Thunder win 7-4

Not without any drama, but the Thunder held on when pinch hitter Kyle Phillips flew out to Kevin Russo on the left field warning track with two men on base. 

7-4 Thunder

A two-run double by Cody Ehlers added two insurance runs, and the home team has a three-run lead in the ninth. 

Thunder back on top

Were the aforementioned John Sterling the voice of the Thunder, he would have shouted with glee "it's a RIBBIE - for REEGIE" after Reegie Corona slapped a 1-0 fastball from Daryl Harrang (Aaron's brother) to give the Thunder a 5-4 lead. A batter before, Kevin Russo hit an RBI triple to left-center to score PJ Pilittere and tie it at four. 

4-3 Cats

Aaron Mathews disposed of a fastball from Zach Kroneke for a two-run homer over the left-field wall to give the Cats a 4-3 lead. Kroneke then dropped a throw from Reegie Corona for an error on what should have been a 4-1 putout at fist base. Tony Franklin had enough after that and pulled him in favor of Michael Gardner. 

Zach Kroneke in to pitch the eighth

The line on George Kontos: seven innings, two runs on four hits, two walks, six strikeouts. 

3-2 at strrrrrrrrrrrrretch time

George Kontos sat down the Fisher Cats in order in the seventh. Carlos Mendoza is in at third base, hitting in Jose Tabata's spot in the lineup. Mendoza flew out to left to lead off the sixth. Kevin Russo moved from third to left and Edwar Gonzalez moved from left to right. 

3-2 after 6 1/2

Scott Campbell singled to lead off the top of the sixth and scored when Austin Jackson dove for and missed a bloop by Aaron Mathews that turned into an RBI triple. Mathews scored on a sac fly by Travis Snider to make it 3-2. Jackson had all three putouts in the inning. 

Another DP

The Thunder lead is still 3-0 after 4 1/2, thanks in part to another double play involving Ramiro Pena. This time, Anthony Hatch hit a rocket of a one-hopper to Pena's left -- almost the exact spot of the line drive he caught to start an unassisted DP in the third. Pena lurched to his left, dove and snagged the ball as it took a high hop. He then flipped to Reegie Corona, who stepped on the bag and fired to first to complete the twin killing. Austin Jackson, Colin Curtis and Edwar Gonzalez are due up for the Thunder in the fifth. AJ's looking for his first hit of the night. 

K-ontos?

Kontos cruised through a 1-2-3 fourth, striking out two and bringing his K count for the night to six. He's allowed only three baserunners and faced two over the minimum through four. 

3-0 after three

Colin Curtis hit a 2-0 fastball over the right field wall for his fourth home run to give the Thunder a 3-0 lead. 

A little luck for Kontos

After striking out Jonathan Diaz to lead off the inning (his fourth K of the night), Kontos walked Scott Campbell. But with a 3-2 count on Aaron Mathews, Campbell was running on the pitch. Mathews hit a line drive three feet or so to Ramiro Pena's left, allowing Pena to make the catch and tag Campbell for an inning-ending double play. 

Kontos avoids damage

A walk by David Smith and a double by Brian Jeroloman put runners on second and third with one out in the top of the second, but Kontos pitched out of trouble, striking out Ryan Patterson and getting Anthony Hatch to fly out to center to end it. 

2-0 Thunder after one

After the Cats went scoreless in the first, Ramiro Pena led off the bottom of the inning with a single up the middle, then scored on a fielder's choice by Colin Curtis. Curtis went to third on a double down the left-field line by Edwar Gonzalez, then scored on a sac flie by the slumping (.218 avg) Cody Ehlers. 

Thunder-Cats

Greetings from Waterfront Park, where, as the great John Sterling would say were he here, you couldn't ask for a nicer night for baseball. We've got clear skies and temperatures in the low 70s as the Thunder and New Hampshire Fisher Cats get set to play the finale of a four-game series. 

The Thunder, 5-4 losers last night in 11 innings, are trying to avoid the sweep. 

They've stumbled at home after going 6-1 on a seven-game road trip -- something for which Tony Franklin said earlier he has no explanation. 

