Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 9, Columbus 6
Cole Garner blasted two home runs on the evening and and someone finally learned how to shut down Ronnier Mustelier as the Yankees deleted the Columbus Clippers on Monday Evening. Garner, hitting .169 on the season, showed the rare ability to put it in the seats with his second and third home runs of the season. Steve Pearce homered as well for the Yankees, en route to a 3-for-5 night at the plate which saw him score twice and knocking home three runs. D.J. Mitchell didn’t pitch great, but it was good enough for his fourth win of the season. Mitchell went five innings, allowing six runs on eight hits before giving way to the trio of Justin Thomas, Chase Whitley, and Kevin Whelan, who went four innings without allowing a hit. For Whelan, he earned his 11th save of the season.
Akron 5, Trenton 1
Offense was limited today for the Thunder, who saw just five hits offensively, with one each off the bat of Abe Almonte, Dan Brewer, Cody Johnson, Jeffrey Farmhan, and Addison Maruszak. Johnson, who doubled in the 4th inning, was responsible for Trenton’s only extra-base hit. Corban Joseph managed to get his name into the box score by bringing home the team’s only run, thanks to a 3rd inning sacrifice fly. Brett Marshall started tonight for the Thunder and took the loss after allowing five runs (three earned) on eight hits over six innings.
Tampa 5, Palm Beach 2
Tampa’s five-run first inning was all that was needed to put this one in the win column for the Yankees. Rob Segedin extended his hitting streak to ten games with a three-run home run in the first, his only hit of the game. Kyle Higashioka also had a first inning home run to finish off the Yankee scoring. As good as the offense was to start, it was a great performance by Zachary Nuding. Over seven innings, Nuding allowed just two runs on eight hits before giving way to Branden Pinder. Pinder tossed two shutout innings and was able to earn his second save of the season.
Charleston 5, Savannah 3
Considering how rough I’ve been on Ben Paullus this week, I’ve gotta give the kid credit where it’s due. Paullus was huge tonight, throwing two innings and securing the win while striking out four and allowing just one baserunner on a walk. Really, the whole bullpen was huge – it combined for seven hitless innings in relief of starter Brett Gerritse – but Paullus deserves a special mention. Everyone in tonight’s lineup except for Gary Sanchez had a hit tonight, though the most impressive play of the night came after Tyler Austin led off the sixth inning with a double. He then advanced to third on a single by Ben Gamel, and subsequently stole home. Kelvin de Leon came up big in extra innings, as it was his double that brought home the eventual winning run.
