Malonio, Malonio was locked in on the strike zonio (Maloney vs. Warren)

MOOSIC, PA - (August 4, 2011)  Zack Cozart foiled my nefarious plan to stalk see Paul Janish play when the Louisville Bats came up to Yankee land this week.  But I showed up at the game anyway, camera in tow.

On the mound was Justin's favorite, the pride of Sandusky, Ohio, Matt Maloney.

He apparently has some fans in Moosic.  Or one, at least. Some Bats players were looking and pointing at someone sitting near the concourse behind home plate.

It was a girl holding a MATT MALONEY sign.

Maloney had a bit of a rough first inning.

He gave up a single to Jesus Montero and a home run to Jorge Vazquez.  The Bats were down 2-0 in the first inning.  Call him up, Walt, he's ready!

Adam Warren started for the Yankees.  He was their 4th round pick in 2009, from the University of North Carolina.

The Bats got one back in the 2nd.  Jeremy Hermida doubled...

...then Devin Mesoraco singled, scoring Hermida.  1-2 Yankees.

Chris Valaika tied it up in the 3rd, hitting a home run that bounced off the scoreboard.

Left fielder Dan Brewer gives Valaika's homer a courtesy chase.

The Bats' new center fielder, Denis Phipps.

Jordan Parraz was picked off and caught stealing in the 4th.

Not to be outdone in the baserunning blunders department, Dave Sappelt hit a double in the 5th, but was thrown out trying to stretch it to a triple.

It was still 2-2 when Maloney left after sixth.

Despite that first inning, he had a nice outing.  6 IP, 4 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 0 walks, 5 Ks, 1 HR.  65 pitches, 45 for strikes.

Nick Christiani pitched the 7th.

He gave up one hit, no runs.

The hit was almost an out. Negron barehanded it...

...and made a quick throw.

But the throw was high, and the runner was safe.

Kris Negron is a playful sort.  He pretended like he was going to throw a ball to the fans, then turned his back and went into the dugout, without giving away the ball.  Just as they started to boo him, he threw it into the stands over his shoulder, without looking back, and laughed his butt off.

The new center fielder, Phipps, fields a Jorge Vazquez fly out.

A Horst is a Horst is a Horst, of courst.  Jeremy Horst pitched the 8th.

The pride of Punxsutawney, PA.

In the 8th, Phipps singled.

He got to 2B on a passed ball, and Mesoraco was IBB'd.

Danny Dorn was up next.  Make 'em pay, Dornie!

He did, hitting a single that scored Phipps.

It was the go-ahead run.

Jordan Smith closed it out.

Greg Golson flied out to Sappelt.

Jesus Montero worked a walk, and they put a pinch-runner in.  One Chris Dickerson.

Jorge Vazquez singled, and C-Dick almost fell over his own feet on the basepaths, but made it to 3B safely.

Ruh-roh.  Runner on third, with less than two outs.  Very speedy runner on third.

But Jordan Smith slammed the door, getting a pop out and a ground out to secure the win.  Bats 3, SWB Yanks 2.