Preview: New York Yankees vs. Oakland Athletics 6/4

The New York Yankees and the Oakland Athletics will play the second of their three game set this week at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees just need to survive this series before heading out on the road and hopefully getting Carlos Beltran back in the depleted and struggling lineup. The Yankees will send Vidal Nuno to the mound to face off with Jesse Chavez for the A's. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, ESPN 2, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman on WFAN.

Nuno allowed three home runs in his last start at home against the Minnesota Twins in a loss at Yankee Stadium. Nuno struck out six and got into the seventh inning and threw 101 pitches for the second straight start. Nuno is finally stretched out and has gone at least six innings four of his last five starts.

Chavez is coming off a start in which he allowed just three runs in six innings against the high powered Detroit Tigers lineup. Chavez took the loss in the start but has posted seven quality starts in 11 tries this season as he continues to impress in his first season as a starter.

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Go Yankees!!

Jaron Long Named SAL Pitcher of the Week

Jaron Long Named SAL Pitcher of the Week

Righty hurler receives RiverDogs’ second pitcher of the week award for 2014

CHARLESTON, SC - Charleston RiverDogs right-hander Jaron Long received the South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week Award for games played May 26 – June 1 on Monday. For the week, Long went 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 2 appearances and allowed only four hits, 1 run/0 earned runs, and one walk with 14 strikeouts over 11.1 IP.

Jaron Long pitched in two games last week for Charleston, one as the starting pitcher and one in relief. He threw the first complete game of the season for the RiverDogs tossing a seven-inning, two hit, nine strikeout shutout gem while earning the victory at home against the Greenville Drive on May 27. Then, on June 1 he came out of the bullpen and allowed one unearned run on two hits in 4.1 innings pitched against the Asheville Tourists, also in front of his home crowd. Long struckout five, walked zero batters, and earned a no-decision versus Asheville.

The 22-year-old righty was signed by the New York Yankees as an undrafted free agent last summer after finishing his amateur career at Ohio State University. A 6'0", 190 lb. right-handed pitcher, Long is the second RiverDog to take home SAL Pitcher of the Week honors this season. Lefty Caleb Smith previously won the award for games played April 21-27.

The RiverDogs are in Hickory, NC taking on the Hickory Crawdads through Wednesday. Charleston returns home Thursday to begin a four game homestand at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park against the Savannah Sand Gnats, the final four home games of the first half for the RiverDogs. Tickets may be purchased at the Riley Park Box Office, (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or on-line at www.riverdogs.com. If fans cannot make it to the ballpark, they are encouraged to tune in to all the action this year both home and away worldwide on www.riverdogs.com and locally on 1250 WTMA, the new radio home for RiverDogs baseball.

Can't Predict Baseball: Big Unit Wins #300

On this day in 2009 the San Francisco Giants Randy Johnson would pitch six innings in a 5-1 Giants victory over the Washington Nationals for Johnson's 300th victory of his career. The former Seattle Mariner, Houston Astro, Arizona Diamondback, and New York Yankee would become the 24th pitcher in the history of the game to win #300 and the first to win his 300th game in his first try since Tom Seaver beat the Yankees in 1985.

Yankee Doldrums

First time writing in in 3 months and I got a lot to say. I've basically had it with this team. It isn't the pitching's fault. This team cannot produce runs. When they load the bases with no one out all I expect is maybe 1 run. RISP? Fahget abowt it. I went to one of the worst games on Monday, a 10-2 loss to SEATTLE! I get sleepy watching them. The only exciting player in pinstripes is Tanaka, who I may see on Thursday depending on the weather.

Note to Soriano: it's not 2001 anymore, stop with the big cuts and just get on base!

What else is there to say? It's frustrating not just seeing the team on the field, but the fact that it'll be the same teambuilding methods as long as a Steinbrenner owns that team? Any players outside of Gary Sanchez you're looking forward to? There is no solid farm system; hasn't been one since the Core Four and maybe the 2000s with Cano, Joba, Hughes, and Melky. We got plenty more Kelly Johnson types coming in though, who totally wilt in the Yankee Stadium lights.

