Connecticut Spilts Doubleheader
Published on May 27, 2007 under Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
The Connecticut Defenders and Trenton Thunder matched up for a double-header on Sunday afternoon at Dodd Stadium. The Defenders split the day's games with the Thunder, but it was whom they did it against that opened eyes, landing a 4-1 victory in the first of the double header, but dropping the second on the day 3-0.
Game 1 showcased a matchup between RHP Brett Smith and LHP Geno Espineli. Smith, arguably the best pitcher in the Eastern League, came in with a 1.03 ERA, just 24 hits surrendered in 52.1 innings, and 49 strikeouts. With the Defenders losers of 7 straight games, struggling with timely hitting and the most effective pitcher of the stingy Trenton staff on the mound, many expected the Defenders to be dominated. But the Defenders proved the doubters wrong and hit Smith better than any team has this season. It all came in the first inning and 2B Eugenio Velez set the tone with a double to lead off the game. A batter later, OF Carlos Sosa drove a double to center field, scoring Velez from second for the first run the Defenders have scored against the Thunder at Dodd Stadium in 2007. With 2 outs and Sosa still at second base, OF John Bowker smacked a homerun down the right field line that just stayed inside the foul pole for a 2-run jack to put the Defenders up 3-0 after an inning. In the second inning Espineli surrendered a solo home run to OF Noah Hall which cut the lead to 3-1, but it was the only mistake that Espineli made and he'd go on to handle the Thunder from the second inning forward. The Defenders added insurance in the bottom of the sixth inning as Steve Holm came through with his 4th long ball of the year, a solo job over the left field wall to extend the Defenders lead to 4-1. Brian Anderson came on in the seventh inning and took care of business retiring 3 of the 4 batters he faced. Brett Smith (L, 4-2) picked up just his second loss of the year after pitching 5 innings, surrendering 3 runs, walking 2, and striking out 2 batters. He reached 3-ball counts to 11 batters in the outing. Geno Espineli (W, 4-1) collected his fourth win of the season after tossing 6 innings, giving up just 1 run, walking a season high 4 batters and striking out 3. Brian Anderson (S, 8) threw a scoreless ninth, walking 1, to nail down his eight save of the season.
Despite their success against Smith, the Defenders ran into trouble in game 2 against Michael Gardner. Gardner, Whelan and Kroenke combined to 2-hit the Defenders in the seven-inning affair. The Defenders only advanced a runner to third base on one occasion in the third inning. Velez roped a 2-out single to left field, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and stole third base. But after a walk to 3B Jake Wald, Gardner struck out Sosa swinging to keep the Defenders scoreless.
Ben Cox found himself falling behind a lot of batters throughout the game, but still kept the Thunder off the board until the fifth inning. 1B Carlos Mendoza lined a double down the right field line and DH Jamal Strong followed in an RBI single up the middle to break the scoreless tie and put the Thunder ahead 1-0. With Brooks McNiven on in relief for the sixth and seventh innings, the Thunder added an 2 more runs on RBI singles by 2B Gabriel Lopez and OF Shawn Garrett. The Defenders received a lead off double from Bowker in the bottom of the seventh, but he'd be stranded as Zach Kroenke retired the next three batters in order to seal the 3-0 win. Ben Cox (L, 0-6) was a hard luck loser once again after pitching 5 innings, giving up just 1 run, walking 3, and striking out 3 batters. Kevin Whalen (W, 3-0) tallied his third win of the season after pitching 2 scoreless innings, walking 1, and striking out 4 batters. Zach Kroenke (S, 1) picked up his first save of the year with a scoreless ninth inning, surrendering just 1 hit and striking out a batter. On the day the Defenders stole 8 bases as a team and 5 of those steals belonged to the speedy Eugenio Velez. John Bowker went 3 for 5 in the double header, including a 2-run home run, his first without the bases empty this season. Tomorrow the finale of the five game set will take place at 2:05 p.m. and see a matchup between RHP Alan Horne (4-2, 2.72) and RHP Garrett Broshuis (1-5, 3.27).
Eastern League Stories from May 27, 2007
- Fisher Cats Blank B-Mets, End Win Streak - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- YATES WINS ANOTHER AS FISHER CATS BLANK METS 4-0 - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Connecticut Spilts Doubleheader - Connecticut Defenders
- Walker's Two Homers Help Curve End 10-Game Slide - Altoona Curve
- Baysox Lose To Curve In Extras - Chesapeake Baysox
- Thunder Get Ninth Shutout In DH Split With Connecticut - Trenton Thunder
- Trevor Crowe Drives In Three - Akron RubberDucks
- Dogs Rally For Fourth Straight Win - Portland Sea Dogs
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