Upcoming Games: July 11 - July 16

A Look at the week ahead

By: Robert Pimpsner

 July 10, 2007 - After a brief three game road trip, the baby bombers will be returning to “The Bank” for a six game home stand.  Before the bombers take the field, however they will be enjoying a rare off day for the MLB All-Star Game.  The Yankees are 6-3 at home this season and are 6-4 in their last 10 games; it seems that pieces are starting to come together for the defending NY-Penn League Champions.

            The baby bombers begin a three game series against the Auburn Doubledays this Wednesday at 7:10pm.  Yankees pitching prospect Zach McAllister will be on the mound for the Yankees, making his first home start of the 2007 season.  On the year, McAllister is 1-1 with 17 strikeouts.  In his last outing, McAllister was magnificent, giving up just one run to the Cyclones in five innings.  After early struggles the young right-hander seems to have found himself and has had two quality outings in a row.

            The Staten Island Yankees and Auburn Doubledays will meet once again on Thursday in a day game.  On the mound for the Yankees will be former SI Yankee and current NY Yankee Jeff Karstens.  Karstens will be returning to the Richmond County Bank Ballpark to make a rehab start.  In his last rehab start, Karstens pitched 3.1 innings in the Gulf Coast League, giving up three hits and striking out two batters.  Originally scheduled to start for the bombers is 2007 draftee Adam Olbrychowski or Ryan Zink.  Both might make an appearance in relief.

            The Yankees will finish up the series against the Doubledays on Friday night and after the game, fans will be treated to a post game fireworks display.  Nick Chigges is scheduled to take the mound against Auburn.  Chigges has recently been named the NY-Penn League pitcher of the week.  On the season he is 1-3 with a 2.11 ERA, he has started three out of five games he appeared in.

            The home stand will continue on Saturday as the Yankees host the Vermont Lake Monsters.  The NY-Penn League affiliate of the Washington Nationals is 12-8 on the year, in second place in the Stedler Division as of July 10, 2007.  Dellin Betances will take the ball for Staten Island in the opening contest.  Zach McAllister will pitch game two with Adam Olbrychowski or Ryan Zink scheduled for game two.  The home stand will finish up with Nick Chigges finishing it out for the bombers.

What to look for?

            Jose Gil has rejoined the baby bombers and has provided a steady body behind the plate.  While in the batters box, Gil has been batting just .192 but has put on a power display.  He has been hitting the ball hard and has three homeruns to show for it and is averaging an RBI for each game played.

            Justin Snyder has been leading the team in hitting and On Base Percentage, batting .300 with a .469 OBP.  Taylor Holiday is batting .314 in his short time with the baby bombers and DJ Hollingsworth is batting .333 in limited duty with the Yanks.  Luis Nunez and Damon Sublett are tied for the team lead in RBIs both with 11.  Sublett has the team lead in doubles belting eight two-baggers this year.