And so, at about noon today, the first domino fell.

Manny Banuelos, Jack Curry reported, had been promoted to Scranton. Manny didn't know about it. Tony Franklin didn't know about it. Frankly, it seemed as if Curry was the only one outside of the Yankees braintrust who knew about it at all.

Then the game was played (a 5-0 Thunder loss) and everything became clearer. Banuelos was in the clubhouse hugging and high-fiving his teammates, packing his things and getting ready for the next step on his journey.

He's scheduled to make his Triple-A debut Tuesday against Lehigh Valley, where (I think) he'll match up against Scott Mathieson, a guy I root for because he's survived two Tommy John surgeries.

It seems as if everyone around here was waiting for Banuelos to go on a hot streak, after which we assumed he'd get the bump. That streak never really came (although his last start was quite good), but the Yankees thought he'd improved enough to be tested at the next level.

With Scranton, Banuelos will be plugged into a rotation that features Adam Warren, Andrew Brackman, D.J. Mitchell, Lance Pendleton and Greg Smith (it appears that Banuelos will take Smith's slot).

I'll be at Scranton on Tuesday, so expect plenty of stuff from the young man's Triple-A debut.

According to Jack Curry of the YES Network, Manny Banuelos has been (or will be) promoted to Triple-A Scranton for his next start, which would come on Tuesday in one of the games of their doubleheader with Lehigh Valley.

Banuelos, the Yankees' top prospect, was 5-4 with a 3.59 ERA in 95 1/3 innings of work in Double-A this year. He's missed a little time with blister issues, but otherwise has had a clean bill of health.

Banuelos is still in the building and has not been informed of his promotion. I'll have comments from him later on in the afternoon.

It's 10:40 here at ol' Waterfront Park, and everything is quiet. Some pitchers are stretching in the outfield. A few groundskeepers are shuffling hither, thither and you. Other than that, there's no action to speak of.

In a few hours, though, all that could change.

The trade deadline is 5 hours and 18 minutes away, and there are still plenty of balls in play. Heath Bell, Randy Choate, Josh Willingham, or even the vaunted #mysteryprize could be on its way to New York, which means there's a good chance some members of the Thunder could be filling out change-of-address forms in short order.

The big prizes, Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances and Jesus Montero, are safe, I think. Smaller names, however, like Adam Warren, Corban Joseph, J.R. Murphy and others, are still in play, especially for a guy like Bell.

The only things that are certain today are that Steve Garrison is going to pitch, Craig Heyer is going to back him up and a roster has to be made to get Garrison aboard.

Here's the Thunder lineup as we do the waiting dance:

Kruml - LF
Joseph - 2B
Almonte - RF
Lyerly - 1B
Mesa - CF
Pirela - SS
Gil - C
Mack - DH
Maruszak - 3B
Garrison - LHP

Just in time for the stretch run, the Thunder’s rotation is about to get a boost. Graham Stoneburner, who has been out since April with an injury to his neck and right shoulder, will take the ball this evening in the second game of the weekend set against Richmond.

Before the injury, Stoneburner, one of the organization’s better young arms, looked like he was going to be a vital part of Trenton’s staff. Then he got hurt, opening the hole that Craig Heyer has filled.

On his way back, Stoneburner rehabbed seven times between the Gulf Coast League and the Florida State League, spanning 33 innings. In his last start Sunday, he allowed just two hits over seven innings, more than showing that he was ready for a second test in the Eastern League.

The Thunder also welcome back DeAngelo Mack from the disabled list, where he’s been since July 10 with a badly bruised hand. Before hitting the shelf, Mack was hitting .246/.360/.395 with five doubles, four home runs and 17 RBIs.

He enters an outfield mix that includes Zoilo Almonte, Ray Kruml, Damon Sublett and Melky Mesa. One of those four is a candidate, along with third catcher Ryan Baker, is likely to land on the disabled list today to make room for Stoneburner’s return to the roster.

One pitcher you won’t see on the roster any time soon is Grant Duff, who is out for the season with shoulder troubles. After having his elbow surgically repaired last offseason, Duff threw just nine innings this year before being placed on the DL on June 15. Over the last two seasons, he’s thrown just 46 2/3 innings.

NOTES: It was Jewish Heritage Night yesterday evening at Waterfront Park, and Gary and Lenny’s New York Deli was on hand to cater the festivities. The Thunder’s mascots, Boomer and Strike, wore Hebrew lettering (their names, presumably) on the back of their costumes for the occasion. With the trade deadline nearing, scouts from the Rockies, Mariners and Phillies were in the crowd. … Attendance last night was 6,113.

Tonight is the first of the final four games before the trading deadline, and the big (radar) guns are in the house. Scouts from both the Rockies and Mariners are here, which may ring a few bells to those who follow the scuttlebutt.

That said, there are obviously other things going on around the team, notably:

- Mark Newman, Nardi Contreras and Julio Mosquera are in the house

- Outfielder DeAngelo Mack is back from the disabled list, where he's been since July 10 with a sore hand.

- Grant Duff's season is over. He'll begin the rehab process down in Tampa shortly, Tony Franklin said, which leads me to believe he had some sort of surgery. Franklin wouldn't tell us.

- Graham Stoneburner, who's been out since April, is scheduled to start on Friday. He was in the clubhouse before the game, and had ticket requests in, so he's feeling better, obviously.

- Franklin said before the game that Romine was "not playing" for the two consecutive games was based on the stress incurred from the sweltering heat in Bowie.

- There is a 75 percent chance of thunderstorms around 8 p.m. tonight

Triple-A: Scranton 3, Buffalo 2

Greg Golson: 1-for-4, HR, outfield assist
Jordan Parraz: 2-for-4, HR
Austin Krum: 1-for-4, 2B
Luis Nunez: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI
Lance Pendleton: 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 3 SO
George Kontos: 2 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 2 SO
Kevin Whelan: IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO

Double-A: Trenton 5, Akron 1

Corban Joseph: 1-for-5, RBI
Austin Romine: 1-for-5, 2B, R
Rob Lyerly: 3-for-5, RBI
Jose Pirela: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI, R
Addison Maruszak: 2-for-3, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB
Damon Sublett: 0-for-1, 3 BB
Manny Banuelos: 6.1 IP, 5 H, R, ER, 3 BB, 5 SO

High-A: Tampa 6, Fort Myers 1

Abe Almonte: 2-for-4, R
David Adams: 1-for-5, 2B, R
Ronnier Mustelier: 2-for-5, 2B, R, RBI
Rob Segedin: 1-for-4, R, RBI
Cody Johnson: 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
Luke Murton: 1-for-2, 2B, 2 BB
Hector Rabago: 2-for-4, 2B
Mikey O'Brien: 5 IP, 4 H, R, ER, BB, 3 SO
Dan Burawa: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 0 SO

