'Cats Complete Sweep of Greys Behind Gonzalez's Complete Game Shutout
August 14, 2022 - Frontier League (FL)
Tri-City ValleyCats News Release
Tri-City ValleyCats pitcher Joey Gonzalez
(Tri-City ValleyCats)
TROY, NY - The Empire State Greys and Tri-City ValleyCats wrapped up their weekend series at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium Sunday evening.
ValleyCats right hander Joey Gonzalez toed the rubber in the series finale, with Keyvon Grenald opposing him.
Gonzalez would silence Empire State's offense in the top of the first inning, retiring the first three batters faced in order. In the home half of the opening frame, Cito Culver would lead off with an opposite field single, the first of three hits in the contest. He would then steal second base, and advance on a wild pitch to third. Third baseman Pavin Parks would come to the plate with one out in the inning, and ground out to Robbie Carling at second base. The ground out would be enough to drive Culver in from third for the first run of the contest.
Gonzalez would retire the next six Greys hitters in order over the next two innings, including back to back strike outs of Jordan Holloman-Scott and John Benevolent to end the second inning. In the home half of the third inning, Brantley Bell would fire an opposite field lazerbeam home run over the visiting bullpen to give Tri-City a two run cushion.
The first Empire State player to reach base in the contest was Khalyd Cox, who worked a lead off walk to begin the fourth inning. He would be caught attempting to steal second base following a Trey Woosley strike out to end the inning.
ValleyCats first baseman Brad Zunica would lead off the home half of the fourth inning with an opposite field base hit. Following a Carson McCusker strike out, Jesus Lujano would record his only base hit of the contest. Joey Campagna would walk to load the bases for Catcher Austin Elder with one away. The catcher would launch a Keyvon Grenald fastball over the right field fence for a grand slam, clearing the bases. Tri-City was not done scoring in the inning, they would add one more on a Pavin Parks sacrifice fly, bringing Cito Culver around to score.
Gonzalez would carry a no-hit bid into the sixth inning, until Robbie Carling singled with one away in the inning. He would be retired just two pitches later when Gonzalez would field a Jose Mercado line out, doubling up Carling at first base.
Gonzalez would surrender singles in the seventh and eighth innings, the only other two hits he would allow in his outing. Zunica would record his 55th RBI of the season, driving home the 8th run of the contest for Tri-City with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Empire State would begin the ninth inning with two runners on base with nobody out following consecutive walks to Mercado and Cox. Following a meeting with ValleyCats manager Pete Incaviglia, Gonzalez would retire the next three Greys in order, finishing his complete game bid. The right hander finished his outing surrendering just three hits, striking out nine, and walking three.
FINAL | (43-34) TRI-CITY 8 (5-73) EMPIRE STATE 0
W: JOEY GONZALEZ (8-1)
L: KEYVON GRENALD (0-2)
SV: NONE
ATTENDANCE: 3,890
The ValleyCats begin the second half of the homestand on Wednesday evening when the ValleyCats welcome division foe Ottawa Titans to The Joe, with a double header Wednesday evening, with first pitch of game one scheduled for 4 PM. It is also Capital Region Baseball Heritage Night at The Joe featuring a Kiké Hernandez bobblehead giveaway presented by Sunkist, to the first 1,000 fans in attendance. Gates open at 3:30 PM Get your tickets today by calling 518-629-CATS, visiting the team's box office, or logging on to tcvalleycats.com.
Images from this story
 Tri-City ValleyCats pitcher Joey Gonzalez |
Frontier League Stories from August 14, 2022
- Grizzlies Erupt in First to Snap Skid, Beat Wild Things - Gateway Grizzlies
- Wild Things Drop Finale, End Road Trip 5-1 - Washington Wild Things
- 'Cats Complete Sweep of Greys Behind Gonzalez's Complete Game Shutout - Tri-City ValleyCats
- Schaumburg Sweeps Bolts in Doubleheader - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Y'alls Bounce Back, Shut out Lake Erie - Florence Y'alls
- Crushers Silenced in Series Finale - Lake Erie Crushers
- Boomers Rally to Doubleheader Sweep - Schaumburg Boomers
- Aigles Take Rubber Game Of Series With Boulders - New York Boulders
- Otters Drop Fifth Straight to Conclude Series - Evansville Otters
- Titans Explode for Five in Eighth to Defeat Capitales, Take Two of Three - Ottawa Titans
- Clutch Hitting Leads to 'Cats Victory over Empire State - Tri-City ValleyCats
- Grizzlies Come Close Again, But Lose to Washington - Gateway Grizzlies
- Grizzlies Come Close Again, But Lose to Washington - Gateway Grizzlies
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
