Aberdeen Takes Series Finale with 7-4 Win
Published on August 19, 2016 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Tri-City ValleyCats News Release
TROY - Despite an attempt at a ninth inning comeback, the Tri-City ValleyCats fell to the Aberdeen IronBirds Friday night, a 7-4 final at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium.
Aberdeen's pitching staff held the 'Cats to a run on two hits in the first seven innings, led by Lucas Humpal's one-run start, and Cody Dube's three scoreless innings. Dube (3-1) earned the win in relief, his third of the season.
Abdiel Saldana was spectacular for the 'Cats in relief, striking out six in three and two thirds, allowing just two base runners on a pair of base hits. Offensively, Connor Goedert led the way with an RBI double, a base hit and a run scored.
Tri-City's starter Dustin Hunt (0-1) suffered his first professional loss in his shortest outing since July 21. In two and two thirds, Hunt allowed two runs on two hits, striking out and walking three each. It was a tough night for reliever Sean Stutzman, too, as he surrendered four runs in one and two thirds innings.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED: In spite of his rough outing, Stutzman got the 'Cats out of a jam in the third. Hunt exited with the bases loaded and two outs, and Stutzman got Jason Heinrich on a fly out to end the inning and the scoring threat.
With the 'Cats trailing 2-0 later in the third, Rodrigo Ayarza doubled to right center, scoring Goedert to pull the 'Cats within one.
After making two starts in the series at third base, Ayarza flashed the leather at second base. Ryan McKenna drilled a pitch up the middle to lead off the top of the seventh, but Ayarza dove to his right to rob him of a hit.
PLAYOFF CHASE: The 'Cats and Connecticut Tigers, who also lost Friday, are still tied for second place in the Stedler Division, two games behind the Lowell Spinners. Staten Island also won, and moved to two and a half games ahead of Tri-City and Connecticut in the Wild Card chase.
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS: Since his promotion from Greeneville, Miguelangel Sierra has struggled with the 'Cats. Sierra had 11 home runs and 19 RBI with the Astros, and is hitting .157 in 12 games with the ValleyCats. He smacked his second extra base hit since the call-up Friday, a triple to left field that bounced off the wall.
NEXT UP: The ValleyCats welcome the Hudson Valley Renegades to "The Joe" for three games, beginning tomorrow night, August 20. Niskayuna High School star and Renegades OF Garrett Whitley will play in the Capital Region for the first time since he was drafted in the first round of last year's draft by the Tampa Bay Rays.
Probable starters:
Saturday, August 20 - RHP Adrian Navas vs. LHP Austin Nicely
Sunday August 21 - RHP Spencer Moran vs. LHP Sebastian Kessay
Monday, Monday, 22 - LHP Brock Burke vs. RHP Makay Nelson
New York-Penn League Stories from August 19, 2016
- Spikes Fall to Crosscutters, 3-2, Despite Strong Bullpen Effort - State College Spikes
- Aberdeen Takes Series Finale with 7-4 Win - Tri-City ValleyCats
- West Virginia 5, Lake Monsters 2 - Vermont Lake Monsters
- West Virginia Defeats Vermont 5-2 - West Virginia Black Bears
- Three Scrapper Homers Top Batavia - Mahoning Valley Scrappers
- Doubledays Lose Close Battle to Renegades - Auburn Doubledays
- Hudson Valley Doubles-Up Doubledays - Hudson Valley Renegades
- Tigers Blown out by Spinners - Norwich Sea Unicorns
- Cyclones Come Back to Win 7-5, Jabs Throws Knockout - Brooklyn Cyclones
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