'Cats fall to Lake Monsters 3-1

TROY, NY - The Tri-City ValleyCats fell to the visiting Vermont Lake Monsters 3-1 on Wednesday night, dropping the first game of a two-game series between the two Stedler Division foes.

Vermont took the lead early, when Ben McQuown singled home John Nogowski with one out in the top of the second inning.

The Lake Monsters then added to their lead in the top of the fourth frame, when McQuown reached on a fielding error by Tri-City first baseman Ariel Ovando, before scoring on a single by Jose Chavez.

Ovando did help the ValleyCats get on the board in the bottom of the sixth, hitting a two-out single to center field that scored Nick Tanielu from second base to cut the score to 2-1.

Unfortunately, that was the only score Tri-City could muster, as the Lake Monsters tacked on an insurance in the eighth inning en route to a 3-1 victory.

Despite the loss, the 'Cats lead over the Connecticut Tigers for first place in the Stedler Division remains at eight games, due to the Tigers' 5-4 road loss against the Lowell Spinners.

The ValleyCats and Lake Monsters return to Joseph L. Bruno Stadium on Thursday to complete this two-game set. On the mound for Tri-City will be LHP Randall Fant (1-2, 4.91), with A.J. Burke (4-3, 4.64) getting the start for Vermont.

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