Sports

International League Baseball

By Van Rose vrose@timesleader.com
Sports Reporter

MOOSIC — Apparently, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s offense has disappeared from the radar screen — at least temporarily.

Louisville got another sharp pitching performance, this time from right-hander Tom Shearn, and the Bats roughed up starter Steven White en route to an 11-0 victory over the Yankees on Wednesday night at PNC Field.

It marked the Bats’ third consecutive win over Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, which managed only five scattered hits. And it was the second straight game in which the Yankees were shut out by Louisville pitchers.

Fortunately for the Yankees, help is on the way. Earlier in the night, they learned that New York optioned Shelley Duncan to Triple-A to make room for shortstop Alberto Gonzalez, who was sent up from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Duncan hit a franchise record 25 home runs last season at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before his July callup.

Yankees manager Dave Miley is hopeful Duncan can make an immediate impact when he arrives.

“He’s definitely not coming here to sit on the bench.”

Louisville (5-2) took control of the game by scoring five runs in the second inning. Alvin Colina and Jerry Hairston each hit two-run singles to lead the way.

The Bats widened the gap to 8-0 in the third on a three-run home run by Colina, who finished with five RBI.

“It seemed like they hit my good pitches and I was able to get some outs with bad pitches,” said White, who gave up nine runs on 11 hits in four innings. “I threw Colina a tough pitch to hit in the second inning — a fastball down at the knees — but he put a good swing on it.”

White also was the victim of some bad luck. All nine runs that he gave up came with two outs.

“I gave up a lot of runs, but it happens,” he said.

Miley said the Yankees’ lack of offense was also a factor in the loss.

“Our hitters saw just 101 pitches, while Louisville probably saw 160 pitches. We weren’t patient. We’ve got to have more quality at bats.”

The only bright spot for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (4-3) was its bullpen. Heath Phillips pitched two hitless innings, while Jose Veras pitched one.

Shearn was in control from the outset. Shearn, a 30-year-old Columbus, Ohio, native managed to limit the Yankees to just three hits in five innings, and kept his 0.00 ERA intact.

Designated hitter Juan Miranda paced Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with two hits.

Looking Ahead

NEXT GAME: 7 p.m. today vs. Louisville

PITCHERS: Yankees Alan Horne (RHP, 1-0, 3.00 ERA) vs. the Bats Matt Maloney (LHP, 0-0, 7.36 ERA).

RADIO: THE GAME: 1280-AM, 1340-AM, 1400-AM, 1580-AM.

ON DECK: The Yankees open a four-game roadset at Durham tomorrow, and then head to Charlotte for a four-game series beginning Tuesday.