Walking To A Win

NORWICH, CT-A three-hitter by Renegades pitchers and eight walks from Tigers hurlers helped propel Hudson Valley to a 6-0 win over Connecticut Tuesday night at Dodd Stadium. With the win, and a loss from the Cyclones, Hudson Valley moves two games up on Brooklyn for first-place in the McNamara Division.
The Renegades starting the scoring in the second by plating three runs without the benefit of a hit. Three consecutive walks by Tigers starting pitcher Alfredo Silva started the inning before third-baseman Allen Smoot was hit with a pitch to force in a run. Rightfielder Marvin Malone followed with a sacrifice fly left to make the score 2-0, before Silva walked another batter to reload the bases. Centerfielder Michael Smith came up next and lifted a sac fly of his own to center and Hudson Valley owned a 3-0 lead. All told, Connecticut pitchers walked five batters in the inning; four by Silva.
Hudson Valley added another run in the fourth as back-to-back doubles by Smith and shortstop Tyler Frank gave the Renegades a four-run lead. Both two-baggers were sent to leftfield with Frank driving in Smith.
Two more runs would come across for the Renegades in the eighth as second-baseman Garrett Giovannelli roped a double to left to score Malone from second after he reached base on another hit-by-pitch and stole second. Three batters later, with runners at the corners and one away, the Renegades picked up another sacrifice fly on a drive to right by designated hitter Erik Ostberg scoring Giovannelli from third and making the score 6-0.
That was more than enough for the Renegades' pitching staff as the trio of Nick Padilla, Tanner Dodson and Justin Montgomery shut out the Tigers on only three hits. Padilla (3-5) got the win by tossing five innings and allowing the three hits with five strikeouts. Dodson and Montgomery went the rest of the way by firing four hitless frames. Dodson pitched the first three to raise his scoreless innings streak to a team-high 20.1.
Taking the loss for Connecticut was Silva (0-1) who allowed three earned runs on four walks in 1.1 innings.
The Renegades banged out seven hits with two coming from Smoot who registered a double and RBI. Five of Hudson Valley's seven hits were doubles.
 
The Renegades will go for the sweep when they face the Tigers tomorrow night at 7:05. Right-hander Joe Ryan (1-1, 5.13 ERA) will be on the hill for the Renegades against fellow-righty Gio Arriera (2-3, 3.93 ERA) of the Tigers.  
 
Hudson Valley returns to Dutchess Stadium on Thursday to kick-off a six-game homestand against the Tri-City ValleyCats with a 7:05 start. Tickets can be purchased online at hvrenegades.com or by calling the ticket office at 845-838-0094.