McMillan Scores on Error in Ninth to Beat Aberdeen

ABERDEEN, Md. - Sam McMillan scored the game-winning run on a throwing error in the ninth and the Connecticut Tigers (17-17) grabbed a 2-1 victory over the Aberdeen Ironbirds (13-21) without a run batted in on Friday night at Ripken Stadium.

Following a one-out walk in the top of the ninth, McMillan moved to second on a wild pitch. Tigers second baseman Jeremiah Burks singled on a groundball to second base where Alexis Torres committed a throwing error on a throw to first that allowed McMillan to score the eventual game-winning run against IronBirds reliever Diogenes Almengo (Loss, 0-2).

Yaya Chentouf (Save, 6) remained perfect in save opportunities this year. The University of Pittsburgh alum gave up one hit to Aberdeen in the bottom of the ninth. 

The Tigers scored two runs on three hits in the game without an RBI. Connecticut opened the scoring in the second inning with the bases loaded. Clark Brinkman grounded into a double play and brought home Gresuan Silverio for a 1-0 lead.

Aberdeen tied the game in the third against Tigers starter Adam Wolf on an RBI triple by Torres. Connecticut reliever Tarik Skubal took over for Wolf in the fourth inning and pitched three shutout frames to move his team-best scoreless streak to 11 1/3 innings. 

Ethan DeCaster (Win, 1-0) followed Skubal and combined with him for nine of the 13 strikeouts for Connecticut. The Tigers now have three relievers with earned run averages below 1.00 including Skubal and DeCaster.

Silverio supplied the only two-hit game for Connecticut with a 2-for-3 night at the plate as the Tigers settled for three hits, which tied the fewest base hits during a win this season. Manager Gary Cathcart was ejected for the first time during the fifth inning by home plate umpire Matt Whipple.

On Saturday, the Tigers meet the IronBirds again at 6:05 p.m. Connecticut right-handed pitcher Jose Vasquez (3-1, 2.73) draws the start against Aberdeen righty Jimmy Murphy (2-2, 2.92). Coverage on the Norwich Courtyard by Marriott Connecticut Tigers Radio Network begins with Elijah Gonzalez at 5:50 p.m. on WICH 1310 AM across Connecticut and online at CTTigers.com via TuneIn Radio.

The Connecticut Tigers are the New York-Penn League affiliate of the Detroit Tigers at Dodd Stadium in Norwich, Connecticut. Individual tickets for all 2018 home games, season memberships to "The Club," ticket mini-plans, and Tigers team merchandise are now on sale at Dodd Stadium, over the phone at 860-887-7962, and online at CTTigers.com.