ValleyCats win, Cards lose
Published on July 6, 2004 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Tri-City ValleyCats News Release
Augusta, NJ- The Tri-City ValleyCats jumped out to a 6-0 lead only to see the New Jersey Cardinals come back 6-4 before the ValleyCats won 8-4 at Skylands Park.
The ValleyCats built a huge lead early on against Cardinals starter Michael Parisi. In the first inning, Drew Sutton extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a double. After two quick outs, Mario Garza deposited a huge home run over the right field wall. The ValleyCats had a quick 2-0 before the third out was recorded, but they were not done just yet. Colts Neck, NJ native Lou Santangelo doubled and was brought home on an RBI single by Brandon Averill.
Ryan McKeller took a 3-0 lead to the hill with him to begin his fourth start of the season. After loading the bases on a couple of singles and a walk, McKeller worked his way out of the jam unscathed.
The 3-0 lead would soon balloon to 6-0. After going quietly in the second inning, the ValleyCats scored two more in the third inning. Ben Zobrist got on base with a double. Mario Garza flied out then Lou Santangelo smacked a two-run homer to put Tri-City ahead 5-0.
The 'Cats plated another run in the fourth. Drew Sutton got on with a double for his third hit of the evening. Then with one out, Ben Zobrist hit his second double of the game to plate Sutton and pad the lead 6-0.
McKeller took the mound for the fourth inning with that 6-0 lead. After getting the first batter on a fly ball, McKeller gave up four straight base hits to the Cardinals. With one run already in and the bases loaded, Rodrigo Escobar got the call. Escobar walked in Steve Sherman and gave up an RBI single to Levi Webber. All three of the inherited runners on base scored but Escobar remained unscathed. With the score 6-4, Escobar's ERA still remained perfect at 0.
In the ninth inning with Ben Zobrist on base and two outs, Kevin Vital came in to pinch hit for Mario Garza. He drilled a pitch by Chris Della Rocco over the right centerfield wall to bring the score 8-4.
Escobar pitched three scoreless innings and Paul Estrada came in to pitch the final inning and two-thirds for his third save.
The series concludes tomorrow night with a 7:15 start from Skylands Park. Andrew Alvarado makes his first start of the season, taking Rory Shortell's number five slot after the right-hander was promoted to Lexington. Dennis Dove opposes him for New Jersey. The game can be heard in the Albany area on AM 1160 WABY Mechanicville and AM 900 WUAM Saratoga Springs as well as on the internet at sportsjuice.com.
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