On the mound: RHP Mitchell (0-0, 3.18) vs. RHP Meyer (4-3, 3.41)

In the standings: The Thunder are four full games up over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats with just six games left to play.

Last night: After Danny Burawa gave up a two-run lead in the eighth inning, the Thunder came back in the 12th with a two-run walk-off single from Gary Sanchez.

Roster news: The Thunder are back to 24 guys on the active roster as RHP Caleb Smith has been brought up from Staten Island.  Smith was the Yankees 14th round pick this year's draft out of Sam Houston State. He's pitched well for Staten Island, posting a 1.89 ERA in 47.2 innings.

Robertsonapalooza: Yankees reliever David Robertson will be at Arm & Hammer Park tonight promoting his High Socks for Hope charity.


LINEUPS
THUNDER
Gamel CF
Flores LF
Pirela 2B
G. Sanchez DH
Roller 1B
Stevenson 3B
Y. Sanchez RF
Corona SS
Arcia C

NEW BRITAIN
Santana SS
Rosario 2B
Hanson DH
Rodriguez 1B
Ortiz LF
Rohlfing C
Boyer 3B
Bigley RF
Morales CF

Final Score: Trenton 9, New Britain 8, 12 innings (check the gamer here)

What went right: The Thunder didn't get a ton of hits (nine) for a team that scored nine runs, but they came at the right time. Obviously Sanchez's walk-off (alas, wasn't able to get the video) was huge, but there was also a big home run from Kyle Roller in the first, a two-run triple from Ramon Flores, and a game-tying, extra-innings single from Ben Gamel. All below:






What went wrong: Five errors, including two by Danny Burawa in the eighth inning, when he gave up two runs to tie the game. Here is what Burawa said on Twitter after the comeback win:

dannyburawa One person fails 24 others refuse to quit and pick him up...definition of TEAM win #andthethunderrolls 8/28/13 11:06 PM

Notes: Jose Gil was called up to Scranton before the game. Also, Hideki Matsui threw out the first pitch.

On the mound: RHP Shane Greene (7-3, 3.22) vs. RHP Trevor May (8-9, 4.67)

In the standings: The Thunder are 12.5 back of Binghamton but three full games up over New Hampshire for the league's second playoff spot. New Britain is all but out of it at 7.5 games behind the Thunder.

Last night: Thanks to a solid outing from Mikey O'Brien, the Thunder took a 2-1 lead into the ninth inning Sunday night against the Portland Sea Dogs. Danny Burawa walked home the tying run, but Ramon Flores hit a walk-off single in the 10th.

Not to be negative, here is Burawa's walk, because I was working on my gamer when Flores got the big hit:



LINEUPS:
Thunder
Williams CF
Flores LF
Pirela 2B
Roller DH
Angelini SS
Gamel RF
Stevenson 1B
Corona 3B
Arcia C

New Britain
Santana SS
Rosario 2B
Bigley RF
Sano 3B
Ortiz LF
Rodriguez 1B
Boyer DH
Rohlfing C
Parraz CF

The score: 3-2 Thunder, 10 innings

The good: Mikey O'Brien had an interesting day. The righty gave up just one run over 6.2 innings of work, but he did so giving up nine hits and striking out nine. Also good was Pat Venditte, who threw 1.1 scoreless innings, and Charley Short, who threw a scoreless frame the same day he was promoted from Tampa. Here is Short on how his day went before the game:

I got to the airport at about 7:00 in the morning because I had an 8:30 flight. It got delayed to 9:30 so I was going to miss my connection, so I had to get a completely new flight with a new airline and everything. I had to go through security twice, so it was kind of tough. It was noon flight so I got here at about 2:30, waited for my bags and got the ballpark about 10 minutes to four.

Obviously Ramon Flores' game-winning single in the 10th was "good", but in addition to winning the game it also lifted the Thunder to a respectable 3-for-8 with runners in scoring position, which has been a major issue for the team all season.

The bad: Even with Flores' heroics, it was hardly a banner day for the Thunder at the plate, where they went a combined 8-for-34, which comes out to an average of .235. Even Gary Sanchez's RBI single looked as if it could have been ruled an error if the fielder had made a clean play. Here's a look.