Five Tampa Yankees selected for 2014 FSL All-Star Team

TAMPA, FL. - The Florida State League announced today their selection for the 2014 North and South All-Star Teams. The 53rd All-Star Game will be played at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Saturday, June 14, 2014 at 7:05 p.m.

Tampa Yankees Pitcher Daniel Camarena, Infielders Dante Bichette Jr., Eric Jagielo, Zach Wilson and Outfielder Jake Cave, were selected to represent the Tampa Yankees for the North Division Team.

Dan Camarena was selected in the 20th round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego, California. He's started 11 games for the Tampa Yankees this season going 4-3 with a 2.31 ERA. He's pitched 58 and one third innings, striking out 43 batters.

Dante Bichette Jr. received FSL Player of the Week honors for the week of May 19 - 25, 2014. He has a .281 batting average, going 55 for 196 in 55 games. He's hit 14 doubles and seven homeruns with 35 RBI.

Eric Jagielo has a .256 batting average going 40 for 156 with 23 runs scored, eight doubles and ten homeruns. He was selected in the first round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Notre Dame.

Zach Wilson has played for the Tampa Yankees for parts of the 2012, 2013 and 2014 seasons and was on the DL for the majority of 2013. He was selected in the 21st round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of Arizona State University. In 49 games, Wilson has a .298 average, going 45 for 151 with 19 runs scored, seven doubles, three triples and four homeruns.

Jake Cave was selected in the sixth round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of Kecoughtan High School in Hampton, Virginia. After 55 games, he holds a .309 average going 72 for 233 with 27 runs scored, 12 doubles, three triples, two homeruns and 15 RBI.

The Tampa Yankees are the Single-A Advanced affiliate of the New York Yankees. For more information on the Tampa Yankees visit www.tybaseball.com or call (813) 673-3055.

For more information regarding the 2014 Florida State League All-Star Game please visitwww.fslbaseball.com.

RAI & THUNDER TEAM UP TO TURN THE PARK PINK!

RAI & THUNDER TEAM UP TO
TURN THE PARK PINK!Radiology Affiliates Imaging, Trenton Thunder and ARM & HAMMER Park turning pink in support of breast cancer awareness

The Thunder will trade in their pinstripes for pink camo when they take the field on June 6th. The Trenton Thunder and Radiology Affiliates Imaging are turning ARM & HAMMER Park pink in support of breast cancer awareness. The Thunder will play against the Altoona Curve with gates opening at 6:00pm and the game beginning at 7:05pm. The first 1,500 fans 18 and older will receive an exclusive pink Thunder cap courtesy of RAI. As part of the pink event, players will wear special pink jerseys especially made for the event. All jerseys will be auctioned off with all proceeds going to Breast Cancer Resource Center located in Princeton, NJ. For more than 40 years, BCRC has been providing free programs designed to help women in our community through the entire breast cancer journey – from diagnosis through treatment, recovery, survivorship, and even recurrence. Turning the Park Pink will also be the first official event of the RAI Survivor’s Club. Members will receive tickets to the game and will also be honored on the field in addition to throwing the first pitch. To register visitwww.4rai.com/women. RAI has plans to host events throughout the year to give survivors a platform to share their stories and encourage those just beginning their journey. RAI will also be honoring their mammography technologists for their years of dedication to delivering the message regarding breast health, early detection and the importance of yearly mammograms. In addition to RAI and the Trenton Thunder we also welcome the Breast Cancer Resource Center, Windsor Radiology and Pink Ribbon Softball to the concourse. Information and giveaways will be available throughout the evening. To purchase tickets, please visit www.trentonthunder.com. For more information regarding the RAI Survivor’s Club, please visit www.4rai.com/women. Radiology Affiliates Imaging is a 35 physician radiology practice serving New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware for over 40 years. For more information the media can contact Ruth Hawthorne at rhawthorne@4rai.com.

