Defenders Fall 6-5/ Series 1-1
Published on July 11, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
NORWICH, CT- Game two's matchup featured some top prospects but eventually came down to last pitch as Connecticut's rally fell short against Trenton 6-5 Saturday night.
3B-Marcos Vechionacci drew a leadoff walk to start the eighth and scored the game winner on a SS-Eduardo Nunez RBI single to right-field to even up the best of four series at one game a piece.
Starters RHP-Tim Alderson and RHP-Zach McAllister went head to head for five innings but weren't as solid as each other thought. Trenton got to Alderson with four earned runs in the second inning off of four hits. RF-Rich Robnett blasted a two RBI triple to get Trenton on the scoreboard but was quickly followed by RBI singles from C-Kyle Anson and 2B-Reegie Corona. Alderson tacked on a pair of walks and fanned one in the no decision.
McAllister didn't fair well with a four run lead as Connecticut responded in the home half of the second with a three spot. 3B-Brad Boyer leadoff with a single followed by an DH-Adam Witter one out RBI triple to the left centerfield alleyway to get the Defenders on the board. SS-Brandon Crawford plated Witter with an RBI double to later score on a 2B-Brock Bond RBI single, Connecticut trailed 4-3.
The Defenders weren't done against McAllister, the top pitcher in the Eastern League. Back to back doubles by CF-Mike McBryde and LF-Bobby Felmy tied the game at four before Felmy scored on a 1B-Brett Pill RBI single, giving Connecticut their first lead. McAllister would leave after 5.1 innings of work and all five runs earned, walked one and struck out three in the no decision.
With the score 5-4 Connecticut, Trenton began to chip away in the seventh receiving a leadoff double by Corona who eventually scored on a 1B-Jorge Vazquez RBI single to tie the game. The Thunder forged ahead in the eighth but things would get interesting.
Connecticut down to their last out in the ninth received a base hit from Bond who moved to second on a wild pitch from reliever RHP-Jose Valdez. McBryde would then strikeout but raced to first as another wild pitch skipped past Anson and placed runners on the corners. Valdez induced a slow groundball off the bat of Bobby Felmy up the first base line and applied the tag for the final out while picking up his fifth save of the season.
Trenton reliever LHP-Michael Dunn (3-3) allowed just two hits in 2.2 scoreless innings en route to his third win. Defenders' reliever RHP-Geivy Garcia (0-2) hurled only two thirds of an inning striking out a pair but walked two as well and allowed an earned run in the loss.
The best of four series continues tomorrow with an afternoon game at 1:05pm at Dodd Stadium and will feature RHP-Brooks McNiven (1-2) tossing for the Defenders against the Thunder's RHP-Kanekoa Texeira (6-5).
For more information or to purchase tickets call the Defenders Box Office at (860)-887-7962 or online at ctdefenders.com.
Eastern League Stories from July 11, 2009
- Curve rally for 5-4 win - Altoona Curve
- Defenders Fall 6-5/ Series 1-1 - Connecticut Defenders
- Fisher Cats beat Sea Dogs 4-2 Saturday night - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Aeros Falter Late in 6-4 Defeat - Akron RubberDucks
- Rock Cats shutout Binghamton - New Britain Rock Cats
- Trenton Holds Off Connecticut 6-5 On Saturday Night - Trenton Thunder
- Duda, Wabick Knock Three Hits, But Brown, B-Mets Lose 5-0 - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Fisher Cats power past Portland 4-2! - Portland Sea Dogs
- Erie SeaWolves vs. Akron Aeros - Erie SeaWolves
- Aeros Game Notes for July 11 - Akron RubberDucks
- Aeros make roster move July 11 - Akron RubberDucks
- C Montero placed on temporary inactive list - Trenton Thunder
- Senators Game Notes for July 11 - Harrisburg Senators
- B-Mets roster moves for July 11 - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
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