Defenders Hold on in Win
Published on August 4, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
AKRON, OH- In the highly anticipated matchup of the Easter League's two number one teams, it was the Connecticut Defenders (64-45) holding on to a 4-3 decision over the Akron Aeros to claim game one in the three game series.
The Defenders used a 1B-Brett Pill two run homerun (13) in the first inning to take a lead they wouldn't relinquish in the two teams first meeting of the season.
If playing the best team in the league wasn't tough enough, Connecticut had to deal with a major league rehab stint by Cleveland Indian's RHP- Jack Westbrook (0-1) recovering from Tommy John Surgery. Westbrook was on a strict fifty pitch count and lasted only two innings allowing two earned runs and struck out a pair while suffering the loss.
Akron took advantage of a CF-Jose Constanza one out walk in the third inning as C-Carlos Santana trimmed the Defenders lead in half with an RBI single to plate Constanza.
Connecticut would make the Aeros' lead short lived as SS-Brandon Crawford took the second pay off pitch from reliever RHP-Connor Graham over the left centerfield wall for a solo jack (4).
In the fifth, the Defenders would take their largest lead of the game at 4-1 on a LF-Bobby Felmy RBI single through the right side of the infield to drive in RF-Eddy Martinez-Esteve. Felmy finished the night with a 3 for 4 performance.
The Aeros' didn't go down easy though trailing by three. 2B-Jesus Merchan would deliver and RBI single to cut the lead in half again in the seventh before reaching on a 3B-Brad Boyer throwing error with two outs in the ninth. Defenders reliever LHP-Matt Yourkin then came in and walked two consecutive batters to load the bases before striking out 1B-Beau Mills to earn his second save of the season.
Defenders' starter RHP-Geivy Garcia (1-3) earned his first win in his second spot start of the season tossing five solid innings allowing one earned run off of five hits, walked three, hit a batter and fanned one.
Connecticut and Akron will face off again in game two tomorrow from Canal Park at 7:05pm. The matchup features Defenders' LHP-Jesse English (7-6) versus the Aeros' RHP-Josh Tomlin (10-8). Fans can catch all the action on the Defenders Flagship Station WICH 1310AM Norwich or online at ctdefenders.com.
Eastern League Stories from August 4, 2009
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