The Staten Island Yankees bounced back with a vengeance in the second game of a three-game set at Oneonta by posting a 9-5 victory Wednesday night.

They improved to 19-15 on the season, which allowed them to gain a game on the first place Cyclones, who were cooled off in a 5-3 loss at Batavia. Brooklyn (25-10) still leads the Baby Bombers by five and a half games.

Tied at one in the third, the Bombers went ahead on a one out runscoring single from designated hitter Damon Sublett which scored second baseman Justin Snyder. After a Braedyn Pruitt single put runners on the corners, David Williams’ RBI groundout to third scored Sublett to put Staten Island in front 3-1.

However, their lead would prove shortlived as starter Ryan Pope gave it right back by allowing three runs in the bottom of the frame. A two-run home run Kody Kaiser tied the game. With the bases loaded, Cory Middleton singled home Justin Henry to put the Tigers back ahead.

The Bombers responded right away with a key five-run fourth. After D.J. Hollinsworth ledoff the inning by being plunked, third baseman Brian Chavez doubled to left which put runners in scoring position. An infield hit by catcher Frank Lonigro tied the game back up.

After a Snyder sac fly put S.I. back ahead 5-4, Taylor Holiday tripled in Lonigro which knocked out Oneonta starter Mark Brackman (1-1), Sublett greeted reliever Luis Gil with an RBI single to left which made it 7-4. Sublett later came around to score on a failed pickoff attempt on an errant throw by Gil.

Pruitt came up with his third hit of the night when he touched them all to lead off the seventh for his first homer of the season which put Staten Island up five.

Jason Stephens relieved Kyle Hollander and went the final five allowing just a run on two hits while striking out three to pickup his first win.

Notes: Eight of nine regulars in the Staten Island lineup reached base with the exception of shortstop Luis Nunez who finished 0-for-5. The Baby Bombers look to take the rubber game of the series tonight before traveling to Tri-City for a three-game set this weekend.
Chamberlain Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Debut A Success: In other Yankee organizational news, pitching prospect Joba Chamberlain was sensational in his first start with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The 21 year-old who was selected by the Yankees in the supplemental first round 41st overall last year went five strong scoreless innings while fanning 10. He was promoted from Double-A Trenton along with 2006 first round selection Ian Kennedy (22nd overall). Both began the season with Single-A Tampa but were moved up to Double-A. Now, the duo will try to master Triple-A before a possible trip to the majors.

To make room for the two pitching prospects, Chase Wright and Tyler Clippard were optioned to Trenton.