Staten Island Yankees Game Recap 6/23

By COURTNEY NUNES

Staten Island, NY – June 23rd – The Yankees held a 4-3 lead through seven innings on Sunday, but the Aberdeen Ironbirds rallied for six runs in the eighth to defeat Staten Island 10-4.

Staten Island jumped to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when DH Kale Sumner singled on a line drive to right field scoring shortstop John Murphy. Murphy was hit by a pitch from Aberdeen starter David Richardson, before moving to second on a ground ball single by centerfielder Brandon Thomas.

The Ironbirds retaliated in the next frame as right fielder Connor Bierfeldt hit a one-out home run to left – his first of the year – tying the game at 1-1.

After hitting a batter and allowing a walk in the third, Richardson surrendered back-to-back doubles to Sumner and catcher Trent Garrison, giving the Yankees a three run lead.

In the fourth, Aberdeen hit relief pitcher Caleb Smith for two runs. Bierfeldt doubled on a line drive to left to plate second baseman Kristopher Richards, who had led off the inning with a double.

The Ironbirds then rallied for six run off two hits in the eighth. Bierfeldt led things off with a double, and scored on a two-base fielding error by first baseman Bubba Jones. Reliever Sam Agnew-Wieland – who suffered the loss after throwing 2.0innings and giving up four runs – left the mound with the bases loaded.

Andury Acevedo came in to replace Agnew-Wieland and walked in a run. He then struck out Hector Veloz before hitting Trey Mancini with the bases loaded to give Aberdeen another run. Later, a three-run double by Kristopher Richards put the Ironbirds up 9-4.

Aberdeen tacked on one last run in the ninth. DH Tanner Rust led off the inning and later scored on a double play by left fielder Sam Kimmel.

The win was credited to relief pitcher Michael Joseph, who pitched three scoreless innings with one hit, two walks, and two strikeouts.

The Yankees will play game two of a three game series at home against the Aberdeen Ironbirds tomorrow night at 7:00PM. RHP Jairo Heredia (0-0, 0.00) will make his second start for Staten Island, while LHP Luc Rennie (0-1, 1.93) is expected to toe the mound for Aberdeen. Tickets are on sale now by calling 718-720-9265, visiting the box office at Richmond County Bank Ballpark, or CLICKING HERE.