7/15 Molina Homer Lifts Yankees To Fourth Straight Win
By: Colin Riccobon
Updated: July 15, 2012
It's very rare for a catcher to start a day game, following a night game. However, Francisco Cervelli was out of the Yankee lineup again due to illness and Gustavo Molina filled in just fine both offensively and defensively. Molina roped a three run home run in the home half of the second in the series finale of a short two game series as the home team at Alliance Bank Stadium in Syracuse, New York. His home run proved to be the difference in the ball game as the Yankees completed the sweep with a 4-2 victory over the Syracuse Chiefs.
The Chiefs only two runs in the game came on a two-RBI single by Carlos Rivero with two outs and the bases loaded. However, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre starter John Maine got out of the jam and cruised from there on out. Jack Cust extended the Yankees lead to 4-2 with an RBI single to left field allowing Corban Joseph to score in the bottom half of the third. The Cust single proved to be more than enough
Maine picked up the win for the Yankees, tossing six innings allowing two runs on two hits. The veteran retired the final 11 batters he faced, while striking out four and walking four. Corey Wade threw the final three innings in relief of Maine to preserve the Yankee victory and pick up his second save of the season. Former Pittsburgh Pirate Zach Duke suffered the loss for the Chiefs.
The Yankees travel to Rochester, NY to begin a four game series with the Charlotte Knights on Monday night at 7:05. Veteran right-hander Ramon Ortiz gets the nod for the Yankees, while left-hander Charlie Leesman gets the nod for the Knights.
