June 4, 2021: ValleyCats Tamed in Home Opener

TROY, NY - For the first time in 641 days, professional baseball was played in the Capital Region Friday evening, as the Tri-City ValleyCats (1-6) made their return to home play following a six-game road trip to start the 2021 season. The 'Cats fell victim to the New Jersey Jackals (4-3), 17-2, to kick off a three-game weekend series and a six-game home stand.

The game began with a competitive pitcher's duel between starters Angelo Baez and Carlos Sano, with the playing into the sixth inning with a 2-2 tie. Sano took home a six-inning no-decision with four strikeouts and a pair of runs on six hits, while Baez allowed the same with one strikeout in five and two-thirds innings.

Ending a two-game losing skid, New Jersey hopped out to a two-run lead with an RBI single in the third and a sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth. Tri-City's Avery Tuck began a multi-hit night with an RBI double to get the 'Cats on the board in the home half of the fifth, following Daniel Angulo, who doubled to kick off the inning. A solo home run from Juan Silverio in the bottom of the sixth knotted the game at two, with the 'Cats in search of an end to their five-game losing skid.

Reprieve did not come once the starters left the game, however, with the Jackals taking a 4-2 lead off ValleyCats reliever Ryan McKay (0-1) with a 2-RBI single to right field. The 'Cats bullpen then unraveled at the hands of the Jackals' offense, with nine runs coming home in the eighth inning and another four in the ninth to give the game its final score. Brock Knoten (1-0) took home the win for the visitors in one and one-third innings, tossing one strikeout in the process. Despite the lopsided outcome on the scoreboard, Silverio extended his on-base streak to seven games, while Angulo went 3-4 from the plate.

The Tri-City ValleyCats will continue its six-game home stand to kick off play at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at 7:00 PM, with gates set to open an hour early. The 'Cats will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Oregon Trail video game. Click Here for tickets.