'Cats Take Opener in Extra-Inning Thriller
Published on June 19, 2015 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Tri-City ValleyCats News Release
NORWICH, CT - Anthony Hermalyn hit a 1-0 pitch into left field with two outs in the top of the 10th inning to drive home Anthony Melendez with the go-ahead run, as the Tri-City ValleyCats defeated the Connecticut Tigers 3-2 in an extra-inning thriller in Norwich, Conn., to kick off the 2015 New York-Penn League season.
The host Tigers actually scored first in the contest, when they pushed a run across in the bottom of the third inning after shortstop Adrian Alfaro scored on an error by Melendez in left field.
However, Tri-City third baseman Cesar Carrasco gave the 'Cats the lead with a two-out, two-RBI double to left field in the top of the fourth.
Rogelio Armenteros got the start for the 'Cats, and the right-handed pitcher struck out six batters, while allowing only one unearned on four hits in 4.2 innings pitched. Elieser Hernandez kept the dominant pitching going when he entered in the bottom of the fifth, striking out six of the ten batters he faced in 2.2 innings of his own. Although the Tigers ended up tying the game with a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the eighth, the ValleyCats' bullpen kept up their stellar performance, as Yefrey Del Rosario and Juan Santos combined with Hernandez and Armenteros to strike out 15 batters during the 10-inning game.
Even after the Connecticut Tigers tied the game up, they were kept at bay by the 'Cats arms heading into the top of the 10th, when Melendez led off with a ground ball to center field, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Keach Ballard then to third on a ground out by Johnny Sewald. After Brooks Marlow walked, Hermelyn then drove the second pitch he saw just over the outstretched arms of the shortstop Alfaro into left field, driving home Melendez to give Tri-City the lead.
Santos then induced two ground outs before striking out Connecticut cleanup hitter Ignacio Valdez to earn his first career save, cementing the Opening Night victory for the 'Cats. Earning the win was Del Rosario (1-0), who struck out two batters in 1.2 frames.
The two teams face off again tomorrow in the second game in this three-game set. RHP David Paulino will get the start for the 'Cats, with RHP Spenser Watkins on the mound for the Tigers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
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