Short Season: Staten Island 10, Batavia 1

Mason Williams: 2-for-5, 2 R, RBI
Cito Culver: 2-for-4, 2 HR, 3 R, 4 RBI, 2 BB
Rey Nunez: 3-for-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI
Ben Gamel: 2-for-4, RBI, R
Ali Castillo: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB
Will Oliver: 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, BB, 7 SO
Caleb Cotham: 2 IP, 3 H, R, ER, BB, 5 SO
Phil Wetherell: IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO

Gulf Coast League: Yankees 12, Blue Jays 5

Jose Rosario: 5-for-6, 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI
Daniel Lopez: 1-for-6, 2B, R, SB
Dante Bichette: 2-for-5, 2 R
Yeicok Calderon: 1-for-5, HR, 2 RBI, BB
Jackson Valera: 2-for-3, R, 2 RBI, BB
Fu-Lin Kuo: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB
Henry Pena: 3-for-3, 2B, 3B, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB
Reynaldo Polanco: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 9 SO

Dominican Summer League 1: Yankees 4, Angels 3

Melvin Aquino: 2-for-4, R
Mikeson Oliberto: 2-for-3, R, 2 RBI, BB, SB
Jose Polanco: 1-for-4, R, RBI, 2 SB
Gian Arias: 1-for-2, 2B, RBI, BB
Cesar Vargas: 5 IP, 4 H, R, ER, 3 BB, 5 SO

Dominican Summer League 2: Dodgers 9, Yankees 5

Allison Reyes: 2-for-5, 2 2B, 2 R
Sandy Brito: 3-for-3, 2 RBI
Wilmer Romero: 1-for-5, 2B, RBI
Renzo Martini: 1-for-4
Jerison Lopez: 2-for-4, R, RBI
Chris Tamarez: 0-for-1, R, BB

Triple-A: Scranton 11, Buffalo 2

Greg Golson: 0-for-5, 3 R
Jesus Montero: 3-for-4, 2B, HR, 4 RBI
Mike Lamb: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Jorge Vazquez: 1-for-5, HR, 2 RBI
Jordan Parraz: 2-for-4, 2B, RBI, R, BB
Luis Nunez: 1-for-5, HR
Doug Bernier: 2-for-4, 2 R
Austin Krum: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 BB
D.J. Mitchell: 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 6 BB, 3 SO

Double-A: Trenton 4, Akron 3

Corban Joseph: 1-for-5, 2 RBI
Jose Pirela: 3-for-5, 2B, R, RBI
Zoilo Almonte: 1-for-5, 2B, RBI
Melky Mesa: 1-for-5, R
Damon Sublett: 1-for-2, 2 R, 2 BB
Craig Heyer: 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO
Chase Whitley: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 SO

High-A: Tampa 2, Fort Myers 1

Kelvin Castro: 2-for-4, BB
Ronnier Mustelier: 2-for-5, 3B, R
Kyle Roller: 1-for-5, RBI
Cody Johnson: 1-for-4, HR
Neil Medchill: 1-for-4
Brett Marshall: 5 IP, 4 H, R, ER, BB, 6 SO
Kramer Sneed: 2 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, SO
Preston Claiborne: 3 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 SO

Low-A: West Virginia 6, Charleston 4

Eduardo Sosa: 1-for-5, R, outfield assist
Anderson Feliz: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI
Kevin Mahoney: 2-for-4, 2B, R
Gary Sanchez: 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB
Ramon Flores: 2-for-4
Jose Toussen: 3-for-4, 2B, R, SB
Zach Nuding: 5 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 2 SO
Mark Montgomery: IP, H, 0 R, BB, 0 SO

Gulf Coast League: Yankees 12, Braves 9

Claudio Custodio: 1-for-5, R, RBI, SB
Jose Rosario: 2-for-5, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI, SB
Dante Bichette: 4-for-4, 2B, R, RBI
Yeicok Calderon: 1-for-3, 3B, R, 3 RBI
Damian Taveras: 2-for-4, 2B, R, RBI
Jorge Alcantara: 1-for-3, R, RBI, BB, SB
Fu-Lin Kuo: 2-for-2, 2 R, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, SB
Zach Varce: 3 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, SO
Evan Rutckyj: 3 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO

Dominican Summer League 1: Mets 8, Yankees 4

Rafael Polo: 2-for-5, R
Ericson Leonora: 1-for-4, 2B, R, 3 RBI
Yamiel Orozco: 2-for-4, 2B
Mikeson Oliberto: 1-for-5
Jose Lopez: 2-for-2, R
Jose Polanco: 1-for-3, 2B, RBI, BB

Triple-A: Scranton 15, Syracuse 1

Kevin Russo: 4-for-6, 2 R, 2 RBI
Greg Golson: 2-for-5, R
Jesus Montero: 2-for-4, HR, 2 R, BB
Mike Lamb: 3-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB
Jorge Vazquez: 2-for-4, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI, BB
Doug Bernier: 3-for-4, 3B, R, 4 RBI, BB
Adam Warren: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 SO
Rafael Soriano: IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, SO
George Kontos: IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, SO

Double-A: Trenton 9, Akron 8

Ray Kruml: 1-for-5, R, RBI, SB
Jose Pirela: 2-for-5, R, RBI
Zoilo Almonte: 0-for-2, R, 3 BB
Rob Lyerly: 1-for-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Melky Mesa: 1-for-4, R, BB
Addison Maruszak: 4-for-5, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI
Cory Arbiso: 4 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, SO
Pat Venditte: 3 IP, 2 H, R, ER, BB, 4 SO

High-A: Tampa 6, Fort Myers 1

David Adams: 1-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI
Kyle Roller: 2-for-4, HR
Luke Murton: 3-for-5, R
Cody Johnson: 1-for-3, 2 R, 2 BB
Mitch Abeita: 2-for-4, RBI, R
Kelvin Castro: 2-for-3, 2B, RBI
Jose Quintana: 5.2 IP, 7 H, R, ER, BB, 4 SO

Low-A: West Virginia 1, Charleston 0

Anderson Feliz: 1-for-4, SB
Kevin Mahoney: 1-for-4
Ramon Flores: 3-for-4, SB
Jose Mojica: 1-for-3
Jose Ramirez: 6 IP, 5 H, R, ER, 5 BB, 3 SO

Short Season: Staten Island 2, Tri-City 1

Mason Williams: 1-for-4
Cito Culver: 1-for-4, RBI
Cody Grice: 1-for-3, R, SB
Rey Nunez: 1-for-3
Nick McCoy: 2-for-3, 2B, RBI
Wilton Rodriguez: 5 IP, H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 SO
Robert Paullus: IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO
Chris Pinder: IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO

