Morning News in the New York-Penn League for July 5, 2017

The Aberdeen IronBirds are the hottest team in the league, winning last night over Lowell 4-2. Aberdeen tied a franchise record with its seventh consecutive win. The IronBirds previously won seven in a row from July 1-7, 2006. Despite their win streak, they are 2.5 games behind the Staten Island Yankees (11-2) in the McNamara Division.

With their 8-4 extra inning win last night against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (9-5), the West Virginia Black Bears (10-5) are one game up in the Pinckney Division. The Black Bears had 17 hits in last night’s game and improved their team batting average to .226, after a very cold start at the plate this season.

The Connecticut Tigers (9-5) are one game up in the Stedler after their 5-4 loss last night to the Vermont Lake Monsters (8-6) before 6,195 fans at Dodd Stadium.

Players to watch:

Auburn Doubledays' (3-12) Ben Braymer was named the New York-Penn League pitcher of the week for June 26 thru July 2. He pitched five scoreless innings, striking out seven against the Staten Island Yankees on June 30. Braymer was selected in the 18th round of 2016 draft by the Washington Nationals out of Auburn.

Mahoning Valley Scrappers’ first baseman Ulysses Cantu slash line is .390/.410/.576 with 2 HR and 6 RBIs after 14 games. The Cleveland Indians selected Cantu in the sixth round of the 2016 draft out of Saginaw, Texas.

Jorge Guzman of the Staten Island Yankees pitched 6.2 innings against the Tri-City ValleyCats on July 3, giving up no runs and striking out 10. He is 3-0, 1.53 ERA, 21 SO, 4 BB and a 0.62 WHIP in 17.2 IP this season.

West Virginia Black Bears catcher Yoel Gonzalez had a career high five hits and four RBIs last night. On the down side, he also had two throwing errors. After a slow start this season, his slash line is .357/.345/.536.

Other items of interest:

The Brooklyn Cyclones are averaging  a league high 6,008 fans in seven home dates.

The Batavia Muckdogs are averaging a league low 1,155 fans in five home dates.
 
The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New York-Penn League.