Zach Nuding & Francisco Cervelli Added To Trenton

The Trenton Thunder, Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, have announced multiple moves prior to Wednesday’s game against the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

C Francisco Cervelli has his MLB rehab assignment transferred from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Cervelli has appeared in five rehab games with Tampa (A+) and Scranton (AAA) and is 2-for-18 at the plate with a walk.

LHP Jeremy Bleich has been transferred to Scranton and RHP Zach Nuding has been transferred from Scranton. The 26-year old Bleich, who is in his fourth season with the Thunder, has not yet made his Triple-A debut. This season with the Thunder, the Stanford University product was 4-5 with a 3.51 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 66.2 innings.

Nuding began the season with the Thunder and was transferred to Triple-A May 3rd. In five starts with the Thunder to begin the season, Nuding was 2-0 with a 2.43 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 29.2 innings. He made eight starts with the RailRiders, and posted a 2-4 record with a 6.25 ERA over 40.1 innings.

The Thunder active roster stands at an Eastern League maximum 25 players.

Thunder Win Game 1, 8-2; Series 1-0

Thunder with eight unanswered runs lead series

TRENTON, NJ - Trenton used a five-run third inning to erase an early 2-0 deficit against the Harrisburg Senators en route to an 8-2 win in Game 1 of the Eastern League Championship Series Tuesday night at ARM & HAMMER Park.

After allowing single runs in the 2nd and 3rd innings, Trenton's offense responded with an explosion off Harrisburg starting pitcher Blake Treinen that knocked him out of the game. Treinen, who pitched only 2.2 innings, ran into trouble after retiring all six batters he faced in the first two innings.

The inning started with a pair of walks to Ben Gamel and Reggie Corona which brought Ali Castillo to the plate attempting a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners. Instead, his bunt at the third baseman came to a stop just past the pitcher's mound for a base hit that loaded the bases with no outs. Mason Williams' two-run single and Jose Pirela and Tyler Austin's RBI singles brought home additional runs to make it 5-2 Thunder.

Trenton scored two more runs in the 4th inning on an RBI triple by Ali Castillo and a sacrifice fly by Williams, before Gary Sanchez's RBI double in the 7th inning capped the scoring for the night for both teams.

Thunder starting pitcher Nik Turley settled into his outing after allowing five baserunners in the first three innings by posting scoreless frames in the 4th, 5th and 6th innings. He fanned a career-high 10 batters including recording five of his final six outs via a strikeout. The La Canada, Calif. native earned the victory by allowing two runs over six innings on five hits and three walks.

Zach Nuding (2.0 innings) and Branden Pinder (1.0 innings) combined to retire nine of the final 10 Harrisburg batters to close out the win. With the win, the Thunder lead the best-of-five series 1-0.

Trenton and Harrisburg continue the ELCS at ARM & HAMMER Park with Game 2 Wednesday night. RHP Bryan Mitchell (0-0, 1.93) is scheduled to start for the Thunder against RHP A.J. Cole (4-2, 2.18) for the Senators. Limited tickets are available for Game 2 by going to www.trentonthunder.com/tickets or by calling the Thunder Ticket Office at (609)394-3300. Radio coverage of Wednesday's game on 91.3 FM (WTSR) and online begins at 6:45 p.m.

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

Turley's Gem Leads Thunder Past Rock Cats, 5-1

Longest outing of season by Thunder SP sets tone

(Trenton, NJ) - Nik Turley tossed a team-season-high 7.1 brilliant innings and Trenton scored twice in the seventh and eighth innings to break open a close game and defeat the New Britain Rock Cats, 5-1, in the second of a four-game series Tuesday night in front of 5,652 fans at ARM & HAMMER Park.

The win, coupled with a Portland win at New Hampshire, means the Thunder's (66-62) lead for the Eastern Division Wild Card spot stands at 4.0 games over the Fisher Cats (66-69) and Sea Dogs (66-69) with seven games remaining in the regular season.

Turley (10-8) allowed an unearned run in the second inning and then put the clamps on New Britain for the rest of his night. The lefty scattered four hits and four walks while striking out seven batters. He tossed 98 pitches in the longest pitching performance by the Thunder hurler in 2013.

With the score tied a 1 in the bottom of the seventh, Yeral Sanchez connected for a go-ahead two-run home run (2) against reliever Cole Johnson. It was a no-doubter to left field that also scored Carmen Angelini, who had led off the frame with a double.

