Defenders Fall 8-3
Published on May 24, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
PORTLAND, ME- The Connecticut Defenders just did not have it Sunday afternoon as they fell to the Portland Sea Dogs 8-3 in game three of the best of four series, snapped a four game winning streak.
Portland used two three run innings to pull away for good as they picked up their first win in the series.
Defender's starter, LHP-Jesse English (2-3) came out strong but seemed to get rattled when DH-Jon Still hit a solo shot over the left field wall with two out in the second inning to give the Sea Dogs an early 1-0 advantage. English never recovered from there, as he tossed just 2.1 innings of work allowing two earned runs off of three hits, walked one and struck out four in the loss.
The Sea Dogs added another run in the second with back to back doubles by 2B-Ryan Khoury and C-Mark Wagner that would eventually lead to English's dismissal.
In the top of the fifth, the Defenders showed signs of life as C-Jackson Williams blasted his first homerun of the season, cutting the lead in half.
The Connecticut bullpen didn't shake the Portland attack though as the Sea Dogs plated three runs in the fifth inning with a towering homerun by LF-Aaron Bates to give Portland a 5-0 lead. The Sea Dogs topped off their scoring with another three spot in the seventh but this time it was a bases clearing triple inside the first base bag by CF-Ryan Kalish to give Portland their largest lead at 8-0.
Sea Dog's starter, RHP-Ryne Lawson (1-2) brought his A game as he allowed just one earned run over seven innings while holding the Defenders to four hits, walked two and struck out three in his first win of the season.
The Defenders had a good chance in the eighth when the Sea Dogs bullpen came into the game but squandered a golden opportunity with bases loaded and no one out as they only mustered two runs to the plate to make it an 8-3 game.
Connecticut looks to rebound in the series finale as they send RHP-Daryl Maday (2-1) to the hill against the Sea Dogs RHP-Adam Mills (1-1) in a 1:05pm Memorial Day game. The Defenders are looking for their fifth straight series victory.
Catch all the action starting with the Defenders Pre-Game Show at 12:45 on the Defenders Flagship Station WICH 1310AM or online at ctdefenders.com.
Eastern League Stories from May 24, 2009
- Binghamton Bats Go Quiet, Lose 10-1 - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Baysox Run Wild in Harrisburg - Chesapeake Baysox
- Erie Cruises to 8-1 Win Over Aeros - Akron RubberDucks
- Below Strong as 'Wolves Take Down Aeros 8-1 - Erie SeaWolves
- Quintana goes 4-4 with HR, 4 RBI as Fisher Cats beat Thunder 10-4 - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Lawson Dominates The Defenders, Sea Dogs Win 8-3 - Portland Sea Dogs
- Trenton Falls To New Hampshire 10-4 On Sunday Afternoon - Trenton Thunder
- Defenders Fall 8-3 - Connecticut Defenders
- Erie SeaWolves at Akron Aeros - Erie SeaWolves
- Aeros Media Notes - Akron RubberDucks
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