Bombers Win Pitchers Duel

Yankee pitching struck out a combined 16 batters in win

By: Robert Pimpsner

August 27, 2007 – Ryan Pope, Jacinto Gonell, and Jonathan Ortiz combined to strike out 16 batters as the Staten Island Yankees defeated the Lowell Spinners in the rubber game to take the series.

                Ryan Pope took the mound for the Staten Island Yankees, making his eighth start of the season.  The 2007 third round draft pick pitched his best game of the season, going 6 shutout innings while tying his career high of 8 strikeouts and walking none.

                Lowell was the first to get hits in the ballgame, but was unable to bring them home.  The Yankees were held to 2 hits for seven innings, those 2 hits came in the fifth inning when they plated the games first run.  David Williams struck out to start the inning, but a wild pitch allowed him to reach first.  After a pop out, Chris Raber grounded a single to center with Williams moving to third.  A fielding error by the centerfielder allowed Raber to move into second.  Austin Krum laid down a bunt that went back the pitcher; the Lowell pitcher released it back to the catcher to get Williams out at home.  With Justin Snyder at the plate, Krum stole second to put 2 runners in scoring position.  Snyder then bunted the ball back to the pitcher, which bounced off him for a single, scoring Chris Raber.

                Jacinto Gonell came in to start the seventh inning, after walking the first batter Gonell struck out the second but he then gave up a double to tie the game.  On the play, Yankee right fielder David Williams fell backwards on the outfield fence and was taken out of the game in favor of Matt Morris.  Gonell went on to strike out the side to get out of the inning.

                The Bombers would go back on top in the eighth inning, Austin Krum reached base with 1 out on a walk.  Krum then stole second and scored on a Justin Snyder double.

                Gonell came out to start the eighth inning for the bombers, but after allowing a hit and walk Yankee manager Mike Gillespie opted to go to the bullpen for the closer Jonathan Ortiz.  “The Sandman” came in and got the first out on a sacrifice bunt, then struck out the next two batters with runners at second and third.

The Bombers threatened once again in the ninth inning, Braedyn Pruitt led it off with a base hit and moved to second on a sacrifice by Jose Gil.  The Yankees would get another base runner when Matt Morris was hit by the pitch to put 2 on with 1 out.  DJ Hollingsworth worked out a 4-pitch walk to load the bases for the bombers.  Chris Raber then hit into a fielders choice with Pruitt out at the plate and Austin Krum grounded out to end the inning with the bases loaded.

Jonathan Ortiz came out to pitch the ninth inning for the bombers.  He allowed a leadoff walk but came back to strike out the next 2 before allowing a double to left to put 2 runners in scoring position.  Ortiz struck out the final batter for his fifth strike out of the game and 12^th save of the season.

The Staten Island Yankees return home tomorrow night to start a three game set with the Aberdeen Ironbirds.  Jason Stephens will start for the Baby Bombers, his fifth start of the season.  Stephens has won 3 straight games and looks to continue his success.