Defenders Fall, 3-2

Published on August 22, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release


NORWICH, CT- The Defenders offense looked mystified for the second night in a row as they fell to the Erie SeaWolves on Friday in front of over 6,000 fans, 3-2.

Joey Martinez took the ball for the Defs as he was in search of his tenth win of the season. But right out of the gate, Erie pierced Connecticut's skin.

A leadoff single by Will Rhymes followed by a bunt single by James Skelton and a wide throw towards first base put two runners in scoring position with no one out. Casper Wells followed with a sacrifice fly to score Rhymes to give the Wolves a 1-0 lead before the Defenders had a chance to take their cuts at the plate.

The second, third and fourth inning brought no runs across the plate, but Erie revved their engines once again in the fifth. Back-to-back singles put runners on the corners with none out and Pedro Cotto bounced an RBI groundout to the right side of the infield to double the SeaWolves advantage to 2-0.

Erie continued to tack runs on in the top of the sixth as Ryan Roberson singled Wells to the dish to make it 3-0.

Connecticut finally woke up in the last of the sixth. Antoan Richardson laid a bunt single down the third base line, Olmo Rosario flew out to left and Eliezer Alfonzo ripped a single of his own to send Richardson to third. Eddy Martinez-Esteve was next and he tapped what looked like a routine grounder to the first baseman Roberson, only Roberson never got his glove down and the ball trickled into shallow right. Richardson scored on a crawl and Alfonzo motored to third as Martinez-Esteve stopped at first. Simon Klink tomahawked a ball to the right side of the infield to score Alfonzo and Martinez-Esteve moved up to second. Dave Maroul stopped the rally with a swinging strikeout but the Defs were in striking distance as they trailed, 3-2.

Martinez continued to pitch well as he faced the minimum in the seventh and gave the ball to the bullpen in the eighth. Jason Waddell worked an effective frame and the Defenders attempted another rally in the home half. Connecticut could only muster two walks as three pitchers were featured in the inning by the SeaWolves to leave the Defenders scoreless.

Justin Hedrick dazzled in the ninth as he popped two Wolves out on the infield and induced a weak groundout to short to end the frame and preserve the one-run disadvantage.

With one out in the last of the ninth, Mike Mooney reached on a throwing error on the second baseman but the newfound opportunity was quickly squandered as Julio Cordido struck out on a 3-2 breaking ball and Mooney was cut down at second trying to steal to end the game.

Martinez fell victim to his tenth loss of the season, Erie starter Luke French won his eighth and Josh Kite locked down save number one.

The Defs and Wolves will battle on Saturday night at 6:35pm in a contest that will feature post-game fireworks. Tickets are still available at ctdefenders.com or by calling the box office at (860) 887-7962.

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Eastern League Stories from August 22, 2008


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