Scranton/Wilkes-Barre beat Gwinnett 6-2:
The RailRiders jumped out ahead early. David Adams and Zoilo Almonte hit back-t0-back singles in the top of the first and scored on a double by Addison Maruszak for a 2-0 lead. A solo homer by Brian McCann in the bottom of the fourth brought the Braves within one run, but Scranton got the run back in the top of the fifth. Luke Murton grounded a single to second and scored on a single by Corban Joseph. Ronnier Mustelier connected with his first hit of the season, driving a double to left in the top of the sixth. Marusazk laid down a sac bunt, but was safe after an error by Gwinnett pitcher, Yohan Flande. Melky Mesa doubled in the runners and scored when Bobby Wilson hit into a double play. A homer by Joey Terdoslavich gave the Braves a little life in the seventh, but the RailRiders held on for the 6-2 victory.

Everyone in the Scranton lineup had one hit, except Bobby Wilson (0-4) and Luke Murton, who went 2-3 with a run scored and a walk. Adams, Almonte and Mustelier went 1-4 with a run scored. Maruszak went 1-3 with a run scored, a double and two RBIs. Mesa went 1-4 with a run scored, a double, two RBIs and three Ks. Graham Stoneburner went five innings and allowed one run on three hits and a walk. Mark Montgomery went 1.1 with a run scored, two hits and three Ks. Same Demel and Ryan Pope both pitched an inning, allowing one hit.

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Scranton/Wilkes-Barre had a much needed off day, after sweeping back-to-back doubleheaders. Meanwhile, Tampa was postponed due to rain, leaving just Trenton and Charleston in action on Wednesday, and both teams lost one-run games.  Jose Ramirez put together a strong start but Evan Rutckyj was not as lucky, getting behind early and issuing six free passes. Jose Campos threw a mixed bag for Charleston, picking up seven strikeouts enroute to the RiverDogs’ loss.

Trenton lost to New Hampshire 2-1:
The Thunder had the first baserunner of the day, when Tyler Austin singled in the bottom of the first, but an infield pop fly by JR Murphy ended the inning. Adam Loewen drew a walk for the Fisher Cats in the top of the third and Jose Ramirez hit Sean Ochinko with a pitch. A single by Kevin Pillar plated Loewen and New Hampshire took a 1-0 lead. Reegie Corona, recently activated from the DL, started the bottom of the fourth with a double to right and Austin was hit by a pitch. Murphy, however, hit into a double play and Slade Heathcott flew out as Trenton came up empty again. New Hampshire threatened to increase their lead in the top of the seventh. Ryan Schimpf drew a walk and Clint Robinson singled. Danny Burawa replaced Aaron Dott and walked Brad Glenn, loading the bases with no outs. Kevin Nolan flew out to right and Neil Medchill got Schimpf out at the plate. Loewen then lined out to first to end the inning. Heathcott drew a walk and Medchill grounded a single to right. A wild pitch moved the runners over and Heathcott scored when Ali Castillo reached on an error, tying the game 1-1. The game was still locked up in the ninth, but the game was not destined to go into extra innings. Robinson drew a walk and Glenn singled. A single by Nolan plated Robinson and Trenton went down in order, falling 2-1 to New Hampshire.

Austin went 2-3 and Medchill went 2-4, accounting for the bulk of Trenton’s offense. Corona’s double was the only other Thunder hit as the rest of the lineup came up empty. Ramirez gave up one unearned run on one hit, a walk and six Ks in five innings. Dott allowed a hit and a walk, striking out one in his inning. Burawa threw a hitless inning, walking one. Kelvin Perez took the loss, allowing one run on three hits, two walks and a strikeout over two innings.

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The RailRiders swept their double-header against Charlotte. Chris Bootcheck was strong on the mound and Zoilo Almonte had a big second game, though he picked up hits in both. Tampa was beaten soundly by St. Lucie, while Trenton and Charleston were rained out.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre beat Charlotte 5-4 in Game 1:
The RailRiders threatened in the top of the first, as Melky Mesa and Dan Johnson both singled, but they came up empty. Charlotte scored in the bottom of the inning, as Brent Morel doubled in Carlos Sanchez. Corban Joseph tied the game with a solo shot in the third, and the RailRiders took the lead in the fourth. David Adams grounded a double to left, scoring on a single by Cody Johnson. Addison Maruszak drew a walk and Bobby Wilson bunted the runners over. A single by Joseph plated two more runs, but he was thrown out trying to get to second, ending the inning. The Knights got one run back in the bottom of the inning, making the score 4-2. A sac fly by Mesa in the sixth gave Scranton some insurance, which proved helpful as the Knights rallied in the seventh. Preston Claiborne gave up three straight singles, loading the bases. Another single by Morel scored a run and Lars Anderson brought home another on a ground out before Claiborne struck out Josh Bell to give Scranton the 5-4 win.

Joseph went 2-3 with a run scored, a homer and three RBIs. Mesa also went 2-3, hitting a double and picking up a RBI. Almonte and Adams both went 1-4, with the latter scoring a run and hitting a double. Dellin Betances went 3.1 innings and gave up two runs on five hits, three walks and six Ks. Sam Demel threw a hitless 2.2 innings and struck out three. Preston Claiborne gave up two runs on four hits and two Ks in one inning of work.

