, 42): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, WP, HB (1.42 ERA)

Pitches-strikes: Mitchell, D. 99-57, Whelan 8-4, Wordekemper 13-4, Albaladejo 13-8.
Groundouts-flyouts: Mitchell, D. 9-6, Whelan 1-2, Wordekemper 0-0, Albaladejo 0-2.


(Double-A) Trenton (78-56) lost to Harrisburg (72-61) 6-5 in 11 innings: Box - Recap

Batting:
Justin Christian LF: 2-for-5, HR (5), 2 RBI (47), R
Austin Krum CF: 1-for-5, RBI (40)
Austin Romine C: 2-for-5, R
Rene Rivera DH: 0-for-4, R, HBP
Marcos Vechionacci 1B: 0-for-4
Corban Joseph 2B: 0-for-3, RBI (10), BB
Edwar Gonzalez RF: 3-for-5, 3B, RBI (35), R
Luis Nunez SS: 0-for-4
Justin Snyder 3B: 1-for-4, R

Pitching:
Dellin Betances: 5.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, WP, HB (2.61 ERA)
Wilkin De La Rosa: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K (5.30 ERA)
JB Cox: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, HB (4.50 ERA)
Josh Schmidt (L, 3-3): 0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K (2.86 ERA)

Groundouts-flyouts: Betances 3-7, De La Rosa, W 1-2, Cox, J 2-3, Schmidt 0-0.


(High-A) Tampa (Overall: 75-54; Second Half: 39-22) lost to Dunedin (Overall: 68-65; Second Half: 27-36) 4-2: Box - Recap

Batting:
Raymond Kruml CF: 1-for-5
Jose Pirela 2B: 1-for-4, BB, SB (28)
Bradley Suttle 3B: 0-for-5
Addison Maruszak SS: 0-for-4
Myron Leslie 1B: 2-for-4, R, SB (7)
Zolio Almonte RF: 1-for-4
Jack Rye LF: 1-for-3, 2B, RBI (42), BB
Jose Gil C: 2-for-3, HR (5), RBI (17), BB, R
Anderson Feliz DH: 1-for-4

Pitching:
Josh Romanski (L, 0-1): 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, WP (6.43 ERA)
Ronny Marte: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, WP (2.08 ERA)
Adam Olbrychowski: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (4.02 ERA)

Groundouts-flyouts: Romanski 5-5, Marte, R 1-0, Olbrychowski 0-0.


(Low-A) Charleston (Overall: 61-70; Second Half: 30-32) had an off-day.


(Single-A Short-Season) Staten Island (30-34) lost to Lowell (22-45) 6-5: Box - Recap

Batting:
Shane Brown 1B: 1-for-5
Cito Culver SS: 1-for-3, 2 BB, R
Rob Segedin 3B: 1-for-4, 2B, R
Gary Sanchez DH: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI (6), R, HBP
Kelvin De Leon RF: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 R
Luis Parache 2B: 1-for-4, RBI (20)
Jeffrey Farnham C: 1-for-3, RBI (7), BB, R
Michael Ferraro LF: 2-for-4, 2 2B
Kelvin Duran CF: 1-for-4, RBI (2)

Pitching:
Matthew Jernstad (L, 1-2): 6 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, HB (3.13 ERA)
Thomas Kahnle: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (0.75 ERA)

Groundouts-flyouts: Jernstad 7-6, Kahnle 0-4.


(Rookie) GCL Yankees (24-32) season is over, they finished last in the GCL.

Berkman To Begin Rehab Stint With Trenton

Chad Jennings is reporting that Lance Berkman will head to Double-A Trenton for a two-day rehab assignment. Here's a funny quote from Berkman about his return:

A glimpse into Berkman’s personality: When the group of reporters asked him how quickly he thought he could be back, Berkman immediately went to his brand of self-deprecating humor. “I’m sure fans can’t wait for me to resume my pursuit of the Mendoza line,” he said.

He might not have done much prior to his injury, but don't be surprised if he picks up a few big hits for this team in September.

Girardi: The Rotation Will Stay The Same

From Chad Jennings:

“We’re going to stay on rotation, that’s what we’re going to do,” he said. “There were things I wanted to think about, and instead of giving you quick answers, I thought about them and we’re staying on rotation.”

