Monday, July 22, 2013

Trenton Thunder Game Rained Out Tonight

 
THUNDER & ALTOONA RAINED OUT
Tickets May Be Exchanged; Doubleheader Set For Tuesday
(TRENTON, NJ) - Monday night's game between the Trenton Thunder and the Altoona Curve has been postponed due to rain. 

The game will be played as part of a doubleheader on Tuesday, July 23 starting at 6:05pm with both games being seven innings in length.   Tickets for Tuesday, July 23 are good for both games of the doubleheader.  ARM & HAMMER Park gates will open at 5:05pm for all fans.
 
Tickets to the Monday, July 22 game may be exchanged for tickets of equal or lesser value to any remaining 2013 home game except August 9, based on availability. Ticket stubs must be presented in person at the Thunder Ticket Office at ARM & HAMMER Park.  The Ticket Office will reopen at 9:30 AM on Tuesday morning. 
 
Game one will feature RHP Zach Nuding (4-10, 4.17)  against Altoona RHP Nick Kingham (3-2, 2.84)
 
Game two will have Mt Laurel, New Jersey native RHP Sean Black (2-3, 4.22) against Altoona LHP Eliecer Navarro (2-3, 4.63).
 
All Trenton Thunder tickets are available at trentonthunder.com or by calling 609-394-3300. 

--THUNDER--

Being posted with permission from the Trenton Thunder organization. The original article can be seen HERE

Yankees fall to Rangers 3-0 despite Nova's great performance

Despite seven innings of three-run ball from Ivan Nova, and a scoreless eighth inning of relief from Joba Chamberlain, the Yankees fell to the Rangers tonight without much of a fight, 3-0. The Rangers took the lead on an Adrian Beltre single in the bottom of the first inning in this one, which turned out to be all they needed. This game was definitely the kind of game you don't want to remember. Absolutely nothing went right for the Bombers. They are just playing terrible right now. So, with that said, I will forget this game. Good night to you all. 

New York Yankees Injury Updates For 7/22


Derek Jeter took ground balls for the first time since injuring his quad today and still feels no pain. He also took batting practice inside and is expected to be ready to be activated on Saturday, for real this time, when he is eligible to come off of the DL. Jeter is considered day to day on how he feels and that determines what he will do on a day to day basis.

Alex Rodriguez for now is resting down at the Yankees minor league complex in Tampa. Derek Jeter rested for seven days before trying again and the Yankees expect A Rod to follow a similar schedule. This could all be a moot discussion after the Ryan Braun suspension today but that is for another post on another day I guess.

Austin Romine was scratched from last nights start in Boston with a stiff neck. Austin seems to be available tonight, more so then he was yesterday anyway, as he has more movement in his neck. This just seems like a situation where he slept on it wrong or something and nothing too serious. Romine is expected to be available tonight in Texas.

Game Thread: Yankees @ Rangers 7/22


The Yankees and the Rangers start a four game series down in Texas tonight with neither team really on much of a roll lately. The pitching match up is Ivan Nova and Yu Darvish in what could be a nice pitchers duel. Yu is coming off the DL with an injury and Ivan Nova has not pitched in almost two weeks so who knows what to expect out of either pitcher tonight. Go Yankees!

Here is the Yankees lineup

Brett Gardner CF
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Robinson Cano 2B
Lyle Overbay 1B
Vernon Wells LF
Travis Hafner DH
Eduardo Nunez SS
Chris Stewart C
Luis Cruz 3B


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Greg Bird Named SAL Player Of The Week


Greg Bird Named SAL Player of the Week
First baseman receives RiverDogs’ second player of the week award for 2013

CHARLESTON, SC - Charleston RiverDogs first baseman Greg Bird received the South Atlantic League Player of the Week Award for games played July 15 – July 21 on Monday afternoon. For the week, Bird hit .391/.533/.783 in six games played going 9-23 with three HR, three doubles, 11 RBI, eight runs scored, and seven walks.

The week actually started out for Bird with a 0-4 game with a walk on July 15 against the Augusta GreenJackets in Charleston. He followed that up with a 1-3, RBI, two walk performance two days later on the road against the Greensboro Grasshoppers, and then went 1-4 with an RBI and a run scored in the second game against the Grasshoppers. The series finale in Greensboro is where the powerful lefty exploded for the best game of his young career. Bird had a night to remember going 4-5 with three homers and drove in all seven of Charleston’s runs in the RiverDogs win. Over the weekend in Hickory against the Crawdads the 20-year old went 3-7 with two RBI, three walks, and four runs scored in two games. Bird reached base safely in all six games during the week.

