Aberdeen 5, Tri-City 3 September 1, 2011 Game Recap
Hit Parade leads to Aberdeen win, 5-3
By Paul Taylor
Aberdeen, MD – The Aberdeen IronBirds closed out the home portion of their 2011 season in style, piling up 13 hits en route to a 5-3 win over the Tri-City ValleyCats.
The IronBirds got on the board in the bottom of the first inning. Martin Serrata reached on a fielder’s choice and scored two batters later when 2011 IronBirds team MVP Joe Velleggia hit an RBI single.
Aberdeen’s 1-0 lead did not last long. Tri-City tied things up in the top of the second. Drew Muren hit a one out single and scored on Jacke Healey’s RBI single.
The 1-1 tie would be broken in the fourth. Bubby Williams led off the inning with a solo home run. Muren, the next batter, worked a walk. He scored a couple batters later on a wild pitch. Tri-City led 3-1 after four innings.
The IronBirds took the lead for good in the fifth. Ryan Zrenda and Tommy Winegardner hit back to back doubles, scoring Zrenda. Glynn Davis got on base after a bunt single. Martin Serrata hit an RBI single, scoring Winegardner. Mychal Givens then followed with a two RBI single, scoring both Davis and Serrata. All told, the IronBirds scored four runs on five hits, and took advantage of one Tri-City error.
Aberdeen made the 5-3 lead stick, as the ValleyCats went quietly in the ninth.
Eduardo Rodriguez got the start for the IronBirds. He pitched four innings, allowed six hits, three runs (all earned), walked one and struck out four. Jorge Rivera got the win in relief. He pitched three perfect innings, striking out two.
The IronBirds close out their season by playing four games in three days at Hudson Valley against the Renegades. The teams will play a double header tomorrow, beginning at 5:15 p.m. Miguel Chalas (0-0, HNP) will get the start in game one for Aberdeen. Jaime Esquivel (0-0, HNP) will go in game two.
The Aberdeen IronBirds sold out season tickets for the 10thstraight season. Group packages and single-game tickets, however, are still available for the 2011 season. For ticket information, contact our box office at (410) 297-9292 or visit us online at www.IronBirdsbaseball.com.
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Tri-City 16, Aberdeen 1 August 31, 2011 Game Recap
ValleyCats batter IronBirds, 16-1
By Paul Taylor
Aberdeen, MD – The Tri-City ValleyCats pounded out 16 hits and beat the IronBirds 16-1 Wednesday night at Ripken Stadium.
The ValleyCats got the scoring started in the second inning. After Miles Hamblin led off the inning with a homerun down the left field line, Drew Muren reached on an error. He scored two batters later on a wild pitch, making it 2-0 Tri-City.
The ValleyCats would blow the game open in the fifth and sixth innings. In those two innings, the ValleyCats sent 17 batters to the plate, scoring nine runs on seven hits to make the score 11-0 after five innings of play.
Tri-City added two more in the seventh. Chris Epps had an RBI double and scored on a George Springer groundout and it was 13-0.
The IronBirds scored their lone run of the game in the bottom of the seventh. Austin Knight reached on a fielder’s choice and then scored two batters later on a Mychal Givens RBI single.
The ValleyCats added three more in the ninth, making the final score 16-1.
Angel Cespedes took the loss, falling to 1-4. He pitched four and one third innings, allowed four hits, five runs (four earned), walked two and struck out one. Nick Tropeano got the win. He went five innings, allowing three hits, two walks, while striking out seven.
The IronBirds close out their home schedule tomorrow in the finale of the three game set with the ValleyCats. Eduardo Rodriguez (0-0, HNP), who was recently called up from the Gulf Coast League, will start for the IronBirds. Tri-City will send Jamaine Cotton (2-0, 2.50) to the hill. First pitch is 7:05 p.m.
The Aberdeen IronBirds sold out season tickets for the 10thstraight season. Group packages and single-game tickets, however, are still available for the 2011 season. For ticket information, contact our box office at (410) 297-9292 or visit us online at www.IronBirdsbaseball.com.
Tri-City 4, Aberdeen 1 August 30, 2011 Game Recap
ValleyCats claim 4-1 win over IronBirds
By Paul Taylor
Aberdeen, MD – The Tri-City ValleyCats beat the Aberdeen IronBirds 4-1 Tuesday night, 4-1. The ValleyCats had four hits in the ballgame and took advantage of two IronBirds errors.
The ValleyCats got an unearned run when the first batter of the game, George Springer, reached on a Jose Mota fielding error. He scored when, two batters later, Rafael Valenzuela hit into a double play.
