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by Derek Felix

Bombers take advantage of miscues to sweep

July 2, 2008 in Staten Island Yanks

The Staten Island Yankees come to bat in an inning versus Aberdeen.

STATEN ISLAND, NY- When a team gets extra outs to play with, it must make opponents pay the price. That’s exactly the recipe Dan Brewer and his Staten Island teammates used in a come from behind 9-4 home win over Aberdeen sweeping the three-game series at Richmond County Bank Ball Park in St. George Tuesday night.

“We swung it well tonight,” the Baby Bomber right fielder indicated at his locker after coming up with a big two-run go-ahead single in a five-run fourth cashing in on a couple of Ironbirds’ errors.

“I was seeing the ball well. With the bases loaded, I was just trying to put the ball in play and hit it hard and got it past the shortstop. … We played well tonight and put it all together.”

After spotting their opponents three with a run apiece in the first three frames, the Bombers were able to pickup fallen teammate Cory Arbiso after he turned his ankle while fielding a Jahdiel Santamaria throw to first for the first out of the fourth. He was helped off the field by the trainer and had his left ankle heavily taped and wasn’t certain when he’d be back.

Stepping up in his place was Staten Island’s Andy Shive, who came on in a difficult situation and did a splendid job holding the Birds at three runs while giving his teammates the opportunity to get back in the game.

“I’ve never really been in that kind of situation before. But it’s you get as many warmups as you need. You just get out there and have to get focused and get some outs,” the righthander remarked after working an effective two and two thirds scoreless while fanning three to pickup his first win.

“It felt good in warmups. I just needed to locate and I did a pretty good job in the early innings and my job was just to keep the team in the game. That’s what I tried to do.”

“That’s got to be a really tough situation to come into. You got to warm up right there on the mound. He spun it pretty well and kept everything outside. I thought he did a pretty good job tonight,” added third baseman Mike Lyon who had a big hit of his own in the comeback driving in the Bombers’ second run. 

After Shive came on to record the final couple of outs of the fourth, the Bombers got going with a little help from some shoddy Aberdeen defense. S.I. shortstop Walter Ibarra got the home half started with the club’s first hit of the night off losing starter Aaron Odom (1-2). He moved to second when second baseman David Adams walked. Catcher Brian Baisley followed with what looked like a potential 6-4-3 double play ball but instead Birds’ shortstop Tom Edwards booted it allowing Ibarra to round third and cut the deficit to 3-1.

A Baby Bomber fouls a ball off versus the Birds.

Lyon then came up and hit a sharp grounder which got through to left for a runscoring single to keep the rally going. “I thought maybe I was going to hit into a double play but it was just off to the left and so it worked out for me.”

The biggest hit of the inning came three batters later when Brewer ripped an Odom offering just out of Edwards’ reach plating two with the bases loaded a couple of batters following an E4 by Aberdeen’s Eric Perlozzo. He also had a clean takeout of second on Steve Strausbaugh’s RBI forceout which allowed center fielder Melky Mesa to score the fifth run.

Despite not getting a hit in four at bats, Mesa played a pivotal role in the Bombers’ third straight win with the defensive play of the night throwing out Jacob Julius after a Calvin Lester single to center to end the Aberdeen sixth.

“I felt pretty good about it that I was able to come through for the team,” the 21 year-old said through translator Julio Mascarra. “I got a good jump on the ball for the throw and got him.”

The Bombers put the game out of reach with four more in the seventh. Brewer started it off by singling, then advancing to second on a Strausbaugh groundout and then went to third on a failed pickoff. With runners on the corners, he came into score on Rich Zagone’s wild pitch giving the S.I. Yanks a three-run lead. Ibarra added to the lead with a runscoring base hit to center.

“It all started with Brewer that inning. He had a huge two RBI single and then you had Walter with a clutch hit. I mean everybody was pretty much clutch and I came up in a big situation,” Adams noted of the balanced attack after padding the cushion to six with a two-run double to deep center which didn’t miss going out of the park by much.

“It’s just a matter of time before we snap out of it. I mean we’ve been hitting balls hard all year. Just right at people. It was a matter of time before they fall. … We’re seeing the ball well. We’re taking good swings. It’s just a matter of letting them fall through.”

