Nunez Bobbles His Way To The Minors

One might expect that Eduardo Nunez would take extra fielding practice, maybe DH, sit on the pines a bit until he got his erroneous fielding in order. But the Yankees took one step further and sent him to the minor leagues today.

It's actually a smart move. While Nunez brings speed to the Yankees lineup, he has six stolen bases, his penchant for making errors for outweighs and offense he can bring to the lineup. In last night's 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, Nunez made a pair of errors that led to two unearned runs charged to starting pitcher CC Sabathia.

With Eric Chavez ready to be activated from the 7-day concussion DL, a roster move had to be made and Nunez turned out to be the marked man. This could also mean another move is in the works though since the Yankees do not have a true back up for shortstop Derek Jeter.

Veteran utility man Jayson Nix has played just 17 games at shortstop, while Chavez played five games at the position in his early/healthier days in Oakland. Empire State (formerly Scranton) Yankees' shortstops Ramiro Pena and Doug Bernier are both currently on the minor league DL while fill in infielder Yadi Mujica has played just nine games above Double-A..

Brandon Laird, Come On Down

The Yankees roster has seen a number of new names and faces this season and another has been added to it. Due to an emergency appendectomy to utility man Ramiro Pena, the Yankees have recalled Brandon Laird from Triple-A Scranton.

Unlike Pena, Laird has made his reputation with his bat and not his glove. He tore up Double-A Trenton last season before a promotion in August to Scranton. Laird started off slowly this season and has raised his OPS to just .711. He does have 10 home runs and 49 RBI playing primarily third base, with some time across the diamond and in the outfield.

Laird hit 23 home runs and drove in 90 runs in 107 games for the Eastern League's Thunder in 2010. He also added 22 doubles and 38 walks and was a Double-A All-Star. He's the younger brother of MLB veteran catcher Gerald Laird.

Pena, who turned 26 today, is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Joba Chamberlain, already sidelined with Tommy John surgery, had an appendectomy two weeks ago.

It's Throw It At The Wall...

...And See If It Sticks Day in the Bronx. The Yankees had "Deja vu all over again" last night, pounding Texas for the second straight night, 12-4, but today should be "interesting". Getting the start is career minor leaguer Brian Gordon.

Gordon is a converted outfielder that has spent 15 seasons in the minor leagues. He has three games of big league experience, ironically, as a member of the Texas Rangers in 2008 (4 IP 0-0, 2.25). Gordon was originally drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the seventh round of the 1997 draft, or one year before Arizona actually started playing as a Major League franchise. He showed promise when he drove in 46 years in 54 rookie league games after finishing up at Round Rock High School in Texas, but moved slowly up the Arizona chain, spending two years each in 'A' and advanced 'A' ball.

After his first season at Triple-A Tucson, Gordon opted for minor league free agency and signed with the then Anaheim Angels. After two years at Triple-A Salt Lake, the 26-yr old Gordon left via free agency again, and signed with the Houston Astros. After another season at the top minor league level, Gordon decided it was time to give pitching a go, something he hadn't done since high school.

Gordon was most recently pitching for the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs of the International League when he used his opt out clause for a chance to pitch in the Bronx. As in the big leagues. As in starting a Major League game against Texas' C.J. Wilson. No one knows how he'll fare, but GM Brian Cashman figures he has nothing to lose and hopes the low risk gamble works out as well as Aaron Small and Shawn Chacon did for a time.

Hector Noesi will be ready to go whenever Gordon is done.

Back to last night, the Yankees infield went homertastic, with each starter hitting one out of the ball park. Mark Teixeira led the parade with a pair of blasts, Robinson Cano smashed a deep three-run shot, Eduard Nunez celebrated this 24th birthday with a home run, and the third baseman? No it wasn't Alex Rodriguez, who DH'ed. Light hitting Ramiro Pena even got into the act with a home run. August 22, 1939 was the last time the Yankees pulled off the trick - Babe Dahlgren, Joe Gordon, Frankie Crosetti and Red Rolfe hit the home runs.

Teixeira's home runs came from each side of the plate, the 11th such time he had accomplished the feat. In doing so, Teixeira tied the Major League record jointly held by Eddie Murray and Chili Davis.