The IronBirds got their lone run of the ballgame in the bottom of the third. Dudley Leonora hit a one out single. He advanced to second when Glynn Davis hit a single of his own. Austin Knight batted Leonora in when he singled, tying the game at 1-1.
The ValleyCats added a run in the fourth. Zachary Johnson worked a one out walk and scored when Miles Hamblin hit an RBI triple that got all the way to the wall in right center field. Tri-City led 2-1 after four innings.
The ValleyCats added single runs in the eighth and ninth, making the final score 4-1 in favor of Tri-City.
Jose Mota gets the loss. He pitched five innings, allowed two hits, two runs (one earned), walked two, and struck out two. Kyle Hallock earned the win for Tri-City. He pitched five innings, allowed three hits, one (earned) run, walked two and struck out five.
The same two teams will play again tomorrow night at Ripken Stadium. Angel Cespedes (1-3, 4.87) will get the start for the IronBirds, while the ValleyCats will send Nicholas Tropeano (2-2, 2.61) to the hill. Gametime is 7:05 p.m. at Ripken Stadium.
The Aberdeen IronBirds sold out season tickets for the 10thstraight season. Group packages and single-game tickets, however, are still available for the 2011 season. For ticket information, contact our box office at (410) 297-9292 or visit us online at www.IronBirdsbaseball.com.
Staten Island 8, Aberdeen 4 August 26, 2011 Game Recap
Yankees double up ‘Birds, 8-4
By Paul Taylor
Aberdeen, MD – The Staten Island Yankees pounded out 15 hits and beat the Aberdeen IronBirds 8-4 Friday night at Ripken Stadium.
The Yankees scored two runs in each of the first two innings off of Aberdeen starter Angel Cespedes, leading 4-0 heading into the bottom of the second.
The IronBirds then got on the board. Joe Velleggia worked a leadoff walk and Wynston Sawyer hit a single. Both of them scored when Ryan Zrenda and Dudley Leonora had RBI groundouts, making it 4-2 Yankees.
The IronBirds scored once more in the third. Glynn Davis doubled and scored on Velleggia’s RBI single, and the Yankees led 4-3.
The Yankees added a run in the top of the fourth on two hits, increasing their lead to 5-3. They extended their lead in the seventh, benefiting for an IronBirds’ error which led to two runs and a 7-3 Yankee lead.
The IronBirds scored their final run of the ballgame in the bottom of the seventh. Mychal Givens walked and then three batters later, scored when Connor Narron reached on an error.
The Yankees tacked on one more run in the ninth, making the final score 8-4.
Angel Cespedes got the start. He pitched three and two thirds innings, allowed seven hits, five runs (three earned), walking three and striking out two. Matthew Tracy got the win for the Yankees, pitching five innings, allowing eight hits, three runs (all earned), two walks, and striking out five.
Hurricane Irene has forced the postponement of tomorrow’s game. Sunday’s game in Staten Island was pushed back into a double header on Monday starting at 6:05 p.m. in Staten Island. Tyler Wilson (0-0, 2.37) will start in game one for the IronBirds.
The Aberdeen IronBirds sold out season tickets for the 10thstraight season. Group packages and single-game tickets, however, are still available for the 2011 season. For ticket information, contact our box office at (410) 297-9292 or visit us online at www.IronBirdsbaseball.com.
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Connecticut 10, Aberdeen 2 August 25, 2011 Game Recap
Tigers Hang 15 hits and claw IronBirds, 10-2
By Paul Taylor
Aberdeen, MD – The Connecticut Tigers pounded out 15 hits and beat the Aberdeen IronBirds 10-2 on Thursday evening.
Connecticut scored two runs in the first on a Tyler Collins two-run home run. They added single runs in the second and third, and put two more on the board in the fourth. In that fourth inning, Chad Wright and Eugenio Suarez had back-to-back hits before Tyler Collins hit them both home with an RBI single. The Tigers led 6-0 after four innings of play.
The Tigers would add three more in the sixth. Sending seven men to the plate, Connecticut took advantage of two walks and hit back-to-back RBI singles, making it 9-0.
Connecticut scored their final run of the game in the eighth. Dean Green hit a one out triple and scored on an Aaron Westlake RBI groundout.
Aberdeen waited until the ninth inning to score their two runs. Kyle Hoppy led off with a walk and Glynn Davis hit an infield single. Hoppy advanced to third and Davis to second on a Tiger throwing error. Austin Knight and Mychal Givens hit consecutive RBI groundouts, plating Hoppy and Davis, respectively.
