Bullpen Can't Hold Lead for Another Big Crowd

Published on June 27, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


NEW BRITAIN, CT - Another sellout crowd of 6,294 filled the stands at New Britain Stadium - helping to set another new attendance record - but the Rock Cats' bullpen faltered once again as Portland scored six runs in the eighth to down the 'Cats, 9-5 on Sunday afternoon.

With the third-straight sellout crowd - and 14th overall of the season - filling the stands, the Rock Cats set a new all-time attendance record for a three-game weekend series. From Friday through Sunday, 22,282 fans filed through the gates of New Britain Stadium to watch the 'Cats battle the Portland Sea Dogs.

On Sunday, the capacity-filled crowd watched as the Rock Cats battled back twice and finally took its first lead of the game in the bottom of the seventh. Chris Cates opened the inning with a single and Ben Revere followed with a bunt single down the first baseline. Steve Singleton dropped down another bunt that forced Cates out at third at put runners at first and second. With Joe Benson at the plate, Revere and Singleton pulled off a double steal. It was Revere's second stolen base of the day and 23rd on the season, which ranks him for third in the Eastern League. Benson then drilled a triple into right field to knock in both runners and put the 'Cats on top, 5-3.

The lead was short-lived as the Sea Dogs broke out their bats in the top of the eighth. Newcomer relief pitcher Billy Bullock had a rough debut as he allowed four earned runs - and six total runs - on four hits in just 2/3 innings. Matt Sheely had a two-run double that tied the game, 5-5. Bullock (0-1) then hit Che-Hsuan Lin with a pitch before serving up another two-run double - this time to Nate Spears - that put the Sea Dogs back on top. The Sea Dogs added two more runs when Ray Chang grounded to third baseman Juan Portes, who fired to home but catcher Danny Lehmann couldn't handle the throw as the ball sailed to the backstop and both runs crossed home plate.

The six run explosion by the Sea Dogs erased two valiant comeback attempts by the 'Cats. The Sea Dogs got on the board first with two runs in the second inning. David Bromberg retired the first two batters before hitting William Vazquez with a pitch to keep the inning alive. Matt Sheely followed with a base hit before Lin stroked a line drive into right field to knock in both runners.

The lead didn't last long, though, as Jair Fernandez hit a solo shot over the left field wall for his first Double-A home run. Chris Parmelee then doubled to center, moved to third on a groundout, and scored on Lehmann's double to center that tied the game, 2-2.

Chih-Hsien Chiang put the Sea Dogs back on top after he led off the fourth with a solo home run to right field.

The Rock Cats answered back in the bottom of the fifth with the assistance of a Portland miscue. Lehmann led off the inning and reached base safely on a throwing error by Spears at shortstop that allowed Lehmann to move into scoring position at second. Cates laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Lehmann to third before Ben Revere lined a single into right to score Lehmann and tie the game again.

Ryne Lawson (4-2) picked up the win for the Sea Dogs after allowing two runs on three hits in relief. For the Rock Cats, Revere finished with a game-high three hits.

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Eastern League Stories from June 27, 2010


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