Gulf Coast League: Yankees 7, Braves 1

Isaias Tejeda: 3-for-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI
Dante Bichette: 1-for-3, R, BB
Ravel Santana: 3-for-5, 3B, 3 R, RBI, SB, outfield assist
Yeicok Calderon: 2-for-5, 2B, R
Jeff Marquez: 2 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 SO
Kenedy Agramonte: 1.2 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 3 SO
Taylor Morton: 4 IP, 5 H, R, ER, BB, 3 SO

Dominican Summer League 1: Yankees 7, Cubs 6

Rafael Polo: 2-for-6, R
Fernando Perez: 0-for-3, R, 3 BB
Ericson Leonora: 1-for-6, RBI
Roybell Herrera: 2-for-5, HR
Yamiel Orozco: 1-for-5, 2B, RBI
Juan Heredia: 3 IP, H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 SO

Dominican Summer League 2: Royal 4, Yankees 3

Jhoan Gomez: 2-for-3, RBI, SB
Jerison Lopez: 1-for-3, 2B, R
Julio Pina: 1-for-2, RBI, BB
Samuel Garcia: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO

With trade season upon us, a prospect's omission from a lineup is sure to cause a stir. So when the Thunder's lineup was posted earlier, sans Corban Joseph and Austin Romine, more than a few bells went off in the head of yours truly.

Romine's absence is particularly interesting, considering he also didn't play on Sunday and there'd been no report of any injury. He normally is slotted in as the designated hitter when he gets a day off behind the plate, but he's been totally inactive over the last two evenings.

As for Joseph, he's raised his prospect status quite a bit over the summer, and would be a fine piece to a trade package. He last had a day off on Monday in Erie, so it's not like he's gone a month without a breather.

Both players would fit will in a deal, but then again, this could simply be a case of heightened sensitivity due to the time of year.

Triple-A: Scranton 7, Syracuse 2

Jesus Montero: 2-for-4, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI
Jordan Parraz: 2-for-3, 3B, R, 2 RBI, outfield assist
Austin Krum: 1-for-3, 2 R, BB
Gustavo Molina: 1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI
Luis Nunez: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI
Andrew Brackman: 4 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 5 BB, 0 SO -- 73 pitches/35 strikes
Rafael Soriano: IP, H, R, ER, 0 BB, SO

Double-A: Trenton 6, Bowie 4
Ray Kruml: 2-for-4, BB
Zoilo Almonte: 1-for-5, HR, BB
Rob Lyerly: 0-for-4, R, BB
Addison Maruszak: 3-for-3, 2B, R, 4 RBI, BB
Damon Sublett: 1-for-4, R
Melky Mesa: 1-for-4, R
Jose Gil: 1-for-4, R
Shaeffer Hall: 6.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, BB, 4 SO
Ryan Pope: IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, SO

High-A: Bradenton 2, Tampa 1

Abe Almonte: 1-for-4
David Adams: 1-for-4, 2B
Kyle Roller: 1-for-3, BB
Cody Johnson: 1-for-4
Kelvin Castro: 1-for-4
Graham Stoneburner: 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 SO
Dan Burawa: 1.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO

Low-A: Charleston 14, West Virginia 0

Anderson Feliz: 2-for-5, 2B, R, RBI
Shane Brown: 2-for-6, 2 2B, R, RBI
Kevin Mahoney: 1-for-2, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB
Gary Sanchez: 2-for-5, 2 2B, 2 R
Ramon Flores: 2-for-4, 2B, 3 R, RBI, BB
Kelvin De Leon: 3-for-4, 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, BB
Garrison Lassiter: 2-for-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI, BB
Shane Greene: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, SO
Mike Recchia: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO
Tommy Kahnle: 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 3 SO

Short Season: Tri-City 2, Staten Island 0

Mason Williams: 1-for-4, SB
Rey Nunez: 1-for-4, 2B
Ben Gamel: 1-for-4, SB
Zach Wilson: 1-for-4
Bryan Mitchell: 5 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO
Vidal Nuno: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 SO
Phil Wetherell: IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, SO

Triple-A: Scranton 5, Syracuse 2

Kevin Russo: 2-for-4, 2B, R, SB
Greg Golson: 1-for-3, 3B, 2 R, RBI, BB
Jesus Montero: 1-for-3, 2B, 3 RBI, BB
Doug Bernier: 2-for-3, 2 R
Greg Smith: 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 7 SO

Double-A: Bowie 6, Trenton 4

Ray Kruml: 1-for-5, 2B
Rob Lyerly: 2-for-4, HR
Zoilo Almonte: 1-for-2, 2 R, 2 BB
Damon Sublett: 3-for-4, 2B, RBI
Dellin Betances: 3.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO -- left with apparent heat exhaustion
Chase Whitley: 2 IP, 2 H, R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO

High-A: Tampa 6, Bradenton 5

Abraham Almonte: 1-for-4, RBI, SF
Eric Chavez: 1-for-2, HR, 2 RBI, BB
Ronnier Mustelier: 2-for-4
Cody Johnson: 2-for-4, 2 2B
Kelvin Castro: 2-for-3, 3B, 2 R
Sean Black: 3.1 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, SO
Mike Gipson: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 0 SO
Preston Claiborne: 2 IP, H, 0 R, 3 BB, SO

Low-A: Charleston 3, West Virginia 1

Anderson Feliz: 2-for-3, 2B, 3B, 2 R, BB
Shane Brown: 1-for-4
Kevin Mahoney: 1-for-4, 2 RBI
Kelvin De Leon: 1-for-4
Jose Mojica: 2-for-3, RBI
Scottie Allen: 6 IP, 5 H, R, ER, 2 BB, 4 SO
Mark Montgomery: 1.1 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, SO

Short Season: Staten Island 6, Tri-City 1

Mason Williams: 1-for-4, BB, R, 2 SB
Cito Culver: 0-for-4, R
Angelo Gumbs: 1-for-4, RBI
Zach Wilson: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI
Cody Grice: 2-for-3, 2 R, BB, SB, outfield assist
Ben Gamel: 3-for-4, 2 2B, 4 RBI, outfield assist
Nick McCoy: 1-for-4, 2B

Gulf Coast League: Yankees 14, Pirates 5

Claudio Custodio: 2-for-6, R, BB, SB
Ravel Santana: 0-for-4, R, BB
Isaias Tejeda: 1-for-5, HR, 2 RBI
Dante Bichette: 4-for-4, 2 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB
Yeicok Calderon: 3-for-5, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB
Daniel Lopez: 3-for-6, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI
Taylor Anderson: 3-for-6, 2B, 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI,