With left-hander Derek Holland getting the start for Texas Wednesday night, Joe Girardi moved Nick Swisher into the lead off spot. It was the first time Swisher batted in the top spot since he was a member of the White Sox in 2008. Swisher responded with a 1-3 night with two walks and a run scored. He'll be in the top spot again today with Wilson going for Texas.

Per Newsday's Ken Davidoff, to make room for Gordon on the 25-man, Lance Pendleton was optioned to the minors and Amauri Sanit was released to free up a spot on the 40-man roster.

Gordon isn't the first Yankee this season to opt out of a minor league deal to sign with the Yankees. Reliever Cory Wade excelled for the Dodgers in 2008, but after a shaky 2009 season had not been back in the Major Leagues until last night. After pitching well in the Tampa Bay Rays organization (Triple-A Durham), Wade opted out and signed with the Yankees. He appeared in one game for Scranton before being recalled prior to last night's game. Kevin Whelan was sent down to Scranton to make room on the 25-man roster. Wade pitched a 1-2-3 7th inning and picked up his first Major League strikeout in two years.

Ivan Nova won his sixth game last night, but it was mostly due to run support. The rookie usually pitches well in the early innings, but struggled from the get-go and allowed four runs in 5.2 innings.

Jeter's Rickets Wastes Some Tickets

Pardon the pun. The fact of the matter is there are a number of people who are disappointed right now, because they had tickets for the Texas Rangers series that concludes the Yankees current home stand or bought seats in Chicago or Cincinnati as the Yankees go on the road for interleague play. Their blues became official earlier tonight when Derek Jeter was officially put on the 15-day disabled list with a grade one calf strain. It's Jeter first trip to the DL since his devastating shoulder injury in 2003.

Jeter did his best to talk Brian Cashman and company out of putting him on the DL, but with Jeter needing a minimum of a week to recuperate, the Yankees couldn't afford to be shorthanded when playing without the DH in NL towns. Jeter will be eligible to return during a home series against the Milwaukee Brewers at the end of the month. The Brewers series will be the end of a six game home stand and precedes a three game series with the Mets at Citi Field, now the likeliest place for Jeter to get his 3,000th hit.

Ramiro Pena has taken Jeter's spot on the roster and should serve primarily as a late game defensive replacement for Eduardo Nunez.

Brian Cashman told the press that the Yankees are "leaning" towards using Scranton starter David Phelps on Thursday. It could be for just one start with Hector Noesi or Phil Hughes a possibility after that, though Hughes will likely pitch in Trenton or Scranton before being activated.

The Glove Headed Back To Yankees

Donnie Collins of the Scranton Times confirmed last night that Ramiro Pena will be joining the Yankees for their weekend series in Texas. Pena will replace Eric Chavez on the 25-man roster after Chavez broke a bone in his foot yesterday and was added to the 15-day DL.

It's likely Pena will also move ahead of Eduardo Nunez as Derek Jeter's back up at shortstop. Nunez's two errors yesterday gave him five for the season.

BD Spring Training Report: Twins “Liri” To Deal Francisco | Baseball Digest

BD Spring Training Report: Twins “Liri” To Deal Francisco | Baseball Digest

Trade rumors concerning Minnesota Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano began at the trade deadline last season, continued throughout the hot stove season, and are still being bandied about during spring training. The latest chatter has the New York Yankees inquiring about the left-handed starter with big time potential and a surgically repaired elbow.

First reported by USA Today columnist Bob Nightengale on Jim Bowden’s radio show, Brian Cashman reportedly contacted Twins’ GM Bill Smith about Liriano’s availability. Later reports had a rumored Yankees offer of pitching prospect Ivan Nova and light hitting/good glove infielder Ramiro Pena. Needless to say, rumored or real, the Twins would not ship Liriano for that minor of a package.

Both teams should be wary of how they proceed. Liriano underwent Tommy John surgery, which caused him to miss all of 2007 and limited him to 76 innings in 2008. Liriano struggled mightily in 2009 as he tried to regain his form- he pitched to a nearly 6 ERA and allowed 21 home runs. Last season, Liriano finally started to look like the 2006 version of himself. He averaged over nine strikeouts per nine innings, recorded a 3.62 ERA, and allowed less than a hit per inning.

But there are some details that should be pointed out. First, Liriano threw a career-high 191-2/3 innings (nearly 55 innings more than his prior top innings count) and seemed to wear out in September. His post-season performance against the Yankees was nothing to write home about either (5.2 IP 4 ER 6 H 3 BB 7 K). And his regular season ERA was more than a full point higher on the road than in his spacious home ballpark (Target Field).

