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Yankees Lose Thriller Against Bristol

July 3, 2016

PULASKI, Virginia - What started off as a normal baseball game quickly erupted in the second inning as both teams showed off tremendous offensive power. The Pulaski Yankees (5-5) hosted the Bristol Pirates (6-4) at Calfee Park on Saturday night. Jeff Degano got the start for the Yankees while Adam Oller was on the mound for the Pirates to begin the game. Neither pitcher lasted very long with each gone after pitching just 1.1 innings.

     Pulaski scored two runs on a home run by shortstop Wilkerman Garcia in the first inning, his first of the season. When Bristol started their offensive rout, however, most of it was not thanks to their bats. Pulaski starter Degano walked six batters in the second inning before being pulled by manager Tony Franklin. He gave up six runs and no hits. When the Yankees got their chance to answer, they did so in big fashion scoring seven runs partially in thanks to a three-run home run by Kevin Cornelius.

     Bristol retaliated with one run in the third and another two in the fifth. Pulaski scored one run in the fifth before Bristol took the lead again in the sixth with a two-run home run by Jhoan Herrera. Brian Reyes crossed home plate for Pulaski in the seventh on a fielder's choice by Estevan Florial.

     In the bottom of the eighth, Pulaski trailed 12-11 before Isiah Gilliam got on base with a single. Tim Lynch followed with a one-out walk and Josh Gardiner came in as a pinch-runner. Leonardo Molina advanced both runners with a ground-out. After a pitching change by the Pirates, Ben Ruta drove in Gilliam and Lynch with a single. Brian Reyes continued the inning with a single advancing to second on the throw. Welfrin Mateo grounded out to end the inning with the Yankees taking the lead 13-12.

     In the top of the ninth, Herrera was plated by Brent Gibbs on a sacrifice fly to centerfield. Victor Hernandez then drove in Julio De La Cruz and Kelson Brown. Michael De La Cruz flew out to left to end the inning in their favor, 15-13.

     Trailing in the bottom of the ninth, the Yankees scored on an RBI single by Kevin Cornelius to put them within one run of tying the game. However, a line drive to third base by Josh Gardiner in the next at bat ended the game.

     The Yankees dropped their fifth game of the season while the Pirates picked up their fifth win. Jordan Jess (2-0) picked up the win for Bristol pitching 1.1 innings giving up one run and striking out one batter. Will Jones (1-1) gets the loss for Pulaski pitching 0.2 innings giving up two runs on three hits. The Yankees will face Bristol again Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m. at Calfee Park.