Triple-A: Syracuse 8, Scranton 3

Greg Golson: 2-for-4, SB
Jordan Parraz: 1-for-4, R
Austin Krum: 1-for-3, 2 R, BB
Luis Nunez: 1-for-3, 2 RBI
Doug Bernier: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI
Adam Warren: IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, SO
George Kontos: 3.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, BB, 2 SO

Double-A: Bowie 4, Trenton 1

Ray Kruml: 1-for-4
Corban Joseph: 1-for-4, 2B, R
Rob Lyerly: 2-for-4, 2B, RBI
Melky Mesa: 1-for-4, SB
Manny Banuelos: 5 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO
Pat Venditte: 3 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 4 SO

High-A: Bradenton 6, Tampa 5

Abraham Almonte: 2-for-5, 3 R, SB
Eric Chavez: 1-for-4, 2B, R
Ronnier Mustelier: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, SB
Kyle Roller: 1-for-5, R
Luke Murton: 2-for-4, RBI
Mikey O'Brien: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 6 SO
Kramer Sneed: 2 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO

Low-A: Lexington 5, Charleston 4

Jose Toussen: 2-for-4, 3B, 2 RBI
Shane Brown: 1-for-4, 2B
Mike Ferraro: 3-for-3, 2B, 2 R
Anderson Feliz: 0-for-2, BB, R
Nathan Forer: 5 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO

Short Season: Staten Island 2, Hudson Valley 1

Cody Grice: 2-for-4, R
Cito Culver: 1-for-4, RBI
Angelo Gumbs: 1-for-2, R, BB
Ali Castillo: 2-for-3
Evan DeLuca: 5 IP, 4 H, R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO

Gulf Coast League: Yankees 8, Pirates 3

Ravel Santana: 3-for-4, 2 2B, HR, 3 R, 2 RBI
Dante Bichette: 3-for-3, 3B, R, 2 RBI
Yeicok Calderon: 3-for-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI
David Adams: 2-for-4, HR
Kenedy Agramonte: IP, H, 0 R, BB, 3 SO

Dominican Summer League 1: Yankees 2, Marlins 1

Eladio Moronta: 2-for-4, HR, 2 R
Gian Arias: 2-for-3
Ericson Leonora: 1-for-3, 3B, RBI
Melvin Mercedes: 5 IP, H, R, 0 ER, BB, 6 SO
Jose Pena: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 7 SO

Triple-A: Scranton 6, Columbus 5

Kevin Russo: 3-for-5, 3 2B, R, 2 RBI
Greg Golson: 2-for-4
Jordan Parraz: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 R
Austin Krum: 3-for-3, 2B, 2 R, RBI
Lance Pendleton: 6 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 2 BB, SO

Double-A: Bowie 8, Trenton 6

Ray Kruml: 2-for-5, 2B, 3 R, SB
Zoilo Almonte: 1-for-4, HR
Rob Lyerly: 1-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI
Jose Pirela: 2-for-3, 2B, BB
Craig Heyer: 5 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 7 ER, BB, SO

High-A: Tampa 5, Jupiter 1

Neil Medchill: 2-for-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI
Eric Chavez: 1-for-3, RBI
Luke Murton: 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI
Abraham Almonte: 1-for-4, 2B, R
Rafael Soriano: IP, 2 H, R, ER, 0 BB, 0 SO
Brett Marshall: 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 SO
Dan Burawa: 3 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 3 SO

Low-A: Charleston 8, Lexington 3

Ramon Flores: 1-for-3, HR
Shane Brown: 1-for-3, 2 R, BB
Kelvin De Leon: 2-for-3, 2 R, RBI
Anderson Feliz: 3-for-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Garrison Lassiter: 2-for-3, 2 RBI
Zach Nuding: 5 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 2 BB, SO

Short Season: Staten Island 8, Hudson Valley 7

Mason Williams: 1-for-5
Cito Culver: 3-for-5, 2B, 3 R
Angelo Gumbs: 2-for-3, 2B, 3 R, BB
Ben Gamel: 1-for-3, 2R, RBI
Will Oliver: 4 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 4 ER, BB, 2 SO

Gulf Coast League: Yankees 18, Tigers 2

Claudio Custodio: 1-for-2, 3 R
Jorge Alcantara: 1-for-2, R
Jose Rosario: 3-for-6, 3 R, RBI
Dante Bichette: 3-for-4, 2 R, 4 RBI
Henry Pena: 2-for-4, 2 R, RBI, BB
Justin James: 2-for-6, 2B, 3 R, RBI
Zach Varce: 5 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 0 BB, 5 SO

Dominican Summer League 2: Red Sox 12, Yankees 1

Wilmer Romero: 1-for-3
Jerison Lopez: 1-for-3, R
Rainiero Coa: 1-for-3

Dominican Summer League 2: Red Sox 6, Yankees 3

Jose Javier: 2-for-4, R, RBI
Miguel Mojica: 1-for-3, 2B, RBI
Jerison Lopez: 1-for-3, 3B
Freddy Noguera: 2-for-3, 2B, R
Alfredo Castellon: 2-for-3, 2B, R

Triple-A: Columbus 7, Scranton 6

Kevin Russo: 1-for-4, RBI, BB
Jesus Montero: 1-for-5, HR, 2 R
Mike Lamb: 2-for-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Austin Krum: 1-for-3, R, RBI, SB
Andrew Brackman: 3 IP, H, R, ER, 3 BB, 3 SO, 3 WP
J.C. Romero: 1 1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, SO

Double-A: Erie 5, Trenton 4

Ray Kruml: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 BB
Austin Romine: 3-for-5, R
Zoilo Almonte: 1-for-5, RBI
Rob Lyerly: 2-for-4, 2 R
Addison Maruszak: 3-for-3, 2B, HR
Dellin Betances: 5 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 5 BB, 7 SO

High-A: Jupiter 4, Tampa 2

Ronnier Mustelier: 2-for-3, BB, SB
Kyle Roller: 1-for-4
Cody Johnson: 2-for-4, HR
Kramer Sneed: 5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO
Dan Burawa: 2 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO

Low-A: West Virginia 3, Charleston 2

Eduardo Sosa: 1-for-3, R
Jose Toussen: 3-for-4, SB
Kelvin De Leon: 1-for-4, HR
Ramon Flores: 1-for-4
Scottie Allen: 6 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO

Short Season: Staten Island 12, Tri-City 4

Mason Williams: 3-for-5, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI
Cito Culver: 1-for-2, 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI, 3 BB
Angelo Gumbs: 2-for-5, 2B, HR, 6 RBI
Cody Grice: 0-for-2, R, 3 BB
Shane Brown: 1-for-4, 2 R
Casey Stevenson: 1-for-5, R, RBI
Richard Martinez: 5 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO
Mike Recchia: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 3 SO

