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NYPL Tri-City ValleyCats

First Place 'Cats Sweep Away Crosscutters with 10-2 Win

August 8, 2013 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Tri-City ValleyCats News Release


TROY, NY- The Tri-City ValleyCats have been on a roll offensively at times earlier this year, but nothing like the run they are currently on. On Thursday, they put up two separate five-run innings, on their way to a series-sweeping, 10-2 victory over the Williamsport Crosscutters.

The 'Cats were held in check for the first three innings, but that just delayed what was to come. Trailing 1-0 going into the bottom half of the fourth, an extra base barrage followed, the likes of which have gone unmatched to this point in the season.

James Ramsay tripled to lead off the frame, and was brought home on a Tyler White RBI single. Wednesday's hero, Conrad Gregor, hit the team's second three-bagger of the inning on the next pitch off Williamsport starter Shane Martin (3-3), to bring home White. Ronnie Mitchell drove home Gregor with a single, and then scored on Jack Mayfield's double. After a Jake Rodriguez double to right-center, Chan Moon brought in Mitchell with a groundout. By the time the inning was over, Tri-City had six hits, five runs, two doubles and two triples.

Those five runs were more than enough for 'Cats starter Andrew Thurman (2-2), who pitched five strong innings of three-hit, one-run ball with six strikeouts. Coming off a rough outing and a loss his last time out, the second round pick of the Astros this year was dominant, outside of a solo home run he allowed in the fourth inning to Williamsport third baseman Zach Green.

For good measure, the ValleyCats added another five-run frame in the eighth. Three consecutive singles from Mitchell, Mayfield and Rodriguez opened the inning. With one run already home, Moon tripled to deep left-center, bringing in two runs and putting the game out of reach. The All-Star's triple was the third of the game for the 'Cats, the first time they have hit that many in a game this year.

An RBI groundout for White and sacrifice fly for Gregor concluded the scoring for the 'Cats, now winners of four straight. In that stretch, they have scored 37 runs, the most they have scored in a four-game span this season. With Lowell's rainout in Mahoning Valley, the 'Cats open up a half-game lead on the Spinners for first place in the Stedler Division.

After the game, 'Cats manager Ed Romero discussed why he thinks the offense has suddenly caught fire.

"These guys are absorbing information, and that's the difference," said Romero. "They're being more aggressive, and they've been driving the ball. They're getting a lot of fastballs."

Despite the blowout, Michael Feliz earned a save by pitching four innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts. The All-Star righty actually saw his ERA rise from 1.31 to 1.39, which is still the best mark in the league.

Six different ValleyCats (White, Gregor, Mitchell, Mayfield, Rodriguez & Moon) had multi-hit games, accounting for 12 of the team's 14 hits. The six extra-base hits are tied for the most Tri-City has had in one game this season.

Before the game, the ValleyCats announced that RHP Andrew Walter had been added to the National League All-Star roster. Walter will join teammates Chris Cotton, Michael Feliz, and Chan Moon at Dodd Stadium in Connecticut next week for the All-Star game.

The league-leading Jamestown Jammers come into town for a three-game series starting Friday night at 7 pm. Cotton (3-3, 1.33) will start for the 'Cats, and will be opposed by LHP Jackson Lodge (3-2, 4.50). Friday is "Italian Night" at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium, and tickets are still available by calling the stadium box office at 518-629-2287.

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