Playoff Recaps and Pitching Matchups

Monday's Games

Tri-City over Auburn 16-7 (Tri-City wins series 2-1 and advances to LCS)
16-7 may sound like a blowout, and it is, but it didn't start out that way. This game was close with numerous lead changes until Tri-City scored 11 runs in the seventh and eighth innings to put an exclamation point on the evening. Starter Brian Holmes allowed three runs on six hits over four innings and was followed by Travis Ballew (two runs on three hits) and Jeremiah Meiners (two runs/one earned on five hits) before John Neely shut the door in the final one and a third, allowing only one hit and getting a key bases loaded strikeout against Auburn's hottest hitter. The ValleyCats hitters collected 15 hits, seven of them in the final two innings, and a ridiculous 14 walks. Auburn gave the 'Cats a huge present as Tri-City scored four of their runs on bases loaded walks. There were many great offensive performances, but probably none so big as Jesse Wierzbicki's two-out three-run double in the seventh inning as the 'Cats had left the bases loaded in three prior innings. That clutch hit helped Tri-City to break things open. Here's a look at how some of the players fared:

Joe Sclafani - 2x5 2RBI R
Catfish Elkins - 2x4 RBI 3BB 4R
Jesse Wierzbicki - 1x5 2B 3RBI BB 2R
M.P. Cokinos - 1x5 2B 2RBI BB
Tyler Heineman - 3x5 3RBI BB R
Preston Tucker - 2x3 RBI 3BB 2R
Neiko Johnson - 2x3 3RBI BB R

Lancaster over High Desert 10-5 (Lancaster leads South Division Series 2-1 in a best of five)
Starter Tyson Perez was sharp as he allowed two runs on eight hits and only one walk while striking out four in six innings of work and was rewarded with the win. He was followed by a very rough outing from Chia-Jen Lo in which he allowed two runs on three hits while recording only one out. Enter Kenny Long to the rescue, allowing one run on two hits over two and two-thirds innings and getting the save. High Desert led this one until the bottom of the fifth when Lancaster put up a four-spot as a two-run triple from Chris Epps was immediately followed by RBI doubles from Carlos Perez and Delino DeShields. High Desert came back in the seventh to make it a one-run game and Lancaster yet again put up four runs in the bottom of the frame thanks in large part to a three-run double from Erik Castro. Epps added the cherry on top of the sundae in the bottom of the eighth with a solo home run as he ended the night three-for-four with a double, triple, home run, three RBI and three runs scored. DeShields was two-for-four with two doubles and an RBI; Erik Castro was two-for-four with a double, three RBI and scored a run; and Carlos Perez was two-for-four with a double, and two runs scored.

Tuesday's Pitching Matchups

5:30 CST - Game 1 of the League Championship Series: Hudson Valley at Tri-City
Pitching Matchups not available at this time. I'll update later if possible.

9:00 CST - Game 4 of the South Division Championship Series: High Desert at Lancaster
RHP Nick Tropeano goes to the mound for Lancaster with a 1-0 record and two no-decisions in three starts against High Desert (2.41 ERA and 1.125 ERA). He is 6-3 in 12 starts with a 3.31 ERA and a 1.316 WHIP since his promotion to Lancaster. RHP Brett Shankin gets the start for High Desert. In two starts against Lancaster, he is 0-1 with a no-decision, an 8.10 ERA and a 1.300 WHIP. Since his promotion to High Desert, he is 7-3 with a 6.28 ERA and a 1.655 WHIP in 14 games (13 starts).