Dunning, Doubledays shut out ValleyCats for third straight win

The Auburn Doubledays, Single-A Short Season affiliate of the Washington Nationals, picked up their league-leading eighth shutout of the season with a 2-0 win over the Tri-City ValleyCats on Tuesday night. Right-hander Dane Dunning pitched five innings of scoreless baseball in the win.

The Doubledays (25-36) scored first in the bottom of the second inning off of ValleyCats (32-31) right-hander Tyler Britton. Britton hit Oliver Ortiz with a pitch to begin the inning. After a Paul Panaccione strikeout, Tres Barrera singled to put runners on first and second base. Ryan Ripken then grounded a ball to first base. Tri-City first baseman Connor Goedert tried to get Barrera out at second but couldn't, so the bases were loaded for Auburn. David Kerian then popped out to shortstop for out number two. Clayton Brandt followed with a single to center field that scored Ortiz to give the Doubledays a 1-0 lead.

Auburn added to its lead in the third inning. With two outs, Ortiz worked a walk. Panaccione followed with a single to right field. Ortiz scored from first base on the play to extend the Auburn lead to two, 2-0.

The Doubledays and the ValleyCats play the second game of their three-game series on Wednesday. Left-hander Yonathan Ramirez will pitch for Auburn against Tri-City right-hander Abdiel Saldaña. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.