ValleyCats Lose Rubber Game of Series Against Renegades

The Renegades won the rubber match against the visiting Tri-City ValleyCats 5-2 on a hot Monday afternoon at Dutchess Stadium. The win put the club over the .500 mark for the third time this season. Jason Corder and Kyeong Kang provided the early offense for the ‘Gades by hitting mammoth back-to-back home runs in the first inning.

 

John Baird moved out of his usual spot in the bullpen and got the start for the Renegades. The burly right-hander allowed a run in the first inning after David Flores drove in Jack Shuck on a bloop single to centerfield.

 

The ‘Gades would answer back in a big way in the home half of the first, after back-to-back homeruns by Corder and Kang. Corder’s blast was of the three-run variety after Anthony Scelfo and Jason Tweedy reached base in front of him. Kang then stepped to the plate and mashed a solo shot of his own to deep centerfield which put the ‘Gades in the lead 4-1. It was the first time all year that the Renegades hit back-to-back homeruns.

 

Baird settled in from there and was able to grind out another two innings of work. Diego Echeverria replaced him in the fourth inning. On the day, Baird lasted three innings, giving up one run while striking out three. 

 

Tri-City would tack on one in the fifth off of Echeverria to cut into the Renegades lead and make it 4-2. The knuckleballer would last another 2/3 of an inning and give way to Travis Risser in the sixth. Risser came in with two on and would get an assist from Anthony Scelfo, who made a tremendous catch in foul territory, to get out of the jam.

 

Corder would tack on another run in the eighth inning with a double to left field. Corder finished with two hits and had a career high four RBI’s.

 

Echeverria, Risser, Josh Satow and Matt Gorgen combined for six innings of relief to nail down the win for the Renegades. Gorgen earned his third save of the season and still hasn’t given up a run.

 

On a side note, Jason Tweedy extended his on-base streak to 17 straight games with a single in the first inning. He was 1-4 with a run scored on the day.

 

Outfielder Justin Reynolds, who was called up from Princeton on Saturday, collected his first hit as a Renegade by ripping a single to leftfield in the fourth inning. 

 

The Renegades travel to State College on Wednesday to begin a six-game road trip. Southpaw Frank De Los Santos (2-2, 3.13) gets the start on the hill for the ‘Gades against the Spikes. First pitch is slated for 7:05.

For the call of the game from Sean Ford click here.
For the complete box score click here.