That means Ivan Nova will stay in the rotation — “He’s going to make another start, I can tell you that,” Girardi said — and it also means A.J. Burnett will make his next scheduled start at home against Oakland.

“He’s going out Wednesday, and we need him to pitch well for us,” Girardi said.

Here's a question for you: At this point who would you rather see in the starting rotation?

1) A.J. Burnett
2) Javier Vazquez
3) Sergio Mitre

This Week in Yankees History (8/29-9/4)

This Week in Yankees History 

August 29th - September 4th

August 29th

1888 - Former Yankees P Ensign Cottrell (1915) was born. On April 7,1915, he was purchased by the Yankees from the Boston Braves. Ensign appeared in 7 games with the New York Yankees, posting a 0-1 record.

1925 - After a night on the town, Babe Ruth shows up late for batting practice. New York Yankees Manager Miller Huggins suspends Ruth and slaps a $5,000 fine on him for disobeying orders on the field and team rules off the field. In the showdown between the Bambino and the tiny manager, Yankees Owner Jake Ruppert backs up his manager. Ruth is forced to apologize, before he's reinstated to the team 9 days later. The day after his return to the Yankee lineup, Ruth hits MLB career HR number 300.

1927 - In St. Louis, the Yankees win their 18th game of the 1927 AL season against the Browns without a loss by the score of 8-3.

1928 - Former Yankees P Mickey Dermont (1956) was born. After being acquired from the Washington Senators, Mickey went 2-6 with the New York Yankees in 1956, before being sent to the Kansas City A’s in 1957.

1931 - In his 1st start following his loss, Lefty Grove fans the side (Sammy Byrd, Joe Sewell, Babe Ruth) in the 1st inning, hands out a walk to Lou Gehrig to start the 2nd inning, and records 3 more K's (Ben Chapman, Lyn Lary, Bill Dickey). Lefty has 2-K's in the 3rd inning but develops a blister from gripping the ball. Lou Gehrig knocks Lefty Grove out of the box with a 6th-inning grand slam, but the Philadelphia A's lefty still wins the game by the score of 7-4. The Yankees Lou Gehrig now has 142 RBIs. Jimmie Foxx knocks in 5 runs for the A's.

Read more »

Andy Two Weeks Away?

Andy Pettitte threw a successful BP session today, and said this was the best he's felt since he was injured. Here's more from Bob Nightengale:

"I feel good,'' Pettitte said. "My arm bounced back big-time today. It was a good day. If I was going to grade it (on a 1 to 10 scale), I'd say my arm felt like a 9 today.''

Yankees manager Joe Girardi also was encouraged, and agreed that Pettitte could return in two weeks. He likely would throw 75 to 80 pitches in his first start, building up his arm strength.

"We're going to have to maybe build him up here a little bit,'' Girardi said, noting that the minor-league season ends in a week. "There might come a point where it's hard to find games for him to pitch in except up here. This might be the only game in town.''

They need him ASAP, because as of right now I trust Ivan Nova more than any of the other Yankee starters, and that's not a good thing.

Nunez Drives in 4 As Yanks Outslug White Sox 12-9

(AP Photo/John Smierciak)

Final	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
N.Y. Yankees «	2	2	2	0	4	0	0	1	1	12	14	0
Chi. White Sox	1	0	2	2	0	0	0	2	2	9	16	1

W: C. Sabathia (18-5) L: J. Danks (12-9)
S: M. Rivera (26)

Last night, the Yankees survived several White Sox rallies to hold on to a 12-9 win. The victory keeps the in a tie for first with the Rays, who beat the Red Sox on a walk-off homer by Dan Johnson.

Neither team got much pitching, but CC Sabathia was good enough to remain the game through seven and pick up his league-leading 18th victory of the year. CC almost pulled an A.J. Burnett, when he gave up five runs over the first five, trimming a Yankees 6-1 lead down to 6-5. But he settled in and held Chicago off the board for the next two.

The Yankees offense also picked up their ace by scoring four more runs in the 5th to increase their lead back to five and put the game out of reach.

