STATEN ISLAND, NY- Runs were at a premium but Pat McMahon’s pesky bunch still had enough thanks to Jack Rye’s walkoff basehit with the bases loaded in the home ninth allowing the Staten Island Yankees to pull out a 3-2 win over Batavia before a second consecutive sellout of 7,171 at Richmond County Bank Ball Park to take the series.

It was the eighth sellout of the season with a couple of more expected against the last place Cyclones over the next three days.

“Guys came up in big situations,” right fielder Dan Brewer noted after contributing in the field with a couple of nice running catches. “Pitchers threw well. [Brian] Baisley had a great game today. He’s swinging it well. A two-run homer. Back to battling. Some guys just had big at bats. In tough situations, they came through.”

The Baby Bombers got a good outing from Nick Montgomery, who permitted just one earned in five innings allowing a two out Xavier Scruggs second inning RBI double which put his team down a run. With Batavia’s Thomas Eager holding the Staten Island bats in check tossing five scoreless while scattering a couple of hits and fanning three, that run seemed like more.

The Bombers finally got a break thanks to some hustle from second baseman David Adams in the sixth against new pitcher George Brown. After the first two batters were retired, the Muckdogs’ reliever appeared on his way to a 1-2-3 inning but Adams’ lazy fly to short center was lost in the lights by center fielder Frederick Parejo allowing it to fall for a double. However, Adams never stopped completely and when he saw that nobody was covering third, he didn’t hesitate taking the base for a very unconventional triple.

Unfortunately for Brown, that meant trouble because he had to face the Bombers’ hottest hitter Baisley, who after falling behind 0-2 got back to 2-2 before clocking a homer to dead center off the batter’s eye suddenly giving them a 2-1 lead. It was his second home run of the series and fifth RBI. He drove in at least a run in all three games.

“At first, I thought I hit it off the wall. I didn’t know it was a home run until I saw the umpire,” a very pleased Baisley acknowledged in the winner’s locker room after going a perfect four-for-four raising his average to .379. ”I’m seeing the ball well. I’m actually surprised cause of the break. … I’ve had good runs but nothing quite like this.”

The lead was shortlived as returning reliever Jason Kiley served up a seventh inning two out dinger to Parejo, who atoned by hitting a line drive in the same area to tie it.

With the game still in the balance, McMahon went to setup man Brad Rulon (2-0), who was more than up to the challenge putting up two consecutive zeroes in the eighth and ninth while striking out four including a couple looking on perfect pitches which painted the outside corner.

“You just try to come in and try not to think about what the situation is,” he said. “When you come in, you try to get ahead in the count.”

“They’ve done that all year. Ever since the first game, they’ve been lights out,” Baisley pointed out.

After Rulon retired the side in the ninth getting a couple swinging, the stage was set for the home club to send an eighth sellout Friday night Fireworks crowd home happy. It started with some plate discipline by backstop Mitch Abeita, who worked out a leadoff walk off Brown. The pitcher than put himself in more trouble with a throwing error on Addison Maruszak’s successful sacrifice overthrowing first which allowed both runners to move up a base leaving the winning run 90 feet away with nobody out.

Both managers played by the book with McMahon having righty hitting first baseman Jahdiel Santamaria ready to hit against the lefty but Batavia skipper Mark DeJohn immediately went to righty sidearmer Jason Buursma. In full winning mode, McMahon quickly countered with veteran lefty corner infielder Braedyn Pruitt. The move paid dividends when he fought back from an 0-2 hole drawing a walk to load the bases.

“That was huge for us. For [Pruitt] to get on base. Rye came through the other day. He hit the ball hard last time against him. So it was just bound to happen. He got a hit and we win the game,” Brewer added.

With left fielder Melky Mesa struggling at the plate, the Staten Island manager had one more trick up his sleeve sending up outfielder Jack Rye to pinch hit. He fell behind 1-2 but delivered the walkoff basehit up the middle past a drawn in infield allowing pinch runner Taylor Grote to walk home for the winning run.

Notes: Behind the plate, Abeita threw out two of three runners trying to steal second. On the Staten Island side, Brewer stole his fifth base turning out to be the only steal attempt of the night. … Playing in left, Mesa made a key defensive play tossing out a runner trying to go for two to end the Batavia fifth before a second run crossed the plate with plate umpire Joel Myers emphatically waving it off as McMahon rushed out of the dugout. … In his home debut as a starter, Montgomery went five allowing a run on four hits while walking a pair and K-ing four to get a no-decision. … For Batavia, Brown took the loss giving up all three earned in three frames falling to 0-1. … RP Drew Shetrone worked a scoreless sixth escaping a bases loaded one out situation by striking out the last two. … Brian Chavez returned from the DL getting the start at the hot corner going 0-for-3. … First place Staten Island (19-11) plays host to Verrazano rival Brooklyn (13-17) in the first of a three-game set with the middle game at KeySpan Park with the series finale wrapping up back at the Ferry Terminal.