The 20-year-old first baseman was selected by the New York Yankees in the fifth round of the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft out of Grandview High School in Aurora, Col. A 6'3", 215 lb. left-handed hitter, Bird is the second Charleston player to receive the SAL Player of the Week award this season. Peter O’Brien received the award back in mid-May.

The first place RiverDogs continue their seven-game road trip Monday and Tuesday in Hickory, NC. Following an off-day on Wednesday, Charleston returns home starting Thursday, July 25 to Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park for eight games in seven days against the Greensboro Grasshoppers and Hickory Crawdads. Visit www.RiverDogs.com, call 843-723-7241, or stop by the RiverDogs box office to purchase tickets.
--RiverDogs--

Being posted with permission from the Charleston Riverdogs organization. The original post can be seen HERE

Trenton Thunder Bark At The Park Scheduled For 8/25


Press Release - July 22, 2013
7TH ANNUAL BARK AT THE PARK PRESENTED BY DOGS & CATS RULE SET FOR AUGUST 25
(TRENTON, NJ) – On Sunday, August 25th the Portland Sea Dogs won’t be the only canines visiting ARM & HAMMER Park.  The Trenton Thunder are inviting dogs of all sizes to watch the game as part of the Seventh Annual Bark at the Park presented by Dogs & Cats Rule.  

All dog owners are invited to bring their well-behaved dogs into the stadium for free with the purchase of a regularly priced ticket for themselves.  Dogs are admitted for free if they sit on their owner’s lap or by their feet, however if they require more space, a child priced seat may be purchased.  The Thunder reserve the right to deny admission or remove from the ballpark dogs that are not well-behaved.  At each of the previous six Bark at the Park events as well as the annual Birthday Parties for late bat dog Chase, the park has been filled with hundreds of friendly canines.

Bark at the Park will also feature a Pet Products Display on the main concourse and a "Canine Cash Scramble" on the field after the game. The Canine Cash Scramble will give one lucky fan and their dog the opportunity to go out on the field for a chance to win $10,000. The contest will involve the dog attempting to choose the "Lucky Ball" out of one hundred numbered tennis balls that will be spread out on the infield grass. Fans may register for the Canine Cash Scramble at any Dogs & Cats Rule location.  

Dogs & Cats Rule opened in September 2001 in Newtown, PA and has a location at the Hopewell Crossing Center in Pennington, NJ, another location on Rt. 1 in Princeton, and their newest location in Maple Glen, PA.  Dogs & Cats Rule strives to ensure that our pets enjoy the most natural, safe and well-made products that are available. With this philosophy intact, Dogs & Cats Rule has evolved into the leader in this area and is on the cutting-edge when it comes to natural foods and pet supplies.

The Thunder (New York Yankees) and Portland (Boston Red Sox) game on Sunday, August 25 is slated to begin at 5:05pm.

All Trenton Thunder tickets are on sale now at trentonthunder.com. All Thunder games can be heard at 91.3 FM and online at trentonthunder.com.

--THUNDER--
 
  






Dante's Hell

The Divine Comedy details Dante's journey through hell, climbing down the rungs of the ladder, and back up through heaven. As a Yankee fan, I've been booed in Tampa Bay and I was booed in Philly for no reason other than being a New Yawka. The layers of hell as a Yankee fan, from earth to bottom, could probably go something like Tampa Bay, Texas, Detroit, and finally the 7th ring of hell, the bottom of the barrel--Fenway Pahk.



I trekked up to Fenway for the first time ever last night, while spending the weekend in Rhode Island. This would be the introduction for me to Bahstan fans, in their biggest natural habitat, so I had a nervous excitement on the way there. I knew I couldn't go nuts; this wasn't Yankee Stadium where the suits that sit in the cushy suites and zillion-dollar home plate seats make business deals, and the real fans are shut out. In Fenway, the real, down-to-earth (in some extreme cases) fan is always welcome.