Angelini struck for an insurance hit in the eighth, driving a two-out, two-run double into left-center against Jose Gonzalez that made the score 5-1. Zach Nuding recorded the final five outs for the Thunder to record his first career save.

After being shutout for the first four innings by Kyle Davies (2 IP, 1 H) and B.J. Hermsen, Trenton tied the score in the fifth when Reegie Corona stroked a two-out RBI single plating Angelini.

Game three of the series is slated for a 7:05 pm first pitch on Wednesday as Trenton tries to edge closer to clinching a playoff spot. Thunder right-hander Scottie Allen (2-0, 1.02) will get the ball for manager Tony Franklin while righty DJ Baxendale (5-6, 5.74) will start for New Britain.

Limited tickets are available through the Thunder box office at (609) 394-3300 or online at www.trentonthunder.com. Radio coverage on 91.3 FM (WTSR) and also streaming online begins at 6:45 pm.

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

Two Runs in 9th the Difference in 4-2 Trenton Loss

Two Runs in 9th the DIfference in 4-2 Loss

Cecchini's two-run single breaks 2-2 tie

TRENTON, NJ - Two runs in the top of the 9th inning for the Portland Sea Dogs broke a 2-2 tie and gave the Sea Dogs a 4-2 win Saturday night at ARM & HAMMER Park.

After the Trenton Thunder bullpen escaped a bases-loaded jam in the 8th inning, Tommy Kahnle entered the game in the 9th for Zach Nuding. Kahnle recorded outs to two of the first three batters he faced, but walked Shannon Wilkerson and Deven Marrero consecutively to load the bases. No runs had scored at that point, and Kahnle could have gotten out of the inning unscathed with one more out, but lefty Garin Cecchini slapped a single to left field to score a pair of runs.

The game became tied late when Gary Sanchez connected on his first Double-A homerun in the bottom of the 7th inning for the Thunder. On a 2-1 pitch with the Thunder trailing 2-1 in the game, the 20-year old catcher turned on a breaking ball from Portland starter Keith Couch and deposited it out over the four levels of billboards in right field. Sanchez, who had 13 homers for Tampa at the time of his promotion, finished the game 1-for-4.

The Thunder sent the middle of the lineup to the plate against Eric Niesen in the bottom of the 9th inning, but Niesen struck out Jose Pirela and Sanchez for the first two outs of the inning. Kyle Roller then singled to left-field to bring the tying run to the plate in Carmen Angelini, but Angelini grounded into a fielder's choice to end the ballgame.

Thunder starting pitcher Bryan Mitchell started his second career Double-A game, and first Double-A game at home. He was charged with two runs over 6.1 innings in which he struck out three batters, walked two and allowed six hits. He was given his second no-decision in as many starts and lowered his ERA to 3.18.

With the loss and a double-header split by the New Hampshire Fisher Cats at Reading, Trenton's lead in the East Division Wild Card is 3.0 games over the Fisher Cats and 4.0 over the Sea Dogs with 10 games remaining in the regular season.

The Thunder complete their four-game series and continue their eight-game home stand against the Portland Sea Dogs Sunday at 5:05 p.m. Trenton sends RHP Mikey O'Brien (7-7, 4.20) to the mound against LHP Chris Hernandez (1-0, 2.25) for the Sea Dogs. Limited tickets available at www.trentonthunder.com/tickets or by calling (609)394-3300. Radio coverage on 91.3 FM (WTSR) and streaming online begins at 6:45 p.m.

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

Big Innings Lead Fisher Cats Past Thunder By Ten

Big Innings Lead Fisher Cats Past Thunder By Ten

(Manchester, NH) - New Hampshire jumped on Nik Turley for six first-inning runs and never let the foot off the gas pedal as the Fisher Cats toppled the Trenton Thunder, 14-4, in the second of a three-game series Saturday night at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. 

The Cats backed up their six-run first by scoring four times in the fourth and sixth innings. Trenton catcher Jose Gil was forced to pitch for a second-consecutive night, this time tossing a scoreless eighth inning after taking the loss in the 15th inning on Friday.

The Thunder (65-60) dropped their third-straight as third-place New Hampshire (61-63) moved within 3.5 games of Trenton for the Eastern Division Wild Card spot with 17 games remaining in the regular season. The two teams play for the final time this season on Sunday.

