Defenders Take Series From Sea Dogs In Thrilling 9-8 Win
May 25, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
PORTLAND, ME- The Defenders pulled off a thrilling come from behind victory Monday afternoon at Hadlock Field to win their fifth consecutive series 9-8 over the Portland Sea Dogs.
Connecticut used a two run seventh to increase their lead and hold off the fighting Sea Dogs for a 3-1 series victory.
The Sea Dog's came out firing touching up Defenders starter, RHP Daryl Maday for four runs in the third inning. SS-Argenis Diaz delivered a two RBI double followed by a 2B-Ryan Khoury two RBI single to give Portland the early advantage.
The Defenders quickly responded in the top of the fourth inning with three consecutive hits, the last one coming off the bat of DH-Eddy Martinez-Esteve who delivered an RBI single to get Connecticut on the board. LF-Bobby Felmy got hit by a pitch then RF-Mike Mooney walked to load the bases for 3B-Sharlon Scoop who cleared the bases with a double to left center field and tied the game at 4-4.
Maday would give it right back as he left one over the plate to 1B-Lars Anderson who took him deep and gave Portland a 6-4 lead. Maday exited the game after tossing only four innings, allowed six earned runs off of nine hits, walked three and struck out one in the no decision.
In the top of the fifth with two aboard and two outs, 1B-Brett Pill took flight over the left field wall with his second homer of the season and lifted the Defenders to their first lead of the game at 7-6.
Connecticut added two more runs in the seventh inning when SS-Brandon Crawford lead off with a single, Martinez-Esteve doubled and Pill hit a sac fly followed by a Felmy RBI single. Pill drove the Defenders offense going 1 for 3 with a homer, sac fly and four RBI.
Portland answered in the bottom of the inning with a pair of runs to trim the lead to just one.
In the ninth inning, things got interesting. The Defenders closer, RHP-Dan Otero gave up a leadoff infield single to Diaz, retired Khoury on a groundout to third-advancing Diaz to second, then another base hit to Bell set up runners on the corners. C-Mark Wagner then lifted a medium depth fly ball to centerfield where CF-Mike McBryde made the catch for the second out but then gunned a liner home to C-Jackson Williams to get Diaz trying to tag from third to end the game.
Defender's reliever, RHP-Dan Griffin (2-3) picked up his second win of the season after just one scoreless inning, walked two and struck out one. Sea Dog's starter, RHP-Adam Mills (1-2) suffered the loss allowing seven earned runs off of seven hits, walked three and fanned one. Dan Otero stays perfect with his eleventh save in eleven opportunities.
Connecticut travels west to Binghamton to begin a three game set versus the B-mets starting tomorrow at 6:35pm from NYSEG Stadium.
Catch all the action starting with the Defenders Pre-Game Show at 6:20pm on the Defenders Flagship Station WICH 1310AM or online at ctdefenders.com.
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