Tri-City starts strong, falls late

TROY, NY » The Tri-City ValleyCats picked up an early lead, but gave up four runs in the final two innings, and lost on a game winning two-run double by Jesus Lopez, falling 4-2 to the Vermont Lake Monsters.

The Valley Cats began the evening going five and a third hitless innings, thanks to a brilliant five inning performance by Cesar Rosado. Rosado allowed just one walk and struck out six before being lifted for Colin McKee. McKee managed just one out before the no hitter was broken up. McKee picked up the loss and blown save, going 3.2 innings, giving up four runs, three earned runs, four hits while walking three and striking out one, picking up his first blown save and loss of the season.

Luis Payano got the scoring started for the Valley Cats with an RBI double down the right field line that scored Kyle Davis’s first professional run. Andy Pineda continued his breakout campaign by legging out an infield single to score another runner.

McKee was able to reach the top of the eighth inning before allowing a two run

single by Javier Godard. McKee got in trouble once again in the ninth, before being lifted for Humberto Castellanos, who allowed two inherited runners to score on a Jesus Lopez single.

Jhenderson Hurtado recorded the win in relief of Lake Monsters starter Oscar Tovar, making it his first of the season.

The Valley Cats fall to 2-3 on the season, while the Lake Monsters move to 3-3.

The ‘Cats will host the

Lake Monsters for game two of the three game set at 5:00 pm for Around the World in 9 innings and Sunday Funday presented by St. Peter’s Health Partners.