Defenders Play Spoiler Again, 3-2
Published on August 27, 2007 under Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
The Defenders were back in Norwich Connecticut to host the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in their final home series of the 2007 season. With playoff implications on the line for the Fisher Cats, the Defenders continued to play spoilers against teams chasing the second playoff spot for the Northern Division, with a 3-2 comeback victory.
Nick Pereira was excellent on the mound barring one mistake made in the top of the first inning. After OF Dustin Majewski led off the game with a single, Pereira retired the next two batters on strikeouts before DH David Smith drilled an 0-1 pitch over the left-center field wall for a 2-run home run (23). As a result the Fisher Cats lead 2-0 early.
But Nick Pereira settled in very nicely after and proceeded to put up zeros. The Defenders took him off the hook with a two run bottom of the third. RHP Ty Taubenheim surrendered back-to-back walks on eight straight pitches to SS Jake Wald and OF Carlos Sosa to start the frame. After a wild pitch advanced runners to second and third, with 1-out, OF John Bowker picked up an RBI groundout and DH Randy Ruiz followed with an RBI single to tie up the game at 2.
Things remained tied for the next five frames as the Defenders squandered opportunities and an energized and emphatic Pereira denied the Fisher Cats in their frames. But in the bottom of the ninth inning the tide turned in favor of the Defenders. Wald lined a 1-out double to right field to put himself into scoring position. With Wald at first and a 1-2 count, Sosa poked delivered a game-winning single into centerfield to score Wald and lift Connecticut to a dramatic 3-2 victory.
Jesse Carlson (L, 8-2) took the loss after pitching 1.2 innings, surrendering 1 run, 3 hits, and striking out 3 batters. Nick Pereira took a no decision but was stellar in his fired up performance, working a season high 8 innings, surrendering just 2 early runs, scattering 6 hits, walking 1 and striking out 9 Fisher Cats. Joe Bateman (W, 4-1) notched his fourth win of the season after extending his scoreless innings pitched streak to nineteen games after working a scoreless inning, without surrendering a hit or walk and striking out 2 batters. Carlos Sosa was the hero for a second straight game.
He belted a three-run home run that proved to be the game-winner against the Rock Cats on Sunday and came through a walk off hit on Monday night. The outfielder went 1 for 4 with a walk and an RBI while Simon Klink and Eugenio Velez each tallied two-hit games in the Defenders win.
Eastern League Stories from August 27, 2007
- B-Mets Split Twinbill With New Britain - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Thunder Fall to Sea Dogs - Trenton Thunder
- Lester, Sea Dogs Shine in Win - Portland Sea Dogs
- Defenders Play Spoiler Again, 3-2 - Connecticut Defenders
- Munoz Muzzles R-Phils - Altoona Curve
- Bowie Pounds 20 Hits to Keep Akron Magic Number at Five - Akron RubberDucks
- Smith Hits Team-Leading 23rd Homer, but Fisher Cats Lose - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Corsaletti Named Big Dog of the Year - Portland Sea Dogs
- 2007 Eastern League All-Stars Announced - EL1
- Blanco Activated by Senators - Harrisburg Senators
- Seven Aeros Players To Compete In Arizona Fall League Beginning In October - Akron RubberDucks
- Pilittere Placed On Disabled List Retroactive To August 25th - Trenton Thunder
- Dustin Majewski Named Eastern League Player of Week - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- "America's Got Talent" Finalist And Bel Air Native, Julienne Irwin To Perform National Anthem - Chesapeake Baysox
- Eastern League Announces Weekly Award Winners - EL1
- SeaWolves playoff tickets on sale now - Erie SeaWolves
- Final Curve Home Series Begins Tonight - Altoona Curve
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