Early Offense Earns ‘Cats Series Win Against Aigles

Cruz Dazzles, Earns First Win of Season in Scoreless Outing

August 21, 2022

TROIS-RIVIERES, QC - Following a tough loss last night, the Tri-City ValleyCats returned to Stade Quillorama for the rubber match of this weekend’s three game set against the Aigles. Jose Cruz got the ball in the series finale for the ‘Cats, searching for both his first win of the season,

TROIS-RIVIERES, QC - Following a tough loss last night, the Tri-City ValleyCats returned to Stade Quillorama for the rubber match of this weekend’s three game set against the Aigles. Jose Cruz got the ball in the series finale for the ‘Cats, searching for both his first win of the season, and the series win in a divisional matchup.

The ‘Cats once again struck first. After a 1-2-3 first featuring 3 deep flyouts, the ‘Cats tallied six runs combined in the second and third innings. Jace Mercer would get things started with an RBI single, before scoring on an Austin Bernard RBI double. The longball would once again play a huge role in the ‘Cats win on Sunday, with Brad Zunica, Cito Culver, and Denis Phipps all leaving the yard in the contest.

Jose Cruz turned in his best outing of 2022 to date, tossing 5 innings of shutout baseball, surrendering 4 hits, and striking out 4 before making way for the ValleyCats bullpen. Neil Abbatiello would surrender the lone Aigles run in Sunday’s contest, with relievers Adam Hofacket and Trey Cochran-Gill securing the Tri-City win in the late innings.

FINAL | TRI-CITY (47-35) 6 TROIS-RIVIERES (43-41) 1

W: Jose Cruz (1-7)

L: Sam Poliquin (5-6)

The ‘Cats continue their longest road trip of the season this week, heading to Ottawa to take on the Titans in a four game set, before heading to Pomona, NY for a weekend visit with the Boulders.