Defenders Fall 5-2/ Trail Series 1-2
July 18, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
MANCHESTER, NH- After the first two games of the series being on opposite ends of the spectrum, no one knew what game three would have in store. New Hampshire figured things out early taking the game from Connecticut by the final of 5-2 Saturday night at MerchantsAuto.com Stadium.
New Hampshire grabbed the early lead on a Defender's miscue in the first inning. After a base hit and a walk, C-Tyler LaTorre attempted a snap throw to first base that sailed into right-field allowing LF-Todd Donovan to score as well as place CF-Darin Mastroianni on third. 2B-Brad Emaus quickly gave the Fisher Cats a 2-0 lead with an RBI single that drove in Mastroianni.
Connecticut trimmed the lead in half in the third with a little trickery. 2B-Brock Bond ripped a two out single then raced to third on a CF-Mike McBryde base hit. McBryde would attempt a delay steal of second and get caught in a rundown long enough for Bond to score.
The Defender loaded the bases in the fourth inning and tied the game on a DH-Adam Witter sac fly to left as 1B-Brett Pill tagged from third.
The lead would be short lived as the Fisher Cats loaded the bases in the home half of the fourth and pushed the go ahead run across the plate with a Donovan fielder's choice. New Hampshire added two insurance runs in the sixth with a two RBI single by 1B-David Cooper to gain a 5-2 advantage.
Defenders' starter LHP-Jesse English (6-6) took the loss with three earned runs off of six hits, walked three and fanned three in four innings of work. Fisher Cats' starter RHP-Marty McLeary (2-2) earned the win firing 5.2 strong innings, allowing two earned runs off of seven hits, walked one and struck out a season high seven. Zach Dials claimed his first save of the year with a 1, 2, 3 ninth.
Connecticut will look for the series split tomorrow as they send RHP-Daryl Maday (4-3) to the bump to faceoff against New Hampshire's RHP-Randy Boone (6-5). First pitch is scheduled for 1:05pm from MerchantsAuto.com Stadium.
• Discuss this story on the Eastern League message board...
Eastern League Stories from July 18, 2009
- Aeros Walk Away With 5-3 Victory - Akron RubberDucks
- Trenton storms back for 6-5 win over Portland - Trenton Thunder
- McLeary strikes out season-high seven in 5-2 win over Defenders - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Constanza Catapults Aeros Over Baysox - Chesapeake Baysox
- Trenton fights back again to beat Portland 6-5 - Portland Sea Dogs
- Davis and Duda Go Deep in B-Mets 4-2 Triumph over âWolves - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Defenders Fall 5-2/ Trail Series 1-2 - Connecticut Defenders
- Senators defeat the Curve 7-2 - Altoona Curve
- Arnesen pitches Sens to 7-2 win - Harrisburg Senators
- Aeros Game Notes for July 18 - Akron RubberDucks
- OF James Cooper activated from DL - Trenton Thunder
- SeaWolves Game Notes for July 18 - Erie SeaWolves
- Senators Game Notes for July 18 - Harrisburg Senators
- Curve Game Notes for July 18 - Altoona Curve
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
