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Anderson, Dogs Hold off Cats

May 16, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - Lars Anderson hit two home runs and Portland survived a late comeback attempt by the Rock Cats as the Sea Dogs escaped with a 5-4 win in a seven-inning day game. The two teams will take the field at 6:35 P.M. tonight for another seven-inning game in the nightcap portion of a Day/Night doubleheader.

Anderson, considered by Baseball America to be the Boston Red Sox' number one prospect, connected for a solo shot to right field in the first inning and crushed another solo shot - this time off the lights in right - in the third inning.

In the bottom of the first, Steve Tolleson reached base on a one-out walk and Brian Dinkelman followed with a perfectly placed bunt single down the third baseline. The 'Cats attempted to pull off a double steal, but Dinkelman was thrown out at second. Juan Portes' infield single knocked in Tolleson to tie the game, 1-1.

The Sea Dogs sandwiched three runs in the second inning between Anderson's homers. Argenis Diaz knocked in two runs with a double to left field. Bubba Bell added an RBI single that put the Sea Dogs ahead, 5-1.

The Rock Cats closed the gap to within two runs in the fourth. Portes and Whit Robbins drew back-to-back walks to start off the inning. Toby Gardenhire followed with a sacrifice bunt and reached on an error by second baseman Ryan Khoury to load the bases for the 'Cats. Portes scored on a groundout by Erik Lis. Yancarlos Ortiz followed with a single that was deflected by Sea Dogs' starter Felix Doubront and allowed Robbins to score.

A comeback by the Rock Cats fell short in the bottom of the seventh. Tolleson reached base on a walk and moved to second on a wild pitch by reliever Chris Province. Dinkelman drew a walk before pinch hitter Matt Moses singled to right to load the bases. Whit Robbins followed with a sacrifice fly to right that scored Tolleson and brought the 'Cats within one. Province forced Toby Gardenhire into a game-ending groundout to first base to end the rally and pick up his first save.

Doubront (3-2) limited the Rock Cats to three runs on six hits through five innings. Rock Cats' starter Cole Devries (2-3) was struck for 10 hits and five runs through 4 2/3 innings.

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Eastern League Stories from May 16, 2009


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