Exhibition Game Recap: Hank’s Yanks at Newark Bears
Burt Reynolds takes a big swing against Hank's Yanks. Credit: Phil Hoops
Gray skies loomed over the city of Newark all day long. The temperatures were rather chilly, yet there was still a baseball game to be played -- one that was for an especially good cause. Prior to the game, just about every Bears player on the roster (managers and coaching staff included) made themselves available for autographs around the stadium's main concourse.
Fans gathered on the infield to release over 450 balloons to commemorate the fight against Pancreatic cancer. On hand to participate was famed actor Danny Aiello and Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo.
Now on to the in-game action. Pitcher Anthony Puta took the mound for the Bears and pitched a scoreless first inning against the Hank's Yanks batters. Early on the young Yankees hopefuls looked over-matched at the plate, but it didn't stay that way for long (more on that later). Centerfielder Kyle LaMotta led off the game for the Bears with a double. Former big leaguers Tim Raines Jr. and Ramon Nivar walked soon after to make things interesting.
First baseman Brian Nichols came up to the plate next and subsequently popped out. Danny Santiesteban proceeded to ground-out, however a run crossed the plate to get the Bears on the board. Third baseman Todd Gossage, the youngest son of the legendary Goose Gossage, stepped up to the plate and promptly walked. Designated hitter and Newark local Burt Reynolds really got things going with a Hollywood style two-run double to fire up the crowd.
Catcher Eric McGee kept the rally going with an RBI double of his own. Hank's Yanks would ultimately battle back with some offense of their own and came within one run of tying things up. However, the Bears managed to stay on top throughout the latter innings of the game and pickup the exhibition win by a score of 9-to-7.
Overall, it was enjoyable game although the Bears did let the game get a little bit too close for comfort at the end. Although I wasn't really a huge fan of Newark's new jerseys at first, I have to admit they look pretty cool in person. I was told by a staffer that the new Newark Bears jerseys would eventually go on-sale at the team store, which opens this Thursday for Opening Day.
That's all for now -- stay tuned later this week as we count down the days until Opening Day at Riverfront Stadium this Thursday against the Rockland Boulders.
Fans release over 450 ballons into the air prior to Sunday's Newark Bears game to support the fight against Pancreatic Cancer. Credit: Phil Hoops
The entire Bears roster signed autographs for fans prior to the start of the game. Credit: Phil Hoops
A rare Tim Raines autographed baseball. Credit: Phil Hoops
Paddy Matera returns to Newark for the 2011 season. Credit: Phil Hoops
Newark starter Anthony Pluta throws a warm-up pitch. Credit: Phil Hoops
The Hank's Yanks starter fires off a pitch. Credit: Phil Hoops
Danny Santiesteban dashes out of the box down the first base line. Credit: Phil Hoops
Jim Leyritz makes his first visit to the mound as Newark Bears pitching coach. Credit: Phil Hoops
Press Release: Jackals Defeat Bears In Rain-Delayed Exhibition Contest
Kyle LaMotta drove in one of the two Newark runs on Saturday night. Credit: Phil Hoops
Little Falls, NJ – Little Falls, NJ – The New Jersey Jackals scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning on a throwing error by the Newark Bears’ catcher to edge their in-state rivals, 3-2 ,in an exhibition game on a damp Saturday night at Yogi Berra Stadium.
The Jackals utilized six pitchers, who combined to surrender just two unearned runs. Offensively for New Jersey, left fielder Ryan Royster went 2-for-4 with a triple.
Royster led off the ninth inning with a single. The next batter, right fielder Jeremy Slayden, was hit by a pitch. Shortly after, a wild pitch allowed both runners to advance and on the same play the Newark error allowed the winning run to score.
After a one hour, 15 minute rain delay, Jackals’ starter James Leverton retired the Newark side on six pitches in the top of the first innings. The Jackals used a trio of errors by Bears’ shortstop Paddy Matera to move two runners into scoring position in the bottom of the first, but Newark starter Jacob Wild struck out a pair of batters to escape the jam unscathed.
Newark opened the scoring in the top of the third inning with a pair of unearned runs against right-hander Phil Bartleski. After catcher Billy Alvino reached on a throwing error by Mike DeJesus to open the frame, RBI doubles by center fielder Kyle LaMotta and second baseman Ramon Nivar gave the bears a 2-0 lead.
The Jackals broke through with a run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Royster ripped an RBI triple past third base, plating first baseman Kris Sanchez, who had reached on a two-out walk.
New Jersey evened the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the eighth. Second baseman Argenis Reyes led off with a double down the right field line, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scampered home when first baseman Mike Jones lifted a sacrifice fly to center.
Bears Sign Trio of Players
The Newark Bears' front office was busy yesterday, as the team announced the signings of three new players, who could all very well be in uniform in a little over two weeks when the Bears open up at home against the Rockland Boulders. Without further adieu, meet the newest members of the Newark Bears:
Alex Smith
26 year-old left-hander Alex Smith has pitched nearly exclusively out of the bullpen throughout his baseball career, including his time with the University of Virginia in which he served as the team's setup man. Smith's professional career began in 2009 with the now-defunct Sussex Skyhawks of the Can-Am League. Last season, Smith split time between the Frontier and Northern Independent Leagues and amassed an ERA of 5.71. Look for Smith to compete for a spot in Newark's bullpen this season as either a middle reliever or a setup man.
Not much information is available about left-hander Victor Gonzalez. The 22 year-old 5'8" pitcher last pitched for the Brewton-Parker College Barons in Mount Vernon, Georgia. When, Gonzalez takes the mound for the Bears for the first time, it will mark the professional debut for the Jackson Heights, New York native. You'd have to imagine that Gonzalez could end up in direct competition with fellow newcomer Alex Smith for a coveted spot in the bullpen. Check out the video above to view one of Gonzalez's bullpen sessions.
Catcher Billy Alvino warms up. Credit: Chuck Welch / Lakeland Local
Last but not least, Newark picked up a third catcher, Billy Alvino, to compete with Matt Klimas and Eric McGee for the starting job [I wonder whatever happened to Arthur Barone, whom the team had re-signed earlier in the off-season?]. Alvino comes to the Bears after spending his entire 3 year professional career in the Detroit Tigers organization. His offense numbers aren't earth-shattering with a career average of .228 in 230 plate appearances, but he brings to the table solid defense, which definitely helps his cause. To learn more about Alvino, a Stony Brook native, check out an in-depth feature that was done on him last year by Patch.com.
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Newark Bears
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