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Brandon Laird Leads Yankees to 5-1 Victory Over Bisons

August 11, 2012 - International League (IL1)
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees News Release


Buffalo, NY - After taking an early 1-0 advantage over the Buffalo Bisons, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre was unable to record a hit until the top half of the seventh inning. Brandon Laird made the most of the teams first hit in six innings as he sent a solo blast way over the left-centerfield wall in the top half of the seventh inning breaking a 1-1 tie, leading the Yankees to a 5-1 win and a series sweep of a short two game series at Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo, NY.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre wasted no time getting on the board against the Bisons. Chris Dickerson continued his hitting streak to eight straight games with a single to left. He then showcased his wheels by stealing second then moved over to third on a groundout to second off the bat of Corban Joseph. Eduardo Nunez then brought Dickerson home with an RBI double to the left-centerfield gap. Nunez's eighth RBI of the season gave the Yankees the early 1-0 advantage over Buffalo after just one half inning of play.

The Bisons got one back in the home half of the fifth tying the ball game at 1-1. Matt den Dekker roped a double to right-center to leadoff the inning in scoring position for the Bisons. He then moved over to third on a ground out to third off the bat of Mike Nickeas. Following the Nickeas ground out Scranton/Wilkes-Barre manager Dave Miley went to the bullpen, bringing in Kelvin Perez for his first triple-A appearance. Josh Rodriguez then bounced back towards Perez, however the Yankees newest reliever couldn't field the ball cleanly allowing den Dekker to score from third. The good news for the Yankees is, Brad Emaus popped out to Kosuke Fukudome at first to end the inning and the leave the score tied at 1-1 after five innings of play. Laird then gave Scranton/Wilkes-Barre the 2-1 advantage with his solo blast in the top half of the seventh. Joseph then added an RBI single off of Emaus' glove at second allowing Dickerson to score from second. Mustelier then put the game out of reach with a long two-run homer over the left-centerfield wall, making it a 5-1 ballgame.

Justin Thomas was solid in a no decision effort for the Yankees. The left-hander went 4.1 innings allowing one run on four hits, while walking one and striking out a season high six batters. Kelvin Perez picked up the win for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with 2.2 scoreless innings of one hit ball in his triple-A debut. Preston Claiborne was magnificent with two shutout innings of relief. Dylan Owen suffered the loss for the Bisons. Zack Wheeler pitched well earning the no decision for Buffalo. The New York Mets top prospect allowed one run on two hits in six innings on the bump. He struck four and walked three.

Following Saturday night's series finale win in Buffalo the Yankees head south to Syracuse, NY for a three-game, two-day series against the Chiefs at Alliance Bank Stadium. The series kicks off with a double-header beginning at 4:00. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre sends right-hander Adam Warren (6-7, 3.74) to the hill, while the Chiefs counter with Yunesky Maya (10-8, 3.58). In game two the Yankees hand the ball to right-hander Chase Whitley (8-5, 3.96), while fellow right-hander Mitch Atkins takes the bump for Syracuse.

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