West Virginia Black Bears series wrap-up v. Yankees

The Pittsburgh Pirates Short Season-A affiliate, the West Virginia Black Bears, wrapped up their sixth home series of the season Sunday night. The Black Bears hosted the Staten Island Yankees in a three-game weekend series. The Staten Island Yankees hail from the McNamara division of the New York Penn League and are an affiliate of the New York Yankees.The Black Bears entered the series with a record of 17-16, while the Yankees came into the series with 19-13 record. The Black Bears enter the series winners of six straight.

Game 1

Game one on Friday resulted in a 7-5 win for the Black Bears. On offense, the Black Bears were led by a six run third inning. Kevin Newman and Daniel Arribas led the way with three hits and an RBI for each. Logan Hill, Ty Moore, Casey Hughston each added two hits and an RBI each. Kevin Kramer and Albert Baur each had a hit and an RBI. Christian Kelley also had a hit in the game.

Black Bears Starting Pitcher Seth McGarry went four innings and allowed just one run on three hits, one walk and two strikeouts. Jerry Mulderig pitched two innings in relief and picked up the win while allowing two runs on three hits, one walk and one strikeout. Jonathan Minier pitched 1.2 innings and allowed two runs on two hits, three walks and two strikeouts. Julio Eusebio picked up his third save while going 1.1 innings, walked one and struck out two.

Game 2

Game two on Saturday resulted in a 3-0 win for the Black Bears. The Black Bears pitching staff combined for a one hit shut out. The story of the night was Black Bears starting pitcher JT Brubaker. Brubaker picked up the win while going six innings and allowing just one hit. With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Catcher Christian Kelley dropped the third strike, missed the tag and then was charged with an error on the throw down to first. This allowed the Yankees first base runner of the game. The next batter singled for the only hit of the game for the Yankees.

John Holdzkom pitched the seventh inning and struck out two. Holdzkom is with the Black Bears on a rehab assignment from the Pirates AAA Affiliate, the Indianapolis Indians. For more on Holdzkom, check out our story here. Cesilio Pimentel picked up the two inning save while striking out three and walking one.

On Offense, the Black Bears were led by David Andriese’s two RBIs and one hit. Daniel Arribas and Erik Forgione each had two hits. Ryan Nagle and Kevin Kramer each added a hit. Casey Hughston had an RBI in the game.