Down on the Farm - 8/8

Before we get into how the Tampa Yankees are doing, kudos to them for holding Breast Cancer Awareness Night at GMS III Field on August 15. The players will be wearing blue jerseys with pink lettering, like that Joba guy once did, that will be auctioned off with partial proceeds going to the Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute.

On a lighter note, the team is also holding a Jimmy Buffett tribute night on the 16th.

It's been an up and down season for the Florida St. Leaguers, who have had a number of winning and losing streaks. Their current two game slide has left them 58-57, 21-24 in the second half. They obviously miss the pitching of Eric Hacker (Trenton) and Al Aceves (Scranton), who were a combined 6-3, 1.98 before being promoted. Zach McAllister's 6-6 record doesn't reflect just how well he's pitched. The right-hander has compiled a 2.17 ERA in his 12 starts. Overall, between Charleston and Tampa, McAllister is 12-9, 2.30 in 22 starts. Jon Hovis has excelled in the closer's role, recording 10 saves, and has an 8:1 strikeout to walk ratio.

Offensively, 1st baseman Kevin Smith leads the team with 50 RBI while posting a .283 average. DH Andres Perez has added 8 home runs and 41 RBI to a team that misses Edwar Gonzalez, who was promoted to Trenton after 27 games. Mitch Hilligoss, who hit in 38 straight games en route to a .310 season, has been a disappointment. The third baseman is batting just .241.

The Charleston RiverDogs battled a number of injuries to put together a fantastic 45-25 first half in the South Atlantic League. Things haven't gone so smoothly since, as the Dogs have put together just a 22-23 record. Granted, they have lost stars like starters McAllister and Jason Stephens to Tampa.

The big name on the RiverDogs is of course Jesus Montero. The 6'4" catcher fought off a bad May and came back strong, hitting .293 in June and .341 in July. He's topped that with a .387 average in 8 games in August. Montero has hit 13 home runs, 30 doubles, and driven in 69 runs in 430 at-bats. He's also done a good job of making contact, having struck out 69 times. He's also hit an impressive .350 with runners in scoring position and has an .844 OPS.

Montero is not alone, though. 3rd baseman Brad Suttle (.280-10-33, .828 OPS in 72 games), fellow catcher Austin Romine (.283-7-34 in 82 games), Justin Snyder (.290, 52 RBI), and Brandon Laird (17 HRs, 60 RBI) have all put together solid seasons.

Jon Ortiz has been a stud at closer, recording 28 saves, while striking out 73 batters in 52.2 innings. Starter Wil De la Rosa, a converted position player, has compiled a 7-3, 2.29 mark with 110 strikeouts in 90.1 innings. Dellin Betances and Lance Pendleton have each had solid seasons, with 7 wins apiece.

Tomorrow - the Staten Island and GCL Yankees

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Minor League Weekend Recap - 7/21

We start off at the Double-A level where red hot prospect Austin Jackson helped lead the Trenton Thunder to a 3-game sweep of the Portland SeaDogs. The series was supposed to go 4 games, but a rainout on Sunday shortened things up.

Jackson, the 21-yr old that could man centerfield in the new Yankee Stadium for many years to come, is hitting .556 (20-36) over his last 10 games, with a home run, 3 doubles, 5 RBI, 5 walks, and 8 runs scored. He went 4-4 in the series opening 8-1 win last Thursday, and went 4-6 in a doubleheader sweep on Saturday (5-4, 3-0). Phil Coke impressed in the nightcap, tossing 2-hit ball over 6 innings, with 10 strikeouts.

The Thunder's current 5-game winning streak put them 25 games over .500 (62-37) and puts them 8.5 games ahead of Portland in the Eastern League's Northern division.

Scranton put together an impressive series, winning 4 of 5 from the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. The only loss was the first game, a completion of July 3rd's suspended game. But since that counts in the schedule on July 3, the Yankees actually have an 8-game winning streak.

They may have lost the completion of the first game, but Al Aceves stood out. He allowed just 2 hits and struck out 5 over 4 innings.

Juan Miranda continues to impress those in the organization, particularly when he faces right-handed pitching. He's hit .400 over his last 10 games and homered in Thursday's 6-5 nightcap win, and again in Saturday's 6-4 victory. Miranda is now hitting .346 with a .977 OPS against right-handers.

Ian Kennedy and Jeff Karstens are both trying to give Joe Girardi something to think about after their performances against Lehigh Valley. IPK threw 3-hit ball over 7 innings to earn the 2-1 win on Saturday and Karstens finished off the series by allowing 2 runs in 7 innings for a 7-2 win.

Scranton's hot streak has moved them to within 2.5 games of 1st place Pawtucket in the International League's North division.


