Defenders Win 6-2 Behind A Franchise Tying Effort
September 9, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
NORWICH, CT- The post-season returned to Dodd Stadium Wednesday night for the first time in seven years but one thing remained constant, a Defenders win. Connecticut set the tempo in game one of the Eastern League playoffs as they cruised to a 6-2 win over inner-state rival New Britain.
The Northern Division Champs wasted no time as the get'em on, get'em over and get'em in phrase came to fruition. 2B-Brock Bond leadoff with a hustle double and advanced to third on CF-Mike McBryde's sac bunt. The Eastern League's RBI leader held true to his title by driving in Bond with an RBI single. LF-Brad Boyer followed with a single but RF-Eddy Martinez-Esteve delivered the biggest blow of the inning, a three run homer over the left field wall and Connecticut never looked back.
The true story of the game was the outstanding performance by Defenders starter LHP-Ben Snyder (1-0). After the last minute call up of Madison Bumgarner to San Francisco yesterday to make an emergency spot start for Tim Lincecum, Snyder stepped up to the occasion and filled the void. The Ohio native dazzled as he scattered four hits over eight innings of work, tying a franchise record for innings pitched in a playoff game set last by Jorge DePaulo on 9/11/02. Snyder allowed just two earned runs, walked one and struck out six while earning his first playoff win.
Connecticut padded their lead in the fifth. RF-Mike Mooney led off with a double then loaded the bases with walks drawn by C-Jackson Williams and 1B-Brett Pill. Rock Cats' starter RHP-Deolis Guerra (0-1) felt the pressure and tossed a wild pitch to the backstop which allowed Mooney to cross the plate. Guerra left the ballgame after allowing five earned runs off of eight hits, walked three and fanned four in the loss.
The Defenders tacked on another in the eighth on a SS-Brandon Crawford RBI single to plate Boyer who led off with a two out walk.
New Britain wound up making things interesting in the ninth, getting a leadoff single by LF-Brian Dinkleman then loading the bases. DH-Yangervis Solarte then drew a walk allowing the representing tying run to come to the plate. After a pitching change, Defenders closer LHP-Matt Yourkin came in and quickly shut the door, retiring the final two batters while earning the save.
Game two's matchup is set for 6:35pm at Dodd Stadium as the Defenders will send RHP-Daryl Maday to the bump to faceoff against Rock Cats' righty Matt Fox.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Defenders Box Office at (860)-887-7962 or online at ctdefenders.com.
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