Defenders Fall 5-4 and Drop Fourth Straight
July 21, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
BINGHAMTON, NY- Everyday is a new day in the game of baseball but for the past four days it's been Ground Hogs Day for Connecticut. The Defenders fell at the hands of the B-Mets by the final of 5-4 in game two of the best of four series matching their season longest losing streak.
Just like yesterday, Binghamton came up with the big inning this time against Defenders' starter RHP-Brooks McNiven in the first inning. After giving up a leadoff walk, McNiven fielded a SS-Ruben Tejada sac bunt attempt on the first base side and hurled it into right-field placing runners into scoring position. C-Josh Thole then ripped a two RBI single setting the stage for a five run, ten batter inning that included two errors and a B-Mets 5-2 lead.
McNiven (1-4) left the ballgame recording just two outs in the first allowing just one earned run off of four hits and one walk in the loss.
Things looked positive for Connecticut from the get go as 2B-Brock Bond leadoff with a single then quickly scored on a CF-Mike McBryde RBI double. McBryde would be rewarded for his efforts with 1B-Brett Pill's RBI single to give the Defenders their only lead of the game.
Connecticut would receive solid pitching from the reliever LHP-Ben Snyder who tossed 4.1 scoreless innings surrendering only three hits and tying a season high with six strikeouts. While Snyder was cooling off Binghamton, the Defenders mounted their comeback scoring lone runs in the fifth and eighth but it wasn't enough. The tail of the tape was Connecticut was 3 for 14 with runners in scoring position, stranding a total of nine.
B-Mets' starter RHP-Dylan Owen (3-6) earned his third win even though he allowed a season high eleven hits which plated only three earned runs and struck out three. Righty closer, Connor Robertson pitched a three up three down ninth to preserve his fifth save of the season.
The Defenders will hope the youth of LHP-Madison Bumgarner (6-1) provides the spark in game three as the B-Mets counter with LHP-Erik Niesen (1-4) in tomorrow's 7:05pm start from NYSEG Stadium. Fans can catch all the action starting with the Defenders Pre-game Show on the Defenders Flagship Station WICH 1310AM in Norwich at 6:50pm or online at ctdefenders.com.
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