ApL Pulaski River Turtles

Yankees Stumble against Burlington

Published on July 20, 2019 under Appalachian League (ApL)
Pulaski River Turtles News Release


Pulaski, Va - The Pulaski Yankees lost their second straight game as the visiting Burlington Royals left Calfee Park winners after the 8-1 victory over the Yankees in game one of a three game series.

Burlington got the scoring started as they pushed across a run in the top of the second inning. After a one-out single by David Hollie, he advanced to second base on a pickoff attempt that got past the first baseman. He scored a couple batters later after a double from the Royals.

Burlington added to their lead in the top of the fourth inning with a lead off home run to left field. Yankees starter Yoendrys Gomez's night began to unravel a little bit after the home run. After getting the first out of the fourth inning via a ground ball, Gomez hit Hollie to put him on first base. A balk allowed Hollie to advance to second base and later scored on a ground-rule double to center field.

Gomez had his shortest outing of the year as he only went 3.2 innings before Alex Mejias replaced him. The Yankees finally got a runner into scoring position in the bottom of the fourth inning. He hit a soft ground ball in between the third baseman and pitcher's mound and a throwing error by the pitcher allowed Green to make it all the way to third base. The Yankees were ultimately unable to capitalize on the prime opportunity and could not cut into the Royals lead.

The Royals added one more run in the top of the fifth inning as a lead off single came around to score with one out on yet another double and extra base hit for Burlington. After failing to score a run in a game for the first time last night the Yankees were held scoreless once again for the first five innings tonight.

Mejias pitched well in relief for Pulaski as he went 2.1 innings and gave up three hits, one run, while striking out three batters.

The Yankees finally broke through as Antonio Cabello hit his third home run of the season over the left field foul pole with two outs to cut into the deficit at 4-1. Elvis Peguero replaced Mejias in the top of the seventh inning and promptly walked the lead off batter who came around to score after he stole second and advanced to third on a deep fly ball to right field. A high chopper got over the head of the infielders who were playing in and the Royals took a 5-1 lead in the top of the seventh. Peguero and the Yankees got out of the inning with a double play.

Things went from bad to worse for the Yankees as they went down in order in the bottom of the seventh inning and then Peguero gave up the second lead off home run of the evening as the Royals took a 6-1 lead. The Royals added two more base runners with a walk and a single and eventually added another two runs on a pair of RBI singles in the eighth inning to take an 8-1 lead. Mitch Spence came into the game with two outs in the eighth inning and got the Royals hitter to strikeout with the bases loaded.

Borinquen Mendez hit a one out double that barely squeaked past third base in fair territory but the Yankees were unable to capitalize. The Yankees and the Royals both went down in order in the ninth and the Royals walked away with the 8-1 win in the opening game of the series. Game two will take place tomorrow night with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

The Yankees will host Ken Griffey Sr. Night tomorrow night as the former three-time MLB All-Star will be in Pulaski for a special meet and greet experience. Griffey Sr. played for four teams in his MLB career including the New York Yankees from 1982-86. In his best season with the Yankees, Griffey hit .306 with 11 home runs and 46 RBIs in his best season with the Yankees. Meet and Greet packages for tomorrow night are $50 and include a pre-game meal and an autograph session plus a general admission ticket. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.pulaskiyankees.net or call the front office at 540-980-1070.

The Pulaski Yankees are the Advanced Rookie level affiliate of the New York Yankees playing in the Appalachian League. Pulaski is celebrating its 54th season in the Appalachian League in 2019. Calfee Park has won league championships in 1948, 1969, 1986, 1991 and 2013. Motor Mile Field at Calfee Park opened in 1935 and was renovated for the team's first season as a Yankees affiliate in 2015. For more information, please visit www.pulaskiyankees.net or follow the Pulaski Yankees on social media, @PulaskiYanks (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram).

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Appalachian League Stories from July 20, 2019


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