It’s hard for Yanks to say goodbye

ALLENTOWN — The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees were in no hurry to leave town after Sunday night’s 7-2 victory over Lehigh Valley at Coca-Cola Park, even though it marked the end of a season-high 12-game road swing.

Truth is, most of the players probably wouldn’t mind hanging around for a few more games with the struggling IronPigs (40-62).

Sunday’s win not only was the eighth in a row for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (61-42), it was the eighth time in nine games that the Yankees have beaten the Phillies Triple-A franchise.

Perhaps most importantly, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre is playing its best ball of the season and Sunday was an excellent example.

The Yankees put on an impressive power display. They pounded out 12 hits, including a season-high eight doubles and a pair of tape measure home runs by Eric Duncan and Cody Ransom.

Alberto Gonzalez also had his best offensive performance of the season by slamming three doubles and scoring two runs.

It was the first time in their two-year history that the IronPigs have surrendered eight doubles in one game.

“We’re playing well,” said Duncan, who also had a pair of doubles and finished with two RBI. “We’ve had a couple of close games against Lehigh Valley in this series, but fortunately our bullpen has been outstanding.”

Duncan also has played a key role in the Yankees success against the IronPigs. He had the game tying-hit in Saturday’s 2-1 come-from-behind victory and literally crushed the ball in Sunday’s win.

“Obviously, Eric had a big game,” Scranton/Wilkes-Barre manager Dave Miley said. “He showed what he’s capable of doing.”

Miley was pleased with Sunday’s power display, because six players delivered extra base hits.

“We spread things around,” said Miley. “It was good to see (Ben) Broussard (2-for-4) get an extra base hit. We’re going to need his bat in the lineup.”

Ransom came up with a big hit that gave Scranton/Wilkes-Barre a 5-2 lead in the fifth inning. The third baseman hit a solo home run over the left center field fence. He now leads the Yankees with 16 home runs.

“We’re hitting really well,” said Ransom. “I think the All-Star break helped break up this road trip. Hopefully we’ll continue hitting like this the rest of the year.”

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre got a strong effort from starter Jeff Karstens, who gave up two runs on six hits in seven innings.

“I didn’t have my best stuff,” said Karstens, who had 13 ground outs. “My curveball and slider were really bad, but my fastball and changeup really saved me.”

According to Miley, Karstens (5-4) displayed a lot of savvy “He gave up only one walk, was consistently in the strike zone and let the defense play behind him.”

Miley said he doesn’t buy into the theory that the Yankees are far superior to the IronPigs. “We’ve been fortunate,” Miley said. “Most of the games have been close. For us, everything started with pitching.”

Looking ahead

PITCHERS: Yankees Kei Igawa (LHP, 8-5, 3.80 ERA) vs. the R-Braves Francisley Bueno (LHP, 2-4, 4.73 ERA).

ON DECK: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s four-game homeset against the R-Braves continues through Thursday. The Yankees open a two-game series vs. Syracuse at PNC Field on Friday.