Notes: Despite being outhit 9-6, the Baby Bombers made the most out of three Aberdeen miscues in recording their first sweep of the season to boost their record over .500 (8-7) for the first time this season. … RP Tim Dennehy came on for Shive in the seventh and tossed two perfect frames while striking out four. Daniel Kapala made his first appearance giving up an unearned run on a hit while fanning two including the last batter swinging to end the game. … Unlike prior games this summer, the contest took only a manageable two hours and 27 minutes. … Ibarra finished 2-for-4 hitting leadoff while scoring two runs. Seven of Staten Island’s nine starters scored at least once. … Inf Brian Chavez (lower back) said he’s still a few days away and could return possible later this week. … Staten Island hosts Mahoning Valley for three beginning tonight with first pitch at 7 ET.

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by Derek Felix

Bombers sweep doubleheader from Birds

July 1, 2008 in Staten Island Yanks

STATEN ISLAND, NY- Three rain delays in less than 24 hours didn’t deter the Staten Island Yankees. Instead, they were up to the challenge sweeping a doubleheader from Aberdeen Monday before 4,111 who stuck it out at Richmond County Bank Ball Park by the Ferry Terminal.

“Anytime you can sweep a doubleheader, it’s a real good win,” said DH Brian Baisley in the winner’s locker room after delivering a key two out RBI single capping off a three-run fifth to break a scoreless tie in Game Two. “[Pat Egan] made some real good pitches. Kept it down. Kept us in check for four or five innings. But once we got it going, opened the floodgates.”

“Our pitchers have been throwing well. We haven’t been putting it together. So hopefully, this will get us in the right direction and put together some games where we score a few runs.“

The losing Ironbirds’ starter didn’t allow a hit through four but Staten Island first baseman Erik Lovett’s leadoff hit in the home fifth got the Bomber offense untracked. After Jahdiel Santamaria pinchran for him,  shortstop Walter Ibarra sacrificed the runner into scoring position. Egan nearly escaped by recording the second out freezing second baseman Ryan Wilkes for his seventh strikeout of the night. 

But a huge turning point took place when center fielder Ray Kruml drove a two strike pitch up the middle for the game’s first run. Following Calvin Lester’s late throw home, Aberdeen catcher Chad Durakis tried to peg a hustling Kruml at second. Instead, his errant throw went past Lester allowing the same man who drove home the first run to come all the way around and score for a stunning 2-0 lead.

“I was just running making sure [Santamaria] was going to score. Trying to get in a rundown and cut it off but luckily he threw it away and the center fielder was out of position. So I was able to score on the play,” an elated Kruml pointed out of the bizarre play.

Third baseman Braedyn Pruitt kept the two out rally going with the hardest hit of the inning driving an Egan pitch into the right field corner for a two-base hit. Aberdeen reliever Tim Spooneybarger came on to try to get Baisley but the veteran went the opposite way placing a perfect single between second and right allowing Pruitt to score without a throw.

“That always helps. Especially after starting the doubleheader going 0-for-6,” noted Baisley. “It helps to get that RBI single.”

“It was a great win. Two today. A win’s great getting two today after a rainout yesterday is big,” rally starter Lovett stated. “Finally, I got us a hit. … I guess it was contagious. A couple of guys on. Got some runs in. Put the ball in play and making plays.”

The pitching of Baby Bomber starter David Phelps allowed his teammates to stay deadlocked before they finally got it going. In his third outing, the 21 year-old Notre Dame product bounced back from a subpar game against the very same team by tossing zeroes and going six for his longest and most impressive start thus far allowing just three hits while walking only one and fanning six.

“He was filthy. He threw a lot of first pitch strikes and was nasty. He had real good stuff,” praised Kruml of the starter who notched his first win of the summer.

“Phelps was great today,” Lovett added. “I think I heard somebody say I’m not positive but maybe 90 percent first strikes. That’s great. Phelps was phenomenal today. He did a great job out there on the mound.”

It was very good start to a six-game homestand. Something which wasn’t lost on Lovett:

“We got four more here. So we got to come out play tomorrow and just continue on. Hopefully, we’ll get some more wins here and gain some ground.”

Bombers take Game One despite long delay: In the opener which was continued from the second on, the Bombers took Game One 5-3. Trailing by a run in the third, left fielder Melky Mesa and Ibarra went back-to-back clearing the left field fence in support of Brad Rulon, who started the day by tossing three scoreless and K-ing three. 

