Unexpected duo power Yankees past Chiefs

MOOSIC – On the eve of the Fourth of July, the Yankees received some offensive fireworks from two players who normally don’t hit home runs.

Eric Bruntlett hit just his third home run of the season, and Chad Moeller hit his first of the season. Both homers were crucial in the outcome of Saturday night’s 5-3 victory over Syracuse.

Bruntlett’s blast tied the game at 2-2 and Moeller’s two-run homer proved to be the game winner in front of a sold-out crowd at PNC Field.

The Chiefs struck first in the top half of the second inning. Jason Botts led off the inning with a single to left field, Kevin Mench struck out swinging and Pete Orr singled to left field to give the Chiefs runners on first and second with one out.

Botts and Orr advanced to second and third base after a ground ball to first base off the bat of Chris Duncan. Botts came in to score after an infield single to second base by Seth Bynum. Carlos Maldonado then singled in Orr to give the Chiefs a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the second.

The Yankees tied the game in the bottom of the second. With one out, Jorge Vazquez singled to right field. Reegie Corona then lined out to center field for the second out of the inning. Bruntlett then hit a two-run home run to left field. It was his third homer of the season.

The Chiefs regained the lead in the fourth. Orr led off the inning with a blast over the right-field wall. It was his ninth homer of the season, and the Chiefs’ lead was 3-2.

With two outs in the bottom half of the sixth, Bruntlett again tied the game with a bloop single to right-center field, which scored Juan Mirando from third.

Moeller continued the two-out rally with a two-run home run over the scoreboard in left field.

Zach McAllister picked up the win, pitching six strong innings for the Yankees. He allowed three runs on eight hits and struck out three. McAllister was around the strike zone all night and didn’t allow any walks.

Boone Logan contributed with 1 1/3 scoreless innings and Jonathan Albaladejo picked up the five-out save. Albaladejo now has 26 saves, which is a Scranton/Wilkes-Barre franchise record for saves in a single season. Chuck Ricci previously held the record with 25 saves.

Shairon Martis left the game with a 3-2 lead, but the Yankees rallied for three runs off of the losing pitcher, Atahualpa Severino, in the sixth and Martis got the no-decision.

After Saturday’s victory over the Chiefs, the Yankees are in first place in the International League North Division. They are a half game ahead of the Chiefs.

The Chiefs will venture back to Alliance Bank Stadium in Syracuse to begin a four-game series with the Buffalo Bisons today.

The Yankees will travel to Rochester to begin a four-game series with the Red Wings at Frontier Field. Tim Redding (2-4, 4.20) will get the start for the Yankees, while Matt Fox (4-6, 3.90) will take the hill for the Red Wings. Game time for today is 7:05 p.m.

Yankee notes: In terms of transactions, it was an eventful day for the Yankees. Jeff Natale was sent to Trenton and was then released. Eric Wordekemper was also sent down to the Trenton Thunder. The Yankees needed to make roster space for Logan, who was optioned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in order to make room for Dustin Moseley on the New York roster.

David Phelps was called up from Trenton to fill Moseley’s spot in the rotation. Phelps pitched Friday night in Pawtucket. He allowed five runs, three of them unearned, in the Yankees’ 5-1 loss in Pawtucket.

Marcus Thames continued his rehab assignment Saturday. Thames went 0-for-4, but made a diving catch in left field.

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