"I can't explain the difference," he said. "We've played decent baseball. We've been in every one of these ballgames. We've just come up on the short end of it." 

George Kontos gets the ball tonight for the Thunder against Fisher Cats right-hander Brandon Magee. 

In a way, its the second start of the series for Magee, who started the May 18 game that was suspended, then completed Tuesday as part of a doubleheader. 

The lineups: 

Fisher Cats: 

1. Scott Campbell 2b

2. Aaron Matthews cf

3. Travis Snider dh

4. David Smith rf

5. Jacob Butler 1b

6. Brian Jeroloman c

7. Ryan Patterson lf

8. Anthony Hatch 3b

9. Jonathan Diaz ss

Thunder: 

1. Ramiro Pena ss

2. Austin Jackson cf

3. Colin Curtis dh

4. Edwar Gonzalez lf

5. Cody Ehlers 1b

6. Jose Tabata rf

7. PJ Pilittere c

8. Kevin Russo 3b

9. Reegie Corona 2b 

Game 52: Thunder vs. Fisher Cats

Eric Hacker, just up from High-A Tampa is making his debut tonight. He looked pretty good in the first inning: 19 pitches, 10 strikes, 2 strikeouts. The pitch he struck out the leadoff man with was positively filthy.

Wright to the DL, Rodriguez called up

The Thunder placed LHP Chase Wright on the disabled list, but failed to specify the nature of the injury. Additionally, catcher Eladio Rodriguez has been transferred to Trenton from the roster of the Staten Island Yankees of the NY-Penn League.

Steven Jackson transferred to Trenton

Per a Thunder press release:

The Trenton Thunder, Double A Affiliate of the New York Yankees, have announced that Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RHP Steven Jackson has been transferred to Trenton, and C Eladio Rodriguez has been transferred from Trenton to the roster of the Staten Island Yankees (New York-Penn).

Jackson was 0-0 with a 4.30 ERA in 8 games for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with 1 SV. He was promoted to Triple-A on April 26th after starting the season with the Thunder. He was 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA for the Thunder with 1 SV in 7 games. Last season, Jackson split the season between the Thunder and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He went 4-8 for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with a 5.87 ERA in 18 G/11GS. He had an 0-1 record for the Thunder with a 3.86 ERA in 10 relief appearances. He was acquired along with RHP Ross Ohlendorf and INF Alberto Gonzalez from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for LHP Randy Johnson on 1/5/07.

Rodriguez appeared in 1 G for the Thunder and went 1x 5 @REA 5/21 with a 2B. He was transferred from the roster of the Staten Island Yankees (New York-Penn) to Trenton's roster on 5/9. He appeared in one other game this season with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He went 1 x 3 with 2 BB @ BUF on 4/29. He was signed by the Yankees out of the Israel Baseball League on 10/24/07. Last year, for the Modi'in Miracle of the Israel Baseball League, Rodriguez batted .461 with 16 HR and 44 RBI in 34 G and was the co-MVP. He led the league in SLG % and his team in HR and RBI. He played for the Dominican Republic National Team in 2006. He has previous professional baseball experience in the Red Sox Minor League System from 1998-2004.

