Defenders Fall 4-2
May 4, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
NORWICH, CT- Rain threatened Monday night's game at Dodd Stadium all day long but eventually played a factor as the Reading Phillies slipped past the Defenders with a late inning rally to take game one of the best of four series 4-2.
The R-Phils took advantage of a 2B-Brad Harman RBI single and a RHP-Geivy Garcia wild pitch to plate two runs in the top of the ninth inning to surpass Connecticut for good.
The Defenders got out to an early lead in the home half of the first inning when RF-Eddy Martinez-Esteve delivered a double to right-centerfield and was quickly brought in with a LF-Bobby Felmy RBI single throw the left side of the infield to give Connecticut a 1-0 lead.
3B-Brad Boyer would help grow the Defenders lead in the fourth inning as he sent his first triple of the season to the alleyway in right-center and scored on a 2B-Sharlon Schoop sacrifice fly to center, Defenders held a 2-0 advantage.
Defenders starter, RHP-Henry Sosa found a way to keep the second best offense in the eastern league at bay by tossing six scoreless innings of four hit ball, walking one and striking out four in the no decision.
Reading would trim the lead in half after both managers made double switches in the seventh inning but it was the pinch hitter Michael Spidale coming through with an RBI single up the middle to plate C-Tuffy Gosewisch.
The R-Phils eventually tied the game at 2-2 in the eighth as LF-Kevin Mahar reached on a LHP-Matt Yourkin throwing error, single by 1B-Brian Stavisky pushed Mahar to third and an RBI groundout on the right side of the infield by 3B-Neil Sellers scored Mahar.
Connecticut's Geivy Garcia (0-1) blew the save and took the loss by allowing two runs one earned off of one hit, walked three, and struck out one in just two innings of work. Reading's reliever, RHP-Jason Anderson (1-0) picked up his first win after turning in two scoreless innings and struck out one.
Tomorrow's game two matchup features the righty in Daryl Maday (1-1) going for the Defenders up against the R-Phils righty, Mike Stutes (3-0). First pitch is slated for 6:35pm. The Pre-Game Show will start at 6:20pm and you can catch all the action on the Flagship Station for the Connecticut Defenders WICH 1310 or by tuning in on ctdefenders.com.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Defenders Box Office at (860)-887-7962 or purchase them online at ctdefenders.com.
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