Yankees Split First Two Games In Burlington

Burlington, NC - The Yankees and Royals have split the first two games of this three game series between the two best teams in the Appalachian League. Burlington came from behind to beat the Yankees in game one 4-3 on Friday night and the Yanks returned the favor by scoring four runs in the top of the ninth to win 4-2 last night.

In game one, Burlington scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning to jump out to an early lead over Pulaski and starter Ryan Anderson. The Yankees answered back with two runs of their own in the top of the third inning. After back-to-back singles, Madison Santos scored one run on an RBI double to center field before a fielder's choice allowed the tying run to come across for Pulaski.
The game remained tied until the top of the fifth inning when Borinquen Mendez drew a two out walk. He then stole second base and made it third just a few pitches later on a wild pitch. A throwing error allowed him to score before the Royals finally got the third out of the inning. The game remained 3-2 until the ninth inning.
The Yankees had a chance to extend their lead after a single and a double gave the Yankees two runners in scoring position with just one out. Jake Farrell who was on third base got picked off and was caught in a rundown for the second out of the inning before a pop fly ended the inning and sent the game to the bottom of the ninth.
The Royals got a lead off single off Kenlly Montas who replaced Anderson in the bottom of the sixth. The single in the ninth was the first hit surrendered by Montas and the Yanks decided to make a move to the bullpen and brought in Evan Voliva. Burlington moved the runner to second base with a sac bunt. Pulaski then intentionally walked the next batter to give themselves a force out opportunity but the Royals tied the game with a single to left field and put the winning run on second base. A passed ball moved the runner to third base before another intentional walk loaded to base and gave the Yanks the force out at home to keep the winning run from scoring. A deep fly ball to center field scored the run and completed the comeback for the Royals and clinched their spot in the playoffs.
In last night's game, both starting pitchers were dialed in from the beginning of the game. Jhonatan Munoz was on the bump for Pulaski and pitched five innings while giving up four hits and striking out nine batters. Two of the hits Munoz gave up came in the first inning as the first two batters reached base. The Royals had runners on the corners with no outs before a line drive double play and a ground ball kept the Royals off the board.
The Royals threatened again after hitting a triple with one out in the fifth inning. Munoz earned his ninth and final strikeout of the night and then got a ground ball to leave another Royals runner stranded at third base. Burlington broke the 0-0 tie in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Mitch Spence came into the game and gave up a lead off single. A sac bunt moved the runner to second base with one out. That runner stole third before Spence earned the first out of the inning with a strikeout. The Yankees then intentionally walked Vinnie Pasquantino to give the Royals runners on the corners and the chance to end the inning on a double play. A single scored the runner from third and then Pasquantino came around to score after a throwing error to third base trying to throw him out put the Royals up 2-0.
The Yankees looked to be in real danger of losing back-to-back games to the team trying to chase them down for the division title. Pulaski was 0-18 this year when they found themselves trailing after the eighth inning.
Madison Santos drew a lead off walk before a line out gave the Royals their first out of the inning. Ryder Green drew a walk and then the Royals hit Saul Torres on the elbow to load the bases. Jake Farrell delivered a single to right field that scored Santos and Green to tie the game. Jake Pries then doubled to right field to put the Yankees ahead 3-2 and then added one more run on a sac fly to lead by two runs.
Spence came back out in the bottom of the ninth with the lead in hand and retired the Royals in order to seal the comeback win and put the Yankees back up +4.0 games with four games remaining in the regular season.
The win pushed the Yankees magic number to win the division title down to just one game meaning that a win tonight over Burlington will give the Yankees the division crown and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. If the Yankees can't pull out a win tonight, all they would need is to win one game against Princeton in the next series or a Burlington loss in their final three games to win the east. First pitch in tonight's rubber match is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
The Pulaski Yankees are the Advanced Rookie level affiliate of the New York Yankees playing in the Appalachian League. Pulaski is celebrating its 54th season in the Appalachian League in 2019. Calfee Park has won league championships in 1948, 1969, 1986, 1991 and 2013. Motor Mile Field at Calfee Park opened in 1935 and was renovated for the team's first season as a Yankees affiliate in 2015. For more information, please visit www.pulaskiyankees.net or follow the Pulaski Yankees on social media, @PulaskiYanks (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram). This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.