Liriano complained of shoulder soreness and a tired arm shortly after reporting to spring training a few weeks ago and his initial bullpen sessions were cancelled. Manager Ron Gardenhire downplayed it as tendinitis, but the Twins have to be concerned about their pitcher with the nastiest selection of pitches. Part of the reason for the early spring issues was that Liriano did not consistently do his off-season strengthening exercises. As Scott Miller of CBS Sports pointed out, that showed a lack of maturity.

There is talk that Minnesota will wait until the July trade deadline gets closer to have a better gauge of the market (Minnesota has Liriano under control for another season, so they may not be in a rush to do anything as well), but if the Twins do move Liriano, they are better off moving him sooner rather than later. Shoulder injuries and any necessary surgeries are much trickier and take longer to come back from than elbow injuries. Liriano’s shoulder may not be a serious issue at all, but buyers should beware of what they may be purchasing/giving up prospects for in return for the 27-yr old.

The Washington Nationals should finally get a look at Chien-Ming Wang on a mound. The Taiwanese hero and two-time 19 game winner with the New York Yankees is scheduled to pitch in a minor league intrasquad game on Friday. Not so good news for his teammate Cla Meredith who will have to undergo Tommy John surgery today.

Twins beat writer Joe Christensen tweeted this morning that Justin Morneau is making progress in his recovery from concussion symptoms, but was still not cleared by doctors on Tuesday to participate in any exhibition games.

Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett who took a baseball to the head and suffered a mild concussion on Monday has been cleared to resume baseball activities.

Scott Boras has one less big name client- Mark Teixeira. There was no reason given for the dismissal.

Indians GM Chris Antonetti told the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Paul Hoynes that he does not expect outfielder Grady Sizemore to be ready for opening day (April 1). “It’s still a possibility,” said Antonetti. “But I’d say it’s less likely than more likely that he’ll be ready for the start of the season. We’re hopeful it will still be near the start of the season. Whether that’s a few days or a few weeks, we just don’t know yet.”

Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos assured fans that GM Andy MacPhail is “…not going anywhere.” MacPhail’s contract expires at the end of the 2011 season. “Andy and Buck [Showalter] are a great combination,” Angelos told the Baltimore Sun’s Peter Schmuck.

BD.com - A-Rod to DL, Javy Should Follow

Written for BaseballDigest.com

Shortly after the Yankees 9-5 victory over the Seattle Mariners this afternoon, the team announced it had placed Alex Rodriguez on the 15-day DL with his troublesome strained calf. The Yankees would be wise to have Javier Vazquez join him on the sideline.

The Yankees were able to overcome the right-hander's shortest outing since May 1, when Vazquez also lasted just three innings, by beating up on Jason Vargas and the Mariners' bullpen.

Vazquez was diagnosed with a dead arm several starts ago and has regressed rapidly. His last five starts have gone from bad to worse - 6.1, 5.1, 4.1, 4, and 3 innings pitched. He's been tagged for 16 earned runs in 20 innings and has seen his ERA rise from 4.45 to 5.05 since July 10. He's also been ripped for 35 hits during the stretch and has walked 12 batters to boot.

Dead arm, tired arm, call it what you want, it's not something a pitcher can work through. What it does, however, is wear out the bullpen. The Yankees got exceptional work from the pen today, specifically the beleaguered Chad Gaudin who shut down the M's after entering the game in a 4-4 tie.

When Vazquez has no velocity, which has been the case in his last five starts, he has to be perfect with his location. That's just as hard to do as it sounds. And when Vazquez doesn't hit locations, home runs are sure to follow. Today it was a pair from Ichiro Suzuki and a monster upper deck shot, the first in the new Yankee Stadium, to right field by Russell Branyan.

I had a Twitter discussion a short time ago with Jack Curry of YES, who felt there was no need for the Yankees to bring in another starting pitcher. I disagreed then and I do now. How long the call up will last remains to be seen, but Ivan Nova has been summoned from Scranton to take A-Rod's place on the 25-man roster and is scheduled to start Monday night in Toronto.

