FL Tri-City ValleyCats

Vargas Dazzles in Series Win Over Empire State

August 2, 2023 - Frontier League (FL)
Tri-City ValleyCats News Release


TROY, NY - The Tri-City ValleyCats (44-24) had a big game from the offense to back starter Jhon Vargas as they defeated the Empire State Greys (12-55) 9-3 on Wednesday at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium. With the win, the ValleyCats improve to 13-0 in series at home this year.

Tri-City opened the scoring in the first. Pavin Parks and Cito Culver singled off Andres Rodriguez. Both baserunners advanced 90 feet. Juan Kelly had an RBI groundout to give the ValleyCats a 1-0 lead.

Tri-City tacked on a run in the second. Kelly and Oscar Campos both hit two-out singles. Aaron Altherr knocked in a run with a single to put the ValleyCats ahead, 2-0.

Tri-City added two more runs in the fifth. Altherr singled and Ian Walters doubled. Altherr came around on a wild pitch, and Walters went to third. Jaxon Hallmark poked an RBI single to make it a 4-0 game.

Empire State responded in the seventh. Vargas walked Jordan Scott, who stole second. Eric Jenkins walked, and Luis Atiles had an RBI single. Lamar Briggs dropped a fly ball hit by JR DiSarcina, which allowed two runs to score and cut the deficit to 4-3.

Campos greeted Nick Trabacchi with a double in the bottom of the seventh. Altherr and Walters both walked to load the bases. Briggs had an RBI hit by pitch. Altherr scored on another wild pitch as Walters and Briggs moved to second and third. Hallmark was then hit by a pitch. Parks lifted a sac fly, and Culver followed suit with a two-run double to make it a 9-3 affair.

Vargas (7-4) earned the win. He matched a season-high with seven brilliant frames, yielding three runs, one earned on four hits, walking three, and striking out eight on 118 pitches - the most thrown by a 'Cats starter this year. Greg Veliz finished the game with two shutout frames to seal the series win.

Rodriguez (1-10) received the loss. He went five frames, giving up four runs, three earned on nine hits, walking three, and striking out two.

Tri City concludes its three-game set with Empire State tomorrow, Thursday, August 3 at "The Joe". First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM.

FINAL | TRI-CITY 9 | EMPIRE STATE 3

W: Jhon Vargas (7-4)

L: Andres Rodriguez (1-10)

Time of Game: 2:52

Attendance: 2,514

Check out the Tri-City ValleyCats Statistics



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