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NYPL Tri-City ValleyCats

Aberdeen Scores Four Runs in the 7th to Defeat 'Cats, 8-4

August 3, 2013 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Tri-City ValleyCats News Release


ABERDEEN, MD- On Friday night against the IronBirds, the 'Cats took an early lead, scoring three times in the first five innings. However, the IronBirds would put seven runs on the board in the 6th and 7th innings, to defeat the ValleyCats 8-4 in front of 6,347 at Ripken Stadium.

Starting pitcher Michael Feliz only gave up four hits through his five innings of work, allowing just one run (unearned) while walking one batter and striking out five. Andrew Thurman came on in relief of Feliz in the sixth, and that's where it unraveled for the 'Cats.

Right out of the gate, Thurman (1-2) didn't seem to have his best stuff. With the 'Cats up 3-1, the IronBirds led off the 6th inning with two straight singles off the bats of Steve Clevenger (a Triple-A catcher rehabbing) and Trey Mancini. Austin Wynns failed on a sacrifice bunt attempt, as 'Cats catcher Brett Booth was able to throw out the lead runner at third base. The play would mean nothing though, after the next batter, Connor Bierfeldt smashed a 3-run home run on-top of the ValleyCats clubhouse over the left field wall to put the IronBirds ahead 4-3.

The 'Cats would come right back in the top of the 7th and even the score at 4-4 on just one hit. Ryan Dineen led off the inning with a single, Chan Moon laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Dineen over to second base, and Tony Kemp would reach on a fielding error by third baseman Tanner Rust. James Ramsay followed with an RBI groundout, scoring Dineen.

The bottom of the 7th is when it all fell apart for the 'Cats. After a strike out to begin the frame, Thurman gave up two straight singles, a walk, then the second big blow of the game, a three run triple off the bat of Trey Mancini, giving the IronBirds a 7-4 lead. A double from Connor Bierfeldt would put them up 8-4, the final tally. All but one of Thurman's six outs were strikeouts.

The ValleyCats were able to score the first run of the ballgame in the 2nd inning, as Michael Martinez led off with a double, Jon Kemmer blooped a single to center, and Ryan Dineen hit into an RBI groundout to score Martinez. The 'Cats scored again in the 3rd inning on an RBI single from Brett Booth, who was 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs on the night. Since joining the 'Cats, Booth has the best average on the team at .348.

Aberdeen scored a run in the 3rd to close the gap to 2-1, but the 'Cats would add to their lead in the 5th. Moon and Kemp both singled to begin the frame, and Ramsay was hit by a pitch to load the bases with nobody out. This is the situation where the 'Cats have struggled as of late, not being able to take advantage of opportunities to break the game open. The same would occur here.

Brett Booth grounded into a fielder's choice to second baseman Jeff Kemp, who got the force out at second, allowing Chan Moon to score and make it 3-1. With runners on the corners and one out, Conrad Gregor hit a fly ball to shallow left that was caught by Aberdeen left fielder, Sam Kimmel. After the catch, Kemp faked towards home to draw a throw. The relay throw got away and Kemp attempted to score, but the pitcher, Severino would cover the plate and Kemp was out by a few steps.

The 'Cats were 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position on the night, but they did hit plenty of balls very hard and to different parts of the field. Aberdeen starting pitcher, Janser Severino struggled through the first five innings, giving up eight hits and three runs. Jimmy Yacabonis pitched 2 1/3 innings of relief for the IronBirds, and would earn the victory. For the 'Cats, J.D. Osborne came on in relief of Thurman to pitch a scoreless eighth inning.

On Saturday night at Ripken Stadium, the 'Cats will look to break their eight game losing streak behind right handed starting pitcher Chris Cotton (3-2, 0.79 ERA). Aberdeen will send LHP Mitch Horacek (3-2, 2.83 ERA) to the mound. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m.

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