Rock Cats Fall Hard To Richmond, 5-3
April 28, 2010 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release
New Britain - Thomas Neal's bases-clearing double with two-outs in the 9th inning gave Richmond a 5-3 victory at New Britain Stadium today, allowing the visitors to sweep the three-game series and sending the Rock Cats to their fifth consecutive loss. The early morning contest was watched by 6,821 fans, the second sellout gathering of 2010 in the Hardware City.
The Rock Cats got a strong emergency start from RHP Cole DeVries - and some clutch hitting early from rookie Estarlin de los Santos, to keep the game close. DeVries, who struck out 3, made the hasty trip to the New Britain Stadium mound after Deolis Guerra, the scheduled starter, became ill during warm-ups.
Richmond, looking to sweep their first series in Connecticut since departing for Virginia last year, struck first by scoring 2 Runs on a Walk and 2 Hits in the 2nd inning.
The Rock Cats responded in the 3rd when Joe Benson led with a hustle double to short center, moved to third on Ben Revere's fielder's choice, and scored along with Revere on de los Santos' one-out Double over the third-base bag.
LHP Spencer Steedley replaced DeVries to start the fifth inning and proceeded to spin three scoreless frames himself.
The Rock Cats took their first lead in the 6th inning when Mark Dolenc singled to right, stole 2nd, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and then scored on a passed ball. The lead held until the final frame.
With New Britain reliever Santos Arias working into his second inning, the Rock Cats quickly retired two Richmond hitters in the 9th before trouble erupted. After two Walks sandwiched around a Darren Ford single, Neal doubled down the left field line scoring all three runners. The Rock Cats had a chance in their final at bat, placing runners at second and third with no outs, but Richmond reliever Tony Pena, Jr. retired the next three New Britain hitters to snuff out the comeback.
The Winning Pitcher for Richmond was Daniel Turpin (1-1), while New Britain's Santos Arias (0-4) was the hard luck loser.
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Eastern League Stories from April 28, 2010
- 'Wolves Batter Baysox 9-7, Win 5 Straight - Erie SeaWolves
- B-Mets Bats Break Out in 9-3 Triumph over Sea Dogs - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Thunder Lose Fourth Straight - Trenton Thunder
- Jeroloman Homer Lifts Fisher Cats to Victory in Trenton, 4-1 - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Binghamton Beats Up Sea Dogs, 9-3 - Portland Sea Dogs
- Chico Leads Sens to 5-2 Win over the R-Phils - Harrisburg Senators
- Bark In The Park Set For Saturday At Hadlock - Portland Sea Dogs
- Flying Squirrels Ninth-Inning Rally Nets Sweep - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Rock Cats Fall Hard To Richmond, 5-3 - New Britain Rock Cats
- Curve Bats Explode In Win Over Akron - Altoona Curve
- Richmond Flying Squirrels Game Notes - Richmond Flying Squirrels
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