Yankees Edge Red Sox, 4-3

Published on June 21, 2010 under International League (IL1)
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees News Release


Justin Christian did not start the game, but he ended it.

Christian, who was called up from Double-A Trenton earlier in the day, scored the game-winning in the bottom of the ninth inning of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees' 4-3 victory over the Pawtucket Red Sox Monday night at PNC Field.

Christian led off the inning by working a six-pitch walk. Reegie Corona then sacrificed Christian to second and made it safely to first after Pawtucket reliever Fabio Castro booted the ball while attempting to tag him out.

Greg Golson then lifted a fly ball to centerfield that moved Christian to third with one out in the inning.

With Jeff Natale up at the plate, Castro threw a high pitch that hit off the catcher's glove and rolled to the backstop, allowing Christian to score the game-winning run.

"We battled back, did a couple things good to win the ballgame," Yankees manager Dave Miley said.

The Yankees held the Red Sox scoreless through the first seven innings of the game, and expected to pull out a victory after turning the game over to closer Jonathan Albaladejo -who had converted 23-of-23 saves on the season-with one out and two on in the eighth.

Josh Reddick greeted Albaladejo with a sacrifice fly to center that put the Red Sox on the scoreboard. Also on the play, Aaron Bates moved to second after Reid Gorecki missed the cut-off man attempting to throw the runner out at home.

After Dusty Brown worked a five-pitch walk, Bubba Bell hit a RBI-single to right to tie the game at 2-2 and deal Albaladejo his first blown save of the year and first since August 20, 2009.

"I wasn't hitting my spots like last week," Albaladejo said. "I think I made a couple of mistakes on pitch selection and I missed my spots two times. Two out of the three hits I missed my spots."

The Yankees responded quickly, scoring a run in the bottom of the inning.

After Eric Bruntlett flew out to center, Eduardo Nunez tripled to right center to set up the Yankees with one out. Jorge Vazquez then lifted a fly ball to left to score Nunez and put the Yankees ahead 3-2.

Pawtucket would tie the game in the top of the ninth on a RBI double by Ryan Shealy, but would not be able to keep the Yankees off the board the following inning.

Ivan Nova started the game for the Yankees and pitched brilliantly over 6 1/3 innings. The righty held Pawtucket scoreless on five hits while striking out seven and walking one.

The outing also continued Nova's hot June. In four starts in the month, Nova is 3-0 with a 1.33 ERA.

The teams continue the four-game series Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. Zach McAllister will get the start for the Yankees.

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International League Stories from June 21, 2010


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