Defenders Fall, 4-3
August 29, 2008 - Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
TRENTON, NJ- Heading into Friday's matchup with the division leading Thunder the Defenders has had their number. At least for game one of the series, Trenton had Connecticut's number handing the Defenders a 4-3 loss.
The pitching matchup heading into the game was uncertain as Victor Zambrano was scheduled to start but got called up to Triple-A. Trenton sent righty Oneli Perez to the hill in his first start against the Defenders team winner in Garrett Broshuis.
Connecticut struck first in the top of the second as Carlos Sosa hit an opposite field homerun over the left wall for an early 1-0 lead.
Trenton responded in the home half with back to back hits by Cervelli and Gonzalez. Pillittere hit into a fielder's choice that set up runners on the corners. Chris Malec ripped a one hop shot to Adam Witter at first where he touched the bag for the second out and allowed Pilittere to get in a rundown long enough for Cervelli to score and tie the game at 1-1.
The Thunder took their first lead of the game in the sixth as Broshuis gave up four consecutive base hits, the final delivered by Pilittere to drive in Curtis and give Trenton a 2-1 advantage. Good defense would get the Defenders out of the jam.
In the seventh, the Defenders fought back. Simon Klink drew a leadoff walk than Witter pulled a double just inside the first base bag to get them both into scoring position. Carlos Sosa sent a shot back up the middle to plate Klink then a throwing error by the centerfielder Curtis which got away from the catcher Cervelli allowed Witter to score safely giving the Defenders a 3-2 lead.
The first place Thunder battled back yet again in the eighth as Gonzalez hit a dribbler up the third base line that was bare handed by Ronnie Ray and on the throw hit Gonzalez then ricocheted into the Trenton dugout, allowing him to advance to second. Gonzalez advanced to third on a groundout by Pilittere to second and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Mendoza to tie the game a 3-3.
The ninth inning brought similar trouble for Connecticut as a sacrifice bunt attempt to advance the runner turned into a bunt single for Pena as he beat out the throw. Trenton than proceeded to load the bases with a walk and set the stage for Edwar Gonzalez to deliver the game winning hit with the defense drawn in to plate Russo for a 4-3 victory for the Thunder.
Garrett Broshuis drew the no decision but pitched well in his six and two thirds inning of work allowing just two runs, walking three, striking out two while giving up nine hits. Trenton's pitching staff found a weakness as they struck out a total of 16 Defenders.
These two teams will meet again Saturday in game two at 7:05pm from Waterfront Park in Trenton, NJ. Catch all the action live on the Defenders Radio Network.
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