Sports

international league

By Dave Konopki dkonopki@timesleader.com
Assistant Sports Editor

Down to just three regular starting pitchers on the roster, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees called on their bullpen to end a season-high five-game losing streak and slow down the hard-charging Syracuse Chiefs on Friday night.

And the bullpen got the job done.

Four relief pitchers combined on a four-hitter as the Yankees cooled off red-hot Syracuse with a 5-1 win at Alliance Bank Stadium. The second-place Chiefs, who entered the game riding a seven-game winning streak, had pulled from 7� to two games behind the division-leading Yankees in a span of four days.

With starting pitcher Casey Fossum suddenly leaving the team two days ago to pursue possible free agent opportunities and George Kontos placed on the seven-day disabled list before last night’s game, the Yankees (42-30) were forced to pitch by a committee of bullpen pitchers in hopes of ending a five-game losing streak.

Romulo Sanchez made a spot start for SWB, just the second start by the right-hander since 2003. The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Sanchez was effective through three innings, allowing one run and one hit while striking out three.

Paul Bush was impressive during his three innings on the mound for SWB. The right-hander, who signed with the Yankees last month out of the Independent Atlantic League, allowed just one hit in three scoreless innings. Bush was credited with the win.

Edwar Ramirez, who has been outstanding against every team except Syracuse this season, turned the tables by pitching 1 2/3 innings while striking out three and allowing just one hit. Six of the seven earned runs Ramirez has allowed this season have come against the Chiefs.

And Jonathan Albaladejo closed out the outstanding job done by the bullpen by pitching 1 1/3 innings without allowing a baserunner.

The Yankees, who committed several costly errors during the losing streak, took advantage of a Syracuse error to get on the scoreboard early.

Kevin Russo led off the game with a single and went to third on a two-out double by Shelley Duncan. Both runners scored when Juan Miranda reached base on an error by Syracuse first baseman Ryan Langerhans to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead.

A pair of doubles the following inning increased the SWB lead. With one out, Eric Duncan ripped a double and Chris Stewart followed by smacking a double to score Duncan and give the Yankees a 3-0 lead.

Sanchez allowed a run in the third inning, but was able to work out of a jam without further damage. Seth Bynum, who has had plenty of success against the Yankees this season, led off with a walk and Marcos Yepez followed with an RBI double to make it 3-1.

Gustavo Molina walked to put runners on first and second with no outs. Following a visit to the mound by SWB pitching coach Scott Aldred, Jorge Padilla advanced the runners on a sacrifice bunt. But Sanchez struck out Justin Maxwell and Langerhans popped out to Miranda at first base to end the inning.

The Yankees took advantage of another Syracuse error to increase their advantage in the top of the ninth. Eric Duncan, who singled earlier in the inning for his third hit of the night, scored on a throwing error to make it 4-1 and Stewart, who reached base on a fielder’s choice, scored on a triple by Russo to end the scoring.

PINSTRIPE NOTES: Russo, who missed part of the season with hamstring injuries, reached base for the 21st consecutive game with his leadoff single to start the game. Russo has reached base in 27 of the 28 games in which he has played. … With Kontos on the DL, the SWB Yankees have just three regular starters – Kei Igawa, Sergio Mitre and Josh Towers – on the roster. …Veteran pitcher Jason Johnson, who pitched for SWB earlier this season, was taken off the DL and could rejoin the team after making a start in Double-A Trenton.

HOW THEY SCORED

SWB First: Kevin Russo led off the game with a single and went to third on a two-out double by Shelley Duncan. Juan Miranda reached base on an error that allowed Russo and Duncan to score. YANKEES 2, CHIEFS 0

SWB Second: Eric Duncan hit a one-out double and scored on a double by Chris Stewart. YANKEES 3, CHIEFS 0

Syracuse Third: Seth Bynum led off with a walk and scored on a double by Marcos Yepez. YANKEES 3, CHIEFS 1

SWB Ninth: With one out, Justin Leone and Eric Duncan each hit a single. Chris Stewart reached on a fielder’s choice, with Leone being out at third. A throwing error on the play allowed Duncan to score. Russo followed with a triple to score Stewart. YANKEES 5, CHIEFS 1

LOOKING AHEAD

WHAT: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees vs. Rochester

WHEN: 7:05 p.m. today

WHERE: Frontier Field, Rochester

PROBABLE STARTERS: Yankees RHP Josh Towers (2-5, 4.95) vs. RHP Kevin Mulvey (3-4, 3.69)

ON DECK: Pitcher Kei Igawa will attempt to tie the SWB franchise record for career pitching victories when the Yankees play at Rochester at 6:05 p.m. Sunday.