Hudson Valley Victorious 4-1 Over Auburn
The Renegades (12-10) beat the Doubledays (14-7) for the second time in as many days, handing them just their third loss on the season in a game where the 'Gades plated multiple runs in the top of the ninth inning for the second consecutive day.
Hudson Valley opened the scoring in the top of the first inning, with designated hitter Justin O'Conner drawing a one-out walk. Second baseman Tommy Coyle singled up the middle to move O'Conner to third base. Shortstop Ryan Dunn bounced one back to the mound that Auburn starter Blake Monar (1-2) fired to second in hopes of starting a double play. But Dunn beat the throw from second to first, reaching safely and allowing O'Conner to score and give the Renegades an early 1-0 lead.
Auburn managed to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth. Leadoff man Craig Manuel lined a single to center, and with one out, he swiped second base on a very close play. After Stephen Perez flew out to center field, Spencer Kieboom grounded a single back up the middle that plated Manuel and tied the game at one run apiece.
The Renegades struck back immediately in the top half of the sixth inning. Left fielder Joel Caminero laced a single to right field, and stole second with one out to put himself in scoring position. First baseman Michael Williams sent a one-out single to right that gave Caminero enough time to race around third and score the go-ahead run, making it 2-1 Hudson Valley.
The 'Gades added more scoring in the top of the ninth. New Auburn reliever Elliott Waterman struck out the first two batters he faced, but then issued back-to-back walks to O'Conner and Coyle, putting runners on first and second for Dunn. The Renegades shortstop lifted a fly ball to left that twisted out of the reach of Estarlin Martinez, dropping in for a two-run double that ran the lead to 4-1. Ryan Garton slammed the door in the ninth with a one-two-three finish to seal the victory for the 'Gades.
Hudson Valley starter Jeff Ames (2-0) tossed five excellent innings, earning the victory by allowing just one run on three hits and striking out four. Lefty reliever Bradnon Henderson threw 2.2 frames of scoreless action, allowing just two hits and fanning four. Garton earned his first save with 1.1 perfect innings of relief, whiffing two.
Monar took the loss for Auburn, allowing two earned runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five over 5.1 innings of work. Cody Davis threw 0.2 innings, giving up three hits and allowing an inherited runner to score; he struck out one. Derek Self threw two scoreless frames, giving up just one hit and striking out two. Waterman allowed two runs on a hit and two walks, and struck out three.
The Renegades have Tuesday off before returning to Dutchess Stadium Wednesday to take on the Batavia Muckdogs, with Jesse Hahn getting the start for Hudson Valley. Game-time is at 7:05 p.m., with Ben Gellman's pregame show beginning at 6:50 on 1450 AM and 1370 AM WKIP and online at HVRenegades.com.