Crosscutters Take Finale, 5-2
Published on August 12, 2010 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Tri-City ValleyCats News Release
TROY, NY- The ValleyCats entered Thursday on a season-high four-game win streak, but could not make it five. Williamsport salvaged the final contest of a three-game series at Joe Bruno Stadium, winning an early-bird meeting 5-2.
After scoring 14 runs on five homers in the first two games, the Tri-City offense stalled out on Thursday. Righty David Buchanan allowed two runs, one earned, in six innings to pick up his second victory. Relievers Juan Sosa and Chase Johnson held the hosts hitless in the final three frames with five strikeouts.
Buchanan threw his changeup early and often, keeping the Tri-City hitters off-balance.
"[Buchanan] was mixing a lot, throwing breaking balls and changeups and keeping the ball down," Ben Orloff said.
"[Buchanan] had three pitches going, throwing them for strikes, and mixing speeds. He sliced and diced us a little bit," manager Jim Pankovits said. "[Williamsport] is a good club, and threw a good game."
The Crosscutters opened the scoring in the second inning. Doming Santana took a 3-0 Jake Buchanan fastball well over the left-field fence, bringing home Jeff Lanning to put the visitors up 2-0. The homer was only the second Buchanan has allowed this season.
A two-out rally enabled the 'Cats to cut the deficit in half. Wilton Infante became the first Tri-City player to reach base, doubling to right-center. Orloff followed with a grounder through the right side, plating the speedy Infante.
The two sides traded runs in the middle innings. Tri-City catcher Ryan McCurdy caught Jeff Cusick straying too far off second base in the fourth, but threw the ball into center field, allowing the first baseman to score. Orloff reached base on an error in the sixth and scored on a Mike Kvasnicka double, reducing the deficit to one run again.
But the 'Cats would get no closer. Control issues led to a pair of insurance runs for Williamsport. Jason Chowning and Brandt Walker loaded the bases with three consecutive walks in the seventh inning, allowing Cameron Rupp to plate Matt McConnell with a two-out single. In the ninth, Santana drew a bases-loaded walk off Champion, bringing home McConnell with the visitors' final run.
The Tri-City pitching staff, usually a stingy unit, allowed six walks on top of ten hits. The final score could have been worse, as Williamsport left 11 runners on base - seven in scoring position.
Kiké Hernandez took away a couple more potential hits with some terrific defense at second base. The 18-year-old made a diving play on a liner hit up the middle, and went to his backhand again in the eighth inning, sliding to snare a Jake Smith grounder. He made another good play in the ninth, coming in to barehand a grounder that deflected off reliever Adam Champion. But Hernandez went hitless for the second consecutive night.
Tyler Burnett went 0-for-4, snapping his on-base streak at 37 consecutive games.
The ValleyCats (25-28) remain at home through the weekend, opening a three-game series tomorrow against the Staten Island Yankees.
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