Tim Wood blew his sixth save of the season as the Tribe lost a heart breaker in extras despite a quick three runs in the first three innings. The entire game was was like a teeter totter, with two lead changes by the Indians and two game-tying crooked innings by the Yankees in the fourth and eighth. Jose Tabata continued to stay hot as he went 3-for-6 with two RBI and is now 8-for-20 (.400) in the month of August. In light of people clamoring for a call-up to the big club, Bryan Morris kept the ball rolling and was effective as usual. With starter Justin Wilson going only 3.2 innings and allowing three runs, Morris came up big in relief like usual. He threw three innings of long relief and only gave up one run on three hits and striking out two. Doug Slaten struck out his only batter in the seventh but came out for the eighth got shelled for three runs from three straight hits. After calling himself out on Twitter by criticizing his recent slump, Tony Sanchez finally contributed offensively going 2-for-4 with two walks. Chase d'Arnaud had two hits while Jeff Clement is now one behind the International League leader in doubles after hitting his 33rd of the season. For anyone who likes to keep tabs on former Pirates, Ryota Igarashi picked up the win for the Yankees.
AA Altoona | Altoona 6 New Britain 8
Once again, the Curve dropped another despite trying to claw back in the 9th like last night's loss. Their three run ninth was not enough to overcome the five run hole they were in. Tonight's loss now puts their losing streak at five, with two more against the Rock Cats before returning back home. Coming off three great outings prior to tonight's, Altoona southpaw Kris Johnson threw decent enough to give his teammates a chance. His final line was four runs (two earned) on eight hits and one walk in five innings. After holding a 3-2 lead after the top of the 5th, the Curve bullpen continued to struggle closing the door after good performances by starters. The Rock Cats scored two runs in the fifth, sixth, and seventh to take the game in full control. Nathan Baker and Hunter Strickland both gave up two runs in relief, with Baker's in the sixth and Stickland's in the seventh and eighth. Reigning Eastern League Player of the Week Adalberto Santos stayed white hot at the plate, going 3-for-5 and now hitting .402. There could maybe be another Eastern League Player of the Week award on the horizon for Santos the way he's hitting. Backstop Ramon Cabrera and Jarek Cunningham both had two hits apiece.
A West Virginia | West Virginia 9 Lakewood 1
The traveling hit show that is the Power showed it tonight, collectively banding together 13 hits and six extra base hits. Everyone in the starting lineup was able to string together at least one tonight. Dan Gamache continued his torrid beginning of August, potting doubles 30 and 31 on the season and two RBI. That gives him four two-baggers in as many days and he's now 6-for-15 (.400) in August. Willy Garcia also joined in on the "double trouble", collecting his 14th and 15th of the season. Despite being the only person on the team to strike out on the night, Taylor Lewis had a well-rounded game going 2-for-4 and swiping his 16th bag. As always, what's a "Power Surge" without an Alen Hanson sighting? Hanson was very un-Hanson like at the plate with only one hit, but that one hit ended up being pretty important. Hanson's two-run blast in the third, his 16th long ball of the season, was the eventual game winning hit. Gregory Polanco went 1-for-5 and is now hitting .325. In his best outing of the season, Porfirio Lopez went out and threw a gem to support his offensively-motivated brethren. He went five innings (his longest outing of the season) and allowed no earned runs while walking three and striking out four. Emmanuel De Leon threw a perfect two innings of relief while Joan Montero allowed one earned run in his two innings.
A Bradenton | Bradenton 2 Palm Beach 0
He's back everyone! Jameson Taillon got knocked down but is getting back up again and rolling as of late. After seven two-hit shutout innings on July 30th, Taillon was strictly business tonight with another two-hit shutout. No big deal. He ended his magnificent night striking out four again and walking none. That being said, Taillon now has a 13 inning scoreless streak dating back to his July 25th start against St.Lucie. In those 13 shutout innings, Taillon has a 10/3 strikeout to walk ratio. Thanks to an early two-run bomb by Alex Dickerson, his 11th home run of the season, that's all the Marauders needed while riding the power arm of Taillon. Mel Rojas had the only other hit for Bradenton.
A State College | State College 3 Aberdeen 2
Down 2-1 going into the ninth, the Spikes came back in the on the shoulders of the "Clint Hurdle School of Small Ball". They strung together a hit batsman, sacrifice bunt, sac fly, walk, and a clutch RBI single by Chris Diaz to tie it up at 2-2. Then the Spikes walked it off at home via a fielding error to back up the phenomenal outing by 2012 Fifth Round pick Adrian Sampson. The young righty went five shutout innings (one unearned run) allowing three hits and striking out five. In his last 10 innings, Sampson has posted a 9/2 strikeout to walk ratio. Everyone but backstop Derek Trent and struggling Jodaneli Carvajal had one hit apiece as the Spikes squeaked together their three runs with small ball all night.