‘Cats walk-off for second straight night

TROY – The Tri-City ValleyCats battled against the Staten Island Yankees and for the second straight night, walked off in the bottom of the ninth to win 3-2. Parker Mushinski (3-0) picked up the win in relief of starter Hunter Martin, while Brian Trieglaff (1-1) suffered the loss in relief of starter Jio Orozco.

Jake Adams got things started with a leadoff solo home run to right field to tie it at 2-2. Jonathan Arauz was then able to get all the way to third base, on an error by Yankees right fielder Timmy Robinson, and Miguelangel Sierra drove him in on an RBI single to win the game.

Welfrin Mateo helped drive the Yankees offense, recording an RBI single in the third inning to go up 1-0. The ‘Cats would answer in the fourth inning, when Corey Julks singled in a run on a soft fly ball to center field to make it 1-1. Mateo wasn’t done yet, and recorded another RBI single in the fifth inning to take a 2-1 lead. Mateo finished two for three with two runs batted in and two stolen bases.

The ‘Cats recorded their second walk-off hit in a row, after Colton Shaver hit a walk-off grand slam in game one. The ‘Cats have now scored six runs in the bottom of the ninth inning over their last two games.

Jio Orozco led the charge for the Yankees, going five and a third innings, allowing one earned run on four hits, while striking out four. His bullpen largely picked him up, as Josh Roeder and Braden Bristo combined for two and two third innings of scoreless relief, while striking out five, before Brian Trieglaff allowed the walk-off.

Hunter Martin went three innings, allowing one earned run and striking out three over his second professional start. Alex House had an almost identical final line, going three innings, allowing one earned run and striking out two. Parker Mushinski was able to record three hitless innings of relief to keep the team close.

The ValleyCats will host the Yankees one more time for the series finale at 7:00 pm on Saturday.