ValleyCats Score 13 In Rout Of Lake Monsters

TROY — On June 17th, the Tri-City ValleyCats kicked off the season with a bang. They defeated the Connecticut Tigers 13-1 in front of the home crowd. It took them until tonight, a grand total of 36 games to match that score. It was their largest win of the season.

The ‘Cats offense got to work quickly on Vermont Lake Monsters starting pitcher Brandon Bailey. Stephen Wrenn started the hit parade for the offense with a 2-out double to left field. 4 hits later, the ‘Cats took a 5-0 lead.

Taylor Jones hit his 2nd homer in 2 games and 5th on the season in the 1st. “I hope I can keep it going” said the ‘Cats first baseman.

Things were the complete opposite on offense for Vermont. ValleyCats starting pitcher Enrique Chavez pitched 3 2/3 of perfect ball before allowing his first hit. It was not only his only hit, but his only baserunner allowed in his 5 inning outing. Chavez was on cruise control the entire time, striking out 7 Lake Monsters. He improves to 3-0 on the season.

Dustin Hunt came in from the bullpen and wasn’t fooling around with a big cushion from the offense. Hunt got the hold going 3 innings allowing just 2 hits in his shutout outing. “(A game like this) really brings a lot of confidence into the staff.” Said Hunt after the game.

Meanwhile, the offense kept scoring. Tri-City would put up their second 5-spot of the night. Extending the lead to 13-0 in the 7th. The 5-8 slots in the lineup, Johnson, Dawson, Jones and Rogers combined for 11 of the teams’ 14 hits on the night.

In the 9th, Vermont would score their only run of the game on a Miguel Mercedes home run. The only reason I bring that up is because it was TAGGED to left field. Traveling 444 feet. But the rally did indeed fall a bit short, and the ValleyCats improved to 20-17 on the season with the victory.