Game 55- Yankees vs. PawSox, May 29th, 2008

The PawSox look to earn a split of their four game series with the Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees as the teams wrap up their four game set tonight (7:05 pm) at McCoy. RHP Dan McCutchen (0-1, 4.26) toes the mound for SWB against RHP Justin Masterson (NR) for Pawtucket.

It's a beautiful night at McCoy. I am on press row...here is a preview...

Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees (34-20)

LINE-UP

Brett Gardner CF
Alberto Gonzalez SS
Jason Lane LF
Ben Broussard 1B
Cody Ransom 3B
Greg Porter DH
Justin Christian RF
Chris Stewart C
Bernie Castro 2B

The Yankees enjoy another day atop the IL North Division. SWB has shared at least the top spot in 55 of the 57 days of the season thus far.

McCutchen makes his second start of the season for the Yankees, having lost on May 24th to Indianapolis. In that game he pitched 6 1/3 innings, giving up three runs on ten hits. He has made nine starts for Double A Trenton. He had a 4-3 record with an ERA of 2.55.

Justin Lane enters the game with a 10 game hitting streak. In that time he has a .350 batting average, with three homers and 14 RBI.s

Pawtucket Red Sox (32-22)

LINE-UP

Jeff Bailey DH
George Kottaras C
Joe Thurston 2B
Chris Carter LF
Brandon Moss 1B
Keith Ginter 3B
Sean Danielson RF
Gil Velazquez SS
Jonathan Van Every CF

What a difference two games make. Two days ago the PawSox were tied with the Yankees for first place in the IL North Division. Following back-to-back losses the PawSox find themselves in third place, two games out of first and 1/2 game behind Syracuse for second place.

Justin Masterson makes his PawSox debut tonight. He was slated to start Saturday in Durham but was moved up with the speculation he may be needed to pitch for the Red Sox on Tuesday if Daisuke Matsuzaka is unable to make his next start with shoulder stiffness.

PawSox Manager Ron Johnson is looking forward to Masterson's debut.

"I saw two innings in the first two days of Major League Spring Training. The only other times I’ve seen him was on TV. It should be exciting." said Johnson.

Masterson has been with the team for about a week and has blended in extremely well.

"He’s probably the nicest guy I’ve ever met. He makes you feel better hanging out with him," said Johnson. "When these guys go up there to the big league club, it’s there responsibility to blend in to be part of that culture. When you’ve got a guy that understands things..its real good."

Masterson has made two appearances with Boston this season. In those games he was 1-0 with a 1.46 ERA. In those games he struck out nine and walked seven. He has also had eight starts with Double A Portland. In those starts Masterson was 1-3 with a 4.23 ERA.

Elsewhere with the pitching staff Johnson said it's important for the PawSox bullpen to not get too discouraged over their performance the last two games,

"We’re playing the best team in the league. They’ve had they’re way with us" Johnson said, "When they have two or three days when they struggle its all about how they rebound."

On the injury front Johnson said Jed Lowrie took batting practice from both sides of the plate today and looks ready to rejoin the PawSox line-up in the next day or so. Reliever Lee Gronkiewicz, who has been sidelined since May 1st, has had another MRI on his ailing right elbow. His status is still up in the air.

Jeff Bailey was slated to have the day off but was a last minute addition to the line-up at DH. He has been in a rut as of late, going hitless in his last nine at bats.

Chris Carter enters the game with a 8 game hitting streak, over which he is hitting .531 with 4 homers and 7 RBI. He now leads the team with a .318 batting average.

Check back as I will be providing periodic updates every few innings.