Concessions there, were on average four to six dollars, whereas Yankee Stadium sells you ponchos for 20 bucks while you're soaked. The ambiance around the ballpark was just like a carnival-it brought me back to the days of the old Yankee Stadium with the guy playing the flute in the tunnel and T-shirt stands outside the ballpark-everything was so intimate; it's all gone now. Across the way, on Lansdowne Street I believe, is the famous Cask 'n Flagon Bar, the House of Blues and a really cool, lit-up bowling alley. There were tons of stands with sausage and peppers (my ballpark snack of choice, owing to my Italian roots), kielbasa, steak tips. I'm a fan of the food beyond the ballpark; not just hot dogs, peanuts and Cracker Jacks. I always thought they closed Lansdowne for games, but the police were letting some traffic through "Step baack, cahs ah cum-in, get on the sidewawk!"

Self-admittedly, I'm not the type of rabid fan to bring taunting upon himself; I'm not obnoxious. I watched the Sawx play like the Bad News Bears, committing two throwing errors in the first. CC looked like CC for the first five outs or so, couldn't finish the second, and then came the awful third inning with Mike Napoli's three-run jack. I give the Yankees credit for even coming back in that game; the only solid part of that team right now is the bullpen, which only allowed two hits over five and two-thirds innings.

 But the real test was how I would be treated as a Yankee fan, and honestly it wasn't that bad. Like I said before, I wasn't loud or obnoxious; I just sat there and watched the game. The game, even for a Yankee/Boston game, was SLOWWWWWW. We left after the 8th, which was around quarter to midnight.


Our view from dead center! By the way, Napoli's 11th inning walk-off landed just a few rows in front of where we were.

Final grade on Bahstan fans: B+. Were there those that were inebriated? Yep, but what city doesn't have those? I can't give 'em a perfect grade, I'm a Yankee fan ;)

Couple of thoughts--Why do we care about the baby of a couple from another country, and who don't have any political power at all?

Why is YES showing Tino's grand slam against the Padres in their "Moments of Glory?" I remember the series well, it was my first as a Yankee fan; the Yankees swept the Padres, who did put up a fight in games 1 and 3, but I think a bigger moment was Tino's home run against Arizona; just saying.

'Till Next Time!
Neil Dwyer @neildwyer1993
P.S. Look at the dumb gift I got with my scorecard.


Ryan Braun Suspended

“As I have acknowledged in the past, I am not perfect. I realize now that I have made some mistakes. I am willing to accept the consequences of those actions. This situation has taken a toll on me and my entire family, and it is has been a distraction to my teammates and the Brewers organization. I am very grateful for the support I have received from players, ownership and the fans in Milwaukee and around the country. Finally, I wish to apologize to anyone I may have disappointed – all of the baseball fans especially those in Milwaukee, the great Brewers organization, and my teammates. I am glad to have this matter behind me once and for all, and I cannot wait to get back to the game I love.”
The following is a statement from Ryan Braun, after being suspended for the remainder of the season due to violating the Basic Agreement and its Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The suspension will be effective immediately, and as you can tell based on what Braun said, there will not be an appeal.

Alex Rodriguez, as you may have heard, has also been mentioned with Ryan when it comes to probable suspensions due to their connections with Biogenesis.

My initial fear is that ARod will agree to a suspension for the rest of the season, which is meaningless since the Yankees could very well give up on 2013 anyway. Then again, I can't imagine Bud Selig would allow Alex to serve the suspension as long as he's not playing in MLB.

We'll report more as the news comes in.

New York Yankees @ Texas Rangers 7/22


The New York Yankees will travel to Texas today to take on the Texas Rangers in a big four game set in Arlington. The Yankees will send Ivan Super Nova to the mound who has not pitched in quite a long time and may be a little rusty. The Rangers will send Yu Darvish to the mound to face off with Nova, yay. The game will be televised at 7:05 pm ET on YES, ESPN, and MLB TV.

Staten Island Yankees Game Recap For 7/22

Yankees defeated by Muckdogs 8-2

 

By COURTNEY NUNES

 

Staten Island, NY – July 22nd – Centerfielder Mike O’Neill led the Yankees’ offense, going 2-for-4 on Monday; however, Staten Island fell to the Mahoning Valley Muckdogs 8-2.

