Bats Loud, Then Quiet in Twin Bill Split with Lowell
Published on August 11, 2016 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Tri-City ValleyCats News Release
LOWELL - On a day that didn't dip below 90 degrees until 9:30 pm, the Tri-City ValleyCats (29-24) split a doubleheader with the Lowell Spinners (31-22) at LeLacheur Park. With the loss, and a Connecticut win, the 'Cats move into third place in the Stedler Division, two games back from Lowell, and one back from the Tigers.
The 'Cats used up all of their offense in game one, a 13-2 win that featured two home runs and 14 hits for the away team. In game two, Tri-City couldn't muster any offense, and were shut out for the first time all season in a 7-0 loss, finishing with just four hits.
*GAME ONE*
Tri-City's bats started hot and stayed hot throughout the contest. All but one ValleyCat recorded at least one hit, and five registered multi-hit games. Ronnie Dawson (6) and Brauly Mejia (1) went yard in the win, and were responsible for driving in six runs combined.
Edgardo Sandoval, making his fourth start of the year, allowed two first inning runs but pitched three scoreless frames to follow. Makay Nelson (1-0) picked up the win in relief, striking out one in three shutout innings of his own.
Ronnie Dawson belted a two run homer to right field in the fourth inning off of Brandon Workman, who is on a rehab assignment from the Boston Red Sox. After a slow start to the season, Dawson is hitting .314 in his last 10 games, with 11 hits, a home run, seven runs scored, six RBI and five walks.
Even thought the 'Cats struck out eleven times, they were 5-12 with runners in scoring position and nine of their 13 runs were scored with two outs.
Righty Mike Shawaryn (0-1) allowed five runs in the first two innings, striking out four and surrendering seven hits. Four relievers followed him, including Spinners infielder Victor Acosta, who retired Taylor Jones for the final out in the top of the seventh inning.
*GAME TWO *
Kevin Steen (2-4) was dominant in the evening game, tossing six shutout innings for his second win of the season. He struck out two and allowed three hits and three walks, but otherwise kept the New York-Penn League's best offense under control.
ValleyCats All-Star righty Enrique Chavez struggled out of the gate, and didn't look comfortable in any of his 4.1 innings. Suffering his second loss of the season, he struck out four and allowed three runs on five hits.
The Spinners carried just a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth, but scored four runs off of Sean Stutzman to add insurance, before Dakota Smith closed out the game with a scoreless seventh frame.
The 'Cats were 0-5 with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base.
Despite the offensive absence, the defense looked good all day. Dawson made a diving catch in left field that was eventually ruled a hit, and Gabriel Bracamonte threw out two baserunners trying to nab second.
*UP NEXT*
Tri-City heads to Vermont tonight for a three game set against the Vermont Lake Monsters, their last series before the All-Star break.
*-VALLEYCATS-*
*Keep up with the ValleyCats through social media by following on Twitter (* @ValleyCats*) and Instagram (*@tcvalleycats) *and 'liking' on Facebook (/ValleyCats).*
New York-Penn League Stories from August 11, 2016
- Vermont Loses 11th Straight With 7-4 Loss At Brooklyn - Vermont Lake Monsters
- Bats Loud, Then Quiet in Twin Bill Split with Lowell - Tri-City ValleyCats
- Comeback 'clones Walk Off With A Win - Brooklyn Cyclones
- Tigers Take Series Finale over Doubledays - Auburn Doubledays
- Tigers Blank Doubledays, 5-0 - Norwich Sea Unicorns
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