Yankees batter Buckner, Hens

7/16/2010

MOOSIC, Pa. - Toledo starter Billy Buckner allowed nine runs in just two-thirds of an inning and the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre Yankees pummelled the struggling Mud Hens 12-5 Thursday night at PNC Field in their return from the all-star break.

Will Rhymes got the Hens on the board first with a solo shot - his second home run in consecutive games.

But the Yankees bounced back in the bottom of the first, making quick work of Buckner (3-5).

Buckner retired the first two batters he faced but then allowed nine runs on seven hits and two walks.

After singles by Eduardo Nunez and Juan Miranda and walk, Jorge Vazquez doubled to drive in two. Reegie Corona doubled to score two more, and Eric Bruntlett singled to make it a 5-1 game. A Greg Golson single and a walk to Reid Gorecki loaded the bases again before Chad Tracy ended Buckner's night with a bases-clearing double.

Nuez greeted reliever Gilbert De La Vara with an RBI double.

In the third, Rhymes doubled to plate Max St-Pierre and

Scott Sizemore.

Jeff Larish hit his 15th home run of the season to cut the deficit to 10-4 in the sixth, but the Yankees added a run in the bottom of the inning on a Nuez double and a Jesus Montero single.

The Mud Hens (44-48) chipped away at the lead in the seventh when Casper Wells drew a walk, St-Pierre singled, and Sizemore singled to plate Wells.