Marlins Deal Uggla to Braves

The Florida Marlins said they were serious about trading 2nd baseman Dan Uggla and they weren't kidding. This afternoon Uggla was sent to division rival Atlanta for infielder Omar Infante and left-handed reliever Mike Dunn.

Uggla had recently turned down a four year, $48M contract extension and was immediately put on the trade market by the Marlins' front office. He's a three time All-Star, who averaged 30 home runs over the past five seasons and just won his first Silver Slugger award. The 30-yr old Uggla is expected to remain at 2nd base while current Braves 2nd baseman Martin Prado could move to a corner position. That is at least until the 2010 trade deadline arrives when Uggla could be dealt again.

Infante was a surprise All-Star selection this past season, in which he hit a career high .321 and played in the second highest number of games (134) in his career. Dunn just completed his first full season in the majors after being acquired from the Yankees in a deal that sent Javier Vazquez to New York in Dec. '09. He was 2-0, 1.89 with 27 strikeouts and 17 walks in 19 innings pitched.

To the Bat Pole

It was time for the annual rookie hazing...and though there weren't as many rookies on the Yankees squad, it was still entertaining to see this year's Batman and Robin theme.

Batman (Mark Melancon) and Robin (video coordiantor Anthony Flynn). Nice gams and camel toe.Mark Melancon as the Caped Cruisader

Ramiro Pena is an uglier Catwoman than Ertha Kitt, though less creepy.

Radar gun operator Brett Weber (the Joker), Flynn (Robin), manager Joe Girardi, Melancon (Batman), Pena (Catwoman), Michael Dunn (the Riddler), massage therapist Lew Potter (the Penguin)

Melancon walks the gauntlet

Teammates and media get their photo-opMike Dunn as the Riddler wins best in show (IMHO)

Edwar Gonzalez doubles Thunder's fun

That headline makes no sense, but who cares. We just like the way Edwar Gonzalez hits. He had the game winning 2-run double (now you get it?) hit in last night's Trenton Thunder victory over the Harrisburg Senators.

Here's the Thunder's account of the 5-2 victory.

Harrisburg 2 6 0
Trenton 5 12 0

WP- Kanekoa Texeira (1-0)
LP- Luis Atilano (0-1)
SV- Michael Dunn (1)
Time- 2:49
Att- 3,459

(Trenton, NJ)- Trenton pounded out a season-high 12 hits, and received a quality Double-A debut start from RHP Ryan Pope en route to a 5-2 win over Harrisburg on Monday night from Waterfront Park.

Down 2-1 in the third inning, Trenton (2-2) rallied with two runs to take the lead. Second baseman Reegie Corona led off with a single against Harrisburg (1-3) Starting Pitcher Luis Atilano (0-1). After a double by Left fielder Colin Curts, Right Edwar Gonzalez followed with a two-run double to give the Thunder a 3-2 lead. The Thunder padded the lead with two runs in the fourth inning. Designated hitter Chris Malec led off the frame with a lead-off single. First baseman Kevin Smith drove Malec home with an opposite-field RBI double to increase the lead to 4-2. Later in the frame, Curtis connected on an RBI single to make it 5-2. Trenton tagged Atilano for 11 hits and five runs in 3 1/3 innings. Curtis reached base four of five times at the plate in the game. He finished the contest 2 x 3 with a double, single, two runs, RBI, and two walks.

Pope went 4 2/3 innings and yielded only four hits and two runs. He struck out five and walked two. He was one out short of qualifying for the victory. The only blemish for Pope was a two-run double by Harrisburg First baseman Bill Rhinehart in the second inning. Trenton's bullpen tossed 4 1/3 shutout innings. RHP Kanekoa Texeira (1-0) struck out three in 2 1/3 innings to pick up the win. LHP Michael Dunn picked up his first save of the season with two shutout innings. He struck out four.

The middle game of the three-game series is on Tuesday night. RHP Eric Hacker (0-0, 1.69) will start for Trenton against Harrisburg LHP Mike O'Connor (0-0, 4.50). Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.

BOXSCORE

Thunder Sweep SeaDogs

The Trenton Thunder finished off the rival Portland SeaDogs, 5-4 tonight, to complete a three game sweep in the first round of the Eastern League playoffs. Colin Curtis drew a bases loaded walk to snap a 4-4 tie in the top of the ninth as the Thunder won their third straight game. In addition to his walk, Curtis had two singles, a double, triple, and two RBI.

The Thunder tied the game in the eighth when Francisco Cervelli was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Mike Dunn retired the SeaDogs in order in the bottom of the ninth to preserve the win for Kevin Whelan. Whelan struck out five of the six hitters he faced.

