Sunday, August 27, 2017

Valleycats go medevial (Tri-City 9, Lowell 1, 8/26/17)

The Tri-City Valleycats were on a 5 game losing streak, scoring 5 runs in that stretch, and, two weeks after reaching 1st place in the Stedler Division, were on the brink of being eliminated from the playoff picture if things didn't turn around, and quickly.

Fortunately, Lowell starter Angel Padron was a most accomodating guest.

Padron was torched for 5 runs in the 1st inning, and that was more than enough for Tri-City to snap the losing streak, and beat the Spinners, 9-1, before a nearly sellout crowd on Medevial Times night, which also saw kids admitted for free with a paid adult admission, courtesy of General Electric.

Padron had gotten the first 2 outs in the first when the roof suddenly began to cave in. A double by Jonathan Arauz and a single by Gabriel Bracamonte put the 'Cats up, 1-0. Following a walk to Adrian Tovalin, Michael Papierski launched his 4th home run of the season over the left field wall, just to the right of the home bullpen. Jake Adams made it back-to-back jacks with his league & team leading 9th of the year, giving Tri-City a 5-0 lead after 1.

Tri-City starter Juan Robles gave a run right back in the 2nd, with a single by Yoan Aybar and a double by Nick Hamilton putting the Spinners on the board. However, that would be all for Lowell. Robles went 4 1/3 innings, having reached his pitch count, striking out 5 while walking 4. Adam Bleday took over and slammed the door shut, striking out 8 while only walking 1.

The Valleycats added some insurance in the 7th, torching Lowell reliever Rio Gomez for 4 runs, capped by Papierski's bases loaded triple. The unseasonably cool temperatures, dipping below 60 degrees, more than the score, sent fans streaming for the exits early. After Papierski knocked Gomez out of the game, more fans left, secure in knowing the game was over. Bleday picked up the win in relief, pitching 4 2/3 innings.

The two teams will meet one last time later today before Tri-City moves on to play Hudson Valley on Monday, as they'll alternate road and home series the rest of the way.

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