Taking a Tiger by the tail (Valleycats 3, Tigers 2)

After losing the last two games to Brooklyn by a combined 18-6, the Tri-City Valleycats, stuck in last place in the Stedler Division of the NY-Penn League, returned home to Bruno Stadium Friday, but the crowd was smaller than usual for a fireworks night. Then again, they didn't initially plan on fireworks on this night. That was a make-good from a rainout last week vs. Lowell.

Tri-City starter Ronel Blanco, on a rehab assignment pitched two innings, retiring all six batters he faced. Vallente Bellozo picked up the baton in the third, and through five innings, the 'Cats were halfway through a combined no-hitter.

Meanwhile, Tri-City jumped on Connecticut Tigers starter Keider Montero for two runs in the home first. Luis Guerrero & Juanrael Paulino had back-to-back singles to start. After a ground out by Korey Lee moved the runners to second & third, Nate Perry cashed in both with a single. However, the threat ended when C. J. Stubbs grounded into a double play, the first of two on the night for the Tigers' defense, both involving Stubbs & Perry.

Montero settled down and kept the 'Cats off the scoreboard for the next four innings. Montero's final line was five innings, two runs, both earned, on eight hits, with three strikeouts and a walk.

In the sixth, the Tigers finally solved Bellozo. With two out, Jose King stroked a single, ending the no hit bid after 5 2/3 innings. Kingston Liniak followed with a single, and Ryan Kreidler tied the game with a double into the gap in left center. Bellozo fanned Hector Martinez to end the inning. Tri-City came back in the home half, Paulino collected his third hit of the game, and with two outs, after stealing second, two wild pitches brought Paulino home with what would be the game winner.

Bellozo picked up the win, going four innings, giving up the two runs on three hits with four strikeouts. Juan Pablo Lopez pitched the final three for the save, also fanning four, but giving up just one run.

In other 'Cats news, troubled pitcher Jayson Schroeder was sent down to the Gulf Coast League Astros today, while Zach Biermann went in the opposite direction, the latest to be promoted to Quad Cities. Schroeder trades places with Jairo Lopez, who comes up from the Gulf Coast club. Jordan Brewer, another Astros draft pick from last month, was activated as well.