But the Birds fought back by pushing across two runs in the seventh off S.I. reliever Jacinto Gonell on a Tom Baxter two-run two out single. After Ibarra singled home Dan Brewer to tie it, the rain came again delaying the action some more. In total, a game which took two hours and 28 minutes to complete was delayed three hours and 21 minutes.

When it resumed, the Bombers plated a couple in the eighth thanks to runscoring singles by Santamaria and Mesa. Closer Pat Venditte worked around a two out walk getting Baxter swinging for his third save.

Notes: Mesa, Ibarra and 2B David Adams each had a pair of hits in the first game with the first couple each finishing with a homer and two RBI’s. … The teams combined to leave 37 runners on (Abe-19, SI-18). … Infielders Addison Maruszak and Brian Chavez remained out due to injuries. … Baisley, Ibarra and Pruitt each started both games. … Josue Selenes came on to toss a scoreless seventh in the abbreviated second game getting Chad Durakis to groundout to short for his first save. He and Venditte both have perfect 0.00 ERA’s. … Bombers (7-7) aim for their first sweep of the season later tonight at St. George.

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by Derek Felix

Adams’ late run snaps tie giving Baby Bombers victory

June 27, 2008 in Staten Island Yanks

Staten Island in the field versus Hudson Valley Friday night. 

STATEN ISLAND, NY- Some late hustle helped the home club snap a tie score and end their two-game skid. Second baseman David Adams’ leadoff basehit in the eighth along with some smart baserunning allowed the Staten Island Yankees to pull out a well earned 4-3 win over Hudson Valley before 6,025 at Richmond County Bank Ball Park in St. George on Friday Fireworks Night sending the majority home happy.

“We made it exciting. Down to the wire. … I’d say we earned our chances,” echoed second-year corner infielder Braedyn Pruitt, whose successful sacrifice contributed to Adams’ winning run. “Well, you’re not hitting, you got to find other ways to help out.”

Deadlocked at three after the Renegades pushed across two runs in the fourth off Baby Bomber starter Casey Erickson, the hot bats finally were cooled off by each teams’ bullpen. Staten Island used three relievers to keep their pesky opponents at bay. Andy Shive, Jacinto Gonell and closer Pat Venditte combined for five scoreless while fanning six.

Erickson didn’t have his best stuff but was able to limit the damage in four innings despite allowing 10 hits. Shive took the ball and worked two middle frames without permitting a run scattering a couple of hits, a walk and fanning three including Michael Ross swinging to conclude his night.

The Renegades come to bat against the Staten Island Yankees at Richmond County Bank Ball Park.

After Gonell came on and tossed an effective seventh, the second-year Staten Island Yankee gave up a two out double to Hudson’s Jacob Jefferies putting the potential go-ahead run in scoring position. S.I. skipper Pat McMahon didn’t fool around calling on his two-armed specialist to get out of it. The plan paid immediate dividends when it took Venditte all of three pitches freezing Jason Appel with a nasty curve to end the threat.

With the game still knotted, it set the stage for Adams to spark his team. He ledoff with a clean single to left and was immediately sacrificed over by Pruitt. With Mike Lyon looking to get him in, Adams swiped his second base of the night taking third without a throw due to Hudson Valley backstop Mark Thomas mishandling a pitchout from losing reliever Marquis Fleming (0-1).

The righty then intentionally walked Lyon putting runners at the corners with an out to setup the double play. However, with pinch runner Jahdiel Santamaria in at first, the strategy backfired. Paying too much attention to the eventual key defensive first base sub, Fleming’s pickoff got away allowing Adams to score the winning run without a throw.

“We started off hot but then ran into some bad luck,” Lyon later explained in the winning locker room after coming in and manning the hot corner the final three innings after DH Brian Baisley was mysteriously kicked out by testy plate umpire Nick Mahrley for barely arguing a called out third strike during the home sixth. “But it ended out working out for us. The baseball gods were with us I guess.”

Still, the game was far from over due to a couple of miscues by the S.I. Yanks which put the win in jeopardy. The first two Renegades reached base safely on consecutive errors by Ryan Wilkes and Santamaria. When Robi Estrada successfully sacrificed the runners over, Hudson Valley was setup. But Venditte buckled down getting local Staten Island product Mike McKenna to pop out harmlessly to short for the second out.

