Nelson, Dawson lead 'Cats past 'Birds

TROY - Makay Nelson (2-0) twirled four and two thirds innings of one run baseball to earn his second win, and Ronnie Dawson smacked a two run triple to lead the Tri-City ValleyCats (31-26) past the Aberdeen IronBirds (24-32), a 6-4 final at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium. With the win and a Lowell loss, the 'Cats move into sole possession of second place, one game behind the Stedler Divison co-leaders, the Spinners and Connecticut Tigers. 

Making his fourth start of the season, righty Edgardo Sandoval allowed three runs in three and one thirds, striking out three as well. Angelo Serrano (1) earned his first professional save, tossing a clean ninth inning. 

All-Star catcher Chuckie Robinson finished 1-3 in the effort with a walk and two runs scored. 

Travis Seabrooke (1-6) surrendered six runs in the loss, but only two unearned in four and two thirds, with five punch outs. James Teague and Yi-Hsiang Lin combined for three and two thirds scoreless innings, and did not allow a baserunner in the final three frames. 

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED: In the top of the third with one out, Jaylen Ferguson lifted a fly ball to centerfield with the bases loaded. Marcos Almonte made a running catch towards the infield, and threw Austin Hays out at the plate by five feet, for an inning-ending double play. 

Following suit, Ronnie Dawson showed off his arm two innings later. Chris Clare led off the fifth with a base hit, and tried to stretch it into a double, but Dawson's throw from left field gunned him down at second. 

In the bottom of the fifth, Rodrigo Ayarza led off with a base hit and advanced to second on an error by Clare, the shortstop. With Chuckie Robinson at the dish, Seabrooke threw a wild pitch that deflected off of catcher Chris Shaw's leg. Ayarza advanced to third, then motored home when he realized no one was covering home plate to score the 'Cats second run of the game.  

QUOTABLE: "We just hope Lowell loses." Nelson was fairly candid with the media postgame, hinting that the ValleyCats are paying attention to their Stedler Division rival. Lowell fell 3-0 to the Tigers at home, and is now tied with Connecticut for first place. 

NEXT UP: The 'Cats host the IronBirds in game two of the series tomorrow night, August 18 at "The Joe." Kevin Hill (1-3, 4.13) will take the mound for Tri-City, facing off against Aberdeen's Cody Sedlock (0-1, 2.50).