Charleston Riverdogs Game Recap 6/3

Crawdads Top RiverDogs with Walk-Off Win

Eduardo de Oleo ties the Charleston lead in homers while Hickory claims a victory

HICKORY, NC - The Charleston RiverDogs got out to a fast start and also rallied late in a back-and-forth game on Tuesday evening before the Hickory Crawdads scratched their way to an 8-7 walk-off win at L.P. Frans Stadium in South Atlantic League action.

The RiverDogs are 27-31 following their seventh loss in a row. The Crawdads have a 30-27 record and can sweep the RiverDogs in Wednesday's series finale. Eduardo de Oleo homered in the game and is now tied with Mike Ford and Aaron Judge for a team-best eight homers.

Charleston scored in each of the first three innings to get in front. In the first, Aaron Judge doubled against Chad Bell to score Michael O'Neill and give the RiverDogs a 1-0 lead. de Oleo hit a solo blast in the top of the second that bounced over the left field wall. After Hickory answered with a solo home run from Ryan Cordell in its half of the second, Charleston's Jackson Valera increased the lead to 3-1 in the third with a sacrifice fly that brought in Tyler Wade.

Hickory tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the third inning with another home run. Evan Van Hoosier reached on a one-out single off Rookie Davis, and Nick Vickerson followed with a game-tying drive to left field.

During the fifth inning, the Crawdads grabbed a 7-3 lead in a four-run frame. Charleston's Omar Luis replaced Davis with one out and two runners aboard. Luis came in against former Citadel Bulldog Joe Jackson, who doubled to drive in Van Hoosier and put Hickory ahead. Nomar Mazara was the next batter and blasted a three-run home run to right field.

The RiverDogs had an immediate answer, cutting the difference to 7-5 in the sixth. John Murphy and O'Neill each reached with two outs and stole bases to get into scoring position. Wade singled off Kevin Pucetas to plate both runners and keep the game close.

Charleston continued its comeback in the top of the eighth and evened the score at 7-7. Wade faced Josh McElwee with one out and runners on the corners when he singled and drove in de Oleo to put the RiverDogs within one. Charleston loaded the bases for Mike Ford, whose groundout against Cody Kendall allowed O'Neill to score the tying run.

The RiverDogs were scoreless in the top of the ninth before the Crawdads had a chance to win in the bottom of the frame. Hickory faced Eric Ruth, who struck out the side in the seventh and also kept the Crawdads scoreless in the eighth. Jackson legged out a double with one out that got the potential winning run on base. Mazara was intentionally walked and Cordell drew another walk that loaded the bases. Lewis Brinson won the game on a sacrifice fly that scored Jackson.

Kendall is 4-2 as the winning pitcher for Hickory. Ruth is 0-1 with a loss in his RiverDogs debut.

COMING UP: The finale of this three-game road series will be played at 11am on Wednesday morning, featuring RiverDogs RHP Luis Severino (1-1, 2.68 ERA) matching up with Crawdads RHP Akeem Bostick (2-3, 4.86 ERA). This quick road trip will be followed with a four-game RiverDogs homestand against the Savannah Sand Gnats, starting on June 5 with another Budweiser Thirsty Thursday, presented by 95SX. This includes $1 drafts and entertainment from DJ Natty Heavy in the Ashley View Pub, along with a wing-eating contest from Wild Wing Café. Tickets may be purchased at the Riley Park Box Office, (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or on-line at www.riverdogs.com. If fans cannot make it to the ballpark, they are encouraged to tune in to all the action this year both home and away worldwide on www.riverdogs.com and locally on 1250 WTMA, the new radio home for RiverDogs baseball.

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

Trenton Thunder Game Recap 6/3

Thunder Bats Dispatch of Squirrels Pitching, 8-3

RICHMOND, VA - The Trenton Thunder exploded for early runs off the Richmond Flying Squirrels in Tuesday's series-opening 8-3 win at The Diamond.

