Wappingers Falls, NY – The Hudson Valley Renegades took on the Greensboro Grasshoppers (Pirates High-A Affiliate) to open the 2023 season.
New manager, and former MLB closer, Sergio Santos made his South Atlantic League coaching debut.
Santos said the following regarding expectations in an interview with Michael Turton, of The Highlands Current;
“… take pride in stealing bases, going from first to third, scoring from second on a base hit. I take pride in the little things; that’s what helps you win games.”
April 7th – Messinger and Jones Propel Hudson Valley to Victory
It was a close game for eight innings. Renegades’ starting pitcher Zach Messinger was dominant throughout. Messinger went five innings while only allowing three hits, giving up one earned run. The Renegades first hit didn’t come until the third inning, when Spencer Jones launched a ball over the center field wall.
Greensboro’s lefty starter Anthony Solometo had a quality start, going four innings, giving up two hits, striking out five batters. The Grasshoppers would get on the board in top of the fifth, on a Jase Bowen double that scored a run, evening the score 1-1.
Hudson Valley then called to the bullpen, bringing in RHP Harold Cortijo for the sixth inning. Cortijo went pitched 1.2 innings, striking out two hitters, while not allowing a hit. A tied game, going into the bottom of the six, the Renegades desperately needed a run. Steps in catcher Ben Rice, who walked and popped out in his first two plate appearances. Rice smoked a line drive into left field, scoring Anthony Garcia and Caleb Durbin. 3-1, Renegades.
The hit parade wouldn’t start up again until the bottom of the eighth. Caleb Durbin led off with a ground rule double. Spencer Henson then walked, and after Ben Rice was hit by a pitch, the bases were loaded. In comes Grant Ford for the Grasshoppers, who’s now the fourth relief pitcher used by Greensboro. Marcos Cabrera roped a bases clearing triple to right field, putting Hudson Valley up 6-1. Cabrera went on to score off a wild pitch. Aldenis Sanchez walked, bringing up Spencer Jones. Jones hit a double, brining in Sanchez, but Jones was thrown out sliding into third base.
Bailey Dees and Jack Neely did the cleanup work for Hudson Valley, the pair each allowed one hit. Dees was given the hold, and Cortijo was awarded the win.
Note the ‘Gades only left 13 runners on base in the Opening Day affair.
Notable Performances:
RHP, Zach Messinger: 5 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 5 K’s
CF, Spencer Jones: 2 – 4, / HR, Double, 2 RBI, 1 BB
3B, Marcos Cabrera: 1 – 4 / Triple, 2 RBI, 1 R
April 8th – Renegades Come Up Short
Juan Carela made his season debut in the second game of the series for Hudson Valley. Carela didn’t necessarily impress, but neither did Greensboro’s starter Bubba Chandler. Carela went 3.1 innings, giving up five hits and two earned runs. Tsung-Che Cheng tripled in the top of the third inning for Greensboro, then came Abrahan Gutierrez. Gutierrez homered on a 2-0 count. Afterwards, Maikol Escotto singled to keep the rally alive. Maikol then stole second base, forcing a throwing error by catcher Ben Rice. Escotto advanced, and would go onto steal home.
The Renegades were able to match the Grasshopper’s efforts in the top of the fourth. An Aaron Palensky double tied the game, scoring Caleb Durbin, Anthony Garcia, and Ben Rice. The next scoring inning would come in the seventh. Carlos Gomez came into relieve Ryan Anderson. Gomez gave up a single to Sammy Siani, who went onto steal second, and advanced to third on a wild pitch. The Grasshoppers’ ability to rattle pitchers was concerning. Gomez walked Tsung-Che Cheng, who then stole second base. Gomez then hit Hudson Head with a pitch, in a 1-2 count.
On the very next pitch, Maikol Escotto hit a single to center field. Sammy Siani, scores, as well as Tsung-Che Cheng. 5-3, Greensboro in control, going into the seventh inning.
Six Renegades batters were retired in a row to end the game. Hudson Valley left 21 runners on base this game, going one for eight as a team with runners in scoring position.
Notable Performances:
C, Abrahan Gutierrez: 2 – 4 / HR, 2 RBI, 1 R
2B, Maikol Escotto: 2 – 4 / 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 SB
SS, Tsung-Che Cheng: 1 -4 / Triple, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 SB
April 9th – A Heartbreaker in Extras
Drew Thorpe, the 61st selection of the 2022 draft, made his professional debut Sunday VS Greensboro.
In his first start of the year, Thrope had a solid outing. The 6’4″ righty went 5.2 innings, allowed five hits, two earned runs, and an impressive 8 strikeouts.
Thorpe, however, did give up a homerun on the first pitch of the game. Greensboro shortstop Mike Jarvis cranked a ball over the left field wall, giving the Grasshoppers an early 1-0 lead. The Renegades answered in the bottom of the first on a Spencer Henson sacrifice fly that scored Spencer Jones. Greensboro would put up another run in the top of the third. Mike Jarvis continued his big day at the plate, knocking in teammate Angel Basabe, on a single up the middle.
After the third inning, Thorpe had settled in, working his fastball/changeup combination. His mix of speeds forced weak contact, getting many hitters to groundout into the shallow infield. The Renegades’ bats woke up in the bottom of the fourth, but haven’t been heard from since. Benjamin Cowles singled to center field, brining Antonio Gomez, putting Spencer Henson on third base. Aldenis Sanchez would knock in Henson, giving Hudson Valley a 3-2 lead. Luis Santos walked in the next at bat, but a Kyle Battle strikeout and Spencer Jones popup would end the inning.
The Grasshoppers took advantage on the base paths in the top of the sixth. Sammy Siani stole third, then crossed home plate on an Antonio Gomez throwing error. This tied the game, 3-3. A stalemate ensued until the top of the tenth inning. Sammy Siani, up once again, laid down a sacrifice bunt. This moved the runner on second to third. A throwing error by pitcher Trevor Holloway sent Jase Bowen across home plate, giving Greensboro a 4-3 lead. Grasshoppers pitcher Will Kobos ended the final inning in order, getting the win for his efforts.
Trevor Holloway took the loss, although he did not allow a hit. Hudson Valley left 26 runners on the base paths, going 2-16 with runners in scoring position.
Notable Performances:
SS, Mike Jarvis: 3 – 4 / HR, 2 RBI, 1 R
DH, Spencer Jones: 3 – 5 / 1 R
RHP, Drew Thorpe: 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 8 K’s
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