ValleyCats capitalize on Tigers' miscues in 4-0 win

Tri-City has now struck out 24 batters and 0 earned runs in first two games

June 20, 2015

The Tri-City ValleyCats shut out the host Connecticut Tigers by the score of 4-0 on Saturday night, as right-handed pitcher David Paulino struck out four batters in five scoreless innings, and the offense took advantage of some Connecticut defensive miscues en route to their second straight win to open the 2015 regular season.

The 'Cats built an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, when leadoff hitter Johnny Sewald, who reached on an error to start the game, scored on an RBI single by third baseman Cesar Carrasco, and first basemen Bryan Muniz drove home Anthony Hermalyn with a double.

Paulino got the start for Tri-City, and the 6'5" hurler was dominant in his first appearance in the Houston Astros organization. The native of Perevia, Dominican Republic, who was traded to the Astros in 2013 from the Detroit Tigers, and missed all of 2014 while recovering from Tommy John Surgery, retired five of the first six Tigers batters he faced, and only allowed two Connecticut baserunners to reach scoring position.

The 'Cats added to the their margin in the fifth inning, when catcher Garrett Stubbs led off with a bunt single, and moved to second on a throwing error by the Tigers catcher. He then moved to third base on a single by Hermalyn, then was driven home on a fielder's choice off the bat of Carrasco. Two batters later, Hermalyn came home from third to score on a wild pitch by Connecticut reliever Dean Aldridge.

Trent Thornton, a 2015 fifth-round draft pick out of the University of North Carolina, came in to relieve Paulino in the sixth inning, and struck out three batters in two frames in his professional debut.

Left-hander Zach Davis, and right-handed closer Adam Whitt (a 2015 16^th round selection out of the University of Nevada pitching in his first professional game) struck out a batter apiece while each throwing scoreless frames, as the Tri-City pitching staff combined to strike out nine batters, while allowing only six hits and one walk. Combined with Friday night's 3-2 extra-inning win, the 'Cats hurlers have now struck out 24 batters, while allowing only four walks and no earned runs in 19 innings.

Tri-City will go for the sweep of the Connecticut Tigers at 4:05pm on Sunday, with RHP Dean Deetz getting the start for the 'Cats, and LHP Eudis Idrogo on the mound for the Tigers.