Also, Danny Burawa was fortunate to only give up the tying run in the ninth inning. Here's some video of him walking that run home.

The...whatever: It was Bark at the Park night, so you know. Dogs. Like these guys:

On the mound: RHP Mikey O'Brien (7-7, 4.20) vs. LHP Chris Hernandez (1-0, 2.25)

In the standings: After Saturday night's loss (check out Ed Morlock's gamer here), the and the New Hampshire Fisher Cats 7-3 win Saturday afternoon, the Thunder are back to just 2.5 up for the EL East's 2nd playoff spot. Portland is four back.

LINEUPS
THUNDER
Williams CF
Flores LF
Pirela 2B
Gary Sanchez C
Angelini SS
Roller 1B
Gamel RF
Yeral Sanchez DH
Corona 3B

PORTLAND
Wilkerson CF
Marrero SS
Cecchini 3B
J.C. Linares RF
Almanzar DH
Vasquez C
Shaw 1B
Dent LF
Gibson 2B

Notes: The Thunder called up RHP Charley Short from Tampa before the game. Short was 4-1 with a 2.20 ERA in 25 games. The move puts the Thunder's active roster back at 25. It had been basically (notwithstanding the corresponding moves of Graham Stoneburner to Scranton and Scottie Allen up from Tampa and Neil Medchill going straight from the DL to the RailRiders) at 24 since Rigoberto Arrebato went to the DL August 17.

Also, today is the much-loved Bring Your Dog to the Park Day, so if you really want to come to the game but can't find someone to watch your dog, you are in luck!

On the mound: RHP Scottie Allen (1-0, 0.73) vs. RHP Matt Barnes (5-9, 4.41)

In the standings: The Thunder dropped a game last night, falling to just 2.5 games ahead of New Hampshire in the race for the final EL East playoff spot. Portland is 4 back. Here's what Tony said about that before the game:

Lineups:
THUNDER
Williams CF
Flores DH
G. Sanchez C
Roller 1B
Angelini SS
Gamel LF
Y. Sanchez RF
Stevenson 3B
Corona 2B

SEA DOGS
Hissey LF
Marrero SS
Cecchini 3B
Linares RF
Almanzar DH
Shaw 1B
Spring C
Wilkerson CF
Dent 2B

NOTES: The Thunder get to face another top Red Sox prospect tonight in Matt Barnes. Barnes was Baseball America's third-ranked Boston prospect to start the season, he has a well-regarded fastball and curveball. The numbers this season aren't great though, as he is just 5-9 with a 4.41 ERA for the Sea Dogs. Tony's take:

For a game that ended at just 4-2, the Thunder's Thursday night contest against the Portland Sea Dogs was about as drawn-out an affair as you will see. Despite much-hyped Red Sox Prospect Henry Owens taking the mound for the Sea Dogs, there were a combined 18 walks. How does a game with 18 walks end 4-2? The Thunder were 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position, while the Sea Dogs were 2-for-14.


The bad news for the Thunder is that New Hampshire crushed Reading 12-4, which means the Fisher Cats are just 2.5 games back in the race for the final playoff spot in the EL East. The drama!

Okay, lets take a closer look at this one:

The Thunder got a run in the first on a passed ball, but Henry Owens has looked pretty nasty early. Here he is striking out Mason Williams on three pitches:




Here's Portland catcher Christian Vasquez throwing out Carmen Angelini at 2nd. Vasquez had a tough start to the game, as his two passed balls allowed Ramon Flores to score without Owens giving up a hit.






The Sea Dogs got on the board in the second when Michael Almanzar hit a solo homer off Nik Turley, then got another in the third on a JC Linares line drive RBI. Here's Mason Williams connecting on a double of Owens in the third. Jose Pirela would then walk, but Owens got Gary Sanchez to pop out to first to end the threat.

Williams finished the game 1-for-4 with two strikeouts. Gary Sanchez was 0-for-3.

  


It was a bad inning for Owens in the fourth. He walked Kyle Roller, gave up a single to Carmen Angelini, walked Yeral Sanchez, then walked Jose Gil to bring home Roller, all of which you can see below. Owens final line was: 3IP, 2H, 2R, 7BB, 3K. Portland's Pete Ruiz did, however, manage to get out of the inning without further damage.



