Defenders Fall 6-1 To Rock Cats To Force Game 4
Published on September 12, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
NEW BRITAIN, CT- After yesterday's rain out and things switching gears to New Britain Stadium, it was the Rock Cats taking full advantage as they survived with a 6-1 win over Connecticut to force a game 4 in the best of 5 series.
The Rock Cats' LF-Brian Dinkleman was the story of the night but it was his second homerun, a two run shot in the fourth that proved to be the game winner. Dinkleman finished the night 3 for 4 with two homers, 3 RBI and three runs scored.
New Britain grabbed the early lead via the long ball when Dinkleman bolted his first homer of the day in the second inning.
Connecticut manufactured a run in the fourth to tie it up a 1-1. 1B-Brett Pill led off with a base hit and advanced to second on a weak grounder to first. 3B-Ramon Castro then delivered an RBI double into the left centerfield gap to plate Pill
After Dinkelman's second homer, the Rock Cats blew the game open in the seventh. Dinkleman led off with a single followed by an 2B-Alejandro Machado walk. With two aboard, 1B-Whit Robbins blasted a three run homer on the 0-0 pitch from LHP-Wilmin Rodriguez. The homer was off the Stanley sign in right-field that was in play during the regular season but apparently now in play during the playoffs. The call was still in question after the game. None the less, New Britain posted a 6-1 victory.
Defenders' starter LHP-Craig Clark (0-1) made his Double-A debut but unfortunately suffered the loss. Clark was impressive making just two mistakes that cost him three earned runs off of four hits and fanned two. Rock Cats' starter LHP-Ryan Mullins (1-0) kept his team alive by tossing 6.2 innings of four hit ball, allowed one earned run, walked a pair and struck out five while earning a post season win.
The series will move to a game four tomorrow at New Britain Stadium at 1:35pm. The matchup will feature Defenders' LHP-Ari Ronick making his Double A debut up against New Britain's RHP-Mike McCardell.
Fans can catch all the action starting at 1:20pm on the Defenders Flagship Station WICH 1310AM or online at ctdefenders.com.
Eastern League Stories from September 12, 2009
- Mills Does it All as Aeros Sweep R-Phils - Akron RubberDucks
- Defenders Fall 6-1 To Rock Cats To Force Game 4 - Connecticut Defenders
- Rock Cats Stay Alive with 6-1 Win - New Britain Rock Cats
- Aeros Media Notes - Akron RubberDucks
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