Two weeks ago, the Tri-City Valleycats parted company with first baseman Zach Biermann for the 2nd time, trading him to the Joliet Slammers for a pair of pitchers. In one of the quickest turnarounds of the season, the Slammers are in town for a mid-week series at Bruno Stadium. Today's game, in front of a reportedly sold out Camp Day crowd, provided plenty of excitement for the hosts.
As was the case Tuesday, Joliet jumped out to an early lead against Tri-City starter Elijah Gill in the 2nd inning. With one out, Gill walked Matt McGarry. Christian Fedko reached on an infield hit. McGarry scored on a single by Lane Baremore, who moved to 2nd on an error by Jaxon Hallmark that allowed Fedko to advance to 3rd, where he scored on a sacrifice fly by J. P. Fullerton.
For the 2nd time in less than 24 hours, the 'Cats answered.
Juan Kelly led off the home half with a walk, and moved to 2nd on a botched pickoff by Joliet starter Turner Larkens. Oscar Campos was credited with an infield single, and Kelly scored on a sac fly by Ian Walters. Lamar Briggs then slammed a 2 run homer, and the 'Cats led, 3-2, after 2.
It stayed that way until the home 4th, when the Valleycats strung together five consecutive hits, and plated two runs. It should've been three, but Kelly got caught straying too far off 2nd, and was picked off. In the home 5th, Cito Culver singled. With 2 out, Kelly atoned for his blunder with a single, and Walters drove in Culver to make it 6-2.
Joliet finally got back on the scoreboard in the 7th against a tiring Gill. McGarry drew a walk, but was picked off. Three consecutive hits produced a run, and the lead was sheared to 6-3. Tri-City, however, got the run back in the home half as Campos, who finished 4-4, plated Culver with a single to make it 7-3. The 'Cats added two more insurance runs in the 8th to finish it off.
Gill improves to 7-2 on the season, going 6 2/3 innings, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6. Larkens was tagged with the loss, falling to 6-4 on the season.
With the win, the Valleycats remain undefeated in home series this season, as they have clinched their 12th straight home series. They'll play for the sweep tomorrow, weather permitting, at 6:30 pm.
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