It's been a tough road for the Tampa Yankees. They recently endured an 11-game losing streak before sweeping 4 straight from the Vero Beach Rays. They split the next 4 with the Jupiter Hammerheads, rebounding after losing the first two games. On Sunday they started a new series with the Brevard County Manatees, dropping a 5-3 decision.

Zach McAllister took the loss on Sunday, allowing 4 runs in 6 innings, with just one of the runs being earned. The 20-yr old from Chillicothe, IL has an impressive season at Charleston and Tampa. He was 6-3, 2.45 in 10 starts for the RiverDogs, with 53 strikeouts and just 8 walks in 62.1 innings pitched. Thus far for Tampa, McAllister is 4-5 despite a 2.50 ERA. Overall, he's posted a 10-8, 2.48 mark in 120 innings with 90 strikeouts and just 14 walks.

McAllister's teammate Ryan Pope picked up a 7-inning, complete game win on Saturday, 3-2. He's now 6-4, 2.35 in 13 starts.

The Yankees are 11-16 thus far in the 2nd half and sit 9.5 games back of Dunedin the Florida State League's Western division.


The Charleston RiverDogs had their 7-game winning streak snapped on Sunday, losing a tough 8-7 game to the Greensboro Bats. Prior to the loss, the RiverDogs had just finished a 4-game sweep of the Kannapolis Intimidators. Big right-hander Dellin Bettances was impressive on Saturday with 6 innings of 2-hit ball. He also struck out 5 and walked a pair.

18-yr old Jairo Heredia also continued to impress with his own 6 innings of 2-hit ball in a 2-0 Dogs win. Heredia has struck out 65 batters in 71 IP.

All-Star Jesus Montero has been the most consistent hitter in the Dogs lineup and he's been heating up again, hitting .385 over the last 10 games, with 2 home runs and 7 RBI.

After a 45-25 first half, the RiverDogs are just 14-14 out of the gate in the 2nd half.


The Staten Island Yankees have won back to back series and will look to make it three straight tonight when they face the Brooklyn Cyclones in the rubber game of the series.

3rd baseman Mike Lyon has been a model of consistency all season. He's among the league leaders with a .318 average and a .902 OPS. Teammate Ray Kruml is right behind him with a .313 average and is 4th in the league with 10 stolen bases. Dan Brewer has also put together a solid campaign with a .297 average and 17 RBI.

Casey Erickson has been the Baby Bombers top starter, putting together a 2-0, 3.31 mark in 7 starts. He has struck out 23 opponents in 32.2 innings pitched. And of course Pat Venditte has been a big story because of his ability to throw with both arms, but he's put numbers up that are equally impressive. Venditte is second in the NY-Penn League with 8 saves and has posted a 0.71 ERA in 12.2 IP.

At 20-12, Staten Island has the second best record in the NY-Penn League.


The GCL Yankees have been heating it up like the Florida sun of late. They've won 6 of their past 7 games and 3 straight. Four pitchers combined on a 6-hit, 13-strikeout performance in Friday's 3-0 win over the Phillies.

Humberto Sanchez threw a 1 inning rehab assignment on Sunday and has now made 8 appearances for the GCL squad. In 7.2 innings pitched, he's allowed 4 hits, 1 run, 4 walks, and has struck out 11. The Yankees beat the Phils again 9-8 as shortstop Jimmy Paredes went 5-5.

The Yankees, 15-12, now trail the 1st place Phillies by just 1.5 games in the GCL North.

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Minor League Recap - 6/24

Ian Kennedy made his first rehab start yesterday as part of a doubleheader between the Gulf Cost League Yankees and Tigers. IPK came out of the pen to toss 3 innings, allowing 1 run and striking out 7. The competition consisted of inferior hitting, but it's the right step forward. Kennedy actually picked up the victory in the Yankees 3-2 win. Chase Wright, also making his way back from the minor league DL, threw 3 scoreless innings, striking out 5, for the save.

The Tigers gained a split, scoring the winning run off of Ryan Flannery in the bottom of the 9t for a 2-1 final.

	June 21, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E GCL Tigers 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 6 1 GCL Yankees 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 X 3 3 1 Recap | Box W: I. Kennedy (1-0, 3.00); L: R. Zumaya (0-1, 1.29); SV: C. Wright (1) HR: None.

	June 23, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E GCL Yankees 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 GCL Tigers 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 8 1 Recap | Box W: N. Cassavechia (1-0, 0.00); L: R. Flannery (0-1, 2.70) HR: None.

Kei Igawa went 6.2 innings in Scranton's 6-0 shut out of the Columbus Catfish. Dave Robertson continued to make a case for a promotion to the big league pen with 1.1 scoreless innings. New re-signed Chris Basak drove in 2 runs and J.D. Closser was 3-3.