 

The Scrappers scored first on a throwing error in the top of the first inning. Cody Ferrell led off the game with a single to left before moving to third on a single off the bat of Juan Herrera. Nellie Rodriguez then reached on a throwing error by Yankees’ starting pitcher David Palladino; and Ferrell crossed the plate on the play.

 

In the following frame, Staten Island took a 2-1 lead. Bubba Jones hit a one-out single before Isaias Tejeda walked. Up next, John Murphy hit an RBI single to center. A fielding error by centerfielder Ferrell and a wild pitch by Dace Kime put runners, allowed Tejeda to score and Murphy to move to third.

 

Claudio Bautista began the third inning with a home run over the centerfield wall – his third of the year. Herrera was then called out on strikes before Rodriguez doubled. He later scored on a single to right off the bat of Josh McAdams.

 

Mahoning Valley picked up another run in the sixth. MartinCervenka walked on four pitches and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Joel Mejia. Cervenka scored when Bautista grounded into a force out.

 

In the seventh, the Scrappers’ lead was extended to 6-2. Rodriguez began things as he reached on a throwing error by Derek Toadvine. Rodriguez crossed the plate when Garcia singled on a line drive to right. Paul Hendrix – who walked – also scored later in the frame when Cervenka hit a sacrifice fly ball to centerfield.

 

The Scrappers hit Staten Island for two more runs before the game was through. In the eighth, Hendrix singled to right-center to score Bautista; and in the ninth, Cervenka scored on a single off the bat of Mejia.

 

Mahoning Valley reliever Matt Whitehouse earned his second win after throwing 2.1 scoreless innings and allowing two hits.Palladino suffered the loss for Staten Island. He pitched the first 2.2 frames and surrendered three earned runs off six hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

 

The Yankees will travel to Connecticut tomorrow to play the first of a three-game series against the Tigers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05PM. RHP Giovanny Gallegos (2-1, 2.53ERA) will toe the mound for the Yankees, while LHP Joe Flattery (1-02.70 ERA) is expected to get the ball for theTigers.

 

The Yankees will return home to Staten Island on Friday, July 26 to face the rival Brooklyn Cyclones. Tickets are on sale now by calling 718-7-9265, visiting the box office at Richmond County Bank Ballpark or www.siyanks.com.

 

 

 

 

 

2013: Futility Like No Other

It hasn't always been easy for me to be a Yankees fan.

Deal with it!

I was born a few hours after the Yankees won the 1977 World Series. The Bombers won the World Series again the following year, made it to the American League Championship Series in 1980, and returned... but lost... in the Fall Classic of 1981. Unfortunately I was too young at the time to enjoy that success. Instead, by the time I could follow what was going on, the Yankees were in the midst of a 13-year playoff drought (12, if you don't count the strike-shortened 1994 season, in which the Yankees were in 1st place in the division after 113 games).

Don Mattingly was an All Star in six straight seasons, from 1984 to 1989, but the team averaged 87 wins a year, and Donnie Baseball had to wait until his final season in Major League Baseball before suiting up for a playoff game. To be fair, the Yanks did win 97 games in 1985, which was pretty darn good, but the Blue Jays won 99 games to win the AL East. My point is that watching a player of Mattingly's caliber not be able to enjoy a winning season made things even tougher on Yankee fans like myself.

The previous 18 years have been incredible. Well, except for maybe the 2008 season... the only season during that 18 year stretch in which the team failed to make the postseason. Five World Series victories, two other World Series appearances, and three trips to the ALCS. We've seen two sure-fire Hall of Famers, Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter, start and end their careers. There have been a handful of other players that have at least been in the discussion as Hall of Famers, such as Andy Pettitte and Bernie Williams. Then there's Robinson Cano, who may very well be on his way to having a Hall of Fame-worthy career.

In comes the 2013 New York Yankees season.

"I'd rather eat my Brussels sprouts."

For a while I would shake my head and laugh at some of the comments made by younger fans. The Yankees haven't had a winning percentage of .513 or lower (their current mark this season) since 1992. So I would constantly think to myself that anybody under the age of 21 has no right to be that upset over a losing season, as they have enjoyed winning season after winning season after winning season. I would respond to their remarks with something along the lines of "when you've had to endure 13 years of zero postseason appearances, then come back and talk to me about bad baseball."

