One move too many sinks the ship (Renegades 4, Valleycats 3, 6/29/18)

When the Hudson Valley Renegades arrived in town Thursday night for their series with the Tri-City Valleycats, it was a battle of two first place teams. So far, the Tampa Bay Rays' affiliate has demonstrated why they have the best record in the NY-Penn League.

However, it was Tri-City that drew first blood in the home first. Enmanuel Valdez, with one out, laced a double, then came around to score on a single by Gilberto Celestino. Valleycats starter Cody Deason, making his first appearance, went just two innings, likely due to pitch count, but gave up just one hit in those two frames. Bryan Abreu came on in the third, but was undone by sloppy defense in the fourth. Tyler Frank led off the visiting half of the inning with a single, stole second, then advanced to third on an error by Oscar Campos. Ramiro Rodriguez tried to throw out Frank at third, but the ball sailed into the bleachers, and Hudson Valley tied the game at 1-1.

In the sixth, Chris Betts, no relation to Boston star Mookie Betts, not by any stretch, homered into the Renegades' bullpen. Unfortunately, Hudson Valley lifted starter Michael Mercado after five innings, holding the 'Cats to one run on four hits and two strikeouts. The Renegades' bullpen promptly coughed up the lead and took Abreu off the hook. Jeremy Pena reached on an error by third baseman Adrian Rondon, and Valdez cashed in with his second double of the game. A single by Austin Dennis plated Valdez to give Tri-City their first lead of the night at 3-2.

Austin Hansen gave up just two hits in his two innings of relief behind Abreu, but manager Jason Bell made a tactical error in lifting Hansen, and going back to the bullpen in the ninth. One hit, an error, and three walks added up to two runs for Hudson Valley, and the Renegades defeated the Valleycats for the second straight night, 4-3.

There's just no way to put a happy face on this loss, and Bell will be second and third guessed through the weekend on sports talk radio in this market. With the loss, one assumes Tri-City loses possession of first place in the Stedler Division back to the Vermont Lake Monsters, with whom they were tied at the beginning of play tonight.

Strangely, the park wasn't packed on a sweltering Friday night, even though the temperature cooled as the night progressed. Folks are likely saving their money for "Star Wars" Night tomorrow night.