Eduardo Nunez, Marcus Thames, Nick Swisher, Jorge Posada, and Robinson Cano did all the damage for the Yanks. Let's look at their nights one by one:

• Nunez was the offensive star of this one, picking up three hits, his first big league homer, and driving in four. The rookie has looked very good replacing Alex Rodriguez, and is now hitting .333 over his first 24 at-bats at the major league level. His homer came with the Yankees up 2-1 in the 2nd, and extended their lead to 4-1.

• Thames also had a big night, smacking two homers and driving in three. He doesn't play a lot, but when he does he gets the job done. For the season, he's now hitting .319/.399/.528 with 8 HR and 24 RBI. I'm surprised I'm saying it, but he's probably been the best of Brian Cashman's offseason additions. His first homer turned out to be a big one, because it extended their lead to 6-1 in the 3rd, and as you know by now they needed every run they could get.

• Swisher went 2-for-5 and drove in 3. He got the Yankees started with a two-run homer in the 1st, his 24th of the year. He also picked up an RBI single in the 8th for a very important insurance run.

• Posada reached base four times, and drove in two runs on a big two-run double in the 5th after Chicago cut the Yankees lead to one.

• Cano didn't drive in a run, but he scored two and picked up three hits.

Still, with all that offense, this game still came down to Mariano Rivera thanks to some ugly relief pitching. Joba Chamberlain gave up two runs on two hits in a third of an inning. Then, after Boone Logan cleaned up Joba's mess, David Robertson gave up another two runs on three hits without recording an out to start the 9th. Robertson wasn't helped when Austin Kearns lost a flyball in the lights, but that had nothing to do with the homer he allowed to Alexei Ramirez or the single he gave up to Paul Konerko.

In came Mo and he immediately got a doubleplay to take most of the air out of the building. But then Ramon Castro singled and Andruw Jones walked, and the Sox had the tying run at the plate for Mark Teahen. Mo got ahead 1-2 and then got Teahen to line out to Cano to end the game.

It wasn't a well played game or a fun game to watch, but at least the Yankees won it.
They now look to take the series in tomorrow afternoon's rubber game with Ivan Nova going up against Gavin Floyd. First pitch is set for 2:05 pm, and the game will be on YES and TBS.

Hitters	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Derek Jeter , SS	5	1	1	0	1	2	5	.272
Nick Swisher , 1B	5	2	2	3	1	0	3	.294
Mark Teixeira , 1B	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.257
a-Curtis Granderson , PH-CF	3	0	0	0	1	2	3	.245
Robinson Cano , 2B	5	2	3	0	0	0	3	.323
Marcus Thames , DH	5	2	2	3	0	1	3	.319
Jorge Posada , C	3	1	2	2	2	1	0	.257
Austin Kearns , RF	4	1	0	0	1	2	3	.273
Brett Gardner , CF	3	1	1	0	2	1	1	.286
Eduardo Nunez , SS	4	2	3	4	1	0	0	.333
Totals	38	12	14	12	9	9	21
a-Struck out swinging for M Teixeira in the 3rd.
BATTING
2B - J Posada 2 (19); B Gardner (15)
HR - N Swisher (24); M Thames 2 (8); E Nunez (1)
RBI - N Swisher 3 (75); M Thames 3 (24); J Posada 2 (49); E Nunez 4 (7)
RISP - 4-12 (D Jeter 1-3, C Granderson 0-1, E Nunez 1-1, M Thames 0-1, B Gardner 0-1, A Kearns 0-1, J Posada 1-1, N Swisher 1-2, R Cano 0-1) LOB - 8
SB - E Nunez (1)
CS - C Granderson (2)

Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
CC Sabathia (W,18-5)	7.0	9	5	5	1	9	2	3.14
Joba Chamberlain	0.1	2	2	2	0	1	0	5.01
Boone Logan	0.2	1	0	0	0	0	0	2.59
David Robertson	0.0	3	2	2	0	0	1	4.14
Mariano Rivera (S,26)	1.0	1	0	0	1	0	0	1.16

Ground Balls-Fly Balls: C Sabathia 5-7; J Chamberlain 0-0; B Logan 1-1; D Robertson 0-0; M Rivera 2-1