However, the latest news of Alex Rodriguez's strained quad muscle has made me realize something... the poor play we've seen out of this year's team is not the same that we saw 20+ years ago. I don't mean to say those teams of the past didn't have to deal with injuries, but they haven't been on the same scale as the 2013 squad.

The Yankees have placed a man on the disabled list twelve times this season, and that doesn't count the many instances of players suffering setbacks during their recovery from injury. Actually, the list of injuries to the team is so long this year that I may have missed some. And we're not talking about insignificant players being injured. Here's a list of players that have spent the most time at each position...

C - Chris Stewart
1B - Lyle Overbay
2B - Robinson Cano
SS - Jayson Nix
3B - David Adams
LF - Vernon Wells
CF - Brett Gardner
RF - Ichiro Suzuki
DH - Travis Hafner

Here are the projected starters at each position for the 2013 Yankees, before Spring Training...

C - Francisco Cervelli
1B - Mark Teixiera
2B - Robinson Cano
SS - Derek Jeter
3B - Kevin Youkilis (this was actually Alex Rodriguez at one point)
LF - Curtis Granderson
CF - Brett Gardner
RF - Ichiro Suzuki
DH - Travis Hafner

One of these things is not like the others.

Those two lists are not quite the same... are they? If you count Alex Rodriguez in there, that means that six of the Yankees projected starters have averaged less than 12 games played this season. And allow me to remind you that the Yankees are about to play their 99th game tonight.

And the team hasn't exactly replaced those injured players with All Stars. In fact, those replacements (Chris Stewart, Lyle Overbay, Jayson Nix, David Adams, Vernon Wells) have only three combined All Star game appearances.. and all three were by Vernon Wells. I think it's safe to say that all five of those players have little to no business being regular players on any MLB team, let alone being attached to the All Star game.

Add on top of all that the fact that CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte are in the midst of the worst seasons of their careers, and you... like me... will start to feel some sympathy towards those younger Yankee fans.

But don't forget to feel a little sorry for older fans too. I mean, 2013 has really stunk.

Will Travis Hafner Be Released?


The question has been raised lately whether the Yankees DH Travis Hafner will be released when the Yankees get Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter back this season. The Yankees will need that DH spot more and more as we ease back both Jeter and A Rod back into full time play and Hafner is not exactly making this decision hard. Hafner has not been hitting for a high average, which honestly I do not think many people expected anyway, but his lack of power is what may finally do him in. Hafner may have a week or two to turn things on and make the decision at least hard but right now it seems like a no brainer that the countdown has begun for Hafner in pinstripes.

Charleston Riverdogs Game Recap For 7/21


Charleston Takes Sunday Single Special From Hickory

RiverDogs and Crawdads combine for 16 hits, all singles

HICKORY, NC – It was small ball Sunday in Hickory as the Charleston RiverDogs topped the Hickory Crawdads 3-0 thanks to 12 singles at L.P. Frans Stadium in South Atlantic League action. The win is Charleston's fourth consecutive victory.

With the win, the RiverDogs improve to 16-11 in the second half and 55-40 overall. Charleston still sits 2.5 games behind the Lexington Legends who won their seventh straight game Sunday. With the loss, the Crawdads drop to 16-13 in the second half and 55-44 overall.

Charleston’s first run came across in the third inning. Greg Bird led the inning off with a single and advanced to second on an error by the right fielder Nomar Mazara. Bird advanced to third on a single by Angelo Gumbs and would later score on a sacrifice fly by Reymond Nunez.

The ‘Dogs second run came the very next inning on an RBI single by Greg Bird to plate Jake Cave. The first four batters in the fourth all reached base safely.

Charleston’s final run came across on an RBI single by Reymond Nunez scoring Greg Bird in the seventh. Nunez finished his evening 1-for-5 with a single and two RBI’s. Greg Bird went 3-for-4 with three singles, one walk, two runs scored and an RBI. He has his average up to .284 now on the year.

Ericson Leonora made his RiverDogs debut Sunday batting ninth in the order and finished his night 3-for-4 at the plate with three singles and two stolen bases.