STATEN ISLAND, NY- He’s the elder statesman of this bunch. Brian Baisley continues to do the job for the Staten Island Yankees.

The latest evidence was on display when his tying solo home run sparked the club to a four-run fourth which proved large as they held on for a 6-5 win over Batavia in the first game of the series before 4,242 at Richmond County Bank Ball Park by the Ferry Terminal Wednesday night.

“It’s always good to get a win,” the third-year veteran catcher/first baseman pointed out following another productive night at the plate finishing two-for-four with his first homer of the season and two RBI’s helping make it three wins in their last four.  

“I was swinging a hot bat before I got hurt and it’s tough to hit after missing 11 [days]. So it’s nice to get a couple of hits. It felt pretty good.”

The Baby Bombers started the game quickly with three consecutive hits by Ray Kruml (single), David Adams (ground rule double) and Baisley (RBI single to right) going ahead 1-0. Jack Rye’s sac fly scored the second run. With a chance for more, Dan Brewer hit into an inning ending 4-6-3 double play.

The Muckdogs fought back tying the game with a pair of runs in the second off starter Brad Braboy. After a leadoff walk to Shane Peterson, Blake Murphy’s line drive double down the left field line allowed Peterson to come around and score. After Braboy induced a tailor-made 6-4-3 DP, he allowed a two out RBI single up the middle to Xavier Scruggs which tied it at two.

A one out Colt Sedbrook blast to dead center hit off the black for a homer putting Batavia ahead 3-2. Braboy pitched around a one out double and walk getting two Muckdogs looking to escape further damage.

With his team still trailing, Baisley got the home fourth started by hitting a deep drive to right center which cleared the fence tying the game.

“I didn’t know I got it until it went over the board out there,” he mentioned. “We put up two runs in the first and then they put up two runs and a run and had the momentum going their way. We kind of swung it the other way in that fourth inning.”

Gaining some momentum from the dinger, the Bombers got to losing Batavia starter Ramon Delgado (1-1) knocking him out of the game when Rye, Braedyn Pruitt and catcher Mitch Abeita each singled to load the bases with one out. They proceeded to bat around as Josh Hester provided little relief immediately losing left fielder Taylor Grote on a bases loaded walk forcing in a run. Bomber shortstop Addison Maruszak followed with a sac fly to center making it 5-3.

As it turned out, the biggest hit of the evening belonged to Kruml, who delivered a two out runscoring single to right giving Staten Island a 6-3 lead.

“Guys were hot. Baisley had a bunch of good hits. Everyone’s swinging it pretty well,” the leadoff center fielder said. “Made a couple of adjustments with high and that worked out today.”

Following a couple of solid scoreless frames from winning reliever Andy Shive (3-2) in which he struckout four of the six swinging, the late inning specialists ran into a little trouble.

First, Tim Dennehy gave up three consecutive two out singles in the seventh including a Peterson RBI base hit to left cutting the lead to 6-4. However, a critical baserunning mistake by Peterson saw him get tossed out at second 7-6-4 ending the frame.

Brad Rulon then entered bringing in a perfect ERA into the night like Dennehy but had similar hard luck. He also recorded the first two outs of the eighth before three straight Muckdogs reached on a double, walk and a Charles Cutler RBI single slicing it to 6-5. But Rulon buckled down getting Frederick Parejo to bounce into an easy 6-4 putout.

Closer Pat Venditte came on pitching around a one out single by retiring the next two batters on a fly out and got Blake Murphy chasing a nasty slider to end it recording his eighth save.

“We got a lot of confidence in our bullpen,” Kruml accurately assessed.

“Our pen’s done the job all year. So we have confidence in them.” 

Notes: In a losing effort, Batavia third baseman Jermaine Curtis was 4-for-5 with a run scored raising his average to .333. … Three Bombers finished with at least two hits including Baisley, Pruitt (2-for-4) and Kruml (3-for-4) with each scoring a run. … Since returning from the DL, Baisley has started at first twice and is 5-for-8 with three extra base hits (HR, 2 doubles) plus a pair of runs and RBI’s elevating his average to .339 (20-for-59). … Delgado allowed six runs (5 ER), eight hits and a homer in three and a third while Braboy worked the first four permitting three earned on four hits also allowing a long ball while walking three and K-ing two to get a no-decision. … With the win, Staten Island (18-10) opened up a three game lead on Hudson Valley. … The contest took two hours and 38 minutes. … Game Two is later today at St. George with an early start time of 11 AM.

