TROY, NY - The Tri-City ValleyCats scored a pair of unearned runs in the seventh to edge the visiting Empire State Greys 5-4 on Friday night at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium.

Following a single by shortstop Cito Culver to lead off the seventh inning, Parks and first baseman Brad Zunica would walk to load the bases with two away. Greys third baseman Manny Garcia would ultimately mis-play the ground ball hit by rightfielder Carson McCusker, allowing a run to score without a throw, tying the game. With Jesus Lujano at bat, Empire State reliever Jesus Rosario would fire a pitch behind the 'Cats left fielder allowing Parks to score giving Tri-City a 5-4 lead.

The usual suspects in the Tri-City lineup helped key the home victory, one in which the 'Cats trailed by scores of 2-1 in the fourth and 4-2 in the fifth.

Designated hitter Denis Phipps, the Frontier League leader in home runs and RBI, added to both of his totals with a solo shot to left in the fourth. Third baseman Pavin Parks, who took home MVP honors at the All-Star Game last month, drove in second baseman Brantley Bell with an RBI single. Bell, who began the game atop the circuit with a .381 batting average, extended his hitting streak to 24 games tonight.

The 'Cats bullpen conjured up some spells on the visiting bats on "Wizard Night". Lefty Neil Abbatiello, and right-handers Brac Warren, Jose Cruz, Adam Hofacket, and Trey Cochran-Gill, combined to allow just two hits and fanned seven across 4.2 innings. Warren struck out the side in the sixth, while Cruz whiffed two batters in the seventh.

Centerfielder Liam McArthur and first baseman Trey Woosley each recorded two hits and scored a run to pace Empire State.

The teams continue their weekend series on Saturday and 7:00 pm. Join us at "The Joe" for Scout Night with a postgame Drone Show. Get your tickets today by calling (518) 629-2287, going online, or stopping by the box office.