Yankees promote McCutchen

It’s been a long time coming, but last night Dan McCutchen got the call to Triple-A Scranton/Wilke-Barre that many thought he deserved.
The call came just in time, too. Any later and he may have already been en route to Reading with the rest of the Thunder.
“I was on the bus,” he said. “We were about to leave for Reading and they pulled me off the bus, pulled my bag off the bus and told me I was going up.”
Over parts of two seasons with the Thunder, the 25-year-old right-hander has compiled a 7-5 record, a 3.04/1 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a 1.04 WHIP. He also was the starter when the Thunder clinched their first Eastern League Championship last season.
With Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, McCutchen joins a team with an already strong starting five that includes Jeff Marquez, Kei Igawa, Steven White and Dan Giese. Once healthy, Alan Horne will re-join the rotation, too.
“I’m not going to try to reinvent my game any,” he said. “Just try to do the same thing. Just try to keep pitching well. I know the hitters are a little better up here.”
What he’s been doing has worked pretty well. McCutchen is sporting a 4-3 record with 2.52 ERA. Despite those stats, he says the move caught him a little bit off guard.
“I was a little bit surprised, but very excited,” he said. “I’m up here in Scranton now, but, yeah, I’m very excited about it.”
It’s a reunion of sorts for McCutchen, who joins a list of players that includes relievers J.B. Cox and David Robertson, and outfielder Matt Carson who were promoted from Trenton to Scranton less than two months into the season.
Reliever Bo Hall also was promoted earlier this year, but was transferred back to Trenton on Tuesday to make room for McCutchen.
“I’ve talked to the guys up here,” he said. “I went and hung out with (former Thunder pitcher Jeff) Marquez and J.B. Cox last night. We’re good buddies and I’ve got a lot of good buddies up here and guys I know from spring training.
“They’re excited, and I’m excited to be on a team that’s doing as good they’re doing, so hopefully I’ll be able to jump right in the mix.”

-- Josh Norris

McCutchen officially promoted

Heavily rumored last night, and now official: Dan McCutchen has been promoted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Here's the press release from the Thunder:

(Trenton, NJ)- The Trenton Thunder, Double A Affiliate of the New York Yankees, have announced that RHP Dan McCutchen has been promoted to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre from Trenton, and RHP Bo Hall has been transferred to Trenton from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. RHP Josh Schmidt, who was taken off the Thunder roster yesterday, has been transferred to High-A Tampa.

McCutchen was 4-3 with a 2.52 ERA in 8 starts for the Thunder. He had the 5th lowest ERA in the Eastern League, and was just outside the Top-5 in both K (46) and IP (50.0). He entered the 2008 season as the 14th best prospect in the Yankees Minor League Systeam according to Baseball America . In 2007, he combined to win 14 games between Tampa and Trenton, including going 3-2 with the Thunder and a 2.41 ERA in 7 starts. He went 2-0 in the 2007 Eastern League Playoffs, including earning the win in the series-clinching E.L Championship Game #4 @ Akron. He was originally selected by the Yankees in the 13th round of the 2006 draft.

Hall was promoted to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on May 9th. He went 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in 3 G for the Yankees. Prior to moving to Triple-A, he had an 0-1 record with a 3.38 ERA in 8 games for the Thunder this season. In his last appearance for Trenton, he went 2 perfect innings and struck out 4 against Portland on 5/4. Last season, Hall went 5-2 with a 3.46 ERA in 34 games with 1 SV for Huntsville (Double-A) in the Southern League. He was selected by the Yankees from Milwaukee in the Rule 5 Draft (AAA Phase) on 12/6/07. He was originally drafted by Milwaukee in the 19th round of the 2002 draft.

Game 41; Trenton vs. New Hampshire

Thunder vs. Fisher Cats

It's windy, rainy and miserable here at Waterfront Park and the tarp is still on the field, as I assume it will be until just before game time.

The rain has been steady to heavy all day but has tapered off a bit in the last couple of hours.

Back later with lineups and starting pitcher info.

Update @ 5:15: Tarp is coming off the field, looks like there will be baseball.

Update @ 6:03: Lineups:

New Hampshire (14-25)
Aaron Mathews CF
Chris Gutierrez 3B
David Smith RF
Jacob Butler 1B
Travis Snider DH
Ryan Patterson LF
Scott Campbell 2B
Ryan Klosterman SS
Brian Jeroloman C

Notes: Snider is Baseball America's top prospect for the Blue Jays' system.

Trenton (25-15)
Ramiro Pena SS
Austin Jackson CF
Colin Curtis DH
Edwar Gonzalez LF
Cody Ehlers 1B
Jose Tabata RF
P.J. Pilittere C
Kevin Russo 3B
Reegie Corona 2B

Notes: Gonzalez has filled in quite nicely for Matt Carson: In 11 games Gonzalez has compiled AVG/OBP/OPS of .302/.354/.796 with 11 RBI. ... Gonzalez's one home run is one more than Tabata and Jackson combined. ... The Yankees are being careful with Marcos Vechionacci, who is still in Tampa rehabbing a leg injury.

Update @ 6:24: The tarp's back on the field! Strap in, folks, this could be a long one.

Update @ 6:38: Strange times here at Waterfront Park. The tarp, which had been spread over the field 15 minutes ago, is coming off again, despite the fact that it seems to be raining harder than when they put it on. We'll keep you posted.

Update @ 6:58: Former Yankee in the house. Roy White, outfielder in the Bronx from 1964-79, just threw out about the 15th "first" pitch of the night.

Update @ 7:32: Six up, six down for starter Chase Wright, complete with two strikeouts, both swinging. He seems to have good command of the fastball and the breaking ball.

Edwar Gonzalez continues to impress, floating a base knock into center and stealing second base here in the the second inning.

Update @ 7:40: Just call me jinx. Wright starts the third with a five-pitch walk to Scott Campbell and a line-drive single up the middle to Ryan Klosterman.

Update @ 7:57: Reegie, Jackson to the rescue. Doubles from Corona and Jackson give the Thunder an early 1-0 lead.

Update @ 8:10: Edwar Gonzalez for MVP. Another solid single to right for the Thunder cleanup man. Add a stolen base to that. So far the Venezuelan sensation is 2-for-2 with two SBs.

Update @ 8:30: Wright has gotten wild. After walking just a dozen coming into the game, the lefty has walked three and hit a man in 4 2/3 innings. Just a guess, but I bet the cold weather is a factor. It was 55 at game time and didn't exactly warm up.

Update @ 9:07: Aaron Matthews' 2-run single and Ryan Klosterman's run-scoring triple have made it 3-1 Fisher Cats in the seventh.

Update @ 9:24: Remember how I wrote that Austin Jackson hadn't homered this year? Guess I have the magic touch, as Jackson just drove a three-run homer well over the wall in left-center. More importantly, the blast gives the Thunder 'pen a two-run lead.

Thunder win 7-4

Not without any drama, but the Thunder held on when pinch hitter Kyle Phillips flew out to Kevin Russo on the left field warning track with two men on base. 

7-4 Thunder

A two-run double by Cody Ehlers added two insurance runs, and the home team has a three-run lead in the ninth. 

Thunder back on top

Were the aforementioned John Sterling the voice of the Thunder, he would have shouted with glee "it's a RIBBIE - for REEGIE" after Reegie Corona slapped a 1-0 fastball from Daryl Harrang (Aaron's brother) to give the Thunder a 5-4 lead. A batter before, Kevin Russo hit an RBI triple to left-center to score PJ Pilittere and tie it at four. 

4-3 Cats

Aaron Mathews disposed of a fastball from Zach Kroneke for a two-run homer over the left-field wall to give the Cats a 4-3 lead. Kroneke then dropped a throw from Reegie Corona for an error on what should have been a 4-1 putout at fist base. Tony Franklin had enough after that and pulled him in favor of Michael Gardner. 

Zach Kroneke in to pitch the eighth

The line on George Kontos: seven innings, two runs on four hits, two walks, six strikeouts. 

3-2 at strrrrrrrrrrrrretch time

George Kontos sat down the Fisher Cats in order in the seventh. Carlos Mendoza is in at third base, hitting in Jose Tabata's spot in the lineup. Mendoza flew out to left to lead off the sixth. Kevin Russo moved from third to left and Edwar Gonzalez moved from left to right. 

3-2 after 6 1/2

Scott Campbell singled to lead off the top of the sixth and scored when Austin Jackson dove for and missed a bloop by Aaron Mathews that turned into an RBI triple. Mathews scored on a sac fly by Travis Snider to make it 3-2. Jackson had all three putouts in the inning. 

Another DP

The Thunder lead is still 3-0 after 4 1/2, thanks in part to another double play involving Ramiro Pena. This time, Anthony Hatch hit a rocket of a one-hopper to Pena's left -- almost the exact spot of the line drive he caught to start an unassisted DP in the third. Pena lurched to his left, dove and snagged the ball as it took a high hop. He then flipped to Reegie Corona, who stepped on the bag and fired to first to complete the twin killing. Austin Jackson, Colin Curtis and Edwar Gonzalez are due up for the Thunder in the fifth. AJ's looking for his first hit of the night. 

K-ontos?

Kontos cruised through a 1-2-3 fourth, striking out two and bringing his K count for the night to six. He's allowed only three baserunners and faced two over the minimum through four. 

3-0 after three

Colin Curtis hit a 2-0 fastball over the right field wall for his fourth home run to give the Thunder a 3-0 lead. 

A little luck for Kontos

After striking out Jonathan Diaz to lead off the inning (his fourth K of the night), Kontos walked Scott Campbell. But with a 3-2 count on Aaron Mathews, Campbell was running on the pitch. Mathews hit a line drive three feet or so to Ramiro Pena's left, allowing Pena to make the catch and tag Campbell for an inning-ending double play. 

Kontos avoids damage

A walk by David Smith and a double by Brian Jeroloman put runners on second and third with one out in the top of the second, but Kontos pitched out of trouble, striking out Ryan Patterson and getting Anthony Hatch to fly out to center to end it. 

2-0 Thunder after one

After the Cats went scoreless in the first, Ramiro Pena led off the bottom of the inning with a single up the middle, then scored on a fielder's choice by Colin Curtis. Curtis went to third on a double down the left-field line by Edwar Gonzalez, then scored on a sac flie by the slumping (.218 avg) Cody Ehlers. 

Thunder-Cats

Greetings from Waterfront Park, where, as the great John Sterling would say were he here, you couldn't ask for a nicer night for baseball. We've got clear skies and temperatures in the low 70s as the Thunder and New Hampshire Fisher Cats get set to play the finale of a four-game series. 

The Thunder, 5-4 losers last night in 11 innings, are trying to avoid the sweep. 

They've stumbled at home after going 6-1 on a seven-game road trip -- something for which Tony Franklin said earlier he has no explanation. 

"I can't explain the difference," he said. "We've played decent baseball. We've been in every one of these ballgames. We've just come up on the short end of it." 

George Kontos gets the ball tonight for the Thunder against Fisher Cats right-hander Brandon Magee. 

In a way, its the second start of the series for Magee, who started the May 18 game that was suspended, then completed Tuesday as part of a doubleheader. 

The lineups: 

Fisher Cats: 

1. Scott Campbell 2b

2. Aaron Matthews cf

3. Travis Snider dh

4. David Smith rf

5. Jacob Butler 1b

6. Brian Jeroloman c

7. Ryan Patterson lf

8. Anthony Hatch 3b

9. Jonathan Diaz ss

Thunder: 

1. Ramiro Pena ss

2. Austin Jackson cf

3. Colin Curtis dh

4. Edwar Gonzalez lf

5. Cody Ehlers 1b

6. Jose Tabata rf

7. PJ Pilittere c

8. Kevin Russo 3b

9. Reegie Corona 2b 

Game 52: Thunder vs. Fisher Cats

Eric Hacker, just up from High-A Tampa is making his debut tonight. He looked pretty good in the first inning: 19 pitches, 10 strikes, 2 strikeouts. The pitch he struck out the leadoff man with was positively filthy.

Wright to the DL, Rodriguez called up

The Thunder placed LHP Chase Wright on the disabled list, but failed to specify the nature of the injury. Additionally, catcher Eladio Rodriguez has been transferred to Trenton from the roster of the Staten Island Yankees of the NY-Penn League.

Steven Jackson transferred to Trenton

Per a Thunder press release:

The Trenton Thunder, Double A Affiliate of the New York Yankees, have announced that Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RHP Steven Jackson has been transferred to Trenton, and C Eladio Rodriguez has been transferred from Trenton to the roster of the Staten Island Yankees (New York-Penn).

Jackson was 0-0 with a 4.30 ERA in 8 games for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with 1 SV. He was promoted to Triple-A on April 26th after starting the season with the Thunder. He was 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA for the Thunder with 1 SV in 7 games. Last season, Jackson split the season between the Thunder and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He went 4-8 for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with a 5.87 ERA in 18 G/11GS. He had an 0-1 record for the Thunder with a 3.86 ERA in 10 relief appearances. He was acquired along with RHP Ross Ohlendorf and INF Alberto Gonzalez from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for LHP Randy Johnson on 1/5/07.

Rodriguez appeared in 1 G for the Thunder and went 1x 5 @REA 5/21 with a 2B. He was transferred from the roster of the Staten Island Yankees (New York-Penn) to Trenton's roster on 5/9. He appeared in one other game this season with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He went 1 x 3 with 2 BB @ BUF on 4/29. He was signed by the Yankees out of the Israel Baseball League on 10/24/07. Last year, for the Modi'in Miracle of the Israel Baseball League, Rodriguez batted .461 with 16 HR and 44 RBI in 34 G and was the co-MVP. He led the league in SLG % and his team in HR and RBI. He played for the Dominican Republic National Team in 2006. He has previous professional baseball experience in the Red Sox Minor League System from 1998-2004.

Yankees promote McCutchen

It’s been a long time coming, but last night Dan McCutchen got the call to Triple-A Scranton/Wilke-Barre that many thought he deserved.
The call came just in time, too. Any later and he may have already been en route to Reading with the rest of the Thunder.
“I was on the bus,” he said. “We were about to leave for Reading and they pulled me off the bus, pulled my bag off the bus and told me I was going up.”
Over parts of two seasons with the Thunder, the 25-year-old right-hander has compiled a 7-5 record, a 3.04/1 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a 1.04 WHIP. He also was the starter when the Thunder clinched their first Eastern League Championship last season.
With Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, McCutchen joins a team with an already strong starting five that includes Jeff Marquez, Kei Igawa, Steven White and Dan Giese. Once healthy, Alan Horne will re-join the rotation, too.
“I’m not going to try to reinvent my game any,” he said. “Just try to do the same thing. Just try to keep pitching well. I know the hitters are a little better up here.”
What he’s been doing has worked pretty well. McCutchen is sporting a 4-3 record with 2.52 ERA. Despite those stats, he says the move caught him a little bit off guard.
“I was a little bit surprised, but very excited,” he said. “I’m up here in Scranton now, but, yeah, I’m very excited about it.”
It’s a reunion of sorts for McCutchen, who joins a list of players that includes relievers J.B. Cox and David Robertson, and outfielder Matt Carson who were promoted from Trenton to Scranton less than two months into the season.
Reliever Bo Hall also was promoted earlier this year, but was transferred back to Trenton on Tuesday to make room for McCutchen.
“I’ve talked to the guys up here,” he said. “I went and hung out with (former Thunder pitcher Jeff) Marquez and J.B. Cox last night. We’re good buddies and I’ve got a lot of good buddies up here and guys I know from spring training.
“They’re excited, and I’m excited to be on a team that’s doing as good they’re doing, so hopefully I’ll be able to jump right in the mix.”

-- Josh Norris

McCutchen officially promoted

Heavily rumored last night, and now official: Dan McCutchen has been promoted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Here's the press release from the Thunder:

(Trenton, NJ)- The Trenton Thunder, Double A Affiliate of the New York Yankees, have announced that RHP Dan McCutchen has been promoted to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre from Trenton, and RHP Bo Hall has been transferred to Trenton from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. RHP Josh Schmidt, who was taken off the Thunder roster yesterday, has been transferred to High-A Tampa.

McCutchen was 4-3 with a 2.52 ERA in 8 starts for the Thunder. He had the 5th lowest ERA in the Eastern League, and was just outside the Top-5 in both K (46) and IP (50.0). He entered the 2008 season as the 14th best prospect in the Yankees Minor League Systeam according to Baseball America . In 2007, he combined to win 14 games between Tampa and Trenton, including going 3-2 with the Thunder and a 2.41 ERA in 7 starts. He went 2-0 in the 2007 Eastern League Playoffs, including earning the win in the series-clinching E.L Championship Game #4 @ Akron. He was originally selected by the Yankees in the 13th round of the 2006 draft.

Hall was promoted to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on May 9th. He went 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in 3 G for the Yankees. Prior to moving to Triple-A, he had an 0-1 record with a 3.38 ERA in 8 games for the Thunder this season. In his last appearance for Trenton, he went 2 perfect innings and struck out 4 against Portland on 5/4. Last season, Hall went 5-2 with a 3.46 ERA in 34 games with 1 SV for Huntsville (Double-A) in the Southern League. He was selected by the Yankees from Milwaukee in the Rule 5 Draft (AAA Phase) on 12/6/07. He was originally drafted by Milwaukee in the 19th round of the 2002 draft.

Game 41; Trenton vs. New Hampshire

Thunder vs. Fisher Cats

It's windy, rainy and miserable here at Waterfront Park and the tarp is still on the field, as I assume it will be until just before game time.

The rain has been steady to heavy all day but has tapered off a bit in the last couple of hours.

Back later with lineups and starting pitcher info.

Update @ 5:15: Tarp is coming off the field, looks like there will be baseball.

Update @ 6:03: Lineups:

New Hampshire (14-25)
Aaron Mathews CF
Chris Gutierrez 3B
David Smith RF
Jacob Butler 1B
Travis Snider DH
Ryan Patterson LF
Scott Campbell 2B
Ryan Klosterman SS
Brian Jeroloman C

Notes: Snider is Baseball America's top prospect for the Blue Jays' system.

Trenton (25-15)
Ramiro Pena SS
Austin Jackson CF
Colin Curtis DH
Edwar Gonzalez LF
Cody Ehlers 1B
Jose Tabata RF
P.J. Pilittere C
Kevin Russo 3B
Reegie Corona 2B

Notes: Gonzalez has filled in quite nicely for Matt Carson: In 11 games Gonzalez has compiled AVG/OBP/OPS of .302/.354/.796 with 11 RBI. ... Gonzalez's one home run is one more than Tabata and Jackson combined. ... The Yankees are being careful with Marcos Vechionacci, who is still in Tampa rehabbing a leg injury.

Update @ 6:24: The tarp's back on the field! Strap in, folks, this could be a long one.

Update @ 6:38: Strange times here at Waterfront Park. The tarp, which had been spread over the field 15 minutes ago, is coming off again, despite the fact that it seems to be raining harder than when they put it on. We'll keep you posted.

Update @ 6:58: Former Yankee in the house. Roy White, outfielder in the Bronx from 1964-79, just threw out about the 15th "first" pitch of the night.

Update @ 7:32: Six up, six down for starter Chase Wright, complete with two strikeouts, both swinging. He seems to have good command of the fastball and the breaking ball.

Edwar Gonzalez continues to impress, floating a base knock into center and stealing second base here in the the second inning.

Update @ 7:40: Just call me jinx. Wright starts the third with a five-pitch walk to Scott Campbell and a line-drive single up the middle to Ryan Klosterman.

Update @ 7:57: Reegie, Jackson to the rescue. Doubles from Corona and Jackson give the Thunder an early 1-0 lead.

Update @ 8:10: Edwar Gonzalez for MVP. Another solid single to right for the Thunder cleanup man. Add a stolen base to that. So far the Venezuelan sensation is 2-for-2 with two SBs.

Update @ 8:30: Wright has gotten wild. After walking just a dozen coming into the game, the lefty has walked three and hit a man in 4 2/3 innings. Just a guess, but I bet the cold weather is a factor. It was 55 at game time and didn't exactly warm up.

Update @ 9:07: Aaron Matthews' 2-run single and Ryan Klosterman's run-scoring triple have made it 3-1 Fisher Cats in the seventh.

Update @ 9:24: Remember how I wrote that Austin Jackson hadn't homered this year? Guess I have the magic touch, as Jackson just drove a three-run homer well over the wall in left-center. More importantly, the blast gives the Thunder 'pen a two-run lead.