Playoff Report: Sept 11

Two good nights for the Astros affiliates...

Lancaster

Heading into Game 4 against High Desert, up 2-1, the JetHawks didn't get off to a great start, allowing three first inning runs. The JetHawks got one back in the bottom of the inning, but it was 3-1 High Desert going into the 4th. The teams traded runs, with the JetHawks scoring one in the bottom of the 5th and two in the bottom of the 6th inning to take a 5-4 lead. High Desert answered with two runs in the top of the 7th for a 6-5 lead. Then the 8th inning happened, and Lancaster scored four runs to provide the final margin - 9-6 - and clinch the South Division Championship.

Nick Tropeano allowed 9H/4R (3ER), 6K:1BB; Carlos Quevedo allowed 1H/2ER, 2K:2BB in 0.2IP (both runs allowed by Pat Urckfitz). Jorge De Leon got the win with 1.2IP, 0H/0ER, 1K:1BB.

Rafy Valenzuela was 3x4 with a double and 2RBI, Delino DeShields (BB, 3R) and Erik Castro (2B, BB, 3R) had two hits each. Jio Mier had 2RBI.

Man of the Match: Rafael Valenzuela.

The Cal League Championship Series begins Saturday against an opponent to be determined.

Tri-City

Hudson Valley's Luke Maile hit a two-run homer in the top of the 1st, and the Hudson Valley ValleyGirls (I'm 99% sure that's not what they're called) added another on to give them a 3-0 lead after the 1st. Tri-City roared back (get it?) with two runs in the 2nd and 3rd for a 4-3 lead that held up until the 9th, when Hudson Valley tied it up at 4-4. The ValleyCats got three straight singles to lead off the bottom of the 10th and Preston Tucker hit a deep fly ball to right, scoring Ryan Dineen from 3rd, and putting them one win away from their 2nd NYPL title in three years.

Juri Perez allowed 3H/3ER, 4K:3BB; Vincent Velasquez allowed just 2H/1ER (the game-tying homer in the top of the 9th), 2K:1BB in 3.1IP of relief, and John Neely got the final five outs for the win.

Austin Elkins (HR, 2RBI) and Ryan Dineen (2B) had two hits each; Joe Sclafani was 1x3 with 2BB. Dan Gulbransen hit a two-run homer in the 2nd inning.

Man of the Match: Everyone gets the MotM.