Yankees Host Wizards in Playoff Opener

Published on September 2, 2003 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Southwest Michigan Devil Rays News Release


BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — The Battle Creek Yankees will open the Midwest League playoffs right where they ended the regular season — playing the Fort Wayne Wizards. The two teams — who played the final seven games of the regular season against each other — will meet in the first round of the Eastern Division playoffs at 6 p.m. Wednesday at C.O. Brown Stadium.

Battle Creek won five of those seven games. The Yankees finished the regular season with a 73-64 record — the best overall record in the division. They went 33-35 in the first half and finished in fifth place. They improved to 40-29 in the second half to finish second and earn a wild-card playoff berth.

Battle Creek won 17 of its last 20 games — an .850 winning percentage. The Yankees played .681 ball since July 11 when they were at 41-49 — their lowest point of the season at eight games under .500.

Battle Creek third baseman Jayson Drobiak finished as the Midwest League home run champ with 30. He also led the league in slugging percentage (.559) and extra-base hits (69). Battle Creek catcher Jon-Mark Sprowl led the league in on-base percentage (.425) and finished second in batting average (.321). Both were named to the Midwest League postseason all-star team, along with outfielder Rudy Guillen.

This is the seventh straight season the Battle Creek franchise has qualified for postseason play. That ties Waterloo (1975-81) for the longest consecutive playoff appearance streak in Midwest League history. If Battle Creek doesn't break the tie next season, it might be a while before it happens. Lansing is next in line with three straight playoff appearances. And all four Western Division playoff teams are new this year. Only Battle Creek and Lansing return from the eight-team playoff field of a year ago.

Battle Creek is the only New York Yankees farm team to qualify for postseason play. Battle Creek also posted the best overall record of any NY Yankees farm team. This is the first season for the franchise's affiliation with the Yankees after four each with the Red Sox and the Astros.

MWL PLAYOFFS: EASTERN DIVISION FIRST ROUND (BEST-OF-3)
BATTLE CREEK YANKEES vs. FORT WAYNE WIZARDS

Wednesday at Battle Creek, 6 p.m. RHP Matt DeSalvo (2-0, 0.82) vs. RHP David Pauley (7-7, 3.29)
Thursday at Fort Wayne, 7 p.m. EDT (6 p.m. FW time) RHP Ray Clark (8-7, 3.55) vs. RHP Brian Whitaker (7-6, 2.09)
Friday at Fort Wayne, 7 p.m. EDT (6 p.m. FW time), if necessary RHP Jon Skaggs (4-3, 5.25) vs. TBA

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Midwest League Stories from September 2, 2003


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