The game then hung in the balance. Venditte forced Jason Corder into a grounder which he tipped to Wilkes, whose throw nearly pulled a diving Santamaria off the bag. Somehow, he managed to keep the foot on long enough to just get Corder for the final out giving the Bombers (4-5) an exciting win.

“That wasn’t an easy play at the end there,” Venditte (1-0) noted after picking up his first victory of the season before his family who was in town visiting. “He easily could’ve booted that ball and just packed it up. But he stuck with it and that was a great play to end the game.”

“That was big that we pulled that out. Pat did a good job shutting down after a couple of things behind him. It looked like that was a guaranteed run. Especially first and second no out in that situation but he did a great job. The defense did a good job behind him. It worked out in our favor tonight,” Lyon also pointed out.

“Good comeback after a couple of losses. Hopefully tomorrow, we can take the series and win two out of three in Hudson Valley.”

Notes: Despite only seven total runs, the teams combined for 24 hits and stranded a ton of runners. … Both SS/3B Brian Chavez and SS Addison Maruszak are out with injuries and won’t be expected back until some time next week. … Bombers scored the game’s first three runs in the first thanks to a Pruitt sac fly and RBI singles by Baisley and newcomer Jack Rye who played in right field finishing 2-for-3. … For Hudson Valley, Jefferies finished a perfect 4-for-4 with an RBI in a losing effort. … Renegade starter Tyree Hayes settled down following giving up three by tossing the final five scoreless and K-ing three to get a no-decision. … S.I. DH Dan Brewer also had a pair of hits. … Bombers released OF D.J. Hollingsworth to make room for SS Walter Ibarra. … Staten Island returns home Sunday to host Aberdeen for a 2 PM matinee on Military Appreciation Day as part of a six-game homestand. 

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by Derek Felix

Birds three-run seventh the difference

June 23, 2008 in Staten Island Yanks

Aberdeen’s three-run seventh proved to be the difference in defeating the Staten Island Yankees 4-1 Monday night. The loss snapped a two-game win streak for the Baby Bombers, who will try to bounceback in the next two in the three-game road series.

The game featured a 71-minute rain delay after two innings of play keeping Bomber starter Luke Greinke from pitching deeper. He worked the first couple allowing one unearned run on a hit while walking a batter and striking out three.

Meanwhile, Birds’ starter Chris Salbert also permitted a run on a first inning Brian Baisley RBI single which plated second baseman David Adams. Despite that, the 23 year-old southpaw retired all six Bombers by fanning them.

When the contest finally resumed, both Staten Island’s Brad Rulon and Aberdeen’s Stephen Procner pitched extremely well keeping the bats silent. The just turned 22 year-old Rulon out of Georgia Tech continued his run of scoreless relief tossing three hitless frames while whiffing an impressive five. Procner matched zeroes by working the next four giving up two hits while K-ing four.

The Baby Bombers put the first couple on against new pitcher Rich Zagone but he worked out of the jam by striking out the last three.

With the ballgame still knotted in the Aberdeen home half, they finally got to losing S.I. reliever Andy Shive. After he retired the first two batters, a two out rally produced four consecutive singles including Tom Edwards’ go-ahead base hit to center followed by a two-run hit from Kyle Hudson which put them up 4-1.

Staten Island tried to get something going in the eighth but Birds’ reliever Nick Haughian induced Baisley into a 6-4-3 double play following a leadoff walk to third baseman Braedyn Pruitt. As fate would have it, Dan Brewer then singled with nobody on. Haughian got Mike Lyon to line out to second ending the threat.

The Bombers couldn’t rally in their last at bat as Fredy Deza closed it out 1-2-3 getting shortstop Addison Maruszak to bounce out to short for his second save.

Notes: It was a struggle for Bomber batters all night as they struckout 14 times against five Aberdeen pitchers including winner Zagone (1-0), who fanned the side in the seventh. Staten Island pitchers combined to K 11 including three from loser Shive (0-2). … Aberdeen recorded five of their six hits against Shive while the S.I. Yanks had five total hits with no one having more than one. … OF Matt Morris came in as a pinch hitter for leadoff man Ray Kruml but struckout before taking over in center. … Aberdeen drew a solid attendance with 6,470 despite the rainy conditions. … Aberdeen (4-3) is currently tied with the Cyclones for first in the McNamara Division with both the Bombers and Renegades each 3-4 trailing by a game. … Auburn boasts the best league record at 6-1 pacing the Pinckney Division.