STATEN ISLAND, NY- The stage was set. He had a chance to be the hero but ultimately came up short striking out swinging with the bases packed and two outs in the home ninth in a recent Staten Island Yankee 3-1 loss to Oneonta. As the traditional Friday night fireworks bombarded the sky, there sat Ray Kruml in the dugout thinking the tough at bat through as he took in the lighting show.

Before he went back into the locker room, skipper Pat McMahon pulled the first-year Baby Bomber center fielder aside telling him how much he admired his approach. He still put together a quality at bat working the count full before swinging and missing at a Lester Oliveros outside heater to end it which was why McMahon was reinforcing the positives despite the end result.

“He got me down 0-2 right away. 1-2. You know. It was a battle. Caught me chasing a pitch that might’ve been outside. I tip my cap to him. It was a good pitch,” the 22 year-old Lisle, Illinois native later expressed.

Kruml hasn’t gotten beat often while batting leadoff the majority of his 19 games hitting a solid .318 (21-for-66) with eight RBI’s, 12 runs scored and eight stolen bases providing the kind of spark needed from a No.1 hitter. Thus far, he’s made the necessary adjustments from college to the pros.

“It’s a little different,” he noted. “They just tell me to keep my same approach. Every ballgame. Ground balls. Line drives. Stuff like that. That’s always nice to hear. I can just keep doing what I’ve been doing. The coaches have helped me a lot helping me make the adjustment from college to pro ball.”

Of batting leadoff which is something he also did in college helping set the table, he said, “It’s a little tough facing pitchers for the first time if I don’t know anything about them. But I’ll try to do my best to give the guys a a good report when I get back to the dugout.”

Selected by the Yankees in the 11th round of the 2008 MLB Draft, the University of South Alabama product who never missed a game in two years while posting a .350 average with an impressive on-base percentage of .421 while pacing the Sun Belt with 31 stolen bases has adjusted well to pro ball. It’s his first time in New York but it hasn’t fazed him one bit.

“I’ve enjoyed it,” he said. “Especially lately. I think we’ve won 10 of our last 12 games. Something like that. It’s been fun. A lot of fun.”

One thing which hasn’t gone unnoticed is the kind of support Kruml and his new teammates have been getting. In fact, last Friday’s game was the sixth sellout already- one better than they managed all of last year.

“There’s been great support. We got great fans. It’s always nice playing on a Friday night with the fireworks. Everybody comes out and has a good time. It’s a real good atmosphere.”

Not only has he been able to enjoy playing in front of big crowds but also got a chance along with the rest of the team on a rare off day last Tuesday to visit legendary Yankee Stadium and take in the House That Ruth Built one time before it’s replaced by the new Stadium.

“That was awesome. Went to old Yankee Stadium and afterwards toured that along with the new Yankee Stadium show us all how everything’s being built. Just the foundation and everything’s up right now. And you could see how big the Stadium is up. It’s going to be real nice.”

“It gives you a little bit more motivation I guess. A new building. Billion dollar stadium. So, it’s a little extra incentive to push a little harder and reach our goals.”

As for being drafted and getting the chance to wear Yankee Pinstripes, the solid defensive center fielder who makes things happen with his speed replied emphatically, “It was unbelievable. Great feeling that day. Just sitting around waiting. My name popped up by the New York Yankees. It was a very happy day for me and my family.”

“I was just out playing some video games. Just checking the computer and then all of a sudden saw my name pop up with the Yankees. I was real excited. A few seconds later, I got a phone call.”

His family celebrated like you’d expect with a little home cooking.

“Yeah. My parents gave me a little barbecue. A lot of my parents’ friends are Boston fans. So put the Boston jerseys on and gave me some crap for it. But it was all in good fun.”

While he’s playing for the more well known New York baseball team, that surprisingly wasn’t the case for Kruml who grew up in the Windy City rooting for the sister White Sox.

“I had to trade the black and white pinstripes for the navy and white. It’s a good trade though,” he quipped with a big grin.

Kruml had good success in college going from a junior college All-American to All-Second Team in the Sun Belt while starring for the Jaguars.

