Rock Cats Erase Defecit, Beat Defenders
June 25, 2007 - Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
A day after the Defenders bullpen barely hung on to preserve a Defenders victory, they run into trouble once again and this time weren't fortunate enough to end up with the win. The Rock Cats put together a ninth inning rally that spoiled a terrific start by RHP Nick Pereira and ended in a 5-2 New Britain victory.
The Defenders jumped out to an early lead after scoring two runs in the first inning off a sacrifice fly by OF John Bowker and RBI double off the bat of DH Steve Holm. That would be all the scoring for the first seven innings, as both pitchers were fantastic on the mound for the respective clubs. After giving up the 2 runs, Rock Cats LHP Ryan Mullins found himself in the zone, retiring 18 of 20 batters during one stretch at set a season high in strikeouts for his double-A career with 10. Nick Pereira was equally effective, as he did not allow a runner passed second base throughout his seven-shutout frames.
But Pereira exited and gave way to RHP Taylor Wilding in the eighth inning and things started to get interesting. OF Brandon Roberts led off the inning with a bunt single and SS Trevor Plouffe followed with a walk. After OF Garrett Guzman sacrificed both runners over to second and third, DH Matt Moses hit a sacrifice fly to score Roberts and cut the Defenders lead to 1 run, 2-1.
The Rock Cats bullpen handled their duties and kept it a 2-1 score heading into the top of the ninth. Defenders closer Brian Anderson came in to close it out but couldn't get the job done. The Rock Cats batted around in the inning, scoring 4 runs in all, including a game-tying RBI single by C Kyle Geiger and an RBI double by Moses. After Bowker led off the bottom of the frame with a double, the next three batters went down in order and the Rock Cats took the 5-2 victory.
Nick Pereira was denied his fourth win of the year despite pitching 7 scoreless innings, scattering 5 hits, walking 3 and striking out 6 batters. Ryan Mullins was just important in the Rock Cats victory with 7.2 innings tossed, surrendering just 2 runs, 5 hits, 1 walk and 10 strikeouts. Tim Lahey (W, 6-2) picked up his sixth win of the year in relief with 1.1 innings of scoreless, hitless work, while striking out 2 batters. Brian Anderson (BS, 5)(L, 1-3) blew his fifth save of the season and dropped his third game of the year after a rough ninth inning, surrendering 4 runs (1 earned), 3 hits, 2 walks and 2 strikeouts. Trey Webb went 2 for 4 in the loss for the Defenders who travel to Portland for five games starting at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday June 26.
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