Gasper’s two homers power Yankees to win in series finale

The Pulaski Yankees used the long ball to salvage a win in the series finale in Bluefield Monday night, defeating the Blue Jays 6-3 to cap off a 4-2 road trip. Mickey Gasper hit two home runs in a 3-for-4, four RBI night, the first two dingers of his professional career, while Nelson Gomez added a solo shot of his own to add insurance as the Yankees avoided the sweep.

Bluefield scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning when a sacrifice fly plated Cal Stevenson before Luis De Los Santos connected for his fifth triple of the year to bring home Dominic Abbadessa and DJ Neal to make it 3-0.

The Blue Jays would maintain the lead until the Yankees’ offense put up four runs in the top of the third inning, the big blow coming on a three-run home run from Gasper. Oswald Peraza opened the frame by reaching on a throwing error and then moving over to third on a single from Max Burt. Everson Pereira then drove home Peraza before Gasper stepped in to give the Yanks’ the first long ball of his professional career.

Gasper’s big night continued in the eighth inning when he and Gomez delivered back-to-back home runs to lead off the inning and give the Yankees a 6-3 lead that would eventually represent the final score.

Pedro Barrios earned the win in his Pulaski debut, throwing five innings and surrendering just the three runs in the first inning. He allowed six hits and two walks while striking out four. Gilmael Troya pitched the final four frames for the Yankees, holding Bluefield hitless from the sixth inning on.

The win capped off a 4-2 road trip for the Yankees who return home to Motor Mile Field at Calfee Park Tuesday night on Taco Tuesday presented by MasTec and Virginia811. The contest is the first of three against the Johnson City Cardinals.