	June 23, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Columbus 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 1 Scranton/WB 0 0 1 0 3 0 0 2 X 6 10 0 Recap | Box | W: K. Igawa (7-4, 3.47); L: M. Estrada (1-1, 5.25) HR: None.

Reegie Corona homered and drove in 2 runs to lead the Trenton Thunder over the Erie SeaWolves, 4-3. Kevin Whelan picked up the win after a solid start from Jason Jones (5 IP 1 ER), and Mark Melancon tossed 3 scoreless frames for the save.

	June 23, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Erie 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 10 2 Trenton 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 X 4 8 1 Recap | Box | W: K. Whelan (1-0, 4.50); L: J. Rainwater (5-3, 4.64); SV: M. Melancon (1) HR: TRE: R. Corona (1).

Zach McAllister was a tough luck loser when the Tampa Yankees dropped a 2-0 decision to the Daytona Cubs. McAllister surrendered a solo home run, but it was the only hit he allowed over 6 innings.

	June 23, 2008 Game 2
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Daytona 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 1 1 Tampa 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 1 Recap | Box | W: J. Ruhlman (4-5, 3.89); L: Z. McAllister (2-3, 2.79); SV: M. Avery (1) HR: DAY: B. Lalli (6).

The Charleston RiverDogs continue to fight the weather more than any other opponent. Last night's game was called after 2 innings with the RiverDogs leading 2-0 on a Brandon Laird home run. It was the fourth straight day that weather effected play.

The Staten Island Yankees dropped a 4-1 contest to the Aberdeen IronBirds. The Yankees struck first on Brian Baisley's 1st inning RBI single, but the IronBirds scored 3 runs in the 7th inning off of Andy Shive to win it. Luke Greinke, young brother of the Royals' Zach Grienke, made his professional debut for the Baby Bombers, allowing 1 unearned run in 2 innings. Brad Rulon turned in a steller performance as the first Yankee out of the pen, tossing 3 scoreless innings and striking out 5.

	June 23, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Staten Island 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 1 Aberdeen 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 X 4 6 1 Recap | Box W: R. Zagone (1-0, 0.00); L: A. Shive (0-2, 5.14); SV: F. Deza (2) HR: None.

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Minor League Recap - 6/12

The Yankees starting pitching stunk up the joint Wednesday night, but there were a hnumberimpressive performances in the minor league system. Zach McAllister (2-1, 2.65) picked up his 2nd win for Tampa by allowing 1 earned in 6 innings. The Yankees beat the St. Lucie Mets 5-2 behind a pair of RBI each from Andres Perez and Josue Calzado.

June 11, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Tampa 1 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 5 7 2 St. Lucie 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 7 3 Recap | Box W: Z. McAllister (2-1, 2.65); L: E. Niesen (3-7, 4.24); SV: J. Schmidt (5) HR: None.

Al Aceves bounced back from a poor showing to dominate the Connecticut Defenders, but still came out on the short end of 1-0 score. Aceves allowed 3 hits over 7 innings, didn't issue a walk, and struck out 7, but the Thunder managed just 6 hits. Mark Melancon also pitched a pair of hitless innings.

June 11, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Connecticut 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 3 0 Trenton 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 Recap | Box | W: P. Oseguera (1-1, 3.81); L: A. Aceves (1-2, 2.00); SV: S. Romo (11) HR: None.

Scranton pounded the Richmond Braves 9-2 as Jeff Karstens made a return trip from the DL. He allowed 1 earned run over 5 innings to earn the win. Alberto Gonzalez had a 3-hit, 3 RBI night, and Greg Porter added 3 hits and 2 RBI of his own. Matt Carson had 3 hits as well as the Yankees banged out 14 hits on the night. Scott Patterson, Billy Traber, and Dave Robertson struck out 8 in 4 scoreless innings of relief.

J.B. Cox was placed on the 15-day DL with shoulder tendinitis.

June 11, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Scranton/WB 2 0 2 2 0 0 1 2 0 9 14 1 Richmond 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 6 2 Recap | Box | W: J. Karstens (1-2, 6.11); L: D. Moss (2-6, 4.81) HR: None.

Lance Pendleton improved to 6-2, 1.89 with an impressive 7 inning performance in the Charleston RiverDogs 6-1 win over the Rome Braves. Pendleton allowed 1 unearned run, scattered 7 hits and struck out 8 while not issuing a free pass. Austin Krum singled, doubled, homered, and drove in 3, and Jesus Montero added 3 hits.

June 11, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Charleston 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 6 12 2 Rome 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 9 1 Recap | Box | W: L. Pendleton (6-2, 1.89); L: C. Rodgers (1-9, 4.78) HR: CHA: A. Krum (4).

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