It was the second straight come from behind win in the series for Trenton. Thursday night the Thunder trailed Clay Buchholz and the SeaDogs 3-0 in the sixth inning when Austin Jackson hit a game tying 3-run home run. It would stay that way until the eighth when P.J. Pillitere's third hit of the game drove in what proved to be the game winner. Wil Arias picked up the win while Jose Valdez recorded the final two outs for a save.

Thunder Sweep SeaDogs

The Trenton Thunder finished off the rival Portland SeaDogs, 5-4 tonight, to complete a three game sweep in the first round of the Eastern League playoffs. Colin Curtis drew a bases loaded walk to snap a 4-4 tie in the top of the ninth as the Thunder won their third straight game. In addition to his walk, Curtis had two singles, a double, triple, and two RBI.

The Thunder tied the game in the eighth when Francisco Cervelli was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Mike Dunn retired the SeaDogs in order in the bottom of the ninth to preserve the win for Kevin Whelan. Whelan struck out five of the six hitters he faced.

It was the second straight come from behind win in the series for Trenton. Thursday night the Thunder trailed Clay Buchholz and the SeaDogs 3-0 in the sixth inning when Austin Jackson hit a game tying 3-run home run. It would stay that way until the eighth when P.J. Pillitere's third hit of the game drove in what proved to be the game winner. Wil Arias picked up the win while Jose Valdez recorded the final two outs for a save.

Minor League Recap - 6/25

Games of 6/24

Alan Horne, making his 4th start for Scranton since returning from the DL due to an injured bicep, had some control problems and took the loss in the Yankees 4-2 defeat at the hands of the Columbus Catfish. Horne was charged with all 4 Catfish runs, 3 of them earned, while allowing 7 hits and 4 walks. He also surrendered a pair of solo home runs.

J.B. Cox tossed a scoreless inning and has now allowed just 4 earned runs over the 26 innings he has pitched at 3 levels. Juan Miranda continues to swing a hot bat, going 1-3 tonight and is hitting .475 over his last 11 games.

June 24, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Columbus 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 4 7 0 Scranton/WB 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 12 2 Recap | Box | W: C. Balester (9-3, 4.00); L: A. Horne (2-2, 3.86); SV: B. Sanches (8) HR: COL: Y. De Caster (8), L. Broadway (7).

Phil Coke was oustanding tonight in the Trenton Thunder's 6-2 win over the Erie SeaWolves. Coke was the real thing (sorry), striking out 10 while allowing a run on 4 hits over 7 innings. Colin Curtis drove in 3 runs and Edwar Gonzalez added a solo home run.

June 24, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Erie 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 6 1 Trenton 2 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 X 6 13 0 Recap | Box | W: P. Coke (5-3, 3.21); L: A. Kown (4-9, 4.95) HR: TRE: E. Gonzalez (4).

The Tampa Yankees received outstanding pitching as well in their 4-1 win over the Daytona Cubs. Mike Dunn improved to 3-3, by limiting the Cubs to a run on 6 hits over 7 innings, while striking out 7. Andres Perez hit a 2-run home run, his 3rd of the season, and the Yankees had the running game going, swiping four bases.

June 24, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Daytona 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 6 3 Tampa 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 4 10 1 Recap | Box | W: M. Dunn (3-3, 4.17); L: G. Johnson (0-1, 7.50); SV: J. Hovis (6) HR: TAM: A. Perez (3).

The Charleston RiverDogs held off the Rome Braves 4-3 in the completion of the game they started on Monday. Craig Heyer struggled, but picked up the win after picking up where Noel Castillo had left off. Brandon Laird belted his 7th home run and Jesus Montero chipped in with 3 hits, and RBI and a run scored.

Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Rome 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 3 7 0 Charleston 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 X 4 12 0 Recap | Box | W: C. Heyer (4-0, 1.35); L: Y. Castro (0-5, 6.90); SV: C. Vacek (5) HR: CHA: B. Laird (7).

Rome won the regularly scheduled game, which was a 7-inning affair, 6-1. Adam Olbrychowski was charged with 4 earned runs in 5 innings and was tagged with the loss. Taylor Holiday drove in the lone RiverDogs run.

Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Rome 1 1 1 2 0 1 0 6 9 0 Charleston 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 3 2 Recap | Box | W: C. Rodgers (2-9, 4.41); L: A. Olbrychowski (5-3, 3.41) HR: ROM: S. Sime (3).

The Staten Island Yankees nipped the Aberdeen IronBirds 4-3 on Melky Mesa's 7th inning single. Josue Selenes picked up his 2nd victory with 2 scoreless innings of relief while Pat Venditte notched his 2nd save. David Adams added 3 hits for the Baby Bombers.