RiverDogs starter Brett Gerritse (7-5) made just his second start of the season and did not disappoint. The right-hander tossed five shutout innings, while scattering three hits and striking out six. Gerritse was relieved by newcomer Eric Wooten. Wooten’s final line in his RiverDogs debut was two scoreless frames of no-hit baseball. He hit one batter and struckout two. Ben Paullus relieved Wooten to start the eighth and recorded the final six outs to close out the game and earn his team leading eighth save.

Hickory starter Andrew Faulkner (3-3) took the tough luck loss on Sunday. Faulkner pitched well but got no help from his offense. The lefty went 5.1 innings and allowed two runs, one earned, on nine hits with two strikeouts and three walks.

The Crawdads offense was stifled by the Charleston pitching staff. Hickory managed just four hits all evening, all singles. Ryan Rua was the lone Hickory player to reach base twice as he singled and was by a pitch, finishing his night 1-for-3 at the plate.

Game three of this four game set against the Crawdads is scheduled for 7pm Monday at L.P. Frans Stadium in Hickory. Charleston will send LHP Daniel Camarena (2-4, 4.76 ERA) to the mound as Hickory counters with their ace RHP C.J. Edwards (8-2, 1.83 ERA). You can listen to the game live locally on ESPN 910 AM or online at www.riverdogs.com.

Box Score:   http://atmilb.com/1bUCnyK

--RIVERDOGS--

Being posted with permission from the Charleston Riverdogs organization. The original post can be seen HERE

Exclusive Interview With 7th Round Pick Nick Rumbelow


The New York Yankees drafted the LSU reliever Nick Rumbelow with their 7th round pick in the 2013 MLB First Year Players Draft. Rumbelow is coming off of his junior season at LSU and will now bring his talents to the New York Yankees organization. We were blessed to get the opportunity to do this interview with Nick and we are proud to be able to bring it to you here so enjoy!

The Greedy Pinstripes: Describe your draft experience for us? Stressful? Who did you speak with in the Yankees organization? etc
Nick Rumbelow: My college baseball team was in hosting a Super Regional at the time of this years draft. We were in the middle of taking batting practice when I was waved down by a manager in our dugout who was holding onto my telephone. I had to run in from the outfield and take the call from my area scout. It was one of the most incredible feelings to hear from him that the Yankees had selected me. 

TGP: In honor of Ian Clarkin we have to ask who your favorite team was growing up?
 NR: I have always been a fan of the Yankees, even being from a small town in Texas I admired the organization and the winning tradition the Yanks have.
TGP: Did you play any other positions coming up? 
NR: Since my time at LSU I have only been a pitcher. 
TGP: Did you ever catch flack for having the middle name Bruno? Kids can be mean...
NR: People never really knew my middle name and even if I was to tell them most don’t believe that Bruno is actually it. I come from an Italian family so Bruno is a family name. 




TGP: What has been your biggest inspiration in baseball??
NR: My family is a driving force for my baseball career, whether it be from my moms countless hours of dedication taking me to training facilities or my dads effort in helping me on the field to get better. 
TGP: What is your best asset you think you bring to the table?
NR: My mental approach and will to succeed are what makes me who I am. 
TGP: What do you think you will specifically work on this year? 
NR: I will come to the field everyday eager to learn whatever the coaches have for me.



TGP: Do you consider yourself a strike out pitcher?
NR: I do think that being able to strike people out is a strong point of mine but I go out on the mound and just try to get quick early outs. 
TGP: Where will you be starting your Yankees career? 
NR: I will be starting in Staten Island. 
TGP: As a player how do you feel about the new draft rules and the slot recommendations for salary?
NR: I like the new draft because it is set up for guys who want to play pro ball. With the slot recommendations and the ability to sign under slot it opens the door for guys to show that they care more about the chance to play than the dollar figures. 
TGP: Do you think you will be a reliever for the Yankees or do you want to try out as a starter?
NR: That is up to the Yankees to decide for me what they have planned. I am open to any role it takes to help whatever team I am on win. 
TGP: Do you have any regrets in your baseball life? 
NR: I have enjoyed and cherished every bit of my baseball career so far and am grateful for the opportunity to continue to play.