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by Derek Felix

Erickson, Bombers shutdown Renegades for first home win

June 22, 2008 in Staten Island Yanks

The Staten Island Yankees bat against Hudson Valley Sunday afternoon. 

STATEN ISLAND, NY- Splendid pitching and timely hitting helped the Baby Bombers pickup their first home win of the season. Starter Casey Erickson went six strong innings teaming with two relievers to shutdown the Renegades en route to a 3-0 shutout before a third consecutive sellout crowd of 7,171 on an overcast day at Richmond County Bank Ball Park in St. George.

“That’s what wins championships right there. Pitching and defense. We execute both today,” pleased shortstop Addison Maruszak remarked in the winner’s dugout of a fun matinee which took only two hours and 24 minutes to complete.

The Bombers used a two-run third highlighted by right fielder Dan Brewer’s clutch two out two-run opposite field single to give Erickson the lead. Sharp all day despite putting at least one runner on in five of the six innings, the 22 year-old former 2006 10th round pick effectively used three pitches including a change to keep Hudson Valley batters off balance.

A half inning before his teammates got on the board, the 6-3 righthander helped his own cause by taking a page out of David Phelps’ book. The Friday night starter in the opening game of the series caught a Renegade baserunner napping at second. This time, Erickson picked off Michael Ross at second tossing to Ryan Wilkes for a 1-4 putout. He then finished off the frame by assisting on a 1-4-3 ground out to get Mike McKenna.

Left fielder D.J. Hollingsworth’s hustle in the home half helped spark the inning. After a clean leadoff single to center, the speedy second-year Staten Island Yankee took second on Kyeong Kong’s throwing error. Following a walk to center fielder Ray Kruml, third baseman Braedyn Pruitt’s grounder to first advanced the runners into scoring position with two out. Brewer followed by going with losing starter Tyree Hayes’ outside pitch serving it into short right for the game’s first couple of runs.

Up two, Erickson made it stick by continuing to pitch well with runners on. In the fifth, he worked around a Jacob Jefferies leadoff double by getting Mark Thomas swinging, Jason Appel 4-3 and Michael Ross on a comebacker. In his final inning, he buckled down after a visit from skipper Pat McMahon. Following a one out walk, Erickson finished strong by getting the last two batters including Kang on an unassisted force out to Maruszak.

The Bombers got a key insurance run in the seventh thanks to solid execution. First baseman Jahdiel Santamaria started it by beating out an infield hit and advanced to second on a Hollingsworth sacrifice. Maruszak then came up and went the other way for an RBI single which scored Santamaria.

“In those situations, you got to look for something to drive and you can’t be willing to miss. You just got to find a hard ball to drive and just hit it,” Maruszak added.

The bullpen also came in and shut the door with Jason Kiley tossing two scoreless while fanning three before giving way to the two armed man everyone’s still talking about Pat Venditte. In his home debut before an entertained crowd, he didn’t disappoint retiring Hudson Valley in order including the final two batters via strikeouts on nasty breaking stuff which neither had much chance on.

“It was good to finally get to pitch in front of the home crowd,” the now infamous switch pitcher said while at his locker. “To have the crowd behind you helps a lot. … I got ahead of hitters which helps a lot. That’s what I’ve noticed so far just watching games.”

Most importantly, the Bombers cameback to take the final two games and win their first series of the summer evening their record at 3-3.

“That’s the key is just to win series,” Maruszak also stated.

“Look for the sweep but if it doesn’t happen, you got to win the series. And if you split the first two, you got to win the third game.”

Notes: Staten Island was outhit 7-4 by their opponents but made their four count. … OF Taylor Grote and 2B David Adams sat out. … Erickson went six without allowing a run on five hits while walking one and striking out three for his first win of the season. … In defeat, Hayes permitted two earned on two hits while walking four in 4.2 IP dropping to 0-2. … Jefferies finished 3-for-4 in defeat. … Bombers hit the road the next four days with stops in Aberdeen the next three before visiting Hudson Valley for two of three later this week with one home game Friday night.

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by Derek Felix

Offense breaks out in road win

June 22, 2008 in Staten Island Yanks

The bats finally sprung to life on the road. Following just a run in an 11 inning home defeat, the Staten Island Yankees got a measure of revenge exploding for nine runs to a post a 9-1 win at Hudson Valley Saturday night.

