‘Cats Rally Erased by Bird Dawgs Walk-Off
KINSTON, NC - The Tri-City ValleyCats (22-13) fell 7-6 to the Down East Bird Dawgs (13-22) on Friday at Grainger Stadium.
Tri-City struck in the first. Danny Beal walked John McHenry, who moved to second after a single from Oscar Campos. Kyle Novak, Jake Reinisch, Ian Walters, and Cedric Rose delivered four consecutive RBI singles to provide the ValleyCats with a 4-0 advantage.
Down East chipped away in the second. Ali LaPread singled off Easton Klein before Elias Stevens homered, which cut the deficit to 4-2.
The Bird Dawgs added in the sixth. Stephen DiTomaso singled against Bryahans Barreto. Two batters later, Yassel Pino launched a two-run jack to even the game, 4-4.
Klein received a no-decision. He turned in five innings of two-run ball, allowing five hits, three walks, and struck out four.
Beal was also handed a no-decision. He tossed five frames, surrendering four runs on seven hits, walking four, and striking out four.
Down East took the lead in the seventh. Jaylen Smith walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and went to third on a single from LaPread. Stevens lifted a sac fly against Gino Sabatine to pull the Bird Dawgs ahead, 5-4.
Pino went deep again in the eighth to put Down East on top, 6-4.
Axel Andueza walked Campos and Novak to begin the ninth. Rose and Demias Jimerson registered back-to-back two-out RBI singles to make it a 6-6 contest.
Smith singled in the bottom of the ninth off Liu Fuenmayor and moved to second after LaPread was hit by a pitch. Afterward, Stevens reached on a 6-5 fielder’s choice. DiTomaso delivered a walk-off RBI single to provide the Bird Dawgs with a 7-6 victory.
Nate Roof (3-0) earned the win and recorded the final out of the top half of the ninth.
Fuenmayor (0-2) received the loss. He went one-third of an inning, allowing one run on two hits.
Tri-City looks to retake the series lead tomorrow, Saturday, June 21st. First pitch is scheduled for 7 PM start.
FINAL | DOWN EAST 7 | TRI-CITY 6
W: Nate Roof (3-0)
L: Liu Fuenmayor (0-2)
Attendance: 1,134
Time of Game: 3:11
The ValleyCats continue their All-Star campaign and 23rd season in the Capital Region. The ‘Cats are taking on the Bird Dawgs in a six-game road trip from June 17-22. The next homestand will take place from June 24-26 against the Ottawa Titans. For more information, click here and for the direct link to purchase tickets, click here. Secure your ticket to fun by logging onto tcvalleycats.com, calling 518-629-CATS (2287), or visiting the Joe Bruno Stadium Box Office.