ValleyCats win 1-0 in five hit affair

TROY, NY - The Tri-City ValleyCats picked up their second win in a row, defeating the Lowell Spinners 1-0, despite managing just one hit. The two teams combined for just five hits, and no RBI's.

This game stood out for its tremendous pitching. Ricardo Castro took the hill for the 'Cats, going five innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three. His counterpart Dakota Smith pitched three and a third hitless innings and the Spinners took a no-hitter into the 6^th inning, before an Abraham Toro single.
The 'Cats were able to get on the board thanks to a number of miscues. Shortstop Imeldo Diaz and third baseman Stanley Espinal both registered errors, and Miguelangel Sierra was brought home on a wild pitch by Dakota Smith.
The Spinners threatened in the top of the 6^th inning, when Castro was replaced by Felipe Tejada. Tejada loaded the bases with no one out, before striking out Stanley Espinal and Juan Barriento. Tejada was replaced by Robert Corniel who struck out Raiwinson Lameda to end the inning.
Corniel wasn't done there, and went on to pitch two and two third's scoreless innings, allowing two hits but striking out five. Luis Ramirez came in and earned his first save of the year in relief of Corniel. 
The ValleyCats will host the Spinners on Youth Baseball Night, presented by BlueShield of Northeastern New York, and Hannaford Supermarkets, for the finale of the three game series Friday night at 7:00 pm.