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Tigers Headed to NYPL Playoffs

September 1, 2014 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Norwich Sea Unicorns News Release


Norwich, CT - The Connecticut Tigers (42-34) defeated the Lowell Spinners (37-38) by the score of 9-8 Monday night at Dodd Stadium. The Connecticut Tigers are headed to the New York-Penn League playoffs for the first time in franchise history. With the tying and go ahead runs in scoring position, Tigers RHP Gabe Hemmer was able to get Spinners CF Joseph Monge (1-5) to pop out to 2B Brett Pirtle (3-5) to end the game and give the Tigers the Wild Card in the New York-Penn League playoffs.

The Tigers trailed throughout the majority of the game. At one point the Spinners took a 3-0 lead after a three run fourth inning. The Tigers cut the deficit to one run with two runs in the fifth inning on a two run double from Pirtle. The Spinners and Tigers went back and forth with each scoring a run in the sixth inning. With the Tigers trailing 5-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning, 1B Will Maddox (1-3) scored on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to one run at 5-4. With two outs, 3B Joey Pankake (2-5) hit a clutch two out game tying RBI single that scored Pirtle whom singled with one out.

With the game tied we went to the bottom of the eighth inning. Last Wednesday night Spinners RHP Carlos Pinales gave up a walk-off grand slam to C Franklin Navarro. Tonight with the score tied in the bottom of the sixth inning, Pinales faced Navarro to lead the inning off and Navarro belted a solo home run off of Pinales to give Connecticut their first lead of the game at 6-5. With the bases loaded, Pirtle provided more offense with a bases clearing three run double that gave the Tigers a 9-5 lead.

Starter RHP Chase Edwards pitched his shortest outing of the season as he pitched 4.1 innings while allowing three runs on seven hits. The Tigers went to the bullpen for the rest of the game after that. RHP Gage Smith (3-1) picked up the win for the Tigers as he pitched a perfect eighth inning. Hemmer found himself in trouble in the ninth inning however. After getting the first out, Hemmer gave up three runs to cut the lead to one run at 9-8. Hemmer went on to get Monge to pop out to end the game.

The New York-Penn League playoffs begin this Wednesday at Dodd Stadium as the Connecticut Tigers host the Tri-City ValleyCats in game one of their three-game series. The starters have yet to be decided. The pre-game show begins at 6:20 p.m. on AM 1310 WICH and cttigers.com. Attached is a photo from the celebration on the field. Please credit, Kevin Pataky with any use.

The Connecticut Tigers are the Class-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers and play in the New York-Penn League. The Tigers are in their 5th season at Dodd Stadium. Tickets are now on sale! The Box Office is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. In addition, tickets can be purchased over the phone at (860) 887-7962. For more information go online to cttigers.com.

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