Called strikes-Swinging strikes-Foul balls-In Play strikes: C Sabathia 20-14-23-21; J Chamberlain 2-1-2-2; B Logan 0-1-1-3; D Robertson 1-0-6-3; M Rivera 1-3-1-3

First-pitch strikes/Batters faced: C Sabathia 19/31; J Chamberlain 2/3; B Logan 0/3; D Robertson 1/3; M Rivera 3/4

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Eduardo Nunez HONORABLE MENTION: Marcus Thames

8/28 Minor League Report - Banuelos Solid In 2nd AA Start

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(Triple-A) Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (80-51) lost to Buffalo (72-61) 4-0 in game 1 of their doubleheader: Box - Recap

Batting:
Kevin Russo 2B: 1-for-4
Greg Golson CF: 1-for-4, 3B
Jesus Montero C: 1-for-4 --- batting .286
Juan Miranda 1B: 1-for-2, BB, HBP
Jorge Vazquez DH: 0-for-2, 2 BB
Colin Curtis RF: 2-for-4, 2B
Brandon Laird 3B: 0-for-3
Chad Huffman LF: 1-for-2, BB
Eric Bruntlett SS: 0-for-3

Pitching:
Kei Igawa (L, 2-4): 6.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 10 K (4.71 ERA)
Kevin Whelan: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (7.47 ERA)

Pitches-strikes: Igawa 95-64, Whelan 5-4.
Groundouts-flyouts: Igawa 8-1, Whelan 0-0.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (81-52) beat Buffalo (72-62) 2-1 in game 2 of their doubleheader: Box - Recap

Batting:
Kevin Russo SS-2B: 0-for-3
Greg Golson CF: 2-for-3, 2B, R
Juan Miranda DH: 0-for-3
Jorge Vazquez 1B: 2-for-3, HR (15), 2 RBI (56), R
Colin Curtis RF: 1-for-3
Brandon Laird 3B: 1-for-3
Reid Gorecki LF: 0-for-2
Robby Hammock 2B: 0-for-2
Chad Moeller C: 0-for-2

Pitching:
Jason Hirsh: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, HB (3.90 ERA)
Amaury Sanit: (2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K (7.80 ERA)
Royce Ring: (H, 13): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (1.57 ERA)
Jonathan Albaladejo (BS, 2)(W, 4-2): 0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (1.44 ERA) --- was ejected from game after blowing save
Zack Segovia (S, 4): 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (4.42 ERA)

Pitches-strikes: Hirsh 32-20, Sanit 41-23, Ring 14-8, Albaladejo 11-8, Segovia 16-11.
Groundouts-flyouts: Hirsh 1-3, Sanit 3-1, Ring 2-0, Albaladejo 0-0, Segovia 2-0.

(Double-A) Trenton (78-55) beat Harrisburg (71-61) 2-1: Box - Recap

Batting:
Justin Christian LF: 1-for-4, R
Austin Krum CF: 1-for-4, 3B, RBI (39), R
Austin Romine C: 1-for-4
Rene Rivera DH: 1-for-4, 2B
Marcos Vechionacci 1B: 1-for-4
Corban Joseph 2B: 0-for-4
Edwar Gonzalez RF: 1-for-3, BB
Justin Snyder 3B: 0-for-3
Luis Nunez SS: 0-for-3

Pitching:
Manuel Banuelos: 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 K (5.06 ERA)
John Van Benschoten (BS, 1)(W, 2-0): 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K (0.00 ERA)
Josh Schmidt (H, 9): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (2.72 ERA)
Ryan Pope (S, 16): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (4.18 ERA)

Groundouts-flyouts: Banuelos 3-3, Van Benschoten 2-2, Schmidt 0-2, Pope 0-1.


