Mesa homers twice in Yankees win

Melky Mesa hit two home runs and Ramon Ortiz pitched seven strong innings for his 13th win Friday night when the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees defeated the Pawtucket Red Sox, 4-3, in an International League game.

One night after clinching the IL North Division title, the Yankees kept the PawSox from clinching the wild card berth.

Pawtucket is one win or one Lehigh Valley loss away from the wild-card berth and a league semifinal meeting wtih the Yankees.

Ortiz struck out six while allowing three runs on seven hits.

Preston Claiborne earned his first save.

For much coverage of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, see Sunday's Go Lackawanna.