Cats Conquer Dogs Not Once But Twice in Doubleheader

Published on May 31, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


(Game 1) NEW BRITAIN, CT - Brett Jacobson hurled five shutout innings as the Rock Cats blanked Portland, 2-0 in the opening game of Tuesday night's doubleheader.

Jacobson ran into trouble in the opening frame. He walked Portland's Jonathan Hee to open the game and Alex Hassan followed with a base hit to right field. Chih-Hsien Chiang drew a one-out walk to load the bases. Jacobson then forced Tim Ferderowicz into an inning-ending double play to escape the jam unscathed.

The Rock Cats jumped out of the gates to leadoff the bottom of the inning with a single. Chris Balcom-Miller then retired the next two Rock Cats batters before serving up an RBI double to Evan Bigley to put the ‘Cats on top, 1-0.

Mike Hollimon knocked in Yangervis Solarte when he lined a single into right field in the sixth inning for the Rock Cats' second run.

Jacobson (2-0) finished with two hits and three walks through five scoreless innings. Tyler Robertson notched his sixth save with 1 1/3 hitless innings in relief.

Balcom-Miller (0-1) scattered seven hits and allowed two runs while striking out four in six innings.

ALLSTATE PLAYER OF THE GAME: RHP Brett Jacobson limited the Sea Dogs to two hits and struck out one in five shutout innings.

BENSON, DAVIS LEAD ‘CATS IN NIGHTCAP (Game 2) NEW BRITAIN, CT - Joe Benson ignited the offense and Tony Davis fired 3 2/3 shutout innings out of the bullpen as the Rock Cats downed Portland, 5-3 to complete the doubleheader sweep on Tuesday night.

Portland took an early 1-0 lead in the second on Jeremy Hazelbaker's RBI single. The Rock Cats answered back in the bottom of the inning. Deibinson Romero led off the inning with a base hit into left and Mike Hollimon followed with a two-run shot over the center field wall to put the ‘Cats on top, 2-1.

The Sea Dogs tied it up in the third. With one out, Ryan Lavarnway and Chih-Hsien Chiang hit back-to-back singles. That knocked starter Blake Martin out of the game and brought Tony Davis to the mound. Davis forced Jorge Padron into a groundout as the runners both moved into scoring position. He then struck out Vladimir Frias but a passed ball by catcher Jair Fernandez allowed Lavarnway to score from third.

In the bottom of the inning, the Rock Cats answered back again. Joe Benson led off with a double and scored on a single by Chris Parmelee as the Rock Cats regained the lead, 3-2.

Fernandez added an RBI single in the sixth inning that put the Rock Cats ahead, 5-2.

Martin, who just arrived from Ft. Myers, allowed two runs on five hits and three walks in 2 1/3 innings for the Rock Cats. He struck out three. It was his first start since 2010 and his first appearance as a Rock Cat since last season.

Davis (1-1) dazzled in relief, limiting the Sea Dogs to one hit and now walks in 3 2/3 scoreless innings in relief. He struck out three. Michael Tarsi picked up his first save of the season.

Miguel Gonzalez (0-3) finished with five runs (3 ER) on eight hits in five innings.

ALLSTATE PLAYER OF THE GAME: CF Joe Benson went 3-for-4 with two doubles and scored a run.

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Eastern League Stories from May 31, 2011


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