Turley (9-7) gave up three runs before recording an out in the first on a hit-batsmen, single, RBI double and a wild pitch. Later in the inning John Tolisano slugged a three-run double off the left field fence with two outs to make the score 6-0 New Hampshire.

The Trenton starter was pulled after three walks began the bottom of the fourth, and reliever Pat Venditte allowed a bases-clearing double to Adam Loewen that made the score 9-2. Turley was charged with nine runs (six earned) in three innings of work.

Zach Nuding and Tommy Kahnle combined to allow four more runs in the sixth, two charged against each hurler. Andy Burns two-run single highlighted the two-out rally.

Reegie Corona (RBI double) and Ramon Flores (RBI groundout) each drove in runs for Trenton, while the other two tallies came home on Burns fielding error at third base.

Marcus Stroman (7-4) worked 5.2 innings and allowed six hits and four runs (two earned) to get the victory for the Fisher Cats. Jose Pirela and Corona each had three hits for the Thunder.

The finale of the series is slated for a 1:35 pm first pitch on Sunday afternoon in one of the most important games of the season for Trenton. Thunder scheduled starter Jeremy Bleich had to leave the team Saturday for personal reasons, and so Trenton has not announced a starting pitcher. Righty Austin Bibens-Dirkx (3-3, 2.36) will start for New Hampshire. Radio coverage on 91.3 FM (WTSR) and also streaming online begins at 1:20 pm.

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

Flurry Of Minor League Roster Moves Part Deux

Last night and yesterday we had another round of roster moves surely to confuse you. Here they are:

Scott Lillibridge was activated.

Casey Stevenson was promoted from the Trenton Thunder to the Scranton Railriders where he hit two home runs including the walk off winner in the 11th inning.

Dan Fiorito was sent to High A to play for the Tampa Yankees.

Ryan Baker was added to the AAA disabled list.

Caleb Cotham was called up from Trenton to pitch the first game of the double header last night for Scranton.

Zach Nuding and Fred Lewis were called up to Scranton from Trenton on Friday and sent back down to Trenton last night after both pitching well in their Railriders debut.

Angelo Gumbs has been demoted back to Charleston with the Riverdogs since struggling after coming back from that finger injury. Fu-Lin Kuo has been promoted to Tampa to take Gumbs' spot.

Eduardo Sosa has been released. Taylor Dugas has been placed on the DL for an unknown reason.

Did I get them all? Probably not, but I hope so.

Flurry Of Minor League Roster Moves Announced

The Yankees announced a flurry of roster moves last night that I apparently missed so I will share them with you now.

Corey Patterson has signed a minor league deal with the Yankees and has been assigned to AAA Scranton Wilkes Barre Railriders. I cannot see him as anything other than minor league depth to replace the promotion of Zoilo Almonte and the injuries to Brennan Boesch and Melky Mesa.

Zach Nuding and Fred Lewis, both right handed pitchers from the Trenton Thunder, have been promoted to Scranton to play for the Railriders. Zach was brought up to make a spot start for Ivan Nova after he was scratched, presumably to make a start for the big league Yankees.

Caleb Cotham and Jose Ramirez, both right handed pitchers from the Scranton team, have been sent down to the AA Trenton Thunder. Both were presumed to be there temporarily, especially Ramirez, and are now sent back down to AA. I do not expect Jose to be down there much longer but the log jam is growing more and more in Scranton so who knows.

Infielder Josh Bell has been placed on the disabled list retroactive to June 19th. No word just yet on what is wrong with him.

Corey Black Promoted To AA Trenton Thunder

Corey Black was drafted in last years ML First Year Players Draft and has been bumped up to AA Trenton to play for the Thunder today. Corey has a 4.08 ERA this season in 57.1 IP while striking out over ten guys per nine innings. Corey will be inserted into a Trenton rotation that is already log jammed with Nik Turley, Jose Ramirez, Zach Nuding, Mikey O'Brien, and Matt Tracy so I do not believe this will be the end of the Yankees minor league roster shake up for the week.

Trenton Thunder Roster Finalized

With not many surprises here and an "All Prospect" kind of outfield the Yankees Double A affiliate the Trenton Thunder's roster has been finalized. Check it out!

