Pitcher dazzles in SWB debut

It was twice as nice for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees last night in Charlotte.

Not only did they beat the Knights, it appears as though they might have found their fifth starter.

Sergio Mitre made his SWB debut, allowing just one run on three hits through six innings, and Justin Leone blasted a three-run home run in the top of the 10th inning to lead the Yankees to a 6-3 win against Charlotte at Knights Stadium in Fort Mill, S.C.

The Yankees failed to score until Juan Miranda hit a two-run double in the top of the eighth to give SWB a 2-1 lead. Kevin Cash added a single to score Miranda to make it 3-1.

Charlotte used a pair of infield singles, a wild pitch and a two-run single by Keith Ginter to tie the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the eighth.

In the 10th inning, Shelley Duncan led off with a walk and went to second on a groundout by John Rodriguez. Miranda was intentionally walked, setting the stage for Leone’s heroics.

Mitre, who was called up from Single-A Tampa, missed all of last season because of an elbow injury. He started last season on the disabled list before having Tommy John surgery July 15.

The 28-year-old began this season on the suspended list after receiving a 50-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

Mitre admitted to using an over-the-counter supplement and testing positive for Androstenedione. In 1998, Mark McGwire admitted to using “andro” and it was later banned by MLB.

The Yankees could certainly use Mitre’s arm. The team has been without a regular fifth starter since the first week of May. Mitre was impressive against the Knights, striking out seven and walking one. The only mistake he made was a one-out solo home run to Brian Myrow in the fifth inning.

Austin Jackson, Todd Linden, Duncan, Miranda and Leone each finished with two hits apiece for the Yankees, who finished with 12 hits. Mark Melancon (3-0) was credited with the win after allowing two runs in three innings. Anthony Claggett pitched a scoreless bottom of the 10th to earn his third save.

Pinstripe Notes: Luis Nunez was sent down to Staten Island to make room for Mitre on the SWB roster…Mitre became the 17th different pitcher to start a game for the Yankees this season.

Charlotte Fifth: Brian Myrow hit a solo home run with one out. KNIGH TS 1, YANKEES 0

SWB Eighth: Todd Linden led off with a walk and went to second on a single by Shelley Duncan. John Rodriguez reached first on a ground ball that forced Duncan out at second and moved Linden to third. Juan Miranda hit a double to score Linden and Rodriguez. With two outs, Kevin Cash hit a single to score Miranda. YANKEES 3, KNIGHTS 1

Charlotte Eighth: Miguel Negron hit an infield single and Brent Lillibridge bunted for a single. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Keith Ginter. YANKEES 3, KNIGHTS 3

SWB 10th: Duncan led off with a single and went to second on a groundout by Rodriguez. Miranda was intentionally walked and Justin Leone followed with a three-run home run. YANKEES 6, KNIGHTS 3

LOOKING AHEAD

PROBABLE STARTERS: Yankees LHP Kei Igawa (5-1, 3.86) vs. Braves RHP Deunte Heath (0-0, 11.57)

ON DECK: The Yankees are off today. The four-game series at Gwinnett, the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, continues through Sunday.