They used a four-run first to take the lead for good on a night which saw the ballclub bat around twice. Veteran backstop Brian Baisley, who arrived from Charleston drove home a pair finishing 2-for-3 with a run and walk. He replaced Jeff Nutt, who was moved up to play with the Riverdogs of the South Atlantic League.

Second-year Bomber Matt Morris got his first start of the season in center hitting leadoff. The outfielder had a couple of hits including an RBI double and run scored. Staten Island second baseman David Adams also broke out by going two-for-four with three runs knocked in. That included a big two out two-run base hit to center in the first plating teammates Taylor Grote and Mike Lyon.

A couple of frames later, Adams drove in his third of the night with another two out line drive hit to center scoring Baisley, who began the third with a single. That was plenty of support for starter Cory Arbiso, who worked the first three scoreless allowing two hits while fanning a pair.

Trailing by five, the Renegades got on the board in the home fourth off Staten Island reliever Jacinto Gonell when Michael Sheridan ledoff with a double and two batters later came around to score on Friday’s pinch hit hero Kyeong Kang’s sac fly. But following a walk. Gonell escaped further damage by getting Anthony Scelfo swinging.

In two and a third, the second-year Bomber allowed one earned on four hits with a walk and four K’s which was good enough for his first victory of the summer.

The Baby Bombers put the game out of reach with another four-run inning this time in the sixth highlighted by right fielder Melky Mesa’s first home run. A Morris runscoring double also produced a run plating shortstop Brian Chavez, who had three hits in four at bats.

Tim Dennehy, Andy Shive and two-armed man Pat Venditte shutdown the Renegades the rest of the way allowing just one hit in the final three and two thirds with a strikeout.

Notes: In their three losses, Staten Island’s been outscored 15-5. Conversely, they’ve outscored opponents 16-3 in their two wins both coming on the road. … RP Nick Chigges, who helped setup last year was recalled to Charleston as was Prilys Cuello. Former S.I. Yankee pitcher Jason Stephens was promoted to Single-A Tampa after posting a 2-3 record with a 3.02 ERA while striking out 52 in 59.2 IP. … Baby Bombers (2-3) look to even up their mark and win at home for the first time this season in the final game of the series against Hudson Valley with first pitch just after 2 PM.

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by Derek Felix

Baby Bombers fall in 11 to Renegades

June 21, 2008 in Staten Island Yanks

A shot of a puffy cloud down the right field line before the game. 

STATEN ISLAND, NY- They pitched well enough to win but couldn’t deliver the big hit. Instead, a two-run 11th allowed the Renegades to squeeze out a 3-1 win over the Baby Bombers before a second consecutive sellout of 7,171 at Richmond County Bank Ball Park in St. George Friday night.

Deadlocked at one in extras, Hudson Valley finally broke through by pushing across a couple in the 11th off losing Staten Island reliever Drew Shetrone. Following a one out Michael Sheridan base hit, Renegades’ pinch hitter Kyeong Kang battled back from an 0-2 hole to full count before lacing an opposite field go-ahead double out of left fielder Taylor Grote’s reach.

“It was tough. They just outhit us but we have to get stuff going. Just couldn’t execute with runners in scoring position a few imes. Myself included,” Grote later pointed out. ”We’re battling. Even when we were down two, I felt like we gave it a good run there. Even though we didn’t score there, we were still hustling and playing to the end.”

After Shetrone rebounded to get the second out of the inning on a called third strike to Michael Ross, Hudson shortstop Matt Hall delivered a key insurance run with a sharp single to left.

Hudson Valley closer Marquis Fleming signs autograph for lucky fan before game.

“Good game for us. First extra inning game of the year. A pretty good game for both teams,” Hall later indicated in the winner’s dugout after Marquis Fleming pitched around a leadoff Matt Morris walk for his first save of the season. “Earlier in the game, I felt I didn’t do my job by not getting some bunts down. It was nice to comeback and help the team get the other run in.”

In what was a well pitched game, the Renegade staff held the Staten Island Yankees to one run and five hits in 11 frames. That only run came via a two out fourth inning Grote RBI single to left plating first baseman Jahdiel Santamaria, who ledoff with a double.

“Good to see that. Let the ball travel a little bit more,” Grote indicated. “That’s why I like hitting in the five hole. I got to be able to produce. Bring in guys. Men on base. Got to stay regular on that.” 

