Norwich — Emmanuel Valdez and Carlos Machado hit three-run homers for the Tri-City ValleyCats in a 7-4 victory Monday over the Connecticut Tigers at Dodd Stadium.

The ValleyCats (27-22) overcame an early 3-1 lead by the Tigers (23-23) to lengthen their lead to two and a half games over the Tigers in the New York-Penn League's Stedler Division. The tightly contested division features Lowell one and a half games back and Connecticut and Vermont each two and a half back.

Gresuan Silverio drove in two runs on a first-inning double for the Tigers and an RBI single Darwin Alvarado in the sixth made it 3-1. Tigers starter Jose Vasquez left in line for the win after pitching six innings, allowing one unearned run on four hits, three walks and striking out three.

Tri-City took its first lead in the seventh, however, 4-3, on Valdez's three-run shot off reliever Victor Mueses (0-3). In the ninth, Dylan Stock allowed a second three-run homer by the ValleyCats as Machado ran the Tri-City lead to 7-3.

Alexis Garcia led the Tigers with three hits and a run, while Silverio went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Jordan Verdon added an RBI double in the ninth.

On Tuesday, the Tigers meet the ValleyCats at 7:05 p.m. at Dodd in the rubber match of their three-game series, with Connecticut right-hander Gio Arriera (2-2, 3.80) scheduled to get the start. 

Eastern Regional LL baseball (9-10)

• East Lyme began play in the Eastern Regional tournament in Cranston, R.I., on Sunday, going 1-1. East Lyme began the day with a 6-1 victory over South Portland, Maine, getting a complete game victory from pitcher Nick Cambi. The second game resulted in a 7-3 loss to Barnstable, Mass. Cambi was 4-for-7 with four RBI in the doubleheader and Ryan Wargo was a combined 6-for-7 with four runs scored. East Lyme continues pool play Tuesday against Browns River (Vt.) and Wednesday against Warwick (R.I.)

NL-Waterford Speedbowl

• A pair of 40-lap SK Modified features highlighted Sunday's nine-race card at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl, following a postponement Saturday.

Waterford's Rob Janovic Jr. eased to a win in the first one, his 25th SK Modified victory and 32nd overall victory at the Speedbowl, with points leader Kyle James of Ashway, R.I., taking the second for his fifth win of the year. Justin Albernaz of Rehobeth, Mass., in his first full season at the Speedbowl, was second behind James and Janovic was third.

"The car wasn't very good in practice, but Ed Puleo and J.P. Puleo made some adjustments and the car was unbelievable," Janovic said of his victory. "This was a lot of fun."

Anthony Flannery of East Hampton was in control of the 30-lap Late Model feature, nailing down his first win of the year ahead of Ryan Morgan of Pawcatuck.

Twin Sportsman features were held. Al Stone of Durham moved into the lead early to capture his first win of the year while Jason Chicolas of Sutton, Mass., held off Stone to win the second feature. Point-leader Peter Bennett of Cromwell captured the Legends win and Dylan DeCoster of Waterford held off Corey Caddick of Richmond, R.I., to win a wild X-Car feature, with Caddick crossing the finish line sideways. Brett Meservey captured his third Ct. Pro 4 win at the Speedbowl and Shawn Monahan of Waterford was a winner in the Outlaw Sportsman race.

Racing continues Saturday with the 11th annual “Wings and Wheels.” The SK Modified and SK Lites will be joined by the ISMA Super Modifieds, the Valenti Racing Series, the NEMA Midgets, NEMA Lites and the American Three-Quarter Midgets Racing Association.