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Fifth Straight Win Fueled By Celestino's Four Hits

(Francesco Palumbo)
July 9, 2018

The Tri-City ValleyCats used a four-hit game from Gilberto Celestino to complete a three-game sweep of the Aberdeen Ironbirds with a 7-3 win on Monday afternoon at The Joe.

The Tri-City ValleyCats used a four-hit game from Gilberto Celestino to complete a three-game sweep of the Aberdeen Ironbirds with a 7-3 win on Monday afternoon at The Joe.

Celestino's 4-for-5 day at the plate was his fifth straight multi-hit game. He also scored a run and racked up two runs batted in.
The ValleyCats set the tone of the game with a four-run first inning.
After Trey Dawson led off the game by drawing a walk, back-to-back hits from Celestino and Enmanuel Valdezloaded the bases. 
Dawson then came around to score the game's first run after a wild pickoff throw at first base, charged as an error to Aberdeen's starting pitcher Jimmy Murphy.
Cesar Salazar then delivered a two-run double, scoring Valdez and Pena to give Tri-City a 3-0 lead.
Luis Encarnacionbrought home Alex McKenna on a sacrifice fly for the inning's final run.
The ValleyCats then posted a three-spot in the fourth inning to take a 7-0 lead.
After Celestino lined a two-run double into left field, Alex McKenna brought him home with a single for the ValleyCats' final run.
For Tri-City, the game was started by J.B. Bukauskas, who is currently on a rehab assignment.
Bukauskas hurled three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out a career-high six batters.
Cody Deason, Austin Hansen and Brett Daniels then each pitched two innings, allowing one run a piece over the fifth, sixth and ninth innings.
Hansen was credited with his first career win, as the lone run that came across against him was unearned.
The ValleyCats' five-game win streak extends their lead atop the Stedler Division to 2.5 games over Connecticut and Vermont.
After getting the day off on Tuesday, the ValleyCats will begin a six-game road trip on Wednesday night in Williamsport.