Threatening for more with two runners on after backstop Mitch Abeita walked, they couldn’t tack onto their lead with Hudson starter Nick Bannese catching a bit of luck when second baseman David Adams’ hard drive ticketed for center instead bounced off the pitcher right to the second baseman for an easy 1-4-3 putout.

Despite a solid debut outing from David Phelps who worked the first four scoreless while fanning three, Staten Island couldn’t nurse a one-run lead. A couple of innings later, the Renegades rallied to tie it when Jason Appel ledoff with a double off reliever Andy Shive. They put runners on the corners with nobody out thanks to Jason Tweedy beating out a bunt single down the third baseline. Braedyn Pruitt’s throw was just a tad late. That allowed Mike McKenna to tie it with a sacrifice fly.

Each ballclub would have chances to go ahead late. First, the Renegades had the potential go-ahead run 90 feet away when Pruitt let a ball go right underneath his glove for an E5. But with one out, S.I. reliever Josue Selenes was up to the challenge getting Sheridan and John Mollicone swinging to the approval of the crowd.

The following inning, Hudson Valley had another golden opportunity when pinch runner Michael Ross swiped both second and third with one out. This time, some stellar defense allowed the Bombers to escape when Anthony Scelfo lined into an unassisted 6-6 putout right to Addison Maruszak who easily tagged third with Ross way off the base.

In the home ninth, the S.I. shortstop had a chance to be the hero. With pinch runner Melky Mesa 90 feet away after a steal of second and advancing to third on a Mollicone throwing error, Maruszak struckout swinging against Hudson Valley reliever Robert Della Grotta.

“Our pitching’s been amazing all year long. They’ve been getting out of jams. Our pitching staff’s been great,” Hall added.

Though they fell in extras, the Bombers had to be pleased with the pitching overall. Something which wasn’t lost on Grote.

“[Phelps] threw real well. It was anybody’s game when he came out. Everyone came in and did well. Even Drew came in and did well. One hit and one guy ran into one a little bit. Got over my head. He threw well and was hitting spots.”

“It’s nice to come out here. We have great fans. Do well for the team and pitch my game. It worked well. So it was good,” a pleased Phelps said.

Notes: Due to the extra couple of frames, the game took three hours and 47 minutes to complete. But fans were still very entertained by a fun Staten Island Yankee staff led by Joey. … The teams combined to leave 35 runners on base with Hudson Valley stranding 20 while Staten Island left 15. … The Bombers used six pitchers while the Renegades went with four. The three relievers Josh Satow, Della Grota and Fleming combined for six and a third permitting only a hit while walking three and striking out seven. In 11 total innings, S.I. pitchers allowed three runs on 11 hits while walking three and fanning 10. … Santamaria was the only S.I. Yankee to have two hits and also made a nice catch reaching out near the Hudson Valley dugout to snag a foul ball. … Appel and Tweedy each had a couple of hits for the Renegades at the top of the order. … The middle game of the series is tonight at 7 in Hudson Valley with the final game Sunday afternoon back at St. George.

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Avatar of Derek Felix

by Derek Felix

Cyclones spoil lengthy Baby Bomber home opener

June 19, 2008 in Staten Island Yanks

Brooklyn and Staten Island players are introduced to a sellout crowd at Richmond County Bank Ball Park during last night's rain delayed home opener in St. George. The Cyclones prevailed 9-4. 

STATEN ISLAND, NY- They waited a little longer to play the first home game of 2008. Following a one hour 26-minute rain delay, the wait would be even longer as a sloppy home opener saw the Verrazano rival Brooklyn Cylones get the better of the Staten Island Baby Bombers 9-4 before a sellout crowd of 7,171 at Richmond County Bank Ball Park in St. George Wednesday night.

A day removed from a more reasonable low scoring 3-1 win in Coney Island, the defending McNamara Division champion Cyclones needed another three hours and 25 minutes to complete a second consecutive victory over the Bombers on what still turned out to be a nice evening once the storm clouds evaporated.

“It was a long game. Even with the rain delay, we knew we’d get it in. We got on the board early. We got on the board late and we got a good win tonight,” one of Brooklyn’s hitting stars third baseman Zach Lutz explained in the winner’s dugout after contributing two hits, two RBI’s along with a couple of runs scored.