After Owens was pulled, Angelini got picked off at third base, and that got Tony mad. Mad enough, in fact, to get ejected. Here's what he had to say about that:
As for the rest of the game, the Thunder just could put together a rally of the Portland bullpen. They got two on with two outs in the eighth, but Jose Pirela struck out to end the opportunity.

Check out my early story here, and Ed Morlock's gamer here.


NOTES: Niel Medchill was activated from the DL before the game and promoted to Scranton, which is pretty good deal for a guy that hasn't played in two months...Inspired by the news of Ben Affleck apparently being the next Batman, the press box proceeded to discuss which Thunder player would be best suited for the role. Tyler Austin got some votes, but ultimately Slade Heathcott was the winner, largely due to his perceived ability to run through walls. Also receiving votes were Kyle Roller for Bane, Ramon Flores for Robin, Tony Franklin for Commissioner Gordon, and Alex Rodriguez (he counts) for the Joker.

While here at Minor Matters we are primarily concerned with the Thunder and the Yankees organization, we also track down baseball games across the greater NJ/PA/NY region. That brought me to Lakewood last night to check out Roy Halladay's rehab start, plus Phillies top '13 draft pick JP Crawford, who is the first player ever to be drafted and make it to the BlueClaws in the same season. Here's a little video of Crawford helping out Halladay with a nice catch against Hagerstown's Narciso Mesa (not certain the dive was 100 percent necessary, but a nice play nonetheless).



Crawford was 1-for-4 with a run and looked smooth on defense, but I'll need to see more to generate an opinion.

As for Halladay, things could have been worse. Final line: 6IP, 7H, 2R, 1ER, 3BB, 4K. His velocity was only in the mid-to-high eighties, but after the game he said that his surgeons felt that it would continue to improve. He also said that after the fourth inning, he started to get a better feel with his cutter. Here is my story, and some video:





Halladay also had some interesting things to say about the firing of Charlie Manuel and his upcoming free agency:




As for the Thunder, their road trip to New Hampshire and New Britain has been exactly what they did not need as they try to secure the EL East's final playoff spot. They've lost 4 of 5 on the trip and 5 of their last six overall, though heading into Wednesday night's rubber match against the Rock Cats they are still three games up over New Hampshire (the Fisher Cats lost to Portland Wednesday afternoon 4-2).

Shane Greene (6-3, 3.45) gets the ball against major leaguer Cole De Vries (0-2, 2.70).

After Wednesday night's game, the Thunder will play their next eight games in Trenton, with four games each against Portland and New Britain.

The Mason Williams era began for the Thunder Thursday night in a 6-5 loss to Harrisburg. Williams didn't start, but pinch-ran for Saxon Butler in the 8th and scored the Thunder's fifth run on a Carmen Angelini singe (check out the video here). Williams had a chance to tie the game in the ninth, but struck out swinging.

Had a brief chat with him after the game:

Q: Quite a situation for your first Double-A at-bat.

A: It was alright. I obviously had some first at-bat jitters. It’s over now, and the only thing I can do is get ready tomorrow to play.

Q: Did you think there was a chance you could pinch run?

A: Always. I knew I was starting, but I always knew I could pinch run, or do whatever I could to help us win the game.

Q: Did you raise your hand a little bit there in the 8th?

A: I’m always ready to go. Off the plane I was ready to go.

Q: How did it feel to score your first Double-A run? 

A: Good. At least I could do something to help the team in my first night hear. Obviously, it was my first night and I’m probably go to have a lot more to come.

Q: Nice playing in front of a bigger crowd than Tampa?

A: Drastically different than it is in the Florida State league, where you can hear crickets and conversations in the crowd. Definitely fun to be back playing in more of a baseball atmosphere, with crowds and fans and a lot more support here.

What can we say about Williams from his first game? Not a lot, other than that he really is fast. Good thing there are 19 games left.

In roster news, Graham Stoneburner is headed to Scranton. He was packing up his things and saying his goodbyes after the game. Good guy, good pitcher.

Also of note, Pat Venditte took the loss for the Thunder after giving up a run in the sixth, but rebounded (final line: 2IP, 3H, 1R, 1ER, 0BB, 3 SO). He also demonstrated his more side-armed right handed delivery. Here is what Tony Franklin said about that.