Gulf Coast League: Phillies 3, Yankees 2

Jose Rosario: 1-for-4, HR
Daniel Lopez: 2-for-4, SB
Dante Bichette: 2-for-4, 2B, HR
Ravel Santana: 1-for-4
Gabe Encinas: 5 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 2 BB, SO
Mariel Checo: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 3 SO

Dominican Summer League 1: Phillies 4, Yankees 1

Eladio Moronta: 1-for-4
Mikeson Oliberto: 1-for-4
Angel Ramos: 1-for-3
Jerison Lopez: 1-for-2, RBI, BB
Cristofer Cabrera: 2.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, ER, 3 BB, 2 SO

Dominican Summer League 2: Pirates 5, Yankees 3

Christoper Tamarez: 1-for-2
Sandy Brito: 0-for-2, R, 2 BB
Rainiero Coa: 2-for-4
Renzo Martini: 1-for-4, R
Rony Bautista: 5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO

Yesterday brought about the end of a losing streak, a seemingly endless list of transactions, a Brad Lidge sighting and an All-Star recap. You can read each of my stories at the following links:

1. All-Star Recap -- LINK

2. Lidge Appearance -- LINK

3. Transaction Action -- LINK

4. Thunder top Reading -- LINK

Additionally, Phillies broadcaster Tom McCarthy was in the house to be inducted into the Trenton Baseball Hall of Fame. The Thunder's broadcasting booth was also dedicated in his honor. Here's a link to video of his post-ceremony interview:

Brad Lidge pitched pretty poorly against the Thunder yesterday. When it was over, the Phillies closer had lasted just two-thirds of an inning, allowed two runs on a hit and a walk, hit two batters and thrown three wild pitches. Here's the outing in its entirety, plus most of his conference with the assembled masses afterward. I had to leave a little before it was over so I could get a quote in the print edition.

TRENTON — Against some of the circuit’s top talent and with a horde of scouts watching and recording his every pitch, Manny Banuelos finally put together a signature moment for the 2011 season.

For the first half of the year, the Thunder starter had put forth results that mostly resided toward the upper end of middling. The stuff’s been there, but the command has not, and that’s what has kept him from achieving the truly elite status.

After Zach Stewart started and Princeton native Erik Arnesen pitched a frame, Banuelos entered the proceedings and blew away the competition in rather impressive and efficient fashion.

He struck out all three men he faced — Bowie’s Xavier Avery, Altoona’s Starling Marte and Akron’s Juan Diaz — on just 13 pitches, all but two of which were strikes. He threw almost exclusively fastballs and topped out at 94 miles per hour, according to one scout’s gun.

“I haven’t felt that way throughout the year. If I’m able to throw like that, good things are going to happen. That’s the way I want to throw. It’s a good thing to take forward,” Banuelos said afterward, with the help of teammate and fellow All-Star Dellin Betances.

“I’m going to try to take this outing into the second half. I feel like the way I commanded out there and the way I felt, it’s something I (would) definitely take in the second half.”

Betances, who has struggled with efficiency problems all year, got into the game in the fifth and quickly put his struggles in the rear-view. He cut through the Western Division in just seven pitches, including a strikeout of Bowie catcher Caleb Joseph.

He also got a popout from Roger Kieschnick and finished a stress-free frame on Avery’s fly ball to the left-field warning track.

“It was a quick outing, seven pitches, I can’t complain,” he said. “Last time I pitched was six days ago, so it’s one of those things. I just had to go after these guys and throw strikes, and I got some good defense.”

On the offensive side, second baseman Corban Joseph was the star, scoring a pair of hard-hit singles, including a screamer through the box against Tigers stud hurler and Futures Game alumnus Jacob Turner.

Joseph has turned his stock around since his Trenton debut, when a barking wrist veiled his true offensive potential. Now, with everything long healed, he’s putting his sweet left-handed stroke to good use, culminating in a fan selection to Wednesday night’s action in the All-Star Game.

“I enjoyed it,” Joseph said. “I got lucky and got two hits. I swung through in my first at-bat, and that’s something I’ve never done before. They encourage that here. I thought, what’s a better time to do that than at the All-Star Game?”

Catcher Austin Romine, fresh off a two-hit effort at the Futures Game at Chase Field, rolled a single to right field in his first trip, putting a cap on a very fruitful effort for Trenton’s quartet of All-Stars.

TRENTON – The day after the All-Star game is usually a big day for transactions, and yesterday was certainly no exception. Among other things, the Thunder welcomed back two members of their bullpen and said goodbye to an old friend.

The biggest – but sadly least surprising – news of the day was the release of reliever Alan Horne, who had spent the better part of the last four years fighting waves of injuries, the most recent being serious damage to his right rotator cuff.

Horne, the 2007 Eastern League Pitcher of the Year and a former first-round draft choice with the Angels, was simply ineffective in his brief return to the Eastern League, cobbling together an 0-2 record and a 12.79 ERA in 6 1/3 frames.

That, plus the fact that, at 28 years old, he was incapable of staying healthy, spelled the end of his tenure with the Yankees organization. Manager Tony Franklin told him the news a few hours before yesterday’s game and, as always, it was a bitter pill to deliver.

“It wasn’t pleasant, because about four years ago he was the Pitcher of the Year in this league,” Franklin said. “Unfortunately he had an arm injury that set him back, and who knows how you’re going to recover from that. He seems to have recovered from the arm injury but just wasn’t pitching well at this time.”

In his place, the Thunder received Josh Schmidt, back for his second tour of duty with Trenton this season. The curve-slinging corner-painting right-hander is the franchise’s all-time leader in appearances, and has pitched 15 times in Double-A this season.

He was 2-2 with a 1.59 ERA in 22 2/3 innings before being bumped back to Scranton on June 10. Overall, he’s 5-4 with a 2.16 ERA and 51 strikeouts against 19 walks between the levels.

Outfielder DeAngelo Mack was also placed on the disabled list yesterday with an injury to the base of his left hand which has caused him enough pain to believe that surgery may be an option in the near future.

So far, Mack’s only been looked at by trainer by Tim Lentych, but a trip to the doctor and the X-Ray machine is upcoming.

The pain started during the last road swing, and it eventually got to the point where he was struggling with everyday tasks like opening a bottle or holding a baseball bat.

“It’s a little sore right now, it’s pretty sore,” he said before the game. “Whenever the doctor gets here he’s going to check it out and kind of see what’s going on and maybe go for an X-Ray or a CT scan (Friday).”

Ryan Pope, a starter-turned-closer with Trenton last season, rejoined the team during the final road trip before the All-Star break, but didn’t get back to Waterfront Park until yesterday.

Shoulder inflammation kept the right-hander on the shelf to start the season, and when he finally returned he found himself caught in a mix of relievers at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, which has led to reduced time all season.

He had tried to pitch through the pain, but finally reached a breaking point before the season began.