Jose Mota took the loss. He went four innings, allowed 11 hits, six runs (all earned), walked three and struck out three. Matt Crouse earned the win. He pitched six innings, allowed seven hits, walking one and striking out three.
The IronBirds welcome the Staten Island Yankees to town tomorrow night for a two game set. First pitch tomorrow is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Angel Cespedes (1-2, 4.62) will get the start for the IronBirds, while Zach Varce (1-0, 7.94) will go for the Yankees.
The Aberdeen IronBirds sold out season tickets for the 10thstraight season. Group packages and single-game tickets, however, are still available for the 2011 season. For ticket information, contact our box office at (410) 297-9292 or visit us online at www.IronBirdsbaseball.com.
Aberdeen 3, Connecticut 2 August 23, 2011 Game Recap
IronBirds beat Tigers, 3-2
By Paul Taylor
Aberdeen, MD – The Aberdeen IronBirds beat the Connecticut Tigers 3-2 Tuesday evening at Ripken Stadium.
The first three innings went quickly before Aberdeen struck in the fourth. Martin Serrata led off with a single and moved to second on Joe Velleggia’s single two batters later. Wynston Sawyer then hit an RBI single, knocking in Serrata and the IronBirds led 1-0.
Connecticut scored in the sixth. Aaron Westlake took Devin Jones deep for a solo home run, knotting the game at 1-1.
Aberdeen seized the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth. After Glynn Davis reached on an error, Mychal Givens singled. With Sawyer at the plate, Givens broke for second. The Tigers tried to throw behind Davis at third, but the throw got by Javier Azcona, allowing Davis to score easily and Givens to score all the way from first. The IronBirds led 3-1.
The Tigers scored again in the eighth. Luis Lebron walked the first two batters he faces and then allowed a bunt single to load the bases. Enrico Jimenez came on in relief. He induced a Westlake groundout which scored a run, making it 3-2. Jeff Holm then grounded into a double play to end the Tiger threat.
Jimenez pitched a perfect ninth to pick up his second save of the season.
Wilsen Palacios pitched his third straight complete game. He took the loss, going eight innings, while allowing four hits, three runs (one earned), walking one and striking out two. Ryan Berry got the start for the IronBirds. He pitched four innings, allowed one hit and struck out five. Jones got the win in relief, pitching three innings, allowing one hit, one run (earned), walking one and striking out two.
Game two of this three game set will begin tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. Matt Hobgood (0-5, 11.63) will get the start for the IronBirds. The Tigers will counter with Brennan Smith (2-3, 1.88).
The Aberdeen IronBirds sold out season tickets for the 10thstraight season. Group packages and single-game tickets, however, are still available for the 2011 season. For ticket information, contact our box office at (410) 297-9292 or visit us online at www.IronBirdsbaseball.com.
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News and Notes — 8/20 @ CON
Tonight’s Game
Losers of three straight games, the Aberdeen IronBirds open up a three-game series tonight at the Connecticut Tigers (Class-A Short-Season affiliate of the Detroit Tigers). The Auburn Doubledays completed a three-game sweep of Aberdeen last night at Falcon Park by winning both games of a double-header. The IronBirds fell in game one 4-1, and lost the nightcap 8-3. Tonight, Aberdeen looks to get back in the win column with the right-hander Jose Mota on the hill. Mota is making his second start of the season for the IronBirds. He’ll go up against left-hander Matt Crouse.
Pinckney Division Wrap-Up
The IronBirds played their final Pinckney Division opponent last night. Aberdeen struggled against Pinckney Division foes, going just 5-13. The only team in that division Aberdeen had a winning record against was the Batavia Muckdogs.
Velleggia Returns
IronBirds first baseman Joe Velleggia returned to the lineup last night in game two of the double-header. Velleggia hadn’t played since August 12th with a strained oblique. Velleggia looked no worse for wear, going 2-for-3 with an RBI-double, a walk, and a run scored.
Zrenda Debuts
Infielder Ryan Zrenda was added to the IronBirds roster last night prior to the start of the double-header. Zrenda played in game two, going 0-for-3. Zrenda was signed by the Baltimore Orioles as an undrafted free agent following a four-year playing career at Brown University.
Six Straight against Connecticut
Following the three-game series at Dodd Stadium, the IronBirds and Tigers will play three more at Ripken Stadium beginning Tuesday August 23rd. It’s the second time this season Aberdeen has played six straight games against the same team. The IronBirds and the Vermont Lake Monsters played six straight days in July.
