Late homer sinks SmellyCats
TROY - If no one told them life was going to be this way, Friday night was a rude awakening for the SmellyCats. Tri-City (32-38) dropped a 5-4 heartbreaker to the Aberdeen IronBirds (39-31) at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium, ending their chances at a playoff berth. The contest featured a promising
TROY - If no one told them life was going to be this way, Friday night was a rude awakening for the SmellyCats. Tri-City (32-38) dropped a 5-4 heartbreaker to the Aberdeen IronBirds (39-31) at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium, ending their chances at a playoff berth.
The contest featured a promising start for the 'Cats, who will miss the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
Tri-City, which is now 1-12 in the series with runners in scoring position, struck first in the bottom of the fifth. After leadoff singles from
The IronBirds responded with three runs in the 7th inning off of
Meyers and the 'Cats responded almost immediately. In the bottom of the 7th, Meyers drew a one out walk, reached second and third on a throwing error, and scored on a De La Cruz sacrifice fly to tie the score at 3 runs apiece. Meyers finished the night 2-2 with two singles, two walks, and two runs scored.
In the bottom of the 8th, the SmellyCats got a huge boost of momentum when
Aberdeen got a leadoff walk from Garrett Copeland in the top of the 9th, and
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS: The IronBirds were previously 1-31 when trailing in the 9th inning before tonight's win. Aberdeen improves to 5-3 against the 'Cats with one game left in the season series.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED: The 'Cats defense looked sharp all night, and turned two inning-ending double plays. In the 5th, Davis fielded a ground ball while standing on second base, and tossed onto first to complete the twin-killing. In the 8th, after a leadoff base hit from
PLAYOFF PICTURE: The SmellyCats and Williamsport Crosscutters were both eliminated Friday, joining the Brooklyn Cyclones, Auburn Doubledays, Batavia Muckdogs, and Lowell Spinners. All three divisions are still in a tight race for first place: Vermont, Staten Island, and Mahoning Valley leading their respective divisions with six games left on the schedule.
UP NEXT: The series finale and final game of the season between Aberdeen and Tri-City kicks off tomorrow night, Saturday, September 2, with first pitch scheduled for 7:00. Two lefties will square off for the second time in the series, with