“It was a great experience playing two years at South Alabama. Great bunch of coaches. Great team. Had a lot of fun there,” he said. “It was a great opportunity and a great experience.”

“I played pretty well. It was fun. We had a good team. We just couldn’t put it altogether. Just didn’t have enough good pitching, good defense and great offense.”

One of five players from South Alabama selected, Kruml noted a little of the school’s recent draft history which produced the likes of outfielders Juan Pierre, Luis Gonzalez and Adam Lind.

“The previous year, there was two. I think the year before that, there was four. There’s a lot of guys that get drafted and a lot of guys who got good opportunities. Hopefully, they can excel real well.”

One notable difference from staying healthy and not missing a game is that now he has a little friendly competition with center fielder Melky Mesa, who also is getting his share of playing time. Kruml doesn’t seem to mind at all and understands the situation.

“I normally get my at bats. He gets his at bats. We get along real well. He’s a great guy. So we help each other out doing different things whether it’s outfield work or hitting. It’s a mutual respect even though we’re battling for the same position. But it’s a lot of fun.”

One key area which Kruml has adjusted well to is wooden bats. That can sometimes be a burden for drafted college players going from aluminum to wood but thus far hasn’t slowed down the center fielder at the plate.

“Every summer, I played in summer leagues where it’s all wood bats. I mean I’m not 100 percent used to it but I’m pretty used to it.”

As for how he views himself, Kruml assessed:

“Runs well. I guess a contact guy. Tries to draw walks. Will bunt. Stuff like that.”

As for who he tries to pattern himself after, the South Alabama alum stayed true to a player he admires.

“Like a Juan Pierre, Grady Sizemore type. Speedy centerfielders. … Certain guys like that Juan Pierre likes to bunt. Likes to put pressure on defenses. I try to look at him and try to play the way he plays.” 

So far. So good.

Today’s pics of the day come from last night’s Staten Island Yankee game taken versus the Oneonta Tigers over at the beautiful ball park by the Ferry Terminal:

STATEN ISLAND, NY- It didn’t take long for Addison Maruszak to get back into the swing of things. In his return from the DL, the 21 year-old starting shortstop slugged his first career home run and finished a productive two-for-four in the Staten Island Yankees’ 3-1 loss last night to Oneonta at the ball park in St. George.

Despite coming up short in the home ninth striking out swinging with the bases loaded, the University of South Florida product who admires gritty Boston first baseman Kevin Youkilis was pleased with the results of his rehab which allowed him to return earlier than anticipated.

“My trainer did a great job getting me back in there,” Maruszak said at his locker while getting ready for a three-game road trip that begins later tonight at Tri-City. “It didn’t take as long as expected because an ACL is a pretty big deal. But my trainer Scuba Steve did a great job rehabbing me.”

Part of that process was getting plenty of practice swings in with all the free time he had.

“I hit in the cage a lot with my coaches. Hawk [Ty Hawkins] did a great job helping me out. It’s a good time to work cause you have nothing better to do.”

Even though he couldn’t get out there and help the team win, Maruszak was still able to find a silver lining.

“It’s hard to just sit there and watch. I had to do that and I learned a lot while on the bench. Just figuring out some things.”

One thing he has grasped about pro ball is that it’s all about making necessary changes in order to take steps forward.

“It’s all about adjustments. Especially at bats after at bats and pitch by pitch. It’s all about adjusting.”

Maruszak gave proper credit for his productive night to a couple of former major leaguers including a former popular Yankee first baseman on those championship teams.

“When I came back today, I talked to a couple of people,” he noted.

“Tino [Martinez] talked to me. My advisor is Reggie Jefferson. He played. They both told me the same thing. Just try to go for the middle of the field. You know. Don’t try to do anything special cause you’ve been hurt. Just get a good swing off and hit it to the middle of the field and let things happen. That was good advice. I’m young and they’ve been there before. So I’m going to listen to everything they have to say.”

Not only did Maruszak pickup a couple of hits lifting his average to .344 (11-for-32 in 10 games) but he also was sharp in the field coming up with the defensive play of the night combining with second base partner David Adams to turn a nifty 6-4-3 double play to end an inning.

“Defense in college was a little bit of a struggle for me but I feel real comfortable right now. Like I said, I got good jumps and I got good luck tonight. That’s pretty much what you need.”

Thus far in the games he and Adams have played together in the infield, they’ve formed a solid chemistry providing the team with good up the middle defense.

“I played against [Adams] in college last year. So I kind of knew what he was all about and everything. And when we got here, he’s just finding out. … Just try to get a bond with him and try to figure out what he’s going to do.”

