OTTAWA, Ontario, Canada - The Tri-City ValleyCats, in the midst of a ten-game road trip, closed a four-game series at the Ottawa Titans with a 3-2 loss on Thursday.

For the second-straight game, the Titans used a run in the bottom of the eighth to get the victory.

Tonight it was shortstop Clay Fisher's turn to play hero, plating right fielder Jacob Sanford with an RBI single.  Fisher finished with two RBI, while Sanford scored a pair of runs.

Ottawa closer Kevin Escorcia would retire the 'Cats in order in the ninth to secure the Titans win, his 15th save of the year, and a series split.

The ValleyCats (49-37), currently ahead of Ottawa by half a game for the third and final playoff spot in the East Division, got both of their runs via a third inning homer by second baseman Brantley Bell, the league leader in batting average. Tri-City tops the Frontier League with 151 home runs on the season.

Third baseman Pavin Parks topped the 'Cats, on their longest road trip of the summer, with two hits, while right-hander Joey Gonzalez allowed just one earned run on five hits across seven innings. The ace of the ValleyCat rotation, who now has gone at least 7.0 innings in eight of his 19 starts, tallied four strikeouts tonight. He is sitting second in the league with 125 K's on the year.

The 'Cats, battling for a postseason berth, continue their time away from "The Joe" on Friday at the Boulders. The action from Ponoma, New York is slated to begin at 7:00 pm.

Tri-City returns home on Tuesday, August 30 to host the Sussex County Miners. The 6:30 pm contest will begin a six-game homestand that closes the regular season.

Get your tickets to support the 'Cats in their push for the playoffs by calling (518) 629-2287, going online, or stopping by the box office.