With Andy Pettitte probably not back until early September and A.J. Burnett's continued inconsistency, the Yankees should definitely take a long look at Nova or another minor leaguer. Brian Cashman's daily to-do list should also include checking the waiver wire for a decent starter. While they're not likely to land a top notch starter, perhaps a serviceable arm will be available.

With an off day this coming Thursday, manager Joe Girardi is also likely to revise the rotation so that Burnett and Vazquez are not throwing on back to back days.

Speaking of waiver wires, the Detroit News reported earlier today that both Johnny Damon and Brandon Inge have been placed on waivers. Stop before you start, the Yankees do NOT need Damon back. It shouldn't even be up for discussion.

Inge, on the other hand, should be a player the Yankees put in a claim on. The third baseman is pretty slick with the glove, and though he doesn't hit for average, he does have pop; he had career highs in HR (27) and RBI (84) last season. Inge's numbers are down this season, but he missed a large chunk of games with a broken hand. The former catcher could also be used in that position in a pinch- he caught 60 games as recently as 2008, and has some outfield experience as well.

In the meantime, Eduardo Nunez and Ramiro Pena figure to split the bulk of the work at third base. Nunez had his first major league hit and RBI in this afternoon's contest.

Javy Shines But Yankees Lose 3rd Straight

photo courtesy of Yahoo Sports

Javier Vazquez made his first trip to the mound in 11 days and threw his best outing of the season. Unfortunately for him, the Yankees couldn't solve Tigers starter Rick Porcello or the Detroit bullpen, falling 2-0. It was the Yankees third straight loss and assured them of no better than a four game split with the Tigers.

Vazquez was good from the get-go, retiring the first seven men he faced and allowed just a single hit through five innings. He escaped a two out, two walk jam in the 5th, striking out Adam Everett to keep the game scoreless.

Vazquez gave up consecutive singles to Austin Jackson and Johnny Damon to start the 6thand Magglio Ordonez followed with a run producing ground out. Two more singles by Miguel Cabrera and rookie Brennan Boesch put Detroit on top 2-0 before Vazquez got Brandon Inge to bounce into an inning ending double play.

The Yankees managed just four hits and hit (or is it no-hit) into bad luck all day. That was most evident in the 7th inning when Nick Swisher lined a sure single up the middle only to see it bounce off Porcello to an awaiting Everett at shortstop for a ground out.

Porcello got himself out of a base loaded, two out jam in the 2nd, by inducing a pop up from Ramiro Pena. He then struck out the Yankees young third baseman (Alex Rodriguez got the call at DH) with two aboard in the 4th to escape another Yankees threat.

Notes

Jonathan Albaladejo was holed up in a Detroit hotel in case the Yankees needed to activate him. With Vazquez going seven innings in the opener of the day-night doubleheader, it is unlikely he'll be needed.

Greg Golson was recalled from Scranton before the game with Al Aceves going on the DL.

Gaudin Makes His Post-Season Pitch

Gaudin Makes His Pitch

Written for Baseball Digest Online

The Yankees‘ post-clinch starting lineup last night looked like a spring training road game. A few regulars were mixed in with reserves, and players that won’t be on the post-season roster, as the Yankees took on the Kansas City Royals. After a nearly two hour rain delay, plan ‘B’ lineup or not, the Yankees rolled over the Royals 8-2 as Chad Gaudin made a pitch to help his post-season cause.

The right-hander limited KC to 2 runs and 4 hits through 6 2-3 innings. Over his last four appearances (23 innings), Gaudin has allowed 9 earned runs (3.13 ERA) and struck out 16. Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman will now weigh the option of starting either Gaudin or Joba Chamberlain should the Yankees advance beyond the division series. At the very least, Gaudin could play a significant part of the post-season bullpen.

Gaudin wasn’t the only one with a good night. Rookie Ramiro Pena hit his first major league home run and then was greeted by the silent treatment in the Yankees dugout. Jorge Posada broke the silence and Pena’s teammates mobbed him with high fives, head rubs, and well wishes.

Mr. “I don’t hit well with the bases loaded” (or for that matter with men on base), Robinson Cano, broke open a 4-2 game in the 7th with his second career grand slam. It was Cano’s 25th home run, joining Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez, Hideki Matsui, and Nick Swisher at that plateau. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Cano also became just the third 2nd baseman in the last 70 years (Bret Boone and Alfonso Soriano were the others) to have a 200-hit, 25-HR season. He also became only the 4th Yankees in that same time period to record the feat. Don Mattingly, Bernie Williams, and Soriano were the others.