“I feel like I’m healthy. You try to push through some things here and there to get to the big leagues – that’s just the way baseball is,” he admitted. “It gets to a point sometimes where you just can’t push through it anymore.”

He made his first appearance of the season – a rehab outing with Tampa – on April 23 before being bumped to Scranton on May 2. He got into his first game with Trenton on July 7, marking the first time he had pitched in three weeks.

Utilityman Addison Maruszak was returned to Trenton yesterday, catcher Austin Romine was activated from the Temporary Inactive List, and catcher Ryan Baker was placed on the Disabled List to complete the day’s paperwork.

NOTES: Graham Stoneburner, who hasn’t pitched since April, was activated from the team’s DL and assigned to High-A Tampa, where he started last night’s game. He also made four appearances in the Gulf Coast League on the rehab trail. … Phillies broadcaster was inducted into the Trenton Baseball Hall of Fame last night, joining former Thunder manager DeMarlo Hale as this year’s inductees. The team’s broadcast booth was dedicated in honor of McCarthy, who was the Trenton’s first play-by-play man.

MANNY BANUELOS

MONKEYS ON DOGS HERDING GOATS

DELLIN BETANCES

CORBAN JOSEPH

AUSTIN ROMINE

MANNY BANUELOS

JN: You've watched Dellin all year. How much do you think he's improved since April?

MB: Now he looks very comfortable compared with time before. His last start was very impressive. He threw very hard, he threw a lot of strikes ... it was pretty impressive.

JN: Was that his best start of the year?

MB: Yeah. He had a couple of good starts before, but I watched him all game and he looked very comfortable and aggressive the whole time.

JN: Had he not had that aggressiveness all year?

MB: He tried to, but he's still working on mechanics and some other things. I saw him aggressive all year, but this time ... wow ... all his stuff.

JN: In the beginning of the year, do you think that blister was hurting him more than maybe he was letting on?

MB: I saw his finger .. it was really bad. Every day we saw his finger, and it was getting better. I think he came back very quick (considering how bad it looked).

JN: With all the expectations on him this year, do you think there's more pressure on him than in past years?

MB: No, no. I saw him all the time relaxed. He knows what he's doing.

JN: Do you remember the first outing you saw him, way back when you both were in the Gulf Coast League together?

MB: Really tall! For the hitters, I saw him pitching and throwing really hard. I said, 'Man, he's really tall and he throws really hard. It's impossible to hit!'

JN: Did you know about him before that game, about how much money he got and what kind of pedigree he had?

MB: I never had seen him before. I'd said hi to him, but we'd never talked. Before that game, never. I just saw him pitch and said 'Who is this guy? Where is he playing? Is he in Low-A? Is he here for a rehab?' I said, 'Man, this guy's nasty."

JN: You two guys have been linked together for a while now. Have you become friends because of it? Are you guys closer because it's Dellin and Manny or it's Manny and Dellin?

MB: I like to talk to him. I like him like a player and like a friend. We talk a lot about baseball and about families and also about friends. He's not my friend just for the baseball, cause I like him like a person. He's nice. He's a really nice person.

JN: What does he do off the field for fun?

MB: I like to see him when he starts to dance. When we're at the hotel we play music and we laugh and he starts to dance really funny. He's really good.



JN: Can he breakdance?

MB: Yeah. He can dance everything. It's funny because he's really tall. You see a big guy dancing and it's really funny. His moves and everything, we laugh and we make fun.

JN: Are you as good a dancer as he is?

MB: No. Not like that.

JN: If I asked him what you do off the field to relax, what would he tell me?

MB: I have no idea, man. I have no idea. You have to ask him.

JN: You don't do anything off the field?

MB: We talk a lot, but nothing special.

JN: What does it mean to be an All-Star for the first time?

MB: I've been an Arizona Fall League Rising Star and I went to the Futures Game in 2009. ... I am pretty happy for making the All-Star. It's hard, but I'm surprised because I haven't done very well in the season and I made the team.

JN: What do you to improve in the second half?

MB: I just want to come in pitching like I want. I haven't had any starts where I've come in being aggressive or with my command. I just want to throw all my stuff like last year.

Double-A: Reading 7, Trenton 6

Ray Kruml: 3-for-5, HR, 2 R
Brad Suttle: 2-for-5, 2B, HR
Jose Pirela: 1-for-4, HR, 3 RBI
Craig Heyer: 3 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, BB, 4 SO
Josh Romanski: 3 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 2 SO

High-A: Tampa 10, St. Lucie 1

Abe Almonte: 2-for-4, R
Zoilo Almonte: 3-for-5, R, 2 RBI
Kyle Roller: 2-for-5, R, RBI
J.R. Murphy: 3-for-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI
Kelvin Castro: 3-for-5, 3 R, 2 RBI
Mikey O'Brien: 5 IP, 2 H, R, ER, 4 BB, 3 SO
Dan Burawa: 2 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 SO
Ryan Flannery: 2 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, SO

Short Season: Staten Island 9, Vermont 1

Mason Williams: 4-for-6, 2B, 3B, RBI
Cito Culver: 2-for-5, 2 RBI
Casey Stevenson: 2-for-5, 2B, R, 3 RBI
Jhorge Liccien: 3-for-5, 2B, 2 R
Zach Wilson: 1-for-3, HR
Evan DeLuca: 5 IP, 2 H, R, ER, BB, 6 SO
Phil Wetherell: IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 2 So

Gulf Coast League: Yankees 8, Pirates 7

Claudio Custodio: 1-for-5, 2B, 2 R, SB
Tyler Austin: 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB, SB
Jose Rosario: 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, SB
Dante Bichette: 0-for-4, R, BB

Dominican Summer League 1: Rangers 6, Yankees 1 -- Game 1

Rafael Polo: 1-for-4, SB
Fernando Perez: 1-for-4
Jose Polanco: 2-for-3, 3B, R
Edison Mejia: 4 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 4 ER, BB, 0 SO
Dubeny Soto: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, SO

Dominican Summer League 1: Yankees 3, Rangers 2 -- Game 2

Ericson Leonora: 1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI
Jose Polanco: 1-for-2
Rafael Polo: 1-for-3, R
Jerison Lopez: 1-for-2, R
Cesar Vargas: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO

After several inquiries about the health of Tampa outfielder Slade Heathcott, I decided to see what I could find out. After spending some time toward the end of the first half on Charleston's disabled list, Heathcott was activated and promoted to High-A.

He played one game with the T-Yanks before going back on the shelf, which seemed curious, to say the least. I e-mailed Mark Newman early this morning to find out the nature and extent of the injury, and he responded thusly:

"Left shoulder. Not sure when he will be back. We will know more later this week."

