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Kevin Russo Leads Yankees to 6-4 Victory and Series Win over Syracuse

August 13, 2012 - International League (IL1)
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees News Release


Syracuse, NY - Scoring runs has been at a premium for both the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees and the Syracuse Chiefs over the past two days. This wasn't the case for the Yankees in Monday night's series finale as Kevin Russo's bases clearing double in the eighth led Scranton/Wilkes-Barre over Syracuse 6-4 at Alliance Bank Stadium.

The Yankees got on the board in the top half of the second when Syracuse starter John Lannan issued a bases loaded walk to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre second baseman Pena. Brandon Laird made the trot in from third making it a 1-0 ballgame after singling earlier in the inning. Sandy Leon sent his first home run and first RBI of the season over the left-centerfield wall off of Mike O'Connor, tying the game at 1-1. It was the first run allowed by O'Connor in 13 1/3 previous innings against the Chiefs.

Pena picked up his second RBI of the night, with the only difference being this time he actually had to make contact to do it. With runners on the corners and one out in the inning Pena sent a single to right-center allowing Melky Mesa to score from third and give Scranton/Wilkes-Barre the 2-1 advantage. Later in the inning Corban Joseph brought Darnell McDonald home from second with a single to center, extending the Yankee lead to 3-1. The Chiefs had an excellent chance to tie or take the lead as they loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom half of the inning, but Cory Wade came in and worked a groundout preserving the Yankee lead heading into the eighth inning. Russo crushed a three-RBI double to the left field wall in the eighth putting the game out of reach at 6-1. The Russo bases clearing double proved to be huge as Jim Negrych brought the Chiefs to within 6-4 with a three-run blast over the left-centerfield wall. However, Wade got Eury Perez to bounce out to short ending the ballgame.

O'Connor was magnificent for the Yankees in a no decision effort. The left-hander allowed just one run on five hits, while striking out for and walking one. Preston Claiborne picked up the win for the Yankees going 1 1/3 innings allowing just two hits and striking out one. Wade was credited with the save as he pitched 2.1 innings to keep the Yankees in the lead. Left-hander John Lannan suffered the loss for the Chiefs. He allowed three runs, on three hits, while walking four and striking out three.

Following Monday night's series finale with the Syracuse Chiefs, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees head to the Nation's smallest state for a five game, four-day series against the Pawtucket Red Sox at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. It will be a big series with playoff implications on the line as the PawSox are within striking distance of the Yankees as the International League regular season winds down. Billy Buckner (4-6, 41.16) gets the nod for the Red Sox, while fellow right-hander John Maine (5-4, 5.56) heads to the hill for the Yankees. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.

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