(High-A) Tampa (Overall: 75-53; Second Half: 39-21) beat Dunedin (Overall: 67-65; Second Half: 26-36) 6-2: Box - Recap

Batting:
Raymond Kruml RF-CF: 1-for-5, R
Jose Pirela 2B: 0-for-3, RBI (60)
Bradley Suttle 3B: 0-for-3, BB
Melky Mesa CF: 0-for-1, R, HBP --- left game after being hit by a pitch
Zolio Almonte RF: 2-for-2, 2 RBI (25)
Myron Leslie 1B: 0-for-3, BB, R
Addison Maruszak SS: 2-for-3, R
Jack Rye RF-LF: 1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI (41), BB
Jose Gil C: 1-for-3, R
Trent Lockwood DH: 1-for-3, RBI (31), R

Pitching:
Sean Black: 5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K, WP (0.00 ERA) --- first game since promotion from Charleston
Preston Claiborne (H, 1): 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K (5.40 ERA)
Pat Venditte (BS, 3)(W, 4-1): 2.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K (1.63 ERA)

Groundouts-flyouts: Black 6-5, Claiborne 0-0, Venditte 2-2.


(Low-A) Charleston (Overall: 61-70; Second Half: 30-32) lost to Savannah (Overall: 69-62; Second Half: 27-34) 3-2: Box - Recap

Batting:
Slade Heathcott CF: 0-for-4, BB, R
Ramon Flores DH: 1-for-4
JR Murphy C: 0-for-1, 3 BB
Robert Lyerly 3B: 2-for-4
Luke Murton 1B: 1-for-3, HR (12), RBI (52), R, HBP
Neil Medchill LF: 0-for-4
Taylor Grote RF: 0-for-1, BB
Francisco Santana RF: 0-for-2
Kevin Mahoney 2B: 2-for-4, 2B
Kelvin Castro SS: 0-for-4

Pitching:
Mike Gipson (L, 0-2): 3 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (9.00 ERA)
Jose Quintana: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K (2.08 ERA)
Kelvin Perez: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K (3.25 ERA)
Ryan Acosta: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K (3.36 ERA)

Groundouts-flyouts: Gipson 2-4, Quintana, J 1-1, Perez, K 2-2, Acosta, R 2-2.


(Single-A Short-Season) Staten Island (30-33) lost to Lowell (21-45) 5-4: Box - Recap

Batting:
Shane Brown LF: 2-for-4, BB
Cito Culver SS: 0-for-4, BB
Rob Segedin 3B: 2-for-5, HR (1), RBI (3), R
Kyle Roller 1B: 1-for-2
Jeffrey Farnham 1B: 1-for-2, 2B, R
Gary Sanchez C: 1-for-3, BB, R
Kelvin De Leon RF: 2-for-3, 2B, RBI (35), R, HBP
Casey Stevenson 2B: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI (21)
Luis Parache DH: 0-for-4
Kelvin Duran CF: 0-for-4

Pitching:
Nik Turley: 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, WP (4.69 ERA)
Andy Shive (L, 0-1): 3 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, WP (5.84 ERA)

Groundouts-flyouts: Turley 5-5, Shive 4-4.

(Rookie) GCL Yankees (24-32) lost to the GCL Braves (27-31) 4-0: Box - Recap

Batting:
Mason Williams CF: 1-for-3, BB
Angelo Gumbs SS: 1-for-4
Benjamin Gamel RF: 1-for-4
Damian Taveras 1B: 0-for-3, HBP
Fu-Lin Kuo 3B: 0-for-3, BB
Jose Toussen LF: 0-for-4
Jose Rosario 2B: 0-for-2. HBP
Kyle Perkins C: 1-for-3
Jorge Alcantara DH: 1-for-3

Pitching:
Zachary Nuding (0-1): 2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (4.50 ERA) --- pro debut for this year's 30th round pick
Conor Mullee: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K (1.64 ERA)
Mariel Checo: 4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K (5.92 ERA)
David Triplet: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (0.00 ERA)

Groundouts-flyouts: Nuding 1-3, Mullee, C 2-0, Checo 3-4, Triplet 1-1.

NOTES: This was the final game of the season for the GCL Yanks. They finished in last place and obviously missed the playoffs.

Tex is Day-to-Day

Mark Teixeira left tonight's game in the 3rd innings with what was later described as a bruised thumb. Here's two tweets via Marc Carig to explain the injury further:

Tex has a bruise on the bony part of his right hand just outside the thumb pad.Did it diving yesterday. Felt sore today but tried anyway

...

Hand still bandaged. Girardi calling it day to day. Swisher will play 1B again if Tex can't go.

Let's hope he doesn't have to miss much, if any, time.