Bombs Burst in the Air as Bombers Take Game One

Betances strikes out six in fourth start of 2007

By: Robert Pimpsner

July 4, 2007 - It was a damp and cool night at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark as a crowd of 6,011 fans filled the stands for an Independence Day bout between the Staten Island Yankees and the rival Brooklyn Cyclones.  The sky showed signs of light rain that would fall as the game got underway at 6:03.

            Dellin Betances made the start for the Baby Bombers, his fourth of the season and second against the Brooklyn Cyclones.  Betances pitched 4.2 innings against the ‘Clones walking and striking out six batters.  He did not allow any runs, while giving up 3 hits lowering his ERA to 3.00.

Cyclone lead off man Micah Schilling knocked a fly ball to left that feel in for a single in the first inning.  Schilling attempted to steal second but a bullet fired by Jose Gil to Christopher Carrara nailed him for the first out.  Betances then got Ender Chavez to ground out and struck out JR Voyles.

            Staten Island was the first to put numbers in the run column in the fourth inning.  Damon Sublett led the inning off with a line drive to center and then came around to score on a home run by Jose Gil.  Gil knocked several hard balls before belting the monstrous shot over the left field fence.  The fans jumped to their feet when he connected and cheered as the Yankees took the lead over the Cyclones.

            After Jason Kiley pitched .1 innings, Craig Heyer took over on the mound for the Yankees.  Heyer went on to pitch 3 innings giving up 1 run and striking out two Cyclones.  With the Yankees up by 1 run in the ninth inning, Philip Bartleski took over on the mound.  Bartleski was unable to get the save, giving up the tying run.  Bartleski went out to start the tenth inning, after giving up two base runners he was replaced by Kyle Hollander.  The Yankees got out the inning after a failed suicide squeeze attempt and a bounce back to the pitcher.

            The eleventh inning did not go as well for Hollander as he gave up a lead off home run to center to put the Cyclones ahead.  Hollander would go on to get the victory as the Yankees tied the game.  Justin Snyder lead off the bottom of the eleventh with a walk and advanced to second when Matt Morris reached base on an error by the pitcher.  Damon Sublett worked the count full with no outs as two fireworks show were going on over the left and right field fences.  Sublett reached on an error by the first baseman that brought the tying run home.

            Fans were on their feet for Jose Gil with men on first and third.  Cyclone pitcher tried to paint the corners but missed the first two pitches for two balls.  Gil then swung at a pitch that could have been ball three to make the count 2-1.  A low ball put the count at 3-1 before he popped out to right.  Austin Krum then came up to the plate with one out and took the first pitch for a strike.  A pitch out evened the count and on the next pitch he hit into a fielders choice with no out being made due to an error on the third baseman.  Taylor Holiday stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and a wild pitch gave the Yankees the victory.

            The night was capped off with a spectacular fireworks display.  The Yankees and Cyclone will meet again tomorrow night in Brooklyn.  Zach McAllister is scheduled to start for Staten Island, making his fourth start all on the road.