June 24, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Staten Island 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 4 8 1 Aberdeen 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 6 0 Recap | Box W: J. Selenes (2-0, 0.00); L: J. Tamba (0-1, 13.50); SV: P. Venditte (2) HR: None.

The GCL Yankees dropped a 5-1 decision to their Phillies counterparts. Dellin Betances made an appearance in relief for the Yankees, allowing 3 runs in 2 innings of work. Rich Martinez had an impressive season debut, striking out 3 in 3 innings in his relief stint. Catcher Chase Weems had 2 of the Yankees 7 hits and drove in their lone run.

Minor League Recap - 6/25

Games of 6/24

Alan Horne, making his 4th start for Scranton since returning from the DL due to an injured bicep, had some control problems and took the loss in the Yankees 4-2 defeat at the hands of the Columbus Catfish. Horne was charged with all 4 Catfish runs, 3 of them earned, while allowing 7 hits and 4 walks. He also surrendered a pair of solo home runs.

J.B. Cox tossed a scoreless inning and has now allowed just 4 earned runs over the 26 innings he has pitched at 3 levels. Juan Miranda continues to swing a hot bat, going 1-3 tonight and is hitting .475 over his last 11 games.

June 24, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Columbus 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 4 7 0 Scranton/WB 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 12 2 Recap | Box | W: C. Balester (9-3, 4.00); L: A. Horne (2-2, 3.86); SV: B. Sanches (8) HR: COL: Y. De Caster (8), L. Broadway (7).

Phil Coke was oustanding tonight in the Trenton Thunder's 6-2 win over the Erie SeaWolves. Coke was the real thing (sorry), striking out 10 while allowing a run on 4 hits over 7 innings. Colin Curtis drove in 3 runs and Edwar Gonzalez added a solo home run.

June 24, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Erie 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 6 1 Trenton 2 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 X 6 13 0 Recap | Box | W: P. Coke (5-3, 3.21); L: A. Kown (4-9, 4.95) HR: TRE: E. Gonzalez (4).

The Tampa Yankees received outstanding pitching as well in their 4-1 win over the Daytona Cubs. Mike Dunn improved to 3-3, by limiting the Cubs to a run on 6 hits over 7 innings, while striking out 7. Andres Perez hit a 2-run home run, his 3rd of the season, and the Yankees had the running game going, swiping four bases.

June 24, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Daytona 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 6 3 Tampa 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 4 10 1 Recap | Box | W: M. Dunn (3-3, 4.17); L: G. Johnson (0-1, 7.50); SV: J. Hovis (6) HR: TAM: A. Perez (3).

The Charleston RiverDogs held off the Rome Braves 4-3 in the completion of the game they started on Monday. Craig Heyer struggled, but picked up the win after picking up where Noel Castillo had left off. Brandon Laird belted his 7th home run and Jesus Montero chipped in with 3 hits, and RBI and a run scored.

Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Rome 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 3 7 0 Charleston 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 X 4 12 0 Recap | Box | W: C. Heyer (4-0, 1.35); L: Y. Castro (0-5, 6.90); SV: C. Vacek (5) HR: CHA: B. Laird (7).

Rome won the regularly scheduled game, which was a 7-inning affair, 6-1. Adam Olbrychowski was charged with 4 earned runs in 5 innings and was tagged with the loss. Taylor Holiday drove in the lone RiverDogs run.

Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Rome 1 1 1 2 0 1 0 6 9 0 Charleston 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 3 2 Recap | Box | W: C. Rodgers (2-9, 4.41); L: A. Olbrychowski (5-3, 3.41) HR: ROM: S. Sime (3).

The Staten Island Yankees nipped the Aberdeen IronBirds 4-3 on Melky Mesa's 7th inning single. Josue Selenes picked up his 2nd victory with 2 scoreless innings of relief while Pat Venditte notched his 2nd save. David Adams added 3 hits for the Baby Bombers.

June 24, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Staten Island 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 4 8 1 Aberdeen 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 6 0 Recap | Box W: J. Selenes (2-0, 0.00); L: J. Tamba (0-1, 13.50); SV: P. Venditte (2) HR: None.

The GCL Yankees dropped a 5-1 decision to their Phillies counterparts. Dellin Betances made an appearance in relief for the Yankees, allowing 3 runs in 2 innings of work. Rich Martinez had an impressive season debut, striking out 3 in 3 innings in his relief stint. Catcher Chase Weems had 2 of the Yankees 7 hits and drove in their lone run.