Tempers Flare as Yanks Take Game One

Vermont Manager ejected in ninth inning

By: Robert Pimpsner

July 14, 2007 - There could not have been a better night for baseball then on Saturday.  The weather was perfect as the Staten Island Yankees continued their six game home stand and welcomed the Vermont Lake Monsters for a three game set.  Staten Island looked to turn over a new leaf as they began a new series.

            On the mound for the bombers is the Yankees recent third round draft pick Ryan Pope.  Pope who was just assigned to the Staten Island roster made his professional debut pitching just three innings giving up three hits and no runs.

            Staten Island struck first with two runs on one hit in the first inning.  Justin Synder led the game off with a walk and came into score on a double to left by Luis Nunez.  Jose Gil flied out to right to move Nunez to third.  After Austin Krum walked and with Isaiah Howes at the plate a wild pitch would give the Yankees a 2-0 lead.

            The bombers would add one more run in the second inning.  After Braedyn Pruitt grounded out, Taylor Holiday laid down a bunt single down the third base line and then stole second.  He reached third on a ground out by Chris Raber and a Justin Snyder single brought him in.

            Nick Chigges took over on the mound for the bombers in the fourth and went on to pitch four innings.  In his four innings of work, Chigges gave up two runs on six hits and has struck three.  He gave up a lead off single in the eighth and was then relieved by Jason Kiley.

             The bombers got a much needed insurance run in the eighth inning and with two outs and two strikes Vermont left the field as if they had the final out after Austin Krum stole second.  The Vermont manager came out to argue and was then ejected from the game.  After continuing to argue with both the home plate and base umpires, he went in the dugout and then began to toss bats, helmets, garbage pale and a cooler over the fence.

            Tempers briefly flared again in the ninth inning as Vermont’s lead off hitter was ejected after kicking dirt on home plate.  The third base coach then came down and escorted him back to the dugout.  Staten Island went on to win the game 4-2 with Nick Chigges receiving the win.  The bombers and Monsters will meet up again tomorrow night as Dellin Betances will take the mound.