NYPL Tri-City ValleyCats

Four 'Cats Homer in 8-3 Victory

Published on August 10, 2010 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Tri-City ValleyCats News Release


TROY, NY- The homers just kept coming for the ValleyCats on Tuesday night. Four Tri-City players went yard, providing plenty of firepower for ace starter Carlos Quevedo. The hosts cruised to an 8-3 win over Williamsport to open a six-game homestand.

"I haven't shaken that many hands since I got married," manager Jim Pankovits quipped. "It was nice to see a lot of different guys hit the ball hard tonight."

The last time Tri-City hit four or more homers in a game was July 24, 2004, when the ValleyCats combined for six homers in a 10-2 win at Oneonta. Hunter Pence contributed two of the blasts.

A five-run second inning erased much of the drama. Dan Adamson led off the frame with a fly ball over the left-field fence to give the 'Cats their first lead. After an Adam Bailey double, Frank Almonte took his first pitch the other way over the right-field fence. Ryan McCurdy and Ben Orloff both walked and scored, extending the advantage to 6-1.

Two more leadoff homers provided the final margin. Mike Kvasnicka opened the fifth inning with a moonshot into the visitors' bullpen. Two innings later, Tyler Burnett took a 1-2 pitch over the second fence in right field.

Burnett's fourth homer of the season marked another milestone: it extended his consecutive on-base streak to a remarkable 36 games, 10 longer than anyone else in the NYPL this season. The first baseman had been 0-for-3 before homering in his final plate appearance.

"I don't want to talk about [the streak]," Burnett said after the game. "I can't think about that right now - I've been struggling to get hits a little bit, and I'm just trying to work on hitting the ball hard."

The eight runs were more than enough for starter Carlos Quevedo, who has allowed more than three scores only once this season. The righty notched his eighth quality start, allowing just two runs on five hits (one earned).

A couple of big hits got Quevedo into trouble. Edgar Duran tripled in the first inning and scored, while Jeff Lanning's fourth-inning double led to the second Williamsport run. But aside from those, Quevedo largely avoided trouble.

"I can't say enough good things about Carlos Quevedo," Pankovits said. "He's been the ace of our staff, and he's one of the best in the league. He has a great feel for pitching, recognizing when to make adjustments, and he's got pretty good stuff on top of that."

Quevedo did not walk a single batter, and only once went to a three-ball count. This is nothing new for the Venezuelan righty, who has issued only three walks in 62.2 innings this season.

He only fanned one hitter, instead putting his faith in the hands of his fielders. They proved themselves capable in the third inning: a double play erased a Carlos Alonso single, and Ben Orloff ended the inning with a diving play towards the line. Quevedo helped himself out in the fourth inning, snaring a Duran comebacker behind his back.

Orloff, who will join Burnett in the NYPL All-Star Game one week from tonight, scored the ValleyCats' first run. The third baseman singled, stole second, continued to third on a poor throw and scored on a Kiké Hernandez groundout.

Alex Sogard threw two perfect innings in relief. Joan Belliard was not as successful, allowing four hits in the ninth, but the second Tri-City double play helped limit the damage to one run.

The ValleyCats (24-27) have won three consecutive games and will try to make it four tomorrow when Williamsport (31-21) returns to Joe Bruno Stadium. Bring your dog to the stadium for "Bark in the Park Night" - first pitch is 7 pm.

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New York-Penn League Stories from August 10, 2010


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