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It was a disappointing day for the Yankees’ farm teams. Trenton and Tampa both gave up nine runs in their losses. Charleston eked out a win against Kannapolis, despite very little offensive output.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre was postponed due to rain.

Trenton lost to Portland 9-5:
The Thunder jumped out to an early lead in the first. Jose Pirela, Tyler Austin and Kyle Roller hit consecutive singles, plating the first run of the game. A double by Kyle Higashioka scored Austin and Roller for the 3-0 lead. Portland worked its way back into the game during the top of the second. Michael Almanzar drew a walk and Christian Vazquez lined a single to second. Heiker Mensese worked a free pass to load the bases and a single by Ryan Dent plated two runs, cutting the Thunder lead to one. Austin drew a leadoff walk in the third and scored on a single by Higashioka for a 4-2 advantage. The SeaDogs tied the game in the top of the fourth on a two-run double from Shannon Wilkerson. They took the lead when Almanzar hit a two-run homer in the top of the fifth, giving Portland the 6-4 lead. Shane Brown was hit by a pitch in the seventh, scoring on a single by Pirela. Unfortunately, Trenton wasn’t able to get any closer and Portland added some insurance in the eighth and ninth, taking the 9-5 win.

Pirela went 2-5 with a run scored and a RBI. Ramon Flores went 0-2 but took three walks. Austin went 1-3 with two runs scored and a walk. Higashioka went 2-4 with a double and three RBIs. Francisco Rondon gave up six runs on seven hits, four walks and three Ks over five innings. Danny Burawa held Portland scoreless, walking one, giving up a hit and striking out two. Shaeffer Hall gave up three runs (two earned) on three hits and a walk over two innings.

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The Yankees split the the day in the minors, with Trenton and Charleston coming away victorious. Austin Romine had a short day in Scranton, as he was pulled from the game due to Cervelli’s injury. Jose Ramirez made his 2013 debut in Trenton, after starting the season on the DL.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre lost to Columbus 3-2:
After two scoreless innings the Clippers broke through in the top of the third. Matt Lawson singled and Yan Gomes doubled him in. With two outs in the fifth, Cody Johnson grounded a single to short and scored on a double by Addison Maruszak. Columbus retook the lead in the sixth on an error by Zoilo Almonte, but the RailRiders got the run back in the bottom of the inning. Melky Mesa lined a single to center and moved to second on a wild pitch. A double by Luke Murton plated Mesa and the score stood at 2-2. In the top of the eighth, Matt Carson flew a homer to left, which was all that Columbus needed to beat Scranton 3-2.

Almonte went 2-4 with an error. Maruszak went 2-3 with a double and a RBI. Murton went 1-4 with a double and a RBI. Johnson went 1-4 with a run scored. Mesa went 1-4 with a run scored. Brett Marshall went 5.1, giving up two runs (one earned) on four hits, five walks and seven Ks. Jim Miller pitched two innings and gave up one run on two hits. He did not walk anyone and struck out all six outs he made. Preston Claiborne went 1.2 and did not allow a hit, walk or run, striking out a pair.

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Scranton/Wilkes-Barre lost to Columbus 5-4:
The Clippers drew first blood when Mike McDade hit a RBI single to left in the top of the second. Tim Fedroff started the third with a solo shot to right and Columbus took a 2-0 lead. Cody Johnson got the RailRiders on the board with a homer in the fourth.Bobby Wilson started the fifth by driving a double to center, scoring on a single by Addison Maruszak to tie the game at 2-2. Columbus threatened in the top of the seventh, as McDade singled and Juan Diaz lined a double to left, putting two on with no outs. Cody Eppley managed to escape the inning without giving up a run, as Roberto Perez hit into a fielder’s choice, Fedroff struck out and Matt Lawson grounded out to third. Scranton took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the inning. Corban Joseph drew a one-out walk and Maruszak lined a single to right. Maruszak got picked off, but Zoilo Almonte and Dan Johnson both took walks, loading the bases for David Adams who lined a single to center, scoring two runs for the 4-2 lead. The lead was short-lived, however, as Columbus rallied in the top of the eighth. A two-run homer by Jeremy Hermida tied the score and Columbus took the lead back when Cord Phelps scored Matt Carson on a ground out. The RailRiders came up empty in the eighth and ninth, taking the 5-4 loss.

Maruszak went 2-4  with an RBI. He came in for Thomas Neal, who went 1-1 with a double. At this point, I’m not sure what prompted Neal’s removal from the game. Cody Johnson went 1-2 with a homer. Adams went 1-4 with two RBIs. Joseph went 1-4 with a double, a walk and a run scored. Ryan Pope went 3.1 innings and gave up two runs on five hits, a walk and three Ks. Mark Montgomery went two innings and did not allow a hit or run, though he walked three and struck out one. Josh Spence threw 0.2 innings and had zeroes across the board. Cody Eppley gave up three runs on five hits and a K in over 1 innings of work. Sam Demel finished out the game and gave up one hit and two walks over two innings.

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