The second-year Brooklyn player who missed almost all of last year due to injury got his team started quickly by lacing a one out runscoring double which scored teammate Kirk Nieuwenhuis all the way from first in the opening frame. But an error by shortstop Matt Bouchard allowed Staten Island to come right back with an unearned run thanks to right fielder Dan Brewer’s two out RBI base hit.

After S.I. Yankee starter Luke Greinke tossed a scoreless second, the recently turned 22 year-old younger brother of Kansas City ace Zach ran into trouble by giving up two straight hits to start the third. With new skipper Pat McMahon having the righty on a short leash due to a pitch count, he brought in reliever Jake Shafer.

Unfortunately, the move backfired. During warmups in the bullpen, Shafer couldn’t locate tossing a couple of errant pitches towards the backstop. It foreshadowed a very rough first outing. He faced four Cyclone batters and didn’t come close to retiring anyone. After walking Lutz to load the bases, he hit both Eric Campbell and John Servidio to force in two runs. With a tough capacity crowd getting restless, Shafer lost the plate completely walking Josh Satin to force in another run and put the Bombers in a three-run hole before finally exiting in favor of Brad Rulon.

Though he entered with the bases jammed and nobody out, Rulon did an admirable job limiting the damage on a soft Jefferies Tatford RBI single to left and a Cesar Cordido sac fly.

Still, Staten Island found themselves down 6-1 trying to play catch up which wasn’t easy due to a solid effort from winning Brooklyn starter Tim Stronach (1-0). Though he only got the side in order once, Stronach pitched well with runners on base stranding a couple in scoring position to conclude a scoreless fifth by getting Bomber shortstop Addison Maruszak to bounce into a groundout to third. He worked the first five allowing just one unearned on four hits while walking one and striking out four.

With the pen keeping the Cyclones at bay, the Bombers tried to get back in it chipping away when second-year third baseman Brian Chavez plated two with a two-run opposite field double off Brooklyn reliever Roy Merritt to slice the deficit to 6-3.

“I got jammed a little bit but I was able to get the knock there,” he later said.

It got even more interesting when centerfielder Ray Kruml came up with the bases loaded with two out. But the leadoff man who to that point had reached base three straight times couldn’t deliver striking out swinging to end the threat.

“It was a lefty sidearm guy. I haven’t seen those guys very often. I tried to work the count but [Merritt] threw a good pitch and stuck me out,” Kruml noted. “Hopefully, I can face him again real soon and take advantage of that.” 

Down by three, S.I. got a solid two scoreless from second-year reliever Jacinto Gonell to still give them hope for a late comeback. But after left fielder Taylor Grote worked a walk following a dropped Cordido error, BK’s Rhiner Cruz induced second baseman David Adams into a 6-4-3 twin killing.

Despite four errors, the Cyclones turned just enough double plays to escape innings. On the other side, the Bombers also showed off some leather with a couple of nifty 4-6-3 DPs started by Adams.

It wasn’t enough as Brooklyn put the game away with a three-run ninth including an RBI double by Lutz and a two-run two-bagger by second-year Cyclone Will Vogl off Staten Island’s Drew Shetrone.

A night which began with rain continued to be sloppy till the very end as BK first baseman Nick Giarraputo dropped a routine pop which would’ve finally concluded things. Instead, the Bombers added a final unearned tally on an RBI double just over the third baseline by DH Prilys Cuello.

Cruz got Brewer to pop out to Bouchard to notch his first save.

“It’s the first time we’ve all played together,” added Kruml. “It’s going to take a little time to get all the cranks out. But I think we’ll be alright.”

Notes: The game featured a combined 43 men left on base with Staten Island stranding 21 while Brooklyn left 22. … Due to the lengthy delay and unpredictable game, it didn’t finish till nearly midnight. … Greinke absorbed his first loss working only two innings while being charged with three earned on three hits while walking and fanning a pair. … With two more hits and a walk, Kruml has now reached base six times in the first two games. … Four Cyclones had multi-hit nights including Lutz, Nieuwenhuis, Campbell and Tatford also combining for seven of the nine runs and four RBI’s. … Returning Baby Bombers Matt Morris, D.J. Hollingsworth, Jason Kiley and Nick Chigges all sat out. … Staten Island (0-2) looks to avoid a sweep against their archrivals later tonight back across the bridge at Key Span Park. First pitch is 7:05.

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