The Tri-City ValleyCats hit eight homers, including three by designated hitter Carson McCusker, in Sunday’s 24-12 victory over the Gateway Grizzles in Sauget, Ill. to conclude a six-game road trip.
Trailing 12-7 after seven innings, the ValleyCats erupted for nine runs in the eighth inning and eight runs in the ninth.
Tri-City third baseman Pavin Parks broke a 12-12 tie with a two-run blast in the eighth inning. Jaxon Hallmark, Cito Culver, Aaron Altherr and Pat Adams also homered for the ValleyCats.
Tri-City (14-13) finished one homer shy of the Frontier League single-game record of nine set by the New York Boulders against the ValleyCats on July 12 of last season.
McCusker finished with seven RBI, while Altherr and Adams added five each. Adams’ homer was a grand slam in the ninth that made it 21-12 before McCusker added a three-run shot.
McCusker, Culver and Altherr each had four hits as the ValleyCats collected 24 hits.
ValleyCats reliever Matt Dunaway was credited with his first victory with the team despite allowing four runs on three hits and two walks in the seventh inning before Tri-City rallied.
Gateway (19-7) built an 8-2 lead after four innings before McCusker and Altherr each hit two-run homers in the fifth to draw the ValleyCats within 8-6.
The ValleyCats return to Joseph L. Bruno Stadium at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to face the Lake Erie Crushers in the beginning of a six-game homestand.
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