Three ‘Cats combine for one-hit shutout of Aberdeen

ABERDEEN, MD — Agapito Barrios, Austin Nicely and Nick Hernandez combined to one-hit the Aberdeen IronBirds in the series opener at Leidos Field.

Aberdeen (18-26) mustered only one hit in the ballgame, a single by Preston Palmeiro in the bottom of the 5th inning, and sent 28 men to the plate, one more than the minimum.

The ‘Cats (25-20) won their second shutout of the season, and lowered their staff ERA from 4.43 to 4.37. Their only run of the game came on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 8th inning.

Steven Klimek (L, 3-2) came in to replace Xavier Borde to begin the ‘Cats half of the 8th. With one out, Bryan De La Cruz smacked an infield single, and advanced to second on a throwing error. Tyler Wolfe was hit by a pitch, and Alex De Goti grounded out, allowing the runners to advance to second and third. With Marcos Almonte batting, Klimek tossed a wild pitch, scoring De La Cruz.

Hernandez picked up his fifth save of the season and Nicely his fifth win, putting them both in a tie for first place in the New York-Penn League in those respective categories.

Sebastian Kessay will take the hill for the ValleyCats in game two of the series tomorrow night, August 4. Tri-City will play two more games against Aberdeen before coming home to “The Joe” to host Brooklyn for three.