Minor League Recap, 8/17

Written by Greg Fertel | 17 August 2007

Scranton beats Syracuse 6 to 1

Ben Kozlowski made the start, pitching 6 shutout innings with five strikeouts. Is it just me or could he do a better job than Ron Villone once the rosters expand? Kozlowski has a 3.10 ERA in 72 2/3 innings this year, striking out 72 and walking 31.
Jeff Karstens stunk it up in relief of Kozlowski, allowing one run on three hits and a walk in the 7th inning. Karstens will be back in the majors, eventually. For now, it's a matter of getting some work in to finish the minor league season on a good note.
T.J. Beam struck out 2 in two scoreless innings. Expect to see him in New York once the International League playoffs are over. Beam has really been left behind due to his injury, but he could still be a valuable right hander out of the bullpen. Tune in next year.
Brett Gardner and Andy Cannizaro were 2 for 4.
Alberto Gonzalez and Bronson Sardinha were 1 for 4.
Eric Duncan was 2 for 4 with a triple. He is batting an electric .324/.470/.617 over his past ten games. I wasn't ready to give up on Duncan when I wrote my top-30 prospect list, and I'm still not.

Trenton beats Connecticut 1 to 0.

Danny McCutchen won the pitcher's duel, tossing 7 shutout innings. He struck out 7 and allowed 5 singles in the process. McCutchen is making up for lost time. He is 25 years old, despite being drafted just last year. If he finishes the year this strong, the Yankees have to consider putting him in the again-crowded Scranton rotation next spring.
Reegie Corona was 1 for 4 with a double.
Colin Curtis, Juan Miranda, and Cody Ehlers were all hitless.
P.J. Pilittere was 1 for 3.

Tampa loses to Dunedin, 4 to 3

Elvys Quezada got the start, giving up all four runs in just four innings of work.
Josh Schmidt relieved him, pitching two scoreless innings and striking out 3. He has 82 strikeouts in 58 innings of work, good for 12.72 per . He's a sidearmer with a devastating slider, but doesn't throw much harder than Colter Bean. Schmidt might warrant major league consideration in a season or two.
David Robertson struck out 1 and walked one in one scoreless inning.
Eric Wordekemper struck out 2 in a scoreless inning. In 42 innings this year, Wordekemper has allowed just three runs. I can't imagine why the Yankees don't try to stretch him out a little more and get him some more work.
Austin Jackson and Marcos Vechionacci were both without a hit.
Eduardo Nunez was 1 for 5.
Tim Battle was 1 for 4 with a home run.

Charleston beats Augusta 4 to 3 in 10 innings.

Eric Hacker pitched 5 perfect innings before being removed for Ferdin Tejada. He struck out one.
Ferdin Tejada allowed one unearned run in two innings, striking out 1 and walking 1.
Jon Hovis got the save, pitching a scoreless inning and a third.
Mitch Hilligoss was 2 for 5.
Seth Fortenberry was 1 for 5.

Staten Island beats Aberdeen 9 to 0.

Jason Stephens started the shutout, pitching six innings with five strikeouts and two walks. Stephens hasn't given up a run since July 30th, a span of 18 innings.
Justin Snyder, playing shortstop, was 1 for 3 with a walk, a double and a sacrifice fly.
Damon Sublett was 2 for 4 with a triple.
Braedyn Pruitt was 0 for 2 with two walks.
Austin Krum was 2 for 4 with a double.
David Williams was 0 for 5.

The GCL Yankees beat the Tigers 5 to 2.

Casey Erickson got the start, pitching 6 innings and allowing just two runs. Erickson was held back for most of the season while working out in the Yankee's training camp in Tampa. The Yankees in the past have expressed faith in Erickson, and he's delivering this season.
Abraham Almonte was 1 for 4.
Prilys Cuello was 1 for 5.
Brandon Laird continued his torrid streak, missing the cycle by a triple and collecting four hits. He is now hitting .350/378/.595 on the season.
Zoilo Almonte was 2 for 4 with a double.
Jesus Montero was 0 for 4.
Gerardo Rodriguez was 1 for 3 with a walk and a double.