Trenton used a five-run 2nd inning to jump out to an early large lead against starting pitcher Adalberto Mejia. The 6'3" lefty was pulled from the ballgame after 1.2 innings after having allowed five runs on six hits and a walk. The inning began with a strikeout to Peter O'Brien, but continued when Rob Refsnyder launched his sixth home run of the season to left-centerfield for a 1-0 lead.

Mason Williams strode to the plate with the bases loaded and delivered a two-run single to give the Thunder a 3-0 lead. Ben Gamel would tap an infield single past Mejia to score Ali Castillo for an RBI and then Tyler Austin poked a sacrifice fly to right-centerfield to score Williams for a 5-0 edge.

The next inning, Williams connected on his third hit of the game and plated two more runs to make the score 7-0. The Thunder would add another run in the 4th inning on a fielder's choice ground out, and the score remained 8-0 until the 7th inning when Richmond broke through for its first run of the game.

Thunder starting pitcher Manny Banuelos went a scheduled 2.0 IP and did not allow a run on one hit while striking out four. Eric Wooten entered in relief of Banuelos and tossed six innings for his second Double-A win. Wooten has allowed 2 ER in 13.0 IP since being transferred from High-A Tampa and is now 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA.

The win was the second consecutive win for the Thunder who improve to 32-27 and are 0.5 games behind the Binghamton Mets for second place in the East Division.

The Thunder get back to action Wednesday for the second game of the three-game series. First pitch of Wednesday's ballgame is 6:35 p.m. with the Trenton Thunder Pre-Game Show beginning at 6:20 p.m. which can be found on 91.3 FM and www.trentonthunder.com.

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

Kuroda's Dominance Not Enough as Yanks' Bullpen Blows Another One

With two outs and nobody on in tonight's top of the eighth, the Yankees looked to be in pretty good shape.

The Bombers, who came into the contest on an ugly two-game losing streak, led 2-1 thanks to recurring heroics from the returning Mark Teixeira and Starter Hiroki Kuroda, both somewhat surprising.

Teixeira, who hadn't played since Saturday, drove in both of the team's runs in his first three at-bats, first on a first-inning bloop single and then on a go-ahead solo home run in the sixth.

That pair of trips around the bases was all the Yanks salvaged off the A's Scott Kazmir, who received a no decision after a solid 6.1 frames.

Thankfully, the minimal offensive production was enough for the home team, who received a nearly-perfect outing from the before-mentioned Kuroda, who tossed 6.2 innings of 2-hit (HR from Brandon Moss included) ball to set Dellin Betances up nicely.

Betances, coming off that dominant performance Sunday, entered the contest with two outs in the seventh, striking out Moss before recording the first two outs of the eighth routinely.

At that point, the Yanks were in control. Just four more outs and they'd be winning again.

Or not.

Facing Alberto Callaspo with a 1-2 count, Betances lost all control, walking the veteran before surrendering a pinch-hit, game-tying double to Stephen Vogt.

Betances would rebound to get the last out of the inning, but still, the damage had been done.

In the top of the ninth, David Robertson would retire all three hitters he faced, but that didn't necessarily cover for Adam Warren, who unfortunately was picked to throw the tenth.

The first hitter Warren (1-3; 1/3 IP, 3 ER)) faced in the AB, Brandon Moss, drove another one into the seats, followed shortly by two more runs to put the game out of reach.

In the bottom half of the inning, the Pinstripes went down 1-2-3, officially ending the disaster. Once again, the $200 million team had snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, dropping their 2014 record to an extremely dissapointing, 29-28.

This Day In New York Yankees History 6/4

On this day in 1980 at Shea Stadium the recently traded Jim Kaat, who was fresh over from the New York Yankees, gets a complete game shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals in 10 innings. The Mets would beat the Cardinals 1-0 in 10 innings. The 41 year old pitcher did not start a game for the Yankees last season but gets the win thanks to a 10th inning solo home run from Ken Reitz. Ain't that some luck?