Game Notes

A.J. Burnett will start tonight for the Yankees against Anthony Lerew. Burnett was originally scheduled to start Monday’s game, but was pushed back a day so that he could be home for his father’s triple bypass surgery.

Some Pre-Game Thoughts - 8/7

Actually these are mostly some post-game thoughts from last night.

Expect Derek Jeter or Robinson Cano, most likely the former, to get thrown at by Josh Beckett tonight. Whether or not Mark Melancon threw intentionally at Dustin Pedroia last night, Beckett will make someone pay today.

I still can't get over Jorge Posada's base running last night. Seriously, what the hell was that? A simple slide, which Jorgie has trouble doing, would have meant a run. Perhaps barreling over Victor Martinez might have produced a run. But going in standing up and soft slapping at Martinez' catcher's mask will most definitely NOT produce a run.

Muhammad Ali presented food service awards to Hal Steinbrenner and Legends Hospitality, LLC. Why exactly was Ali presenting food awards? Jim Perdue maybe, but Ali? It may be just me, but I've never understood the fascination with Ali anyway.

Bryan Hoch of mlb.com has a piece on Brett Gardner's recovery.

Alex Rodriguez has the longest home run drought of his career, now 66 at-bats. Earlier this season Mark Teixeira set his own personal worst.

I thought Chad Gaudin would bump Sergio Mitre back to Scranton, but instead it's Ramiro Pena. That's two 1-game call ups for Claggett.

Cabrera helps Yankees Finish April on a High Note

Filed Under: Yankees

Tags: a.j. burnett • Bobby Abreu • melky cabrera • Mike Napoli • nick swisher • Ramiro Pena • Robinson Cano • Yankees recap 4/30 • Yankees vs. Angels

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
LA Angels	1	2	0	0	1	0	0	0	0		4	9	1
NY Yankees	1	0	1	2	0	0	0	3	X		7	12	0

WP - Coke (1-0) SV - Rivera (5) LP - Speier (0-1)

Melky Cabrera and Ramiro Pena combined to drive in three runs in the eighth inning Thursday night to give the Yankees a 7-4 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. The win gave the Bombers a 12-10 mark for April, the first time they’ve had a winning first month of the season in three years.

A.J. Burnett squared off against rookie Anthony Ortega, who entered the game with a 7.20 ERA and had only one prior major league start. Neither was around when the Yankees staged their game winning rally in the eighth inning and a former Yankee played a key role.

Robinson Cano ripped a one out line drive to right that appeared to be a catchable ball, but right fielder Bobby Abreu played it on a short hop for a single. It was a scene familiar to Yankees fan, who became accustomed to Abreu’s non-aggressive outfield play over 2+ seasons. Jorge Posada followed with a ground rule double off Justin Speier that hopped the fence in right-center to stop Cano at third. It could have been a bad break for the Yankees, but the Yankees of the last three games get clutch hits.

After an intentional walk to Nick Swisher, Cabrera ripped an RBI single to right on the first pitch he saw from Speier. Pena followed with a 2-run double that extended the Yankees lead to 7-4 and gave Mariano Rivera some breathing room in the ninth. After a lead off single by Torii Hunter, Rivera retired three straight Angels, two by strikeout, to record his fifth save of the season.

Burnett struggled early and often and put the Yankees in a 3-1 hole when he gave up a solo home run to Mike Napoli and a sac fly to Erick Aybar in the second inning. Ortega had his own issues as well, but stranded a Yankee in scoring position in the first two innings. But Johnny Damon’s home run in the third cut the deficit in half andAbreu helped the Yankees to take the lead an inning later.

Swisher singled with one out in the fourth, and after Cabrera bounced into a force out, Pena beat out a slow bouncer to third for an infield single. Derek Jeter ripped a single to right that got past Abreu to allow both runners to score for a 4-3 Yankees lead and advanced Jeter to second. Ortega got out of further trouble by getting Damon on a deep fly ball.

The lead was short lived though as Burnett gave up a run in the fifth to tie things back up.

Game Notes

Nick Swisher’s 7 home runs in April were the most by a Yankees since Raul Mondesi hit the same amount in 2003.

Robinson Cano extended his hitting streak to 17 games.

