Yankees beat Strasburg, Chiefs 3-2
The Yankees (30-19) got on the scoreboard first, taking a 1-0 lead on Rene Rivera's third-inning homer to right center. The long ball was Rivera's first in a Scranton/Wilkes-Barre uniform. The solo-shot was also the first home run Stephen Strasburg has allowed in 10 minor league starts.
Syracuse (28-20) used a two-out rally in the fourth to take their only lead of the game. With Leonard Davis on second base, Yankees starter Tim Redding threw a wild pitch to Chiefs third baseman Chase Lambin, allowing Davis to move up 90 feet to third base. Later in the at-bat, Lambin slapped a single to center, scoring Davis and evening the score at 1-1. Two batters later, second basemen Luis Ordaz lined a base hit to center. Lambin, running from second base, slid under catcher Jesus Montero's tag to touch home plate, giving Syracuse a 2-1 edge.
After striking out three Yankees hitters in the fifth, Strasburg ran into trouble in the sixth. Reegie Corona and Eduardo Nunez opened the inning with back-to-back singles and Jeff Natale drew a walk, loading the bases for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Natale was a replacement for Jon Weber who was ejected mid at bat by home plate umpire John Conrad. Natale was the last batter Strasburg faced as Trent Jewett lifted the righthander after 86 pitches.
Chiefs reliever Josh Wilkie got Chad Huffman to hit into a double play, allowing Corona to score Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's second run. Jesus Montero's single to center in the next at bat scored Nunez, putting Scranton back on top 3-2. Chiefs shortstop Pedro Lopez made a tough bare-handed play on Rene Rivera's grounder to end the inning.
Strasburg was charged his second minor-league loss, going five innings for Syracuse. He gave up six hits and three earned runs, walking two and striking out six. Relievers Josh Wilkie, Collin Balester and Victor Garate combined to pitch four scoreless innings of relief for the Chiefs.
Zach Segovia won for the second time this season, pitching 2 1/3 innings without surrendering a run. Jonathan Albaladejo came on in the ninth and picked up his league-leading 16th save of the season for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
The Chiefs finish up their series with the Yankees Sunday afternoon at Alliance Bank Stadium. Matt Chico (1-1, 5.79) will get the start for Syracuse against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's Romulo Sanchez (2-2, 4.67). First pitch will be at 5:00.