TGP: What current major league player would you compare yourself and style of play to?
NR: I think I have similarities to David Robertson. 
TGP: I personally would compare you to a David Robertson and a Mark Montgomery would you agree?
(obviously lol) 
TGP: Most famous person in your cell phone?
NR: I am good friends with Josh Tomlin who is a starting pitcher for the Cleveland Indians. 
TGP: Any embarrassing songs in your iPod?
(none listed) 

We want to take this opportunity to thank Nick for taking the time out of his schedule to do this interview for us. Our readers appreciate it and we really appreciate it and wish you the best of luck in everything you do both inside and outside of baseball.  Follow Nick on twitter by following @1_2_3Rummy and follow us on twitter to stay up to date with all of the New York Yankees in all of their levels by following @GreedyStripes.

Napoli's 11th innings homer lifts Red Sox to thrilling, 8-7 win over Yankees

Despite scoring twice in the first thanks to two Boston throwing errors, and rallying from a 7-3 deficit thanks to two-run sixth and seventh innings, the Yankees lost a heartbreaker in last night's rubber game to the Red Sox, 8-7. Yankees starter CC Sabathia again struggled in this one, giving up 7 earned runs in 5 innings of work while escaping with a no-decision. 

Overall, the Bombers bullpen was really good last night, with David Robertson escaping a bases loaded jam in the eighth and Shawn Kelley dominating in the ninth and tenth innings. But in the eleventh, as mentioned in this post's title, Adam Warren surrendered a walk-off solo home run to Mike Napoli, ending the night. This one was really tough, but it's just one game. Time to move on. 

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Season-To-Date

MOOSIC — What you probably know about the 2013 RailRiders: The Yankees' AAA affiliate has played host to a slew of rehabbing big leaguers, namely Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.

But being a season ticket holder at PNC Field (who you can follow on Twitter), I know there is so much more worth reporting.

Manager Dave Miley, widely regarded as one of the greatest current managers in the minor leagues, has had his hands full fielding a team that has been stuck in fifth place of the International League North division since mid-June.

Miley's problems start with injuries at the big league level that have forced the RailRiders to ship some of their best talent to New York. To illustrate the huge holes this has caused in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's lineup, the RailRiders have used 10 different starters in left field, with the fill-ins ranging from short-lived New York sensation Zoilo Almonte to wily veteran Corey Patterson.

There are some bad players on this team. Brett Marshall (4-8, 5.70 ERA, 1.69 WHIP), at 23 years old, is clearly not Triple A-ready.

There are some guys not playing to their potential. Dan Johnson (.238/15/48 with nine errors) has long been heralded for his defensive prowess, but finds himself leading the RailRiders in errors.

However, all-in-all, things are OK. The RailRiders are 49-52, sitting just seven games out of first place.

On the pitching side of things, we could spend our time talking about how horrible Marshall has been, but we can also highlight Dellin Betances. Betances (4-2, 1.82 ERA, three saves as reliever) has been lights out since moving to the bullpen, as he is now able to let loose and let his fastball fly at 93-95 MPH, sometimes even as high as 98 MPH.

At the dish, we've got a guy I dubbed "The Chris Davis of the International League" and that would be Randy Ruiz (.318/11/22). Ruiz, standing in at an impressive 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, has batted cleanup for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 24 of his 33 games.

Injuries could have slowed down the RailRiders, but instead, they stayed strong. When 2nd baseman Corban Joseph went down for the season, Walter Ibarra came up. With 3rd basemen Ronnier Mustelier and David Adams went M.I.A., Casey Stevenson got sent up. And talk about taking advantage of their opportunities — Ibarra hit a home run in his first Triple-A at-bat and Stevenson hit a walkoff home run in his first Triple-A game.

As long as Miley is managing and the Yankees are pulling strings, this season is far from over. Miley rightfully represented the International League in the Triple-A All-Star Game, alongside starting pitcher Chris Bootcheck (9-2, 3.40 ERA) and the suddenly struggling Thomas Neal (.314/2/29/2).

And as you may remember, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre was without a team in 2012, as $43 million of stadium renovations were made to PNC Field. With a tab running that high, it's not going to pay itself off overnight, but Northeastern Pennsylvania has welcomed its team back with open arms with 2013 ticket sales having already eclipsed the sales of the entire 2011 season.

This Day In New York Yankees History 7/22


On this day in 1954 Yankees manager Casey Stengel was trying to find a way to put more power into the Yankees lineup so he inserted Mickey Mantle at the shot stop position. Mantle would hit a walk off home run in this game in the 10th inning in a 4-3 Yankees victory.