Weather permitting, the series continues this evening with Andy Pettitte facing Jered Weaver.

Both home runs went to right field last night, where 20 of the 28 hit have landed.

Pena Makes Final Cut

The Yankees have finally penned in the 25th man on their active roster. Ramiro Pena has been named to the squad, despite the very good exhibition season turned in by veteran Angel Berroa.

Pena is just 23 years old and has never played above Double-A, but the Yankees quickly took notice of his great glove work and a quick bat. The Yankees clearly feel having a very good, versatile glove off the bench is more important right now than an extra bat.

Pena will likely be ticketed for the minor leagues once Alex Rodriguez returns from the DL (he was placed on the IR today, retroactive to March 27.), with Cody Ransom resuming his role as the utility man.

To make room on the 40-man roster, one of our favorites, Dan Giese was designated for assignment. He's likely to be claimed by another organization.

Ramiro Pena Makes his Case

Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News reported this morning that the Yankees are giving serious consideration to awarding the utility infield spot to 23-yr old Ramiro Pena. With the injury to Alex Rodriguez opening a spot on the roster, it was believed that Cody Ransom would be the every day third baseman and Angel Berroa would be the utility man.

But Pena has opened a lot of eyes this spring with his glove, speed, and the ability to play multiple infield positions. A .304 spring batting average and 7 RBI hasn't hurt his cause either.

The down side, of course, is having a 23-yr old sitting most days instead of playing regularly in the minor leagues. (Pena hasn't played above Double-A thus far.) Berroa has made a case for himself this spring by hitting .400 this spring. He's got power and could push Ransom if he were to struggle in A-Rod's place.

The bad news for both players is that the winner of the competition will most likely be sent to the minors when A-Rod returns, with Ransom resuming his utility role.

Minor League Recap - 6/13

Tough loss for the Scranton Yankees last night. They blew a 7th inning 3-1 lead and and a 4-3 13th inning lead to the Richmond Braves, losing 5-4. The Yankees took the lead in the 13th when Brett Gardner walked with the bases loaded, but Steven White couldn't hold the advantage in the bottom of the inning as the Braves scored twice. Kei Igawa gave the Yankees a solid start, allowing 3 runs in 6.1 innings and 5 relievers combined for 5.2 scoreless innings prior to the 13th. Former Yankees catcher Sal Fasano homered for the Braves.

June 12, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 R H E Scranton/WB 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 12 1 Richmond 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 10 0 Recap | Box | W: C. Resop (1-0, 4.50); L: S. White (4-4, 5.68) HR: RIC: S. Fasano (1).

For the second straight game, the Trenton Thunder got a great performance from their starting pitcher, but couldn't muster a single run. Jason Jones (8-2, 2.30) went the distance but was saddled with the loss as the Connecticut Defenders defeated the Thunder 3-0. Ramiro Pena had 2 of the Thunder's 8 hits.

June 12, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Connecticut 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 8 1 Trenton 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 1 Recap | Box | W: J. Martinez (3-5, 1.90); L: J. Jones (8-2, 2.30); SV: K. Pichardo (2) HR: CT: T. Ishikawa (8), D. Maroul (6).

Tampa rallied from a 2-run deficit in the 8th inning and went on to beat the St. Lucie Mets, in 12 innings, 5-4. An Andres Perez infield single and a Mets error allowed the go ahead run to score for the Yankees. RBI singles by James Cooper and Seth Fortenberry had tied the game 4-4 in the 8th. Jon Hovis picked up the victory with 2 innings of work.

June 12, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 R H E Tampa 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 1 5 13 0 St. Lucie 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 10 2 Recap | Box W: J. Hovis (2-0, 2.03); L: C. Hoorelbeke (0-2, 3.48) HR: None.

David Williams' 9th inning single snapped a 3-3 tie and the Charleston RiverDogs topped the Rome Braves 4-3. The RiverDogs had built a 3-1 lead with a pair of RBI from Justin Snyder, before the Braves tied things up in the 8th inning. Chace Vacek (3-1) picked up the win while Jon Ortiz was credited with his 20th save.

June 12, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Charleston 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 11 2 Rome 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 3 7 0 Recap | Box | W: C. Vacek (3-1, 1.47); L: Y. Castro (0-4, 6.92); SV: J. Ortiz (20) HR: ROM: C. Lundahl (1).