Albaladejo Helps Yanks Split with IronPigs

July 11, 2010 - International League (IL1)
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees News Release


Jonathan Albaladejo became the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre franchise leader in saves as the Yankees split a doubleheader with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs Saturday.

Albaladejo struck out the side to end the first game, sealing the Yankees' 3-0 victory and picking up his 40th career save as a Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankee.

"I knew about the first (record), but not this one," Albaladejo said. "I never thought that would have enough saves or even the chances to do it. It's been great. We've been winning a lot of games and that's a good thing."

The closer entered the game with runners on first and second with no outs in relief of starter Tim Redding, who turned in one of his best performances with the team.

"I missed the first six weeks here, and when I got here he was untouchable and since I've been here he's been pretty much the same," Redding said.

"When (Miley) came and took me out of the game, I'm looking at it as if (Albaladejo) helps save this game and just gives up the one guy on second, if that's the most damage that we get then it's a successful outing for both of us. I should have known better that he would come in and strike out the side," Redding said.

Redding tossed six innings of scoreless ball, allowing four hits while striking out three and walking two to pick up his fourth win of the season. The veteran righty held the IronPigs hitless through the first four innings of the game, but is still looking to improve.

"There's still somethings - my delivery out of the stretch - that I need to work on," Redding said. "Today, the numbers look good on the scoreboard as far as six shutout innings, four hits, a couple walks, but there were a bunch of fastballs that I just didn't execute."

The Yankees broke through against Lehigh Valley started J.A. Happ in the third inning, scoring two runs on three hits.

Newest Yankee Chad Tracy started the inning with a single - his second of the game - and advanced to third on an Eduardo Nunez double.

Juan Miranda then continued his hot hitting, driving in Tracy with a single to left.

Jesus Montero drove home the second run of the inning, scoring Nunez on a sacrifice fly to left.

Montero would later add an insurance run for the Yankees, crushing a 2-0 pitch from Happ deep over the wall in right field for an opposite field, solo homerun.

Game 2 would not prove as fortunate for the Yankees, dropping the contest 6-3 to the IronPigs.

Jason Hirsh started the game for the Yankees and struggled early, giving up a two-run homerun in the first inning to Neil Sellers.

The tall righty settled down after the inning, giving the Yankees four innings of work and allowing just the two runs.

Hirsh would leave the game with the team trailing by one, but could have left with the score tied at 2-2 had it not been for a questionable call by the home plate umpire, who called Miranda out at the plate while attempting to score on a Reegie Corona double in the fourth inning.

Mark Melancon relieved Hirsh in the fifth and struggled in his inning of work.

After retiring the leadoff batter, Melancon walked the No. 9 hitter Brian Bocock and was then touched up for a RBI-triple by Chris Duffy.

With two outs in the inning, Melancon walked another batter and allowed a two-run double to Andy Tracy that gave the IronPigs a 5-1 advantage.

The Yankees attempted to stage a comeback in the bottom of the inning with a run scoring triple by Reid Gorecki and a RBI by Nunez, but would ultimately fall short.

"Doubleheaders tend to play out that way," Yankees manager Dave Miley said. "It's hard to sweep a doubleheader."

The loss snapped the Yankees' winning streak at seven games.

The team will look to start a new streak Sunday at 1:05 p.m. against the IronPigs in its final game before the All-Star Break.

Ivan Nova will get the start for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, while Nate Bump will take the hill for Lehigh Valley.



International League Stories from July 11, 2010


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