JULY 31, 2003

TROY, NY --- The Tri-City ValleyCats (24-18) came all the way back from a six run deficit before losing to the Lowell Spinners (23-20) by a score of 9-7 in front of 3133 fans at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium. Tri-City’s pitching staff struggled with their control in the game, issuing a combined total of eight walks, including the leadoff batter in five different innings. The lengthy contest, clocking in at over three hours, featured a rare occurrence as both teams put up more runs than hits.

Trailing 6-0 in the 4th inning, the ValleyCats rallied to put six runs across the board. Josh Anderson’s two-RBI triple was the first hit of the game for the ValleyCats, and put the ValleyCats within two runs at 6-4. Scott Robinson and Beau Hearod would each belt RBI singles to tie the contest at six apiece. The momentum shifted in favor of Lowell in the sixth inning, however, as a leadoff walk came back to bite Jonathan Beltre when Spinners CF Robert Evans belted a two-run home run over the right field fence. Each team would add another run before the game’s end, bringing the final score to 9-7.

Derick Grigsby started the game for the ValleyCats but did not factor in the decision, pitching three innings and allowing six runs on six hits, four walks, and one strikeout. Jonathan Beltre (1-1) took the loss for Tri-City, pitching two innings and allowing three runs on one hit, three walks, and two strikeouts. Lowell pitcher Jose Vaquenado (5-1) earned his fifth win of the year while Brian Marshall recorded his second save of the season.

Tri-City only managed four hits in the contest, with 3B Brock Koman (2-5, 1R, 1RBI) accounting for half of the team’s total. The two teams will play the rubber match tomorrow evening at 7pm. Tri-City’s Jason Hirsh (1-0) is scheduled to face Lowell hurler Jarrett Gardner (3-1).