Cats top Reading to take over first place

Published on May 12, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


NEW BRITAIN, CT -New Britian's Wilkin Ramirez homered for the fourth consecutive game and B.J. Hermsen turned in another impressive start as the Rock Cats downed Reading, 8-4 on Saturday night. With the victory, the Rock Cats move into first place in the Eastern Division with a half game lead over the Phillies.

Hermsen (1-1) limited the Phillies to two runs on seven hits and no walks through seven innings. He struck out three. He received plenty of offense as the Rock Cats pounded out 12 hits on the night, with the top of the order - Ramirez and Aaron Hicks - each collecting three hits apiece.

It was the Phillies who struck first, with a run in the first courtesy of an RBI single by Jiwan James.

In the bottom of the second, the Rock Cats received consecutive singles from Chris Herrmann and Deibinson Romero to open the inning. Evan Bigley then doubled to center to knock in both runs for the 2-1 lead.

Reading tied the game in the third when Darin Ruf lined a single into left to plate Cesar Hernandez. The tie didn't last long, though, as the `Cats answered back with two runs in the bottom of the inning to regain the lead. Ramirez led off with a triple and scored on Hicks' single. Hicks stole second - his eighth of the year - before moving to third on Joe Benson's groundout. Herrmann delivered a sacrifice fly to center to score Hicks for the 4-2 advantage.

Ramirez opened the bottom of the fifth with another triple and Hicks drew a walk to put runners on the corners. Hicks then stole second for the second time on the night. Herrmann was intentionally walked with one out before Romero's sacrifice fly scored Ramirez.

Hicks added a two-run double in the sixth to break open the game for the Rock Cats. The hot-hitting Ramirez added another run in the eighth as he crushed a solo shot over the left field wall. With a homer in four consecutive games, Ramirez tied a franchise record held by Dustan Mohr and Michael Cuddyer, who both completed the feat in the 2001 season.

The R-Phils staged a late rally - scoring twice on RBI doubles by Leandro Castro and Troy Hanzawa in the ninth - but Luis Perdomo was able to force the final two batters to fly out to escape further damage.

Reading's David Buchanan (1-4) surrendered seven runs on 10 hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings.

ALLSTATE PLAYER OF THE GAME: DH Wilkin Ramirez went 3-for-4 with two triples, three runs scored and a solo home run. His homer tied a franchise record of four-straight games with a home run.

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Eastern League Stories from May 12, 2012


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