TROY, N.Y. — It’s hard to find something that didn’t go right for the Tri-City ValleyCats in the club’s 14-0 shutout of New Jersey on Saturday night at Joe Bruno Stadium.
The offense rallied for 13 hits and hung an eight-spot in the bottom of the seventh inning, while starting pitcher Wes Albert tossed three scoreless innings, making his first appearance in nearly two months.
Following Albert, reliever Gino Sabatine pitched two innings, earning the win, after being signed back to the team earlier that day, from free agency. Sabatine had started the season on the ValleyCats’ roster, only to be released back on June 25.
“Big congratulations for that win for Gino,” said Tri-City manager Greg Tagert, postgame. “You got a teammate that was sorely missed by his teammates and just universally loved. It was a tough day when we made the decision, but you never know when opportunity knocks again, so he made the most of it tonight.”
Albert was coming off a right ankle sprain that had sidelined him since May 18, when he was placed on the 14-day injured list. The long road back, which included “two or three” simulated games, resulted in not the most dazzling final line on Saturday, but an effective one in his return to real action.
“I’m sure he’s gonna sleep easy because I bet you he did not sleep easy the last couple of nights, knowing Saturday (start) was coming,” said Tagert.
Albert finished without allowing a hit but walked four and struck out three, throwing 46 total pitches across the three innings. The plan entering the game, according to Albert, was always for three innings, regardless of the pitch count; Target said he was almost ready to call it a night for the 22-year-old after inning No.2.
“We were wondering- ‘hey, how long can you go?’ But, we were ready to take him out after the second inning and then something I usually don’t do, (Albert) actually talked us out of it,” said Tagert.
“The plan was always to try to open and just build me back up,” said Albert. “I think three (innings) was always gonna be the plan; knowing me, I would’ve fought with ‘skip’ (Tagert) for another inning, but it’s a process and I’m just going with right now.”
The ValleyCats started the scoring in the bottom of the third when second-year shortstop Robbie Merced launched a no-doubt, two-run home run over the left-field, home bullpen.
“It was first-pitch fastball inside. I was just sitting pretty much for that heater over the plate and I got one and was able to put a good swing on it,” Merced said of the at-bat. “Happy to get the rally started.”
Merced was one of two ValleyCats’ hitters to finish the game with three hits on their line, as both he and centerfielder Jaxon Hallmark went 3-5 in the game, combining for five RBIs four runs scored, and 13 total bases.
Left fielder Javeyan Williams added to the lead in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI single, eventually coming all the way around to score after an errant pickoff attempt from Jackals’ starter Alex Barker, for the 4-0 lead.
Hallmark went on to drive in three of the ValleyCats’ eight runs in the bottom of the seventh, via an RBI triple and two-run double, as the club opened up the ballgame to a 12-0 advantage. The ‘Cats’ batted around in the frame, highlighted by Chris Burgess going the other way to right field for a three-run homer.
In game one of the three-game series versus New Jersey, on Friday night, Burgess went deep in the bottom of the fourth for a two-run blast, a part of the 7-3 win. On top of the back-to-back winning performances, the 27-year-old Georgia native now also has back-to-back games with a home run, for the second time this season.
Burgess, while only getting the batting average up to .212 for the season, is still proving plenty valuable in the absence of normal battery Oscar Campos (.312), who is still on the 7-day injured list with a hamstring injury.
“‘C.B.’ is doing ‘C.B.’ things. He’s holding it down behind the pitch and he’s getting his bat rolling too,” Merced said of Burgess. “We all know he can do it; he’s got ‘stupid pop.’ But, it was a good day for all the boys today.”
“Chris knows he’s playing for a manager that really doesn’t care anything about the offensive side on the plate. I also know how important it is to him and every catcher,” Tagert added postgame, “it was big for him last night, with the home run, and tonight. I know these guys look at the batting average and all those things, but (Burgess) actually produces when the opportunities present themselves.”
Campos was seen taking both batting practice and working on some throws to the bases, from behind home plate, pre-game, as a part of his rehab. The 27-year-old former Astros’ and Mets’ prospect was selected to participate in next week’s Frontier League All-Star Game, as a reserve, in Quebec.
“(Campos) making a little bit of progress and he’ll do some bass running whether it’s tomorrow or when he gets to Quebec and he got the ‘okay’ from me to, if he feels good enough, take an at-bat in that All-Star game, but the preference is we get him ready for (next) Friday,” said Tagert of Campos.
As for Albert going forward as he also works back to full strength, Target suggested his next appearance will come on Saturday, in the second game back from the All-Star Break, also in Quebec.
“We might use him in an opener role; throw a couple, three innings there (Quebec). Not sure how he’ll bounce back the second outing, so we thought- ‘okay, we’ll extend him one more inning, then we got the All-Star break, he’s got some extra days to see where we’re at next Saturday,” Tagert said.
“I’m just happy with any role I’m given right now,” Albert said.
Albert said the right ankle felt good following his short start on Saturday, but forecasted some potential soreness as he recoups from his first appearance since mid-May.
“Right now it feels good,” Albert said. “Ask me tomorrow and we’ll see. But right now, it feels good.”
ValleyCats’ went to right-hander Nathan Medrano for a four-inning save in relief of Sabatine. Medrano struck out four, with two hits allowed both coming in the final inning. The Jackals had their chances to get on the board throughout the night, but the ValleyCats’ pitchers limited the visitors to going just 1-16 with runners on base.
“(TCVC) pitching coach Tom Thornton always preaches- ‘stay in attack mode, just keep going at ’em, and if you’re gonna lose a battle, lose it with your best stuff,” said Albert. We just kept attacking ’em the whole game.”
The win marked the ValleyCats’ tenth straight at ‘The Joe’ – a streak that started back on June 22 – ahead of the club’s final home game until Tuesday, July 23, post-All-Star break.
“I mean, the atmosphere here is amazing, every time we get the stands rocking like that, and we love playing in front of them, so it just makes everything super fun,” said Merced, “and when you’re having fun playing, good things happen.”
Entering Sunday’s series finale with New Jersey, Tri-City, at 30-26 overall, trails the Ottawa Titans (32-22) for third place in the FL East Division and final postseason spot, by three games.
The first pitch on Sunday, back at Joe Bruno Stadium, is scheduled for 5 p.m. Attendance Saturday night was 4,004.
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