Defenders Win 10-4
Published on April 11, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
PORTLAND, ME- Connecticut's new skipper Steve Decker thought his team would have some pop this season. The Defenders proved him right as they rolled to a 10-4 win over Portland and took a 2-1 lead in the four game series.
For the first time in the series, the Defenders fell down early. Portland rung up Defenders starter RHP-Nick Pereira in the home half of the first with two runs off of a DH-Jorge Jimenez double.
Connecticut would respond in the top of the second as they trimmed the lead to 2-1 as C-Adam Witter scored on a LF-Bobby Felmy groundout. Pereira would settle down and silence the Sea Dogs in his three innings of work, compiling four strikeouts, three walks, rendering four hits and allowing just the two earned runs in the first.
The Defenders offense would explode during the middle of the game. DH-Andrew D'Alessio delivered his first hit of the season with a bloop double to left plating Pill and Felmy who each singled and give Connecticut their first lead of the game at 3-2. The fifth inning brought the power as RF- Eddy Martinez-Esteve hit a massage two run shot over the green monster in left and C-Adam Witter followed with a solo shot to right. The Defenders had a comfortable 6-2 lead.
Mike Mooney would make the best defensive play of the year thus far in the bottom of the fifth as he scaled the centerfield wall to rob Sea Dogs CF- Josh Reddick of a homerun.
Connecticut added a run in the sixth on a 3B-Sharlon Schoop double down the left line to score CF-Mike Mooney. Portland would match it in the their half of the inning on a C-Juan Apodaca single but poor base running would lead to a inning ending double play. At the end of sixth, the Defenders led 7-3.
DH-Andrew D'Alessio delivered his second hit of the game with a shot over the center fielders head to drive in Felmy and Mooney in the seventh. D'Alessio would finish two for four with four RBI's. The Defenders plated another run in the eighth as Adam Witter blasted what looked to be a homerun but was ruled a double that scored Martinez-Esteve to put Connecticut out in front for good 10-3.
The Sea Dogs Reddick would as a solo homer in the eight to make it 10-4.
Defenders reliever RHP- Steven Edlefsen made his first appearance and picked up his first win. Edlefsen pitched two and third innings, allowed just one hit and one run, while walking one. The Sea Dogs starter RHP-Travis Beazley suffered the loss in four and a third innings of work, allowed six earned runