Game 53- Yankees vs. PawSox, May 27, 2008

The PawSox look to make it four wins in a row and take over first place alone in the IL North if they can take care of the Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees tonight (7:05pm) in game two of their four game series tonight at McCoy. RHP Dan Giese (4-2, 1.01) goes for the Yankees and RHP Kyle Snyder (1-1, 3.71) starts for the PawSox.

I am in the press box tonight...so here is an up close preview of tonight's game...

Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees (32-20)

LINE-UP

Brent Gardner LF
Alberto Gonzalez SS
Jason Lane RF
Ben Broussard 1B
Cody Ransom 3B
Justin Christian CF
Nick Green SS
Chris Stewart C
Bernie Castro 2B

After being in first place in the IL North for most of the season, the Yankees have lost 9 of their last 13 and have fallen into a tie for the lead with the PawSox, with the Syracuse Chiefs only 1/2 game back.

Giese makes his ninth start of the season tonight. Over his last four starts he has had some tough luck, going 2-2 despite giving up only two earned runs over 27 innings of work. He did win his last outing May 22nd at home against Indianapolis. He has not given up any more than two runs in any of his starts this season. He was selected by the Red Sox in the 34th round of the 1999 draft.

The Yankees have made some off field news today. The club signed 1B Ben Broussard who was released by the Texas Rangers on May 15th. The Yankees also added SS Alberto Gonzalez. Both are in tonight's line-up.

Pawtucket Red Sox (32-20)

LINE-UP

Jeff Bailey RF
George Kottaras DH
Joe Thurston 2B
Chris Carter LF
Brandon Moss 1B
Keith Ginter 3B
Dusty Brown C
Gil Velazquez SS Jonathan Van Every CF

As bad as the Yankees have been of late, the PawSox have been on fire. They have won 15 of their last 19 and are tied for the IL North lead. With a win the PawSox would find themselves alone atop the division for the first time since the first week of the season (April 10th). So far in 5 games against SWB this season the PawSox are 4-1.

With yesterday's 11-5 win the PawSox have now scored back-to-back in double digits for the first time this year and the first time since July of 2005.

Snyder makes his first start since being placed on the disabled list with a right groin strain. He left his last start with the injury after completing only 3 innings. His last win came May 7th against Indianapolis (12-7 PawSox victory). Manager Ron Johnson says Snyder will be limited to 60-65 pitches in his return.

The PawSox pitching staff is now tops in the International League. Their team ERA of 3.28 is .06 better than the Yankees. Offensively the PawSox are tied for the IL lead in team batting average at .270.

Chris Carter enters the game with a 6 game hitting streak where he has batted .500 over that stretch with 3 homers and 6 RBIs.

It is currently raining at McCoy and the tarp is on the field. Unsure if the game will start on time. Either way, expect periodic updates throughout the night.