ValleyCats clinch Stedler Division with 6-1 win over Yankees
STATEN ISLAND, NY -Bobby Wernes drove in the go-ahead run with an RBI single, and Dexture McCall hit a three-run home run, as the Tri-City ValleyCats clinched their fourth straight New York-Penn League Stedler Division title, and earned a spot in the 2015 New York-Penn League Playoffs, thanks to a 6-1 10-inning victory over the Staten Island Yankees, at Richmond County Ballpark, on Thursday night.
After Tri-City and Staten Island entered extra innings tied at 1-1, Johnny Sewald led of the top of the tenth by walking on a 3-1 pitch. He then advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Alexander Melendez, which was followed by an intentional walk to Aaron Mizell.
That brought up Wernes, who smacked a 2-2 offering from Yankees right-hander Andre Del Bosque into center field to drive home Sewald, and give the 'Cats a 2-1 advantage.
That tally not only gave Tri-City the lead, but also gave Sewald his 53rd run scored on the season, breaking the ValleyCats' single-season record.
Tri-City did not stop there, however, as Dexture McCall crushed the very first pitch he saw from Del Bosque over the right field fence for his fourth home run of the year, putting Tri-City up 5-1.
The ValleyCats went on to score once more in the inning, when Kolbey Carpenter hit a one-out double, before coming home on an RBI single by Keach Ballard.
Right-handed reliever Yeyfry Del Rosario then went on to shut down the Yankees in order in the bottom of the tenth, inducing two pop-ups, then striking out Staten Island left fielder Zach Zehner on four pitches to end the game, and clinch the division title for the 'Cats.
Del Rosario earned the victory for Tri-City, pitching 2.2 frames, while advancing his season record to 4-4.
Getting the start for the 'Cats was Chris Murphy, a professional career-high with six strikeouts, while allowing only two hits in five innings.
Following Murphy was Ryan Deemes, who struck out two batters in 2.1 innings of relief.
Offensively, McCall, whose home run capped a 3-for-5 day with four runs batted in, led Tri-City in the hit column, while Wernes (2-for-4 with one run scored and one run batted in), and Hector Roa (2-for-4 with a double) also posted multi-hit games.
The ValleyCats will look to follow up their division-clinching victory on Friday, as they finish up this three-game road series against the Yankees at Richmond County Ballpark, at 7 p.m. On the mound for Tri-City will be LHP Zac Person (1-4, 7.71), with RHP Luis Cedeno (4-3, 2.83) getting the start for Staten Island.