Tigers Rally in 9th, Beat 'Cats 4-3
July 16, 2016 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Tri-City ValleyCats News Release
TROY - The Tri-City ValleyCats (15-14) fell 4-3 to the Connecticut Tigers (18-11) in front of a sellout crowd of 5,263 at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium Saturday night.
The 'Cats led 3-1 heading into the top of the 9th, and Sean Stutzman (BS, 1, L, 1-1), who escaped a bases-loaded jam in the 8th, allowed three runs to score, giving the Tigers a 4-3 lead.
Southpaw Ryan Hartman, making his second start of the season (5th appearance), tossed four innings of one-run ball with one strikeout. Dustin Hunt relieved Hartman in the 5th, and twirled 3.1 scoreless innings, issuing one hit and four walks on 60 pitches.
Tri-City got the scoring started in the second inning when Randy Cesar walked, and Chuckie Robinson doubled (4) on a sharp fly ball to left field, scoring Cesar. Spencer Johnson followed with a walk, and Alex DeGoti singled on a ground ball to center field, plating Robinson.
Cesar, who entered the night having reached in eight consecutive plate appearances, extended that streak to nine with his second inning walk. The streak broke in his next-at bat, though, a groundout to the shortstop in the 3rd. He finished 1 for 3 with a double and a run scored, lowering his New York-Penn League-leading batting average one point from .367 to .366.
Robinson was hit by pitch to lead off the bottom of the 4th, before Johnson singled on a ground ball to center field. DeGoti dropped a sac bunt, scoring Robinson. DeGoti finished the night 1 for 2 with two RBI and two walks.
Neither team scored in innings 5-8, but the Tigers rallied in the 9th. Stutzman surrendered a base hit to Mario Sanjur and back-to-back walks to Victor Padron and Will Savage to load the bases. Cole Bauml ripped a two-run base hit down the right field line that bounced off of the first base bag, and ricocheted into right field. Ronnie Dawson misplayed the ball in right field, allowing Savage to score on the E9, giving the Tigers the go-ahead and eventual game-winning run.
Tigers starting pitcher Gregory Soto exited the game after 1.2 innings, and Connecticut used four relievers to help hold the 'Cats to five hits, while striking out ten times. Mark Ecker, who was awarded the win, pitched the final two innings of relief, and did not allow a base runner.
The 'Cats are back in action at "The Joe" tomorrow night, July 17, and will host the Batavia Muckdogs for three games. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00, with Erasmo Pinales on the hill for the 'Cats (1-2, 3.45) facing off against Ryan McKay (1-2, 2.53).
New York-Penn League Stories from July 16, 2016
- Barrera, Doubledays Lose Series Finale to Black Bears - Auburn Doubledays
- Mccarvel Key As Spikes Wrangle 9-3 Win Over Scrappers - State College Spikes
- Tigers Rally in 9th, Beat 'Cats 4-3 - Tri-City ValleyCats
- Cyclones Lose To Lowell, 7-3 - Brooklyn Cyclones
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