Rock Cats Top Bowie In Wild One, 14-7

Published on July 3, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


NEW BRITAIN, CT - New Britain entered the bottom of the first already down by four runs but erupted for 10 runs in the bottom of the inning on its way to a 14-7 victory over Bowie before 5,741 lively fans at New Britain Stadium.

"It was a really wild one," said Rock Cats manager Jeff Smith. "First, we fall down four runs. I don't think I've seen a first inning like that where 14 runs are scored. We come back and then they fight their way right back into it."

The Rock Cats started the fireworks show a little early as the team finished the night with 17 hits, with every player in the lineup recording at least one hit except number nine hitter, Danny Lehmann. Chris Colabello and Chris Herrmann led the way with three hits while Estarlin De Los Santos and Bigley both came through with four RBI apiece.

The first inning was anything but a pitcher's duel. Rock Cats starter Blake Martin walked two men before Manny Machado drove in both runners with a triple. Machado crossed home plate on a throwing error by second baseman Shawn Roof. Zelous Wheeler tacked on another run with an RBI single for the 4-0 advantage.

The Rock Cats refused to lay down as the team erupted for 11 hits and scored 10 runs against Bobby Bundy in the bottom of the first. The first seven batters to come to the plate all reached base safely - all but one on hits - and scored before an out was recorded. Leadoff man Aaron Hicks started the scoring spree off when he drilled a triple off the right field wall. Herrmann followed with a single to knock in Hicks to put the `Cats on the board, 4-1. Oswaldo Arcia doubled and Colabello drew a walk to load the bases. Evan Bigley then doubled to left to drive in all three runners to tie the game.

Deibinson Romero kept the attack alive with an RBI single before De Los Santos hammered a two-run shot over the right field wall for the 7-4 lead. Bundy struck out the next two batters to bring Hicks to the plate for the second time of the inning. Hicks hit what appeared would be an inning-ending ground ball to second base but he beat out the throw to keep the inning alive. Herrmann added a single and Arcia knocked in Hicks with a base hit into center. With the ninth run of the inning crossing the plate, Bundy was sent to the showers early. Robert Hinton came on in relief and surrendered a single to Colabello before Bigley closed out the offensive outburst with an RBI single.

Robbie Widlansky added a two-run single in the sixth for the Baysox. Bowie came within three runs of tying the game when Wheeler opened the sixth with a double and scored on a double by Brian Ward.

The Rock Cats answered right back, though, in the bottom of the inning. De Los Santos added a two-run double before Roof joined the hit party with an RBI single to make it, 13-7. Roof added his second RBI single of the night in the eighth inning.

"It was a long game. I'm assuming both teams were just glad to get out of there and move on to the next game," said Smith.

Martin surrendered six runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings. He struck out five. Daniel Sattler was stellar in relief, firing 3 1/3 shutout innings with just one hit allowed for the Rock Cats. He notched his first Double-A save.

"Sattler did a phenomenal job," said Smith. "Hats off to him. He pitched great."

Bundy was hammered for 10 runs on nine hits and one walk in just 2/3 innings.

ALLSTATE PLAYER OF THE GAME : SS Estarlin De Los Santos homered and added a two-run double to help power an offensive explosion by the Rock Cats. He finished the night 2-for-5 at the plate with two runs scored and four RBI.

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