“It’s all about learning process.”

So far, so good.

STATEN ISLAND, NY- They kept on coming but ultimately fell short on the scoreboard. Despite a sixth sellout crowd of 7,171, the Staten Island Yankees couldn’t come up with the big hit leaving a plethora of runners on base in a tough 3-1 defeat to Oneonta at Richmond County Bank Ball Park in St. George on Friday Fireworks Night which also honored fathers.

“We just got to put it to the past. It’s tough to end a game like that,” lamented shortstop Addison Maruszak who returned from a leg injury and had a couple of hits including his first pro home run in the team’s second loss in the last three dropping the home series.

Having grounded into four double plays including a couple of inning enders, there were the first place Baby Bombers turning up the heat once again in their last licks loading the bases thanks to an E6 and a pair of walks with one out against Tigers’ closer Lester Oliveros. Standing in the way were two guys Staten Island skipper Pat McMahon didn’t mind having up there in such a big spot in Maruszak and center fielder Ray Kruml.

Oliveros had already blown away first baseman Erik Lovett getting him swinging on some high cheese. Up stepped Maruszak, who already looked comfortable in his first game back having provided the Bombers their only run. Here he was with a golden opportunity to tie the game with a hit. The count went to 3-1 but he couldn’t deliver fouling off an Oliveros offering before chasing an outside heater for the second out.

“He was nasty,” the first-year shortstop relayed to an equally disappointed teammate Kruml, who sat in the dugout and watched the fireworks before returning to his locker.

Kruml was Staten Island’s last chance for another two out comeback. The patient leadoff hitter worked the count full after being behind but swung and missed at another Oliveros’ fastball which might have been off the plate to end a frustrating night.

“We got down early. We fought back to 3-1. Had a couple of opportunities with runners in scoring position. We just couldn’t come up with a clutch hit. We battled hard. It just didn’t fall our way,” Kruml explained outside the locker room. 

“He got me down on two away. You know. It was a battle. Caught me chasing a pitch that might’ve been outside. I tip my cap to him. It was a good pitch.”

The Bombers fell behind early as the Tigers got the jump on losing starter David Phelps (2-1), scoring twice in the first on a Carlos Ramirez RBI groundout followed by a two out Wade Lamont sharp single to right.

Phelps eventually settled down coming back strong to retire 12 of the next 15 batters before serving up a two out fifth inning Brandon Douglas solo blast to left center which put the Tigers ahead 3-0.

His teammates had runners on all night but couldn’t cash in due to the four twin killings along with a couple of baserunning blunders including a weird DP that Maruszak grounded into where Oneonta shortstop Brandon Douglas missed second base on the relay getting only one out. Lovett was already off second thinking he was out and then got into a rundown before being tagged out 1-5-2 concluding the bizarre play in the third. Not surprisingly, Kruml followed with a two out single with nobody on and swiped second but second baseman David Adams ended the inning by taking a called third strike.

That was the kind of night it was. In the same inning that Maruszak went deep, catcher Mitch Abeita ledoff with a double but then was caught napping off second. After Lovett made the second out, Maruszak connected off winning Tigers’ starter David Stokes (2-1) with nobody on base driving a pitch over the left field fence to break up the shutout.

“When I came back today, I talked to a couple of people,” Maruszak mentioned.

“Tino [Martinez] talked to me. My advisor is Reggie Jefferson. He played. They both told me the same thing. Just try to go for the middle of the field. You know. Don’t try to do anything special cause you’ve been hurt. Just get a good swing off and hit it to the middle of the field and let things happen. That was good advice.”

Unfortunately, it was the only offense the Staten Island Yankees could muster. They’ll pack their bags and try to regroup for a weekend series upstate at Tri-City.

Notes: The Bombers left 17 baserunners on base while their opponents stranded 11. … The Oneonta home run hitter Douglas finished three-for-four with a couple of runs scored. … Ben Guez and Luis Arlet each had a pair of hits and a stolen base for the Tigers (13-11). … Maruszak was the only S.I. player to notch two hits getting two of the team’s seven. … With a hit in three trips, Adams finished the series 7-for-12 with three doubles, three runs scored and three RBI’s. … Kruml’s eight steals paces the team. … Maruszak and Adams also teamed up for a nice 6-4-3 DP with the shortstop reaching behind before flipping to the second baseman who made the turn with the runner right on him. … Phelps went five allowing three earned on six hits with a walk and three K’s. … RP Nick Asselin worked three scoreless while fanning four before Josue Selenes tossed a 1-2-3 ninth K-ing two to keep his perfect ERA intact. … The game took two hours and 42 minutes to complete before what became one more sellout than the five they had all last year. … Bombers (15-9) are back at it tonight for the first of three at Tri-City.

