'Cats Blank Spikes 3-0 in State College
July 12, 2015 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Tri-City ValleyCats News Release
STATE COLLEGE, PA - Pat Porter went 3-for-4 with a double and three runs batted in, Dean Deetz pitched five scoreless innings, and Juan Santos retired the last four batters of the game to earn the save, as the Tri-City ValleyCats shutout the State College Spikes 3-0 on Sunday evening, in State College, Pa.
One night after winning a 8-7 high-scoring affair in the first game of this three-game set, the ValleyCats relied on stellar pitching, and a little bit of clutch hitting to earn the victory.
Deetz held the Spikes' bats at bay to start the game, allowing only three base runners over five frames. He also recorded a season-high four strikeouts.
Porter rewarded Deetz's performance with a two-RBI double with two outs in the top of second inning, driving home Bobby Wernes and Drew Ferguson with a line drive to right field.
Porter then added to his RBI total, as well as the 'Cats lead, with a one-out single to center field in the seventh inning to drive home Ferguson, making the score 3-0 in favor of Tri-City.
After 'Cats reliever Agapito Barrios struck out the first two State College batters in the bottom of the eighth, a wild pitch on the third strike to Spikes center fielder Craig Aikin gave Barrios his third strike out of the inning, but allowed Aikin to reach first base and extend the inning.
After a walk and a single loaded the bases for State College, Santos came into the game with two outs, the bases loaded, and Spikes catcher Jesse Jenner at the plate representing the potential go-ahead run.
However, Santos was not phased, getting Jenner to ground into an inning-ending force out on a 1-1 pitch. He then retired the Spikes 1-2-3 in the bottom of the ninth to earn his second save of the season, and give the 'Cats their second straight win in State College.
With the victory, the ValleyCats also moved their winning percentage back over .500, improving to 12-11. They will now try to stay on the winning path while going for the sweep of the State College Spikes, on Monday. The game, which will begin at 12:00 p.m., will conclude Tri-City's six-game road trip. On the mound for the ValleyCats will be LHP Alex Winkelman, who will be making his and first appearance, for Tri-City after getting promoted from Rookie-Level Greeneville on July 10. Getting the start for State College will be RHP Carson Cross (1-1, 6.75).
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