TROIS-RIVIERES, Quebec, Canada - The Tri-City ValleyCats, in the midst of playing ten-straight games away from home, returned to the win column with this afternoon's 8-1 victory at Les Aigles de Trois-Rivières.

Tri-City, facing a tightly-contested battle for a spot in the Frontier League playoffs, got started quickly, scoring six runs combined in the second and third innings. The longball would once again play a huge role in the 'Cats win on Sunday. with shortstop Cito Culver, first baseman Brad Zunica, and designated hitter Denis Phipps each leaving the yard. Phipps, who tops the circuit in homers and RBI, now has 32 home runs on the season. The former Cincinnati Red is just four away from equaling the league single-season record of 36 (Morgan Burkhart, Richmond, 1998).

'Cats pitching made the early run support stand up. After starter Jose Cruz (Win, 1-7) tossed five shutout innings, relievers Neil Abbatiello, Adam Hofacket, and Trey Cochran-Gill permitted just three hits the rest of the way. The quartet of arms racked up 11 strikeouts across the matinee.

Catcher Austin Bernard and Zunica each registered two hits to lead the ValleyCats, while left fielder L.P. Pelletier paced Trois-Rivières with a 3-for-4 performance.

Following an off day on Monday, Tri-City, which began the day in second place in the East Division, begins a four-game series at the Ottawa Titans on Tuesday. The teams, sitting just half a game apart at the close of Sunday's slate of action, renew pleasantries with a 5:30 pm doubleheader.

The ValleyCats return home on Tuesday, August 30 vs. the Sussex County Miners. The 6:30 pm contest, which will commence a six-game homestand, marks the return of Bark in the Park. Purchase your tickets by calling (518) 629-2287, going online, or stopping by the box office.