Defenders make it interesting but escape with 9-7 victory
Published on July 15, 2006 under Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
For the second time in 2006 the Defenders blew a four run lead in the last inning of regulation play, but this time they reclaimed the lead and took the win 9-7 against Portland in eleven innings.
Both pitchers were shaky early in the contest. In the 1st inning, Devern Hansack walked two and hit a man, setting up a two run single for Travis Ishikawa. In the top of the 2nd inning it was sloppy defense that led to a run for the Defenders when Quincy Foster, who reach second base on an error, scored on a bad throw by shortstop Zach Borowiak that got by first baseman Luis Jiminez.
Things were beginning to look similar to game one in Friday night's double header, but this time Portland answered as Garrett Broshuis gave up four singles and a walk in the bottom of the 3rd inning, including a Jacoby Ellsbury two run single to tie the game, 3-3. The Defenders reclaimed the lead in the top of the 4th inning with a Brian Buscher two run double.
With a 5-3 lead, Broshuis would settle down and finish his evening by retiring eleven straight Sea Dogs. Broshuis left after six innings of work. In the top of the 7th inning, the Defenders would cash in on another Travis Ishikawa RBI single. This time he knocked in one run, making the score 6-3. The Defenders added insurance in the 9th inning thanks to Portland's fourth error of the game.
The game was far from over. In the bottom of the 9th, Joe Bateman ran into trouble with a lead off walk followed by a double and a single. After making two outs with only one run in, Brandon Moss bombed a double of the wall to make the score 7-6, and Dave Machemer turned to closed Billy Sadler. Sadler got Chris Durbin to hit a ground ball to third baseman Aaron Sisk the replacement for Buscher, who was ejected in the top of the 9th inning. Sisk fielded the ball fine, but threw over the head of Ishikawa at first base, and Moss came home with the tying run.
In the 10th inning, Jeff Petersen was one ball away from walking in the game winning run for the Sea Dogs, but he escaped trouble, and the Defenders responded in the top of the 11th. Derin McMains and Sisk drew back-to-back walks to begin the inning, and Kyle Jackson loaded the bases when he hit Brian Horwitz with an 0-2 pitch. Jackson struck out the next two batters, but Randy Walter saved the day with a bunt single to make the score 8-7. The Defenders got one more run on a bases loaded walk to Todd Jennings, and Petersen made the lead stand with the help of R.D. Spiehs who came in and got the save in a 9-7 Defenders win.
On Sunday the Defenders wrap up their season series with the Portland Sea Dogs. Southpaw Geno Espineli (5-2) will start for Connecticut against righty Luis Mendoza (0-3). The first pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM.
Eastern League Stories from July 15, 2006
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