To me, that sounded pretty grim, so I decided to get in touch with someone who doesn't have to be as careful with what he says as Newman. I asked him what he'd heard about Heathcott, and his response was in line with what I'd expected, given what I believed Newman's comments had hinted at.

My source told me that he'd heard Heathcott was done for the year and that a second shoulder surgery was possible. Heathcott had surgery on the shoulder last offseason, but the problem had existed for much longer. Heathcott detailed what he'd been through in April, when the RiverDogs were in town to play the Lakewood BlueClaws.

Here's a snippet of the interview I conducted:

Q: I know you had a little bit of a shoulder thing in the offseason. Can you explain exactly what you went through?

A: I dove in high school and I separated my shoulder and tore my labrum. I tried playing through it and doing shoulder exercises throughout the year, but when I got to instructs I just couldn’t play through it anymore.

I went to Dr. (James) Andrews, and I had a complete tear in the front and the back, so I’m just trying to get back from that. I’m not 100 percent, not anywhere close. I’m good enough to play and not hurt the team.

Q: So you had that problem all of last year?

A: Yes.

Q: Did you know something was wrong?

A: Yep. I knew something was wrong. We knew it before I signed. We knew when I had my pre-signing physical that it was there. I just didn’t think it was bad enough (to do anything about). I could still throw at a high velocity, I just didn’t have much control on where it was going. The shoulder’s still kind of bouncing around, but it’ll get better.

Q: When did you get it fixed?

A: Middle of October. I got my 3.5 (month) release. My first game was about six months out.

Q: If you’re not 100 percent right now, what do you look for out of yourself that will tell you you’re getting closer to being 100 percent?

A: To be honest with you, I don’t have a clue. Knee surgery was easy to come back from for me. I had ACL surgery, but I was back in 3.5 months. With this, I don’t know, it’s just different. … I don’t know. I really don’t know what it will be to be 100 percent.

Q: When’s the last time you thought you were 100 percent?

A: I didn’t necessarily think I wasn’t 100 percent last year. It just gave me questionable throws sometimes. That’s no excuse. I thought I was pretty close to 100 percent last year.

So now the question is: Did the Yankees rush him back, and if so, is that to blame for his latest problem?

Second baseman David Adams, who had his broken foot/ankle improperly diagnosed last year, has gone through a similar set of issues this season, though his outlook, after a long road back, appears to be a bit sunnier.

Adams was held back in Extended Spring Training until April 21, when he went 2-for-4 in a game with the T-Yanks. It's the only non-rehab game he's played so far this year.

He went back on the disabled list after that contest and didn't appear in a box score again until June 20, when he played the first of 10 games with the Gulf Coast League Yankees. He hit .517 during that stint (16-for-31) and has been removed from the GCL's roster and placed back on Tampa's.

When I spoke with Newman last month in Trenton, he said this would be the first step for Adams on his way back to the Thunder, where he was starring before suffering the injury last May.

OTHER BAD NEWS: I also heard today that Nik Turley, the organization's leader in strikeouts, will miss up to a month with a broken hand he incurred when he was caught with a line drive back to the hill.

With Charleston and Tampa this year, Turley, a former 50th-round pick, was 4-6 this season with a 2.81 ERA (second best among the Yankees' full-season affiliates), though his numbers with Tampa weren't particularly good.

MINOR GOOD NEWS: Sean Black, also in Tampa's rotation, is on his way back from tendinitis. He was scheduled to begin a throwing program today.

Triple-A: Scranton 6, Buffalo 2

Terry Tiffee: 2-for-4, R, RBI
Jorge Vazquez: 2-for-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI
Brandon Laird: 1-for-4, 2B, R, RBI
Jordan Parraz: 3-for-4, R
P.J. Pilittere: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI
Ivan Nova: 7.2 IP, 6 H, 2, R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 10 SO - 98 pitches/72 strikes

Double-A: Richmond 3, Trenton 2 -- Game 1

Ray Kruml: 1-for-3, SB
Jose Pirela: 1-for-2, HR, 2 RBI, BB
Brad Suttle: 1-for-2, R, BB
Dellin Betances: 6 IP, 4 H, R, ER, 2 BB, 9 SO -- 90 pitches/62 strikes, 6 GO/1 FO
Pat Venditte: 0.1 IP, H, 2 R, ER, 2 BB, 0 SO -- 17 pitches/8 strikes

Double-A: Richmond 2, Trenton 1 -- Game 2

Ray Kruml: 1-for-3
Jose Pirela: 1-for-3, R
Jose Gil: 1-for-2, RBI
Craig Heyer: 5.1 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, SO
Ryan Pope: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO

Low-A: Charleston 9 , Delmarva 7

Eduardo Sosa: 1-for-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Kevin Mahoney: 1-for-5, HR, 2 RBI
Gary Sanchez: 1-for-3, BB, HR
Ramon Flores: 3-for-4, 2 R
Garrison Lassiter: 2-for-3, 3B, R, RBI
Scottie Allen: 6 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO

Short Season: Staten Island 4, Connecticut 3

Cito Culver: 2-for-4, 2B, R, BB, SB
Angelo Gumbs: 2-for-5, 2B, R
Casey Stevenson: 2-for-4, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI
Matt Tracy: 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, SO

Gulf Coast League: Phillies 9, Yankees 6

Tyler Austin: 2-for-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI
Jackson Valera: 1-for-3, 2 RBI
Yeicok Calderon: 2-for-4, R
Jorge Alcantara: 2-for-4, R
Damian Taveras: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI

Dominican Summer League 1: Cubs 10, Yankees 6

Ericson Leonora: 2-for-3, 2 R, BB
Gian Arias: 1-for-3, R, 2 RBI
Abraham Ramos: 1-for-4, 2 RBI
Francisco Duran: 2-for-4, SB
Cristofer Cabrera: 4 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO

Dominican Summer League 2: Dodgers 4, Yankees 3

Eduardo de Oleo: 2-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI
Chris Tamarez: 1-for-4, R, BB
Sandy Brito: 1-for-4, 2B, BB
Erick Canela: 5 IP, 3 H, R, ER, BB, 5 SO

JESUS MONTERO

- He can really hit, despite his unconventional style

- He's a little bit of a weight-shift hitter, has a little hand-hitch in his load

- Tremendous bat speed, power to all fields

- "It's not the prettiest swing in the world, but he can hit"

- "I'm convinced that he can't catch."

- He's going be a DH, but he's going to be a very productive major league hitter

- I think there's a chance that he can be a very productive five-hole hitter in the big leagues

- Lot of balls to the backstop, strong arm, doesn't coordinate his release, arm action is a little bit long. He stabs at balls and doesn't move to block really well.

Is he still the Yankees' most valuable trade chip: "I think, from their perspective, he would be. If I was another team looking for a player, he wouldn't be my first choice. I'd be more interested in some of the young arms, because in the long run I think some of those young arms might have a bigger impact."