Double-Header in Hudson Valley
Aberdeen’s August 6th rainout at the Hudson Valley Renegades will be made up as part of a double-header on September 2nd at Dutchess Stadium. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 5:15 PM. The four-game set is the final regular season series of the 2011 season for the IronBirds.
News and Notes — 8/14 vs. WIL
Tonight’s Game
The Aberdeen IronBirds look to snap a three-game losing streak tonight against the Williamsport Crosscutters (Class-A Short-Season affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies). The IronBirds fell in a rain-shortened game to the Crosscutters last night, 8-2. Aberdeen starting pitcher Matt Hobgood surrendered six runs (four earned) on two hits in 1.1 innings of work. He walked four and hit two batters while striking out one. Third baseman Connor Narron had three hits and knocked in both IronBirds runs in the loss. The game was called in the top of the eighth inning due to rain. Tonight, the IronBirds will have opening night starter Parker Bridwell on the mound. Bridwell currently ranks third in the New York-Penn League in strikeouts (55). He’ll go up against left-handed pitcher Adam Morgan.
Promotions
Starting pitcher Mike Wright and reliever Kyle Simon have been promoted to the Class-A Delmarva Shorebirds. Wright, the Orioles’ 2011 third-round draft pick, went 2-1 with a 3.77 ERA in seven starts. Simon, who was Baltimore’s fourth round pick this year, pitched eight scoreless innings of relief over the course of six appearances.
Strong Returns
Right-handed pitcher Travis Strong has been transferred back to Aberdeen from Delmarva. Strong began the year with the IronBirds and posted a 1-0 record with a 2.25 ERA in six appearances (16.0 innings of work). While with the Shorebirds, Strong struggled. He went 0-2 with an 8.31 ERA in seven outings (8.2 innings).
Narron Snaps Slump
Narron had one of his best offensive games last night against the Crosscutters. The IronBirds’ third baseman went 3-for-3 with two RBI. It was his first three-hit game and first multi-RBI effort this season. Prior to last night, Narron had just three hits in his previous 48 at bats.
2011 New York-Penn League All-Star Game
Today is the final game before the all-star break. The 2011 New York-Penn League All-Star Game will be played at Lelacheur Park, in Lowell, MA, on Tuesday August 16th. First pitch is currently scheduled for 7:35 PM. Four IronBirds were named all-stars. Infielders Joe Velleggia and Dudley Leonora, outfielder Glynn Davis, and starting pitcher Trent Howard will represent Aberdeen in the late-summer classic.
News and Notes — 8/13 vs. WIL
Tonight’s Game
Tonight, the Aberdeen IronBirds play host to the Williamsport Crosscutters (Class-A Short-Season affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies) in game two of a three-game set at Ripken Stadium. The IronBirds are coming off a 7-3 loss to the Crosscutters in the series-opener. Adam Davis picked up two hits and two RBI in the loss. One of his hits was a solo homer – the first of his professional career – that at the time tied the game. Williamsport scored four runs in the seventh, however, to break a 3-3 tie and eventually win the game. Tonight, the IronBirds will have Matt Hobgood on the hill. The right-hander is coming off his best start in an IronBirds uniform. He’ll go up against left-hander Bryan Morgado.
Starr Placed on Disabled List
IronBirds infielder Sammie Starr was placed on the disabled list yesterday with a broken bone in his hand. Starr broke the bone sliding into third base on an attempted steal Thursday night at the State College Spikes. Starr was batting .284 with two homers and 15 RBI in 23 games played.
Lights Out Lebron
Reliever Luis Lebron pitched his third straight scoreless outing last night, striking out two Crosscutters in a perfect inning of work. Opposing hitters are batting .083 against Lebron this season. The right-hander missed all of 2010 after having Tommy John surgery.
Velleggia’s Slump
Joe Velleggia is hitless in his last four games, totaling 16 at bats. It’s the longest hitless streak this season for the All-Star first baseman. Velleggia currently leads the IronBirds in home runs (7), RBI (28), and slugging percentage (.463). He is out of tonight’s lineup because he is sick.
Short Bench
With Starr on the disabled list, the IronBirds are down to 11 active position players. After Dudley Leonora was hit by a pitch and Wynston Sawyer fouled a ball off of his foot, the IronBirds had to use every active position player they had last night. Three of the active position players are catchers.
Williamsport Woes
With last night’s loss, Aberdeen has dropped four straight games to the Crosscutters. The IronBirds went winless in three games at Williamsport last season.
