Sea Dogs Split in New Britain
July 18, 2010 - Eastern League (EL1)
Portland Sea Dogs News Release
(New Britain, CT)- The New Britain Rock Cats started the four-game series with back-to-back wins, but the last two games belonged to the Portland Sea Dogs. After an 11-3 win on Saturday, the Sea Dogs used six scoreless innings from Stephen Fife, salvaging the split at New Britain Stadium with a 4-2 win on Sunday afternoon.
After three scoreless frames, the Sea Dogs broke through in the top of the fourth. With two outs, Anthony Rizzo sent a towering fly ball down the right field line. The only question was whether it would land fair, which it did, giving Rizzo his tenth home run in Double-A.
One inning later, Portland added to the lead. Jorge Padron led off with a double to right on the first pitch he saw. The next batter up was Chih-Hsien Chiang, who worked the count full, before singling through the left side of the infield, scoring Padron.
The Sea Dogs continued the scoring in the sixth. Nate Spears started the rally with a single, and scored on Luis Exposito's one-out double to left field. Exposito didn't stay at second base for long, as Anthony Rizzo followed with an RBI double of his own, driving a ball past Ben Revere in left field, as the visitors built a 4-0 lead.
Both starting pitchers saw their outings come to an end after the sixth. Stephen Fife (6-2) earned the win, allowing two hits and three walks, while striking out five in six scoreless frames. Kyle Gibson (5-5) suffered the loss, allowing four runs and eight hits, while striking out two.
Once Fife left the game, the Rock Cats were able to get on the scoreboard. With one out, the home team put three consecutive players on base, setting up a bases loaded scenario for Ben Revere. The New Britain leadoff man hit a ground ball to first, but Anthony Rizzo's throw to second went over Ray Chang's head, scoring Alexander Soto and Brandon Roberts. Ryne Lawson was charged with both runs, but only one was earned.
That was as close as New Britain would get, as Lawson pitched a perfect eighth, before Jason Rice fired a scoreless ninth inning for his tenth save of the season.
The Sea Dogs will begin a new series on Monday night at 7:05, when they visit the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Kyle Weiland (4-5, 4.30) will make the start for Portland, while Randy Boone (2-4, 3.80) will get the call for New Hampshire.
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