Baby Bombers Take Series on Homers

Long ball helps Yanks take series from Batavia

By: Robert Pimpsner

July 9, 2007 - Everything seems to be back on track for the defending NY-Penn League champion, Staten Island Yankees.  The baby bombers finished up a three game road series against the Batavia Muckdogs and our enjoying a rare off day.  The bombers were able to take the series with a 5-3 victory over Batavia.

            Dellin Betances, the Yankees third top prospect as rated by Baseball America, was on the hill for the bombers, and made his second road start of the season.  Betances pitched three shut out innings before allowing two runs in the fourth.  Betances struck out four batters in his four innings of work and allowed just three hits.  Craig Heyer came in the fifth and pitched five quality innings, allowing a single run in the seventh and struck out one batter.

            The baby bombers were the first to get on the board in the top of the second inning.  Jose Gil led the inning off with a shot over the right field fence, giving him three homeruns since joining Staten Island a week ago.  Taylor Holiday then knocked a fly ball to center that landed for a single.  With one out Holiday stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error.  Yankee right fielder David Williams was up next and brought in Holiday on a single to center.

            The bombers were not done there as they plated three more runs in the fourth inning.  Holiday led the inning off with another single to center and then stole second and advanced to third on an error for the second time in the game.  Matt Morris then knocked a deep fly ball over the left field fence to give Staten Island a 4-0 lead.  DJ Hollingsworth came up to the plate with one out and belted a single, he would move over to third when Chris Raber doubled to left.  After a pitching change, Justin Snyder knocked a sacrifice fly to left which brought Hollingsworth in to score.

            The five runs were all the Yankees needed to pull off their second consecutive victory going into the off day.  The Yankees will be home tomorrow night as they start a six game home stand with a three game series against the Auburn Doubledays.  Zach McAllister will be starting for the baby bombers, making his first start at home this season.  Thursday morning in front of a sold out crowd, New York Yankees and former Staten Island Yankee Jeff Karstens will be making a rehab start at 11:00am.