August 12, 2017 - New York-Penn League (NYPL) - Tri-City ValleyCats

News Release

LOWELL, MA - The Tri-City ValleyCats were able to outlast the Lowell Spinners, 8-5, despite an attempted comeback. Carlos Hiraldo (1-4) picked up his first win of the year in relief of starter J.B. Bukauskas, while Yorvin Pantoja (0-5) suffered the loss.

The Spinners got on the board first with Marino Campana scoring on a wild pitch by Bukauskas to go up 1-0. However, Bukauskas has just the one blemish, on an otherwise strong 'Cats debut, going three innings, allowing one hit and striking out three.

The 'Cats responded in a big way in the fourth inning, beginning with an RBI single by Adrian Tovalin that scored two to go up 2-1. Corey Julks followed that up with an RBI triple to bring in Tovalin, and then scored on a wild pitch by Devon Fisher.

Marino Campana got one back for Lowell in the bottom of the fourth off a solo home run and Yoan Aybar added an RBI single in the fifth to make it 4-3 'Cats. However, Andy Pineda immediately responded with his team-leading fourth triple that scored another run, and then was brought in on a Bryan De La Cruz RBI sacrifice fly to make it 6-3.

Michael Osinski and Alexander Martinez each added RBI singles in the sixth and seventh innings respectively for the Spinners, to bring it to a 6-5 game, but the 'Cats would finish the Spinners off. J.J. Matijevic scored on a throwing error by Mitchell Osnowitz, and Colton Shaver hit a home run in the ninth inning, to secure the 8-5 win.

'Cats pitching was tremendous once again, totaling 15 strikeouts between four players. Colin McKee picked up his fourth save of the year by striking out five batters in two and a third innings, and allowing just one hit.

The 'Cats now travel to Williamsport for a three-game series against the Crosscutters. After the conclusion of the series, they will join the rest of the New York-Penn League in Troy for the 2017 New York-Penn League All-Star Game.

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