SAL Hudson Valley Renegades

Martinez Homer Lifts Renegades

Published on April 20, 2024 under South Atlantic League (SAL)
Hudson Valley Renegades News Release


Wappingers Falls, N.Y. - With a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth, Omar Martinez lifted the Hudson Valley Renegades to a 4-3 over the Aberdeen IronBirds on Saturday night at Heritage Financial Park. The Renegades have won four of the first five games of the series with the IronBirds by scoring in their last at-bat.

Kyle Carr got the start for the Renegades and maneuvered out of trouble in the second inning after Elio Prado tripled, but was thrown out at the plate attempting to score one batter later on a groundball to third baseman Jesus Rodriguez. Aberdeen broke through for three runs against Carr in the third, with a solo home run by Mac Horvath highlighting the frame.

The left-hander threw 4.0-plus innings, allowing three runs on four hits, walking three and striking out two in his third professional start.

The Renegades punched back in the bottom of the third against Moises Chace. Following a leadoff walk by Nelson Medina, Roc Riggio launched a two-run homer to right, cutting the deficit to just one. It was the first professional home run for Riggio, who was selected by the Yankees in the fourth round of the 2023 MLB Draft.

Ben Shields was terrific in relief of Carr, tossing 3.1 scoreless, hitless innings, walking one and striking out five to keep the game within reach.

In the fifth, Kyle Battle lined a leadoff double to right center. After reaching third on a groundout, Battle scored after a popout by Jared Serna prompted Aberdeen second baseman Jalen Vasquez to fall down. Battle ran home on the sacrifice fly to even the score at 3-3.

The deadlock was broken by Omar Martinez in the bottom of the eighth. The Renegades catcher drove a home run down the right field line that stayed just inside the foul pole, putting his team in front 4-3.

Luis Arejula (1-1) recorded the final five outs of the game, escaping a bases-loaded jam with two outs in the ninth to secure another one-run victory for the home squad. Shields and Arejula combined for 5.0 scoreless innings of relief to seal the win. In the last two games, the Renegades bullpen has combined to throw 10.0 innings and allow just one hit while striking out 10.

Hudson Valley has won four games in its final at-bat in this series, including three walk-off wins. The Renegades are already 5-2 in one-run games through 13 contests in 2024.

Aberdeen and Hudson Valley will close out their six-game series on Sunday afternoon at 2:05 p.m. at Heritage Financial Park. Coverage begins on the Renegades Baseball Network with the Heritage Financial Credit Union Pregame Show beginning at 1:45. Cam Schlittler (2-0, 0.00) will start for the Renegades, while Zach Fruit (0-1, 2.25) will pitch his second game of the series. For tickets slide to www.hvrenegades.com/tickets .

Renegades Record:

9-4

Check out the Hudson Valley Renegades Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 20, 2024


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