ADAM WARREN

- Liked the way he battles, even without his good stuff

- Four average to solid-average major league pitches

- He could pitch in the MLB right now with the stuff

- Solid No. 4 starter

- A bulldog on the mound

ANDREW BRACKMAN

- An enigma: "He'll flash you really good stuff, but he can't repeat his delivery at all."

- Clear that he's lost his confidence and has no confidence in what he's doing

- Long levers make it tough to find a consistent release point, but stuff is there

- Bullpen guy in the long run, 7th/8th-inning guy if everything turns around

D.J. MITCHELL

- Live, loose arm

- Comped to Ramiro Mendoza in that he could be a versatile pen arm

- Loved the change-up -- "That's his weapon now."

- His niche is his versatility

BRANDON LAIRD

- He's got big juice, big power, big raw juice, but style/bat path don't allow him to get to it at game time

- Getting himself out a lot. Swings at a lot of bad pitches.

- When he squares it, it sounds really good coming off his bat

- Too many holes in the swing

- Slower, not real athletic body

- Range at third base is not good; hands are OK

Triple-A: Buffalo 7, Scranton 5

Brandon Laird: 3-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI
Terry Tiffee: 1-for-4, 2B, R
Greg Golson: 1-for-4, 2 R, RBI, BB
Adam Warren: 5 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO
Andrew Brackman: IP, H, R, ER, BB, 0 SO

High-A: Tampa 7, Daytona 1

Kelvin Castro: 2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI
Rob Segedin: 2-for-5, 2 R, RBI
Taylor Grote: 1-for-4, 2B, R RBI, BB
Emerson Landoni: 2-for-4, R
Mikey O'Brien: 5 IP, H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 SO

Low-A: Charleston 5, Augusta 4

Kevin Mahoney: 1-for-2, R, RBI, BB
Ramon Flores: 2-for-4, R
Mike Ferraro: 1-for-4, 2 R
Garrison Lassiter: 2-for-3, R
Shane Greene: 6 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 2 BB, 7 SO
Mark Montgomery: IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 3 SO

Short Season: Staten Island 2, Brooklyn 1

Mason Williams: 1-for-3, R, SB
Cito Culver: 1-for-4
Ali Castillo: 1-for-2, 2B, R
Casey Stevenson: 1-for-3, R
Evan DeLuca: 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 3 SO

Gulf Coast League: Yankees 9, Phillies 8

Ravel Santana: 3-for-5, 2B, 4 R, 2 BB, SB, outfield assist
Jose Rosario: 3-for-6, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 SB
David Adams: 3-for-3, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI
Tyler Austin: 1-for-7, RBI
Daniel Lopez: 0-for-4, 2 R, BB, 2 SB

Dominican Summer League 1: Yankees 4, Marlins 0

Rafael Polo: 1-for-1, 2 R, BB
Jose Polanco: 2-for-4, 2B, R
Melvin Aquino: 1-for-3, 2B, BB
Eladio Moronta: 1-for-2, BB
Cesar Vargas: 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 8 SO

Dominican Summer League 2: Astros 11, Yankees 9

Freite Marte: 2-for-5, 3 R, 3 RBI, 2B, 3B
Eduardo de Oleo: 3-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI
Jose Javier: 1-for-4, 2B, R

Triple-A: Scranton 5, Lehigh Valley 3

Greg Golson: 3-for-4, RBI

Mike Lamb: 1-for-5, 2B, RBI, R

Brandon Laird: 2-for-4

Doug Bernier: 4-for-4, 2B, R

Luis Nunez: 2-for-4, R

Shaeffer Hall: 6.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO -- 81 pitches/54 strikes

Eric Wordekemper: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, SO

High-A: Daytona 12, Tampa 5

Walter Ibarra: 2-for-4, 2B, R, RBI

Luke Murton: 2-for-4, 2B, RBI

Neil Medchill: 3-for-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI
Kelvin Castro: 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI

Brett Marshall: 4 IP, 8 H, 8 R, 7 ER, BB, 2 SO

Preston Claiborne: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, SO

Low-A: Augusta 5, Charleston 2

Gary Sanchez: 0-for-2, 2 R, BB

Kevin Mahoney: 2-for-4, R

Kyle Higashioka: 1-for-3, 2B

Kelvin De Leon: 1-for-3, RBI, BB

Steve Evarts: 6 IP, 5 H, 3 R, ER, 2 BB, 2 SO

Short Season: Brooklyn 10, Staten Island 3

Mason Williams: 3-for-5, 2 R

Cito Culver: 1-for-4, RBI

Zach Wilson: 2-for-3, R, BB

Ali Castillo: 2-for-4

Caleb Cotham: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 SO

Gulf Coast League: Yankees 6, Blue Jays 2

Ravel Santana: 2-for-6, 2B, R, RBI

David Adams: 1-for-3, 2B, R, RBI

Dante Bichette: 0-for-2, 3 BB

Daniel Lopez: 0-for-3, 2 BB, 2 R

Graham Stoneburner: 4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, ER, 2 BB, SO

Here are the links to The Trentonian's coverage of JeterMania tonight:

First, my story recapping The Captain's evening

Second, the game story from my intern, Spencer Israel

Last, my column on why, despite his accolades, Jeter will not be a unanimous Hall of Famer

Below are videos of all of Jeter's at-bats, plus some BP video, Tony Franklin's pregame presser, and Jeter and Cashman's postgame pressers:




















The other big news of the day was Shaeffer Hall's promotion to Triple-A, and Kei Igawa's umpteenth return to the Thunder. Hall will start tomorrow for the SWB Yankees, just 14 months after he started against Lakewood in Low-A. Crazy.

It's the final day of Derek Jeter's two-game stint with the Thunder, and everything but the weather has been optimal. The tarp is on the field now, and it's been raining on and off all day long, with thunder and lightning in the mix as well.

Jeter is scheduled to play all nine innings tentatively, as well continue leading off and playing shortstop. That, however, could be affected by the rain, obviously. He won't speak until after the game, as per rehab tradition. Only Lance Berkman, that I can remember, went against that rule.

Manny Banuelos is on the bump for the Thunder, giving this final game of their last homestand before the All-Star break just a little more juice -- as if it needed it.

The lineup for the Thunder looks like this:

Derek Jeter - SS
Ray Kruml - RF
Corban Joseph - DH
Brad Suttle - 3B
Melky Mesa - CF
Rob Lyerly - 1B
Jose Pirela - 2B
Damon Sublett - LF
Jose Gil - C
Manny Banuelos - LHP

Here are some videos of Jeter taking batting practice, and most of Tony Franklin's pregame press conference:









Here's Captain America's first at-bat -- er, plate appearance