Braedyn Pruitt knocks in a run

Description: Staten Island third baseman Braedyn Pruitt drives in a run versus Oneonta during yesterday’s 5-3 home win before a soldout crowd.

STATEN ISLAND, NY- As in a well known song played over the sound system, the lion certainly lied awake in the jungle today. Staten Island Yankee designated hitter Mike Lyon’s big two out seventh inning hit helped the home club tame the Tigers 5-3 bouncing back from an error filled loss the previous night before a packed house of 7,171 on Kids Camp Day at Richmond County Bank Ball Park at the Ferry Terminal.

“The kid made a tough pitch. Got me out a little in front. I was actually going to fight it off. I saw it was in the zone and so I just tried to get out. You know. It’s baseball. It worked out for me. So it was good to get the lead and then hold them there,” he explained at his locker after another productive day reaching base three times finishing 2-for-3 with a run scored and the deciding RBI.

“Our defense was pretty bad last night but it still was a close game considering what happened but that’s baseball. One day the defense can be down. One day the hitting might be down and one day everything will be down. Pitching. Everything. So we pick each other up and the next day get back on a winning streak,” he pointed out after helping the Baby Bombers to their 11th win in the last 12 including seven of eight at home.

The hit came at the right time as the Bomber bats had cooled off after getting off to a quick start with three in the first highlighted by David Adams and Dan Brewer runscoring doubles plus an RBI groundout from third baseman Braedyn Pruitt.

When it looked like Oneonta pitchers would toss a sixth straight zero by retiring the first two Staten Island batters, the Bombers sprung to life thanks to some wildness from pitcher Aaron Fuhrman, who plunked Adams and then allowed the second baseman to move up a base on a wild pitch setting the stage for Lyon to deliver by just getting enough of the bat on a tough outside pitch placing it between second and right allowing the go-ahead run to come in.

“Coming back for this early game here, it’s tough to get back up after a loss like that with seven errors on defense. You know playing almost 12 hours later. 11 o’clock start but we got our bats back in order like we were on that win streak and just came through with a clutch hit and the breaks went our way. Everything worked out.”

“We had to wake up at 6:45. It’s a little bit different schedule than we’re used to. I mean once you get out there and start playing, get the lead and wash it away,” teammate Pruitt added of the quick turnaround.

Despite some shaky D on back-to-back sacrifices including an error by catcher Steve Strausbaugh which put reliever Josue Selenes in a bases loaded no out jam, Staten Island caught a huge break when Billy Nowlin lined back to the pitcher, who then got the benefit of a call at third nailing Bryan Pounds for a 1-5 double play. Selenes then kept his perfect ERA intact by getting Tyler Weber to harmlessly fly out to Melky Mesa ending it.

“The coach was rather adamant about the disagreement with the call. I’m not going to make a judgment one way or the other but hey. Sometimes the breaks go your way. Fortunately for us, today was our day,” Pruitt noted of the heated discussion which took place as he stood and watched the umpire send Pounds back to the dugout.

Once they came back up to bat, there was no doubting the Bombers’ killer instinct as they strung together three consecutive hits to start the home half to pickup a key insurance run. Strausbaugh got it started by beating out an infield hit and then left fielder Taylor Grote stroked a double into the right field corner putting runners in scoring position. First baseman Jahdiel Santamaria singled home Strausbaugh making it 5-3 before Oneonta’s Anthony Shawler escaped further damage by striking out two of the next three batters.

“It was good to get a couple of runs late.” 

Closer Pat Venditte came in and retired the side in order getting the final batter Ben Guez swinging to notch his sixth save.

Notes: Though he didn’t get a decision, S.I. starter Brad Braboy was solid working the first five while allowing two runs (1 ER) on six hits while striking out a couple. … Despite allowing a tying solo home run to Nowlin which hit off the batting eye in center, Bomber reliever Drew Shetrone picked up the win going two innings while improving to 1-1. … The two, three and four hitters all finished with a couple of hits each as Adams, Lyon and Brewer combined to go 6-for-10 with three doubles, three runs scored and three RBI’s. Adams is 6-for-9 in the series with a trio of two-baggers, runs and runs knocked in. … Fuhrman (2-2) suffered the loss for Oneonta allowing the winning run on four hits in four frames while K-ing three. … The game which was the fifth sellout of the summer took a manageable two hours and thirty six minutes. … Injured SS Addison Maruszak said he was “feeling a lot better” and close to returning. … The rubber match of the series is tomorrow night.

