In case you missed it, the Lancaster JetHawks and Tri-City ValleyCats will carry the banner of the Houston Astros organization into the 2014 Minor League playoffs. While the JetHawks will have to wait until Saturday to begin their playoff journey, the ValleyCats were first up; they're looking to defend their New York-Penn League crown.
Tri-City 3, Connecticut 2 in 11 innings (Tri-City leads 1-0)
W- Dan Mengden (1-0)
L- Paul Voelker (0-1)
S- Ryan Thompson (1)
TC home runs: D.J. Fisher (1, solo in 3rd)
The ValleyCats were doubled up in the hit column (10-5) and squandered a golden opportunity in the 10th, but they won the column that counts and atoned for failing to convert on a bases loaded, no out situation by pulling ahead in the 11th.
D.J. Fisher kicked things off with a mammoth solo shot in the top of the 3rd. Mott Hyde hit a single in the 4th and advanced to 2nd on an error. Another error allowed him to score Tri-City's 2nd run and also allowed Alfredo Gonzalez to reach safely.
Terrell Joyce led off the top of the 11th with a double and advanced to 3rd on a wild pitch. Hyde was the first casualty of the inning, but Gonzalez came through with a sac fly, which put TC up 3-2. Joyce was the only ValleyCat with a multi-hit game as he went 2-5. His other hit was a triple that led off the 2nd.
Joe Musgrove put up a line that was a familiar sight in the regular season: 6 innings of 1-run ball. He allowed 7 hits, walked 1, and struck out 7. Chris Munnelly was the first man out; he got 2 outs in the 7th, but before that, he plunked Derek Hill, who ended up scoring on an RBI triple from Will Maddox which tied game at 2. Munnelly also issued a walk. Derick Velazquez was the next man out; he allowed a hit and struck out 1 over 2.1 scoreless. Dan Mengden was next, and he allowed a hit, walked 1, and struck out 3 in 1.2 innings. He left with 2 runners on for The Closer, Ryan Thompson, who did his job by getting the final out of the game.
The best-of-3 series shifts to Troy, where Austin Chrismon will get the start in front of the ValleyCats faithful. He'll face Austin Pritcher at 6:00.
Cat's played a solid game defensively but they couldn't capitalize on the Tigers shaky. defense. Over all a good game back home now to finish the 1st round. #VamosGatos #UnosMas
ReplyDeleteCorrection - Joyce was not the only player with more than one hit. Jason Martin also had two hits.
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