Baby Bomber Recap 8/29/15: Dustin Ackley homers in Triple-A rehab outing

Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders: L 1-3 vs. Buffalo Bison

If this was the major league team, we'd all be saying this was one of those games, but since this is minor league baseball, it all makes so much sense. Last night the RailRiders were held to one run on two hits thanks to the eight-inning effort of Jeff Francis. Yes, that Jeff Francis, the same Jeff Francis that was a member of the 2014 Yankees. Even weirder was the fact that Scranton's single run was a home run off the bat of Dustin Ackley. The same Dustin Ackley who has been hurt almost since the Yankees traded for him. With that performance, he should be ready to return to the big leagues for September. In case you were wondering, Rob Refsnyder and Aaron Judge were both held hitless. Womp.

On the pitching side, Eric Wooten kept the RailRiders in the game, allowing one run on five hits and four strikeouts over five innings. Like Francis, the only run Wooten gave up was a solo home run against Dalton Pompey. Caleb Cotham pitched two innings of relief, but ended up getting roughed up when he allowed a two-run home run to Matt Hague n the 6th inning to put the game out of reach. Andrew Bailey pitched another clean inning with a strikeout, giving us another example of why we might see him in the majors soon.

Double-A Trenton Thunder: W 3-1 vs. Altoona Curve

The Trenton chipped away at the Altoona Curve, while the Thunder pitching staff was able to somehow hold the line. The baby bombers were first able to score in the third inning when Francisco Arcia was hit by a pitch. He then advanced on a Tyler Wade single and was able to score after Rob Segedin collected a hit of his own. In the fifth, Jake Cave doubled with two outs and Tyler Wade chased him home with a single. They tacked on one final run in the seventh when Ali Castillo singled, stole second base, advanced to third on a ground out, and scored on a sac fly. Mark Payton singled and walked, Tony Renda also doubled and Tyler Austin actually hit a triple in real life.

The pitching was able to keep the Curve at bay, despite allowing 11 hits altogether. Eric Ruth kept them to one run on eight hits and a walk while striking out five in 6.1 innings. Conor Mullee, Cesar Vargas, and Mark Montgomery were able to hold them scoreless over 2.2 innings to get Ruth the win.

High-A Tampa Yankees: postponed

Low-A Charleston RiverDogs: L 2-5 vs. Asheville Tourists

Yesterday was a bad day for the RiverDogs as they were shut down by Jesus Tinoco, who kept them to four hits and a walk over seven innings, despite only striking out one batter! Charleston's pitching stood no match as Joey Maher allowed three runs on seven hits–two home runs–and three walks over 5.1 innings. While he kept them within striking distance, Jose Mesa, fresh off his promotion from Staten Island, and an error from catcher Radley Haddad (second of the game) sunk their chances. Mesa allowed a walk and a triple and then Haddad allowed the runner on third to score after his pickoff attempt went wild.

The RiverDogs were able to score two in the ninth on an Isaias Tejeda two-run home run, but it turned out to be too little too late. The offense collected seven hits in all with Tejeda and Billy Fleming leading the way as each delivered a two-hit night. Bo Thompson, Radley Haddad, and Griffin Gordon all had a hit apiece as well.

Short Season-A Staten Island Yankees: L 5-6 vs. Hudson Valley Renegades

After the two teams went back and forth all night, Staten Island ended up losing a close one in the bottom of the ninth. Kevin Cornelius collected three hits, a walk, and an RBI, Trey Amburgey and Eduardo de Oleo had two hits, while short stop prospect Kyle Holder had two hits and collected two RBI on the night. Ryan Krill had a hit, a walk, and an RBI, while Jake Hernandez and Junior Valera had hits of their own.

The Yankees starters were underwhelming as Luis Cedeno allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks in five innings and Yoel Espinal allowed another two on three hits and two walks. With Staten Island surrendering the lead in the eighth inning, Josh Roeder came on to keep the game tied, but ultimately allowed the walk-off in the ninth inning.

Rookie Advanced Pulaski Yankees: W 6-1 vs. Bristol Pirates

As one of the largest leads of the night, the offensive juggernaut that Pulaski has become continued on against the Pirates affiliate. The Yankees scored six runs on 10 hits, including a Frank Frias two-run home runs during a 3-4 performance. Nathan Mikolas and Jose Javier collected two hits each, Austin Afenir and Kane Sweeney each doubled, walked, and had an RBI on the night, while Hoy Jun Park doubled, walked, and collected two RBI. The pitching was just as impressive as Nestor Cortes pitched six innings of three-hit, one-walk, one-run ball with four strikeouts. Eduardo Rivera also impressed with three shutouts innings in relief in order to get the old school save.

GCL Yankees 1: W 5-0 vs. GCL Pirates

CF Welfrin Mateo 2-5, 2 K
SS Wilkerman Garcia 1-3, 2 RBI, BB, K
1B Chris Gittens 1-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB
DH Jerry Seitz 3-4, K
3B Donny Sands 2-4

Jean Ramirez 5.0 IP, 1 H, 3 BB, 4 K

GCL Yankees 2: W 6-2 vs. Tigers

SS Yanvarlos Baez 1-4, RBI
DH Isiah Gilliam 4-4, 2 RBI
2B Yonauris Rodriguez 2-3
C Eduardo Navas 2-4, 2 K

Leonardo Garcia 5.0 IP, 4 H, ER, 3 BB, 2 K - 6 GO/2 FO