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Vargas' Grand Slam Sinks Sea Dogs Early; Rock Cats Win 7-1

July 24, 2014 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - The Rock Cats defeated the Portland Sea Dog by the score of 7-1 on Thursday evening at New Britain Stadium.

Fans bore witness to Round 2 of a matchup between both starting pitchers in the MLB All-Star Futures Game that was played up in Minnesota a little less than two weeks ago - Rock Cats RHP Jose Berrios and Sea Dogs LHP Henry Owens. However, it was another Futures Game invitee, 1B Kennys Vargas, who stole the show.

New Britain drew first blood in the bottom of the third in grand fashion, as Vargas cleared the bases with one swing - giving the Rock Cats an early 4-0 lead. Both 2B Brad Boyer and C Kyle Knudson picked up back-to-back singles to lead off the inning and then Owens walked CF Aaron Hicks to load the bases for the switch-hitting Vargas. On a 1-2 count, the lefthander left a fastball up and first baseman launched the offering sky-high, just clearing the wall in left field. Kennys now has three grand slams for New Britain this season.

The visitors picked up a run the very next inning on a productive out from 3B Michael Almanzar, scoring DH Blake Swihart. Swihart led off the inning with a double that clanked off the wall in right-center and then moved to third on a wild pitch from Berrios. The third baseman then sent a bouncing grounder to the right side of the infield, allowing enough time for Swihart to cross the plate and make it a 4-1 game.

Hicks made it a four-run lead once again in the bottom of the fourth, as he drove a liner in the gap in right-center, bringing home Knudson, who had a great at-bat against Owens, drawing a two-out walk and igniting the small rally. The Sea Dogs starter's control appeared to leave him at times during the inning, walking two straight before Hicks patiently went the other way on the Red Sox prospect.

New Britain continued to produce runs in the bottom half of the sixth and it was Hicks doing the damage once again. The California-native lifted a sacrifice fly out to deep center off of Portland reliever RHP Jeremy Kehrt, giving time to DH Matt Koch to make his way from third into home.

Vargas struck once again in the seventh, showing the home crowd that a big man can kick into high gear on the base path. After leading off with a walk, the club's Home Run and RBI leader sprinted from first to third on a single by RF Mike Kvasnicka and then came sliding home on a sacrifice fly laced out to left from Boyer. Vargas' 49th run of the season put the Rock Cats ahead 7-1.

RHP Cole Johnson worked two scoreless innings of relief for Berrios, who went seven strong before turning the ball over. The 20-year old starter from Puerto Rico looked very impressive in his home debut, scattering three hits over the seven innings, walking just one while striking out four, notching his first Double-A win (1-2).

New Britain's victory means that Owens was denied in his attempt at ten consecutive wins, dating all the way back to May 24th. The tall lefthander lasted only four innings, giving up five runs on five hits while walking four and striking out six. His record falls to 13-4.

Friday evening's game will be a battle of southpaws as the Rock Cats send LHP Jason Wheeler to the hill to square off against Portland LHP Brian Johnson. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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