Yankees Fall to Familiar Foe in 7-3 Loss to Cubs

TAMPA, Fla. - Corey Black got the win against his former teammates in a 7-3 win for the Daytona Cubs (32-19) over the Tampa Yankees (25-32) on Saturday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Black (6-8) allowed three runs on three hits and five walks while striking out two in five innings. The right-hander was 3-8 with a 4.25 ERA with the T-Yanks before being traded to the Chicago Cubs organization in the trade that sent OF Alfonso Soriano to the New York Yankees. Black is now 3-0 with Daytona.

Yankees' starter Rafael De Paula struggled in the early going. With one out in the second, Anthony Giansanti drew a walk. Giansanti later stole second and third while Chadd Krist reached on a walk. Elliot Soto gave the Cubs a 1-0 lead with an RBI single to left.

Daytona tacked on two more runs in the third. Dan Vogelbach drew a two-out walk and advance to third on a double by Kris Bryant. Giansanti followed with a two-RBI single, giving the Cubs a 3-0 advantage.

De Paula allowed three runs on three hits in four and a third innings pitched. The right-hander struck out three while surrendering a season-high seven walks in the no-decision.

With one swing of the bat, the Yankees tied the ball game in the fifth. After a strikeout by Jose Toussen, Ali Castillo walked and moved to second after Jeff Farnham reached on a fielding error by Kris Brant at third base. Mikeson Oliberto then crushed a ball over the left field wall for a three-run home run, tying the game at 3-3.

The Cubs regained the lead in the sixth off of Yankees' reliever Jaron Long. Wes Darvil reached on an infield single and advanced on a single to left by Krist. A sacrifice bunt by Elliot Soto placed two runners in scoring position. Zeke Devoss grounded a ball to first and reached on a fielder's choice, as Dan Fiorito's throw home was too late to retire the scoring Darvill. Krist then scored on a groundout by Pin-Chieh Chen. Long then walked Dustin Geiger and Vogelbach, both on four pitches. With the bases loaded, Bryant singled to left, scoring Devoss and Geiger and giving Daytona a 7-3 lead.

Long (0-1) allowed four runs on four hits and two walks in two and two-third innings pitched. RHP Zach Woods struck out four in two scoreless frames of relief.

The series wraps up on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. RHP Cesar Vargas is scheduled to toss for the Yankees. RHP Ivan Pineyro will take ball for the Cubs. Fans can enjoy Silver Slugger's Day. All fans 55 years and older receive a coupon for a free hot dog, popcorn and soda with the purchase of a reserved ticket ($5) at the Steinbrenner Field Box Office.