Montero homers twice, plates seven

Long rumored to get a look this season in the Bronx, Montero sent rehabbing Freddy Garcia back to New York with a message Monday, hitting two homers and driving in seven runs in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's doubleheader sweep of Rochester at PNC Field.

The Venezuelan catcher hit a three-run homer to deep center in the third inning of Monday's first game, added a two-RBI double to highlight a five-run fifth and tacked on his 15th homer in the seventh, a leadoff shot to left in the Yanks' 11-2 victory in the first game.

The Yankees' top prospect followed that up with a pair of hits and another RBI in the nightcap, a 9-4 win over the Twins' affiliate.

Montero, praised for his talent and work ethic last week by then-rehabbing Alex Rodriguez, is batting .313 with five homers and 14 RBIs in 19 games this month, helping raise his overall average to .290. He's batting .311 this year with runners on base and has four homers and eight RBIs over his last eight games.

Monday's first game was the resumption of Sunday's rain-suspended contest. Adam Warren started off with two hitless frames Sunday, and Garcia took over when the game resumed in the third, allowing two runs on eight hits over four innings to earn the win. The Yankees right-hander, sidelined with a cut on his right index finger, walked one and did not record any strikeouts. Jason Repko homered off him in the third.

Garcia threw 59 pitches and worked in his splitter, which had been problematic with the finger injury. He's expected to be activated Saturday to start against Baltimore.

"[The finger] was fine," Garcia told the New York Post. "No problems. I'm ready for Saturday."

Garcia threw first-pitch strikes to 13 batters and said he was pleased with the results overall.

"That's what I need," he told the Post. "For me, I have to throw first-pitch strikes. That's the key. If I'm able to do that, I'll be fine."

Brandon Laird also had a big day with home runs in both games, driving in five runs overall.

Manny Banuelos, the Yankees' top pitching prospect, started the nightcap and picked up his first career Triple-A win, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out three, throwing 90 pitches.

The first game had a bit of a twist with an RBI single leading off the action. The Yankees released veteran Terry Tiffee before the game, although Tiffee had been on third base when the game was suspended Sunday. Ray Kruml replaced him on the base, and Laird knocked him home on the first pitch of the resumed game.