He’s got a little bit more of a slurve. If you are not on it, or you are a little too quick on it, there is a good chance you are going to swing and miss. I guess that’s what all those guys are out there are trying to do: produce swings and misses. So far so good. He dropped down quite a bit. He has a tendency to be a little high in the strike zone, he left one up tonight and it hurt him. Overall, Pat is going to be fine.

Also, Ramon Flores' hit-streak ended at 13 games. He was 0-for-3 with 2 walks.

More video of the evening can be found here, including Yeral Sanchez's two-run double.

Here is my Gary Sanchez profile, and here is our intern Billy Tharpe's gamer.

They are turning the lights off on me here at the stadium, so that's it for now. More soon.

Pitching matchup: RHP Shane Greene (6-3, 3.11) vs. RHP Rob Gilliam (3-6, 4.50)

In the standings: The Thunder have won six in a row and are in second place in the EL East, 105 back of Binghamton. Harrisburg is tied with Erie for first in the West.

LINEUPS:
Thunder
Flores CF
Angelini SS
G. Sanchez C
Roller DH
Pirela 2B
Stevenson LF
Y. Sanchez RF
Butler 1B
Corona 3B

Harrisburg
Burns CF
Nicol LF
Bloxom 1B
Hague 2B
Jeroloman DH
Rivero 3B
Head RF
Martinson SS
Leon C

NOTES: Big news today, of course, is the promotion of much-hyped outfielder Mason Williams (Ben Gamel and Rigoberto Arrebato were also promoted, and Cody Grice was sent down to Tampa). Reading the tea leaves, it seems likely that the injury to Slade Heathcott was a big contributing factor to the decision to promote Williams. A little over a month ago, Mark Newman told reporters here that neither Gary Sanchez or Williams would be called up to Trenton, which just reinforces that A) things change quickly and B) front office types are not under much real obligation to be particularly forthcoming with media types. Anyway, here is some video of Tony Franklin talking about Williams. 

Williams flew up from Tampa early this morning and so won't play tonight. That, combined with the versatile Grice being sent down, gives the Thunder outfield and interesting look, with Ramon Flores out of his tradition left field and in center.

So, a busy day at the park...

The biggest news of the day was that Slade Heathcott has been sent to the Yankees complex in Tampa a day after being placed on the DL with right knee tendinopathy. Hard to imagine Slade making his way back to Trenton this season, which is a shame, because he looked like he was finally starting to put things together at the plate. It's unclear whether his all-out style of play contributed to the injury, but to me this sounds more like a condition that happens over time instead of something that happens when you run into a wall.

Here is what Tony Franklin had to say about it:

“There isn’t much (time left in season), so you can draw your own conclusions on that,” Franklin said. “All the tests and things that will be dealt with will be done in Tampa. They feel it’s significant enough to bring him down, shut him down for a while and find out what the problem is, and figure out a route to go. It’ll probably keep him shut down for a while.”

Also, switch-pitching Pat Venditte is back in Trenton. Check out my story on him here. Nice guy, agreed when I said I thought the rule should be that both the hitter and pitcher declare which side they want to play from independently/secretly to the umpire.

As for the game, the Mikey O'Brien was very solid, Cody Grice and Jose Pirela had home runs, and Gary Sanchez had three hits. Game story here and some videos here.

Here is Franklin on O'Brien:

“Mikey isn’t the kind of guy that’s going to wow you with velocity or things of that nature, but when he’s on he’s down in the strike zone, he’s getting groundball after groundball and his pitches are sinking and moving, and he’s pretty effective that way,” Franklin said.

The Thunder also released their 2014 schedule. As expected, it features lots of games against Eastern League teams.

Also, for anyone interested in visiting New Orleans, I talked to Jeremy Bleich last night about where to find the best po'boy (Bleich grew up in Metairie, La. and went to Isadore Newman, the same high school Peyton and Eli Manning went, and I went to college at Tulane.) We both said Domilise's, but he said that Parkway Tavern had won some sort of food channel cook off. My Domilise's vote stands.

Lastly, I'd be remiss if I didn't link to some Thunder love on the Colbert Report.