Corona Perseveres, Lifts Yanks

Published on July 18, 2010 under International League (IL1)
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees News Release


Reegie Corona was 0-for-3 against Toledo starter L.J. Gagnier before the eighth inning in Sunday afternoon's game, looking for the right pitch to drive and failing to get it.

He finally got that pitch - a hanging slider - with two on in the eighth and sent it to the wall in right-center field for a triple, putting the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees in front of the Mud Hens 3-2.

"My approach right there was getting a good pitch to hit," Corona said. "He was throwing me the slider early in the game, so he threw me the same one but he hung it. I was ready for the slider and I hit it."

The triple came after Gagnier hit Chad Moeller with a pitch and Kevin Russo lined a double to right - his first hit at any level since June 16.

"Right now I'm just trying to get good pitches to hit and then trying to hit it up the middle," Russo said. "I'm just trying to get back to where I was. I haven't had a lot of at bats in a couple months."

Corona then lined the first pitch of his at bat into the gap, ultimately giving the Yankees the victory and making a brilliant pitching performance by David Phelps worthwhile.

Phelps started the game for the Yankees and pitched six innings of one-run ball, allowing seven hits and walking none while tying a Scranton/Wilkes-Barre season-high with 10 strikeouts.

The 23-year-old right-hander, making his debut at PNC Field, shutdown the Toledo lineup, striking out eight batters through the first four innings of the game. Of Phelps' 10 strikeouts, nine were of the swinging variety.

"He did a great job. Pitched quick - (threw) strikes," Corona said. "That's a great game."

Phelps showcased a dominating slider and control of his fastball, and has yet to walk a batter in 17 2/3 innings of work with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

"No walks - it's big. When you're giving up hits like that, seven hits over six innings, as long you're not walking anyone, you can get away with that," Phelps said.

Gagnier was equally as good for the Mug Hens, holding the Yankees to one run and four hits in the first seven innings of the game before the team's big eighth.

The one run came off the bat of Greg Golson, who hit a solo homerun with two outs in the fifth inning.

The homer was Golson's sixth of the year, each coming in a different game. In those six games, the Yankees are 5-1 and four of the games have been decided by one-run.

After Scranton/Wilkes-Barre took the lead in the eighth, Jonathan Albaladejo pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to pick up his 31st save of the year.

The Yankees will welcome the Gwinnett Braves to PNC Field Monday for the start of a four-game series. Mike Minor is scheduled to get the start for Gwinnett, while Ivan Nova is scheduled to make the start for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



International League Stories from July 18, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central