I'm here live from Trenton, NJ covering the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees versus the Trenton Thunder game. I've already had the opportunity to speak with quite a few players, including Austin Jackson,Brett Gardner, and Tabata. I have to say, the stadium is very nice and definitely worth a trip for anyone who hasn't been here before. The game is yet to start, but I'm imagining it's a nice game atmosphere.
Here's a look at the starting line-ups for each game.
Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees
Brett Gardner CF
Justin Christian LF
Greg Porter RF
Cody Ransom 3B
Juan Miranda 1B
Alberto Gonzalez SS
Eric Duncan DH
Chad Moeller C
Bernie Castro 2B
Starting: RHP Jeff Marquez
Trenton Thunder
Reegie Corona 2B
Austin Jackson CF
Jose Tabata RF
Colin Curtis LF
Matt Carson DH
Cody Ehlers 1B
P.J. Pilittere C
Marcos Vechionacci 3B
Carlos Mendoza SS
Starting Pitcher: LHP Phil Coke
Being my camera person(I gave her a ride to the game) decided to lock my car keys in the car, I might be gone for a matter of 45 minutes. Don't miss me too much, I don't know how long AAA will take.
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7:05 PM
First pitch was at 7:05 PM. Gardner grounded out after fouling off a few pitches, followed by another ground out by Justin Christian. So far, Coke looks like he has good control struck out Greg Porter to end the inning. Good start for Coke. Time to see if Jeff Marquez can return the favor.
Whoa, change in plans. Edwar Ramirez is suddenly starting. Talk about a twist. It'll be good to see if Edwar can continue to improve his fastball and slider. We know he has a tremendous change-up. It's those other pitches that are going to make or break him.
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7:20 PM
Not so hot of a start for Edwar. One run is in, and Trenton has already stolen two bases off of Edwar. A misplay of the first hit, a ground ball to first, opened the door in the first place. With one more run in, Christian threw out Colin Curtis at home.
2-0 Trenton at the end of the first.
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7:37 PM
Scranton struck back with one run in the top of the 2nd with two hits. Dan Giese has since entered the game, replacing Edwar Ramirez.
Edwar's final numbers 1 IP 3H 1 Walks, 2 SO
PJ Pilittere got the bottom of the second off to a good start with an infield single but was thrown out with 3B Marcos Vechionacci striking out just a few pitches later. Giese has pitched in Trenton and Scranton before, so this is a homecoming of sorts, depending on what angle you look at it. Scranton Wilkes-Barre looks like they are going to take advantage of the opportunity presented them today and get some extra work in for some pitchers who might have needed some extra time in Florida.
I will say this. If you're trying to use the excuse that "I couldn't get any tickets for the game", you'd be lying. There are still plenty of seats in the house, so if you're in the area you've got no reason to stop by.
2-1 at the end of the second inning.
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Top of the Third
Bernie Castro grounded out to start off the inning on a play ending with a nice dig by Cody Ehlers. The managers of both teams are giving us a hard time here in the press box, changing players out left and right. When they said exhibition, they meant exhibition. In other words, please forgive me if I don't go throwing out names of everyone who did everything in this game.
Gardner is at the plate at the moment. I spoke with Gardner earlier today in the locker room, and it seems he seems more and more confident each time I talk to him. He may be o-2 tonight(he just flied out to CF), but he's shown thus far in the game that he's intent on doing exactly what he said. Being more aggressive at the plate. He admitted in the locker room the biggest challange in his new aggressive approach to the plate, is finding a happy medium between taking pitches, and being aggressive.
Bottom of the 3rd
The bottom of the third starts out with another new pitcher. This time, one of my predictions to make the big club earlier this year, Jose Veras. The biggest surprise not in New York, Scott Patterson, didn't seem happy earlier today. I can't say I know about Veras' thoughts, but I've heard enough from the rest of the guys in the press box to pretty much clarify this seems to be the case. Can't say I'm surprised.
As for the line-up, Reegie Corona is making his way to the plate now, with Austin Jackson on deck. The only way to honestly know for sure who's up, is to pay very very good attention. Corona did put an end to the third inning with a fly ball to left center, caught by Alberto Gonzalez. Jackson is(as of now) leading off the bottom of the 4th.
Top of the 4th
....was over before I got a chance to write anything. All I saw was Chad Moeller bunt the ball to the pitcher, and get thrown out to end the inning.
Meanwhile, here at the beginning of the
Bottom of the 4th
Chris Britton has come on to pitch. After a Austin Jackson hit, Tabata grounded out into a double play. Pilittere came to the plate following Tabata(despite our expecting Colin Curtis to be the next one up), and delivered a single. Curtis DID bat next, however, and flew out to center to end the inning.
If you haven't got the idea, it's just slightly crazy here. Here's the line on the game to this point.
Scranton/WB: 0 1 0 0 1 run 2 hits
Trenton: 2 0 0 0 2 run 6 hits
Top of the 5th
Don't expect any massive updates over the next two or three innings. It's been a great pitching duel. I just happen to be stuck trying to get my car keys out of the car and AAA doesn't seem to like me today.
While I have that pleasure, you'll be pleased to learn that Matt Carson has extended that lead with a blast over the left field wall off of Heath Phillips to make it 3-1.
I've also got Phil Coke's numbers in front of me. Pretty solid night for Coke. He went four innings, only allowed two hits, one run. He also walked one and struck out three.
I'll be back with an update on any changes in the score or interesting happenings in about 30 t0 45 minutes. All depends on AAA, so hopefully sooner than later.
Bottom of the 6th
Jackson is on deck at the moment. He's definitely on the list of guys to watch this season. Talking to him today, I can tell you he's got a mature attitude very similar to that of Phil Hughes. He knows people know his name, he knows that he's got the potential, but he hasn't let it get to his head. He's pretty aggressive at the plate thus far this game, but he himself admitted before the game that his defense is clearly his strength. By no means can you discount his offensive potential. There's a pop in his bat that could be big in New York, it's simply a matter of continuing to hone that skill as he works to the Major League level.
(Jessica, if you're reading this, you best have my photos for all this car trouble, haha)
Jackson's Major League pop up ends the inning as we move into the top of the 7th.
Top of the 7th
Mike Gardner is now pitching for Trenton. It's Nick Green vs Mike Gardner to start off the top of the 7th. It's my understanding(and the rest of the crew in here, including Chad Jennings) that this is a 7 inning affair. Sounds good to me, it's getting confusing to track. Jason Lane is getting a swing after a fly out from Nick Green. Lane, remember, came over to contend for a spot on the big league club.
Scott Patterson has looked impressive thus far. I would be shocked if he isn't back in New York sooner than later. He's simply got great stuff.
Bottom of the 7th
Seventh inning stretch here in Trenton. Looks like this should be the final half inning of the game. With the score 3-2, Trenton, it's simply just another inning to give them an opportunity to get another guy in. What I'm hearing is it's one of the Trenton guys. Josh Schmitt(correct me if I'm wrong on the spelling). I'm not complaining about another opportunity to see Jose Tabata bat. With one quick out already, doesn't look like I'll be here much longer.
Top of the 8th
It exists! We thought the game was over. We were wrong.
Bottom of the 8th
Game over at 2:06. Trenton wins 3-2. Back to Scranton I go. I'll have more on the game when I get back or tomorrow. It's been fun.
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