STATEN ISLAND, NY- During their season high nine-game winning streak, the Staten Island Yankees were cashing in on opponents’ mistakes while limiting theirs. However, the roles were reversed in last night’s 5-4 home loss to Oneonta before 3,453 at Richmond County Bank Ball Park by the Ferry Terminal.

The Baby Bombers weren’t sharp in the field committing a season worst seven errors. Not surprisingly, the Tigers took advantage scoring all five unearned runs in three different frames to jump out to a 5-0 lead before the home club made it interesting late but ultimately fell just a little short of extending their streak.

Before a 10-minute downpour interrupted play in the fourth for over an hour, Oneonta made Staten Island pay for their sloppy play in the field. Bomber starter Luke Greinke couldn’t escape the third like he did in the first which saw the Tigers load the bases before he wiggled out of trouble.

Instead, Oneonta jumped out in front pushing across two unearned thanks to miscues from S.I. shortstop Walter Ibarra and left fielder Taylor Grote. Ibarra booted the potential second out of the inning allowing Ben Guez to reach on an E6. A batter later, Grote let a Chris White line drive play him dropping the ball to put runners on the corners. After Greinke got the second out, Carlos Ramirez delivered a two-run triple to right center which eluded a diving Melky Mesa. Though the Bomber center fielder initally stayed in the game, he later was replaced following the rain by Ray Kruml.

When the game finally resumed, the Bombers had a chance to get back in it with two runners on but DH Jack Rye hit into an inning ending 5-4-3 double play to kill the threat.

The follies continued as even sure handed first baseman Jahdiel Santamaria botched a routine grounder and then was followed by a Mike Lyon E5 for the fifth error of the night on what looked to be a potential DP. Even with the two miscues, reliever Dan Kapala limited the damage to a run on a Bryan Pounds RBI single. Second baseman David Adams turned a nice 4-4-3 twin killing to keep the Bombers within three in the fifth.

Following an inning ending Grote double play with Kruml on, the Tigers added another run taking advantage of Ibarra’s second error of the game. It was preceded by a Mitch Abeita throwing error on a pickoff allowing a runner to get into scoring position. With a couple of more runners on, Oneonta executed a perfect squeeze with Brandon Douglas getting it down perfectly between third and short and then beating it out to put runners on at first and second. Guez followed with a runscoring base hit to left plating Joseph Bowen for the fifth run.

Just when the game seemed over, Staten Island sprung to life with three straight hits by Braedyn Pruitt, Ibarra and Adams to load the bases in the sixth with no one out. Two batters later, right fielder Dan Brewer’s sac fly got them on the board. Rye then beat out an infield hit with a throwing error by Oneonta’s Mike Gosse allowing Adams to score the second run. Abeita then reached on an error re-loading the bases but Kruml bounced into an inning ending 4-6 force out.

Still trailing 5-2 in the seventh, the Bombers drew closer when Ibarra and Adams had back-to-back two out doubles with the latter nearly going yard with the ball going off the left center field fence. With the tying run up at the plate, Lyon worked the count from 0-2 to full but took a tough called strike three on what appeared to be a ball a couple of inches outside.

Despite the errors and such a call not going their way, Staten Island continued to battle till the very bitter end. After the first two batters were retired, they put together a two out rally in their last licks. A Pruitt walk was followed by an Ibarra base hit. With the tying runs on base, Adams singled to right scoring Pruitt to slice it to one but Ibarra was pegged out by right fielder Luis Arlet to fittingly end a night of mistakes.

Notes: Adams broke out of an 0-for-20 slide with four hits in five at bats scoring a run and driving in two. … Despite a couple of costly errors, Ibarra finished 3-for-5 at the plate with a couple of runs. … Pruitt replaced Santamaria at first reaching base twice in three at bats. … Greinke worked the first four suffering the loss to drop to 0-2 giving up three unearned on three hits while K-ing a pair. … S.I. reliever Brad Rulon came on and worked the final two innings striking out five Tigers while giving his team a chance to comeback. … Mark Brackman picked up the win despite allowing two runs (ER) on five hits in two frames. … The nine inning game took two hours and 52 minutes while the rain delay lasted 68 minutes. … First place Bombers (14-8) look to bounceback against the Tigers in the middle game with a rare early 11 AM start on Kids Camp Day in St. George.

