Defenders Take Series From Curve
Published on June 21, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
ALTOONA, PA- The Defenders (39-30) captured their ninth road series victory Sunday night as they defeated Altoona 6-4 at Blair County Ballpark. The win completed a successful 4-2 road-trip for the first place team.
Connecticut had to use a balance of solid pitching, sensational defense and timely offense to steal the series in the rubber match from the Curve.
The Defenders got to Curve starter, LHP-Daniel Moskos (4-6) right out of the shoot as 2B-Brock Bond reached on a leadoff error on 2B-Jim Negrych (extending his on base streak to 39 games and counting), 1B-Brett Pill drew a one out walk and with two outs RF-Eddy Martinez-Esteve flared a two RBI single to right field. SS-Brandon Crawford followed with a single and CF-Mike Mooney shot a two RBI double to the gap capping off a four run first inning.
The second inning saw the essential game winning run for Connecticut as Bond singled then stole second before 3B-Brad Boyer singled to center and Bond scored as Boyer was caught in a rundown between first and second long enough to give the Defenders a 5-0 lead.
Moskos would leave after five innings of work allowing five runs-one earned off of seven hits, walked three and struck out one in the loss.
Defender's starter, RHP-Daryl Maday (3-2) put together another concrete outing with his only miscue coming in the second as 3B-Hector Gimenez blasted a three run homer to right, getting Altoona right back in the ballgame. Maday didn't slip up the rest of the way as he tossed six strong innings, walked one and struck out three while retiring the last nine batters he faced in the win.
Both teams traded zeros until the top of the ninth as Brett Pill blasted a solo insurance homerun (7) over the right field wall for a 6-4 lead.
The Curve would make it interesting in the bottom of the ninth against reliever, LHP-Joe Paterson as 1B-Jamie Romak and SS-Angel Gonzalez both singled with two outs to bring the representing winning run to the plate. Defender's Manager, Steve Decker then called in closer, RHP-Dan Otero who got RF-Jose Tabata to pop up to Pill at first base for the final out sealing Otero's thirteenth save of the year.
Connecticut returns home to enjoy and off day tomorrow before returning to Dodd Stadium for a three game series against the Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox). Defenders RHP-Tim Alderson (3-1) takes the bump in game one Tuesday night at 6:35pm versus Sea Dogs RHP-Jarod Plummer (5-3).
Eastern League Stories from June 21, 2009
- Defenders Take Series From Curve - Connecticut Defenders
- Early Errors Burn Curve - Altoona Curve
- B-Mets Drop Doubleheader, Shutout in Game Two - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Wild Baysox Tamed By Rock Cats - Chesapeake Baysox
- Perez Fans Season-High 8 Batters in Extra-Inning Loss to Erie - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Trenton Sweeps Double-Header from B-Mets - Trenton Thunder
- Erie Rallies For 10-Inning Win - Erie SeaWolves
- Akron completes sweep, blanks 'Dogs 4-0 - Portland Sea Dogs
- Curve Game Notes for June 21 - Altoona Curve
- Aeros blank Portland, 4-0 - Akron RubberDucks
- Sea Dogs Game Notes for June 21 - Portland Sea Dogs
- SeaWolves Game Notes for June 21 - Erie SeaWolves
- Trenton makes two roster moves - Trenton Thunder
- B-Mets Game Notes for June 21 - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
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