C - J.R. Murphy
C - Kyle Higashioka
C - Tyson Blaser

1B - Kyle Roller
2B - Jose Pirela
SS - Walter Ibarra
3B/LF - Rob Segedin
INF - Kevin Mahoney
INF - Reegie Corona

OF - Tyler Austin
OF - Slade Heathcott
OF - Ramon Flores
OF - Neil Medchill
OF - Shane Brown

SP - Nik Turley
SP- Francisco Rondon
SP - Matt Tracy
SP - Caleb Cotham
SP - Zach Nuding

P - Jeremy Bleich
P - Aaron Dott
P - Shaeffer Hall
P - Tommy Kahnle
P - Kelvin Perez
P - Josh Romanski
P - Graham Stoneburner
P - Branden Pinder
P - Ryan Pope

Trenton Thunder Name Starting Rotation

The Trenton Thunder have named their starting rotation. Spoiler alert it will not, initially anyway, include Jose Ramirez after a stellar spring. He is dinged up a little and is expected to be held back and make sure everything is okay. Here is the rotation:

1. Nik Turley
2. Matt Tracy
3. Zach Nuding
4. Francisco Rondon
5. Caleb Cotham

Yankees Cut Six Pitchers From Spring Training Camp

The Yankees have announced that they have cut six minor league pitchers from camp. Zach Nuding, Corey Black, Nick Goody, Shane Green, Mikey O'Brien,  and Bryan Mitchell have been cut from the spring training squad. None of these men had a legit shot at making the roster so this is not much of a shock or news but it is worth bringing to you. The closest to the majors is Bryan Mitchell but he is probably still two years away. It is unfortunate for Nick Goody because his spring was cut short with a sprained ankle acquired in a car accident. Goody and Black both could be quick movers through the Yankees system this year and look to be in the Yankees bullpen as early as September to mid 2014.

Arizona Fall League Wrap Up

The Yankees sent three of their big time prospects down to the Arizona Fall League to play for the Scottsdale Scorpions this off season including David Adams, Dellin Betances, Slade Heathcott, Mark Montgomery, and Austin Romine. The Scorpions ended the season with a 15-16 record and finished 2.5 games behind the Rafters.

Dellin Betances had a AFL to forget, much like his entire 2012 season, finishing with a 1-3 record and a 5.25 ERA in 12 IP. While he started off really slow and really ugly he finished with some solid outings out of the bullpen. He did fight with a groin injury that nagged him a little and kept him on the bench but he apparently has a clean bill of health now and is ready to build on his recent success and take it into 2013.

Austin Romine missed almost all of the 2012 season with a nagging back injury that he got in Spring Training with the Yankees. He finished with a triple slash of .222/.342/.286 over 18 games with 4 doubles and 6 RBI's. He struck out 13 times and drew 12 walks. Not exactly the kind of stats you wanted to see from your closest positional prospect in the system but he was down there more to get work in than for the results so I guess that is the silver lining.

Zach Nuding and Danny Burawa were also sent down to the AFL but neither had spectacular seasons in the AFL. Burawa went down to Arizona to get some work in after missing the 2012 season with a back injury as well. Nuding actually took a step back after what was a stellar season in Tampa.

Slade Heathcott may just end up being the Arizona Fall League MVP for this go around around putting up a triple slash of .388/.494/.612 over 18 games and 67 at bats. He hit 1 HR, 3 triples, 6 doubles, and 15 RBI's. In his last 10 games he hit exactly .500 with two 4-5 games that earned him the Player of the Week Award for the week of November 6th. This is huge news that he is healthy and knocking the cover off the ball because if he can build on this and continue at this pace he may be in the majors in the next 2-3 seasons.

Mark Montgomery continued to do what Mark Montgomery is becoming known for, well known for by Twitter followers and prospect huggers alike anyway, and that is striking people out and bring kind of a cocky kind of guy. In 10.1 IP Mark had a 2.91 ERA only giving up three runs while shutting down offenses for seven straight games. He struck out 19 batters while only walking five batters allowing five hits and those three runs. His batting average against, or BAA, was a minuscule .174 which is a truly great sign for a guy that could conceivably make the jump to the majors as soon as 2013 if the situation in the Bronx got bad enough.

David Adams has been riddled with injuries for the past 2-3 seasons but put together a nice bounce back healthy season in 2012. He built on that down in Arizona while putting up a triple slash of .286/.388/.524 in 22 games played. Adams hit 3 home runs, 2 triples, 7 doubles, and 15 RBIs while playing 2B and 3B for the Scorpions. He was also nominated for the Stenson Sportsmanship Award that will be handed out during tomorrow's Championship game at 3:00 pm ET on MLB Network.