Still Delivers Quality Start as ‘Cats Sweep Jackals
TROY, NY - The Tri-City ValleyCats (44-28) swept the New Jersey Jackals (22-51) 5-4 on Thursday at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium.
New Jersey opened the scoring in the second. Sam Angelo singled off Stephen Still. Luis Acevedo singled Angelo to second. Afterward, Jimmy Costin brought in Angelo with a knock to give the Jackals a 1-0 lead.
Tri-City responded in the bottom of the second. Ian Walters doubled off Logan Waltz. Ranko Stevanovic then singled Walters to third. Josue Urdaneta picked up an RBI bloop single to even the game, 1-1.
The ValleyCats took the lead in the second. Dylan Broderick led off the frame with a double. Kyle Novak drove in Broderick with a double to provide the ‘Cats with a 2-1 lead.
The Jackals retaliated in the fourth. Patrick Sanchez singled and moved to second on an error from Walters. Kenneth Jimenez grounded out, and Sanchez went to third before stealing home and tying the game, 2-2.
New Jersey added in the sixth. Sebastian Mueller doubled and came around on an RBI single from Gilberto Torres to give the Jackals a 3-2 advantage.
Tri-City flipped the script with a three-run sixth. Jake Reinisch greeted Frankie Giuliano with a single, and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Walters delivered a run-scoring double. Stevanovic brought in the go-ahead run with a single. Urdaneta laid down a sac bunt and Stevanovic went to second. Josh Leslie provided some insurance with a single to make it a 5-3 contest.
Waltz received a no-decision. He pitched five frames, giving up two runs on six hits, walking one, and striking out three.
Mueller homered in the eighth to trim the deficit to 5-4. Afterward, Liu Fuenmayor entered with two outs in the frame, and finished off the game, recording his 10th save of the season. The first-year ValleyCat struck out one over 1.1 innings.
Still (9-3) earned the win. In his longest professional start, the left-hander tossed 7.2 innings, allowing four runs, three earned on 10 hits, walking two, and striking out six on 124 pitches.
Giuliano (1-3) was handed the loss. He threw one inning, surrendering three runs on four hits, and struck out one.
Tri-City begins a three-game series against the Trois-Rivières Aigles tomorrow, Friday, August 8th. First pitch is scheduled for a 6:30 PM start.
FINAL | TRI-CITY 5 | NEW JERSEY 4
W: Stephen Still (9-3)
L: Frankie Giuliano (1-3)
S: Liu Fuenmayor (10)
Time of Game: 2:26
Attendance: 3,754
The ValleyCats continue their 23rd season in the Capital Region. On August 8th, sing along to our customized playlist for Taylor Swift Night presented by PKS Investments. There will be a dress like Taylor Swift contest during one of our in-between inning promos and the winner will receive a prize pack. Stay tuned for more details as the ValleyCats celebrate Miller Lite’s 50th anniversary. Secure your ticket to fun here.