STATEN ISLAND, NY- The Fourth of July will always be symbolic for celebrating this country’s birth thanks to the many people who sacrificed so much. It’s also a patriotic holiday where Americans celebrate in style setting off plenty of fireworks.

With the fireworks supplied across the river in Jersey City and in Manhattan via Macy’s, the Staten Island Yankees decided to toss a few extra rockets in an exciting 11-9 home win over Mahoning Valley before an energized packed house of 7,171 at Richmond County Bank Ball Park by the Ferry Terminal Friday night.

“It’s obviously a very difficult day to perform in with the wind and more so the rain. When the conditions are like that, it makes the field very very tough for both pitching staffs. No question. At this level, you just got to keep scoring runs and understand that fact. Keep playing and do the very best you can,” Staten Island manager Pat McMahon pointed out after taking in some extra fireworks along with his team courtesy of the stadium post-game entertainment.

His club scored early and often getting at least a run in six of the first seven innings before holding on due to the tough windy conditions.

“There’s no question it did. Particularly with the conditions going on and the pitchers. It made it tough conditions to perform in. But you got to battle through that. It’s just one of those things. You’ve got to throw the ball in the strike zone, grab a couple of runs and you got to limit walks and our guys are working very hard. They understand that and they’ll continue to get through.”

McMahon saw his ballclub build a six-run lead thanks to a four-run fourth highlighted by some big two out hits. Following a bunt single by second baseman Ryan Wilkes, Kaimi Mead uncorked a wild pitch putting both runners in scoring position. Staten Island shortstop Walter Ibarra kept the rally alive by walking to load the bases forcing Mead out of the game. Center fielder Ray Kruml greeted Travis Turek rudley with a two out two-run single to right making it 4-1.

After Mike Lyon was plunked re-loading the bases, Ibarra and Kruml came into score on left fielder Dan Brewer’s two-run base hit to center increasing the lead to five.

However, the Scrappers scrapped their way back in it with three runs of their own the next half inning thanks to a passed ball from S.I. starter Brandon Braboy. Following a walk which loaded the bases, he was replaced by Jacinto Gonell, who limited the damage allowing an RBI single to Doug Pickens and a Donnie Webb RBI groundout before getting Robert Alcombrack swinging to end it.

Still up two, the Bombers took full advantage of an error which allowed catcher Mitch Abeita to reach. Three batters later with two on and two out, Ibarra delivered a three-run home run to right giving his team a 9-4 lead.

“I thank God for giving me the ability to play. It was a good game,” the leadoff man said through translator Victor Valencia.

As it turned out, the two insurance runs they tacked in on a Jahdiel Santamaria two out RBI single which plated Abeita in the sixth and a Jack Rye RBI forceout which allowed Kruml to score in the home seventh was needed because Mahoning Valley never quit. They scored twice in the top of the seventh without a hit thanks to five combined walks from Gonell who left with an injury and was replaced by lefty Tim Dennehy.

Still up 11-6, it got even more interesting when the Scrappers continued to chip away thanks to a Rye error. With a couple of runners on and two out, Dennehy appeared to get out of the jam when he got Pickens to pop the ball up to a short right. But Rye dropped the ball allowing one run to score. Replaced by closer Pat Venditte, Dickens watched as the ambidextrous reliever struggled to find the plate walking three straight batters to force in a couple of more runs before finally escaping when Ryan Blair popped out to Lyon at third.

“I was having a really tough time locating pitches,” Venditte explained at his locker as the team packed to get ready for a road series with Auburn starting later tonight. “You don’t get ahead of hitters, things aren’t going to work out for you. I really struggled there in the eighth. Luckily, we made a nice play to get out of it. … The fans really helped me out. That gave me a big boost. Especially when I was struggling with the bases loaded. For them to support me like that meant a lot.”

After recording the first two outs quickly in the ninth, Venditte couldn’t finish off a pesky Jeremie Tice who laced a double in the gap to put the tying run at the plate. But the two-armed specialist persevered enough to get Brock Simpson to pop out to Mesa finally ending a game which took over three and a half hour to complete before easily the loudest crowd of the summer.

“It was a long game. Lot of walks. Lot of hits from both sides but it was fun. Good to come out with a ‘W,’ stated Kruml after reaching base four of five times finishing a productive three-for-five with two RBI’s and three runs scored. “Just putting the ball in play. Didn’t really hit anything really hard. Found some right places I guess.”

“We’ve been playing well. The bats came alive. The pitchers have been throwing well and I’m doing my job. I’m closing out games late which is big,” Venditte added.

“When you’re at home, you want to win. It was huge for our team to get all six games.”