Playoff Recaps and Pitching Matchups

Tuesday's Games

Tri-City over Hudson Valley 5-4 in 10 innings (Tri-City leads best of three series 1-0)
Hudson Valley scored three runs (two earned) off starter Juri Perez in the first, but the Tri-City pitching staff then held them scoreless until the top of the ninth. With a two-run home run from Dan Gulbransen in the second and a two-run home run from Austin "Catfish" Elkins in the third, the ValleyCats took the slimmest of leads and held on by a fingernail until the ninth. With one out in the ninth inning, Vincent Velasquez in a relief role, gave up a solo home run to tie things up. Velasquez had pitched three very effective innings in relief of Perez at that point. He was then replaced by John Neely who ended the threat, got the 'Cats into extras and ultimately got the win. Fast forward to the bottom of the tenth. The 'Cats put up three singles on one out before Preston Tucker drove in the game winning run with a sac fly. Elkins ended the night two-for-five; Ryan Dineen was two-for-four with a double and a run scored; and Joe Sclafani was one-for-three with two walks and a stolen base.

Lancaster over High Desert 9-6 (Lancaster wins series 3-1 and advances to the League Finals)
The Heart Attack 'Hawks just keep on getting it done. Starter Nick Tropeano (6IP 9H 4R/3ER 1BB 6SO) got behind the eight-ball early as High Desert put up a three spot in the first inning, but the JetHawks chipped away at the High Desert lead and took a 5-4 lead in the sixth to give Tropeano a chance for the win. But the bullpen, in the form of Carlos Quevedo and Pat Urckfitz, couldn't hold the slim lead and Lancaster fell behind 6-5 in the top of the seventh. Then the wheels came off the bus for High Desert in the bottom of the eighth as the 'Hawks scored four runs with two outs to take a 9-6 lead and earned the chance to play in the California League Finals. Erik Castro, Rafy Valenzuela and Delino DeShields were in the middle of all the action. Castro started the big four-run rally and ended the night going two-for-three with a double, a walk, a stolen base and he scored three times. Valenzuela was three-for-four with a double, two RBI and scored a run. And Delino DeShields was two-for-four with a walk and scored three times, including scoring from first base on a two-run single by Jio Mier in the eighth.

Wednesday's Pitching Matchups

5:05 CST - Game 2: Tri-City at Hudson Valley
Tri-City's starter hasn't been announced yet. Hudson Valley's probable starter is RHP Jesse Hahn. Hahn was 2-2 with a 2.77 ERA and a 1.019 WHIP during the regular season. He has had one start in the post-season against Brooklyn and took the loss. Tri-City and Hudson Valley split the regular season 3-3.

Lancaster - Off Day