Tri-City ValleyCats blank State College Spikes in series opener
The Tri-City ValleyCats scored five runs in the third inning and rolled to a 7-0 win over the State College Spikes on Tuesday night at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium.
Jake Adams provided the highlight in the third with a two-run home run to left-center field to cap the scoring. His homer was fifth of the inning, which started with Kyle Davis’ double to left field. Davis later scored on Luis Payano’s double, and Abraham Toro-Hernandez later sent a two-run single to right field before Adams hit his two-run shot.
The big inning came against Spikes starting pitcher Anthony Shew, who turned in quality starts in his first three outings. The right-hander came into Tuesday night with a 2-1 record and 2.08 ERA after allowing four runs in 17 1/3 innings for State College (11-10).
But he couldn’t continue his streak of strong starts against the ValleyCats (8-12).
Shew allowed seven hits and five runs in 6 2/3 innings, striking out six and walking one in the loss.
Tri-City scored its final two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning on a wild pitch and sacrifice fly.
Player of the game
ValleyCats designated hitter Jake Adams: Adams’ fourth home run of the season contributed to Tri-City’s five-run third inning. Adams finished 1 for 3 with two RBIs.
On the mound
Shutdown performance: Three Tri-City pitchers combined on a three-hit shutout in the victory. ValleyCats starting pitcher Hunter Martin threw four scoreless innings, allowing one hit while striking out two and walking two. Parker Mushinski then took over on the mound and went three scoreless innings to earn the win. Mushinski struck out six and walked one. Nathan Thompson finished the shutout with two scoreless innings.
In relief: Noel Gonzalez pitched the final 1 1/3 innings for the Spikes, allowing two runs, one hit and three walks. Gonzalez now has a 7.04 ERA in six appearances this season.
At the plate
Spikes’ hits: Josh Lopez, Scott Hurst and Imeldo Diaz recorded State College’s three hits in the loss. Lopez had the team’s first hit with a double in the fourth inning. Hurst followed with a single in the fifth, and Diaz singled in the seventh.
After going 1 for 4 against Tri-City, Lopez is hitting .429.
Next up
State College at Tri-City, 7 p.m. Wednesday: Right-hander Sam Tewes (1-2, 4.84 ERA) will be on the mound for the Spikes. Tewes earned his first win in his previous start, pitching 6 2/3 scoreless innings in a 9-0 victory over Williamsport. Tri-City has yet to announce its starting pitcher.
This story was originally published July 11, 2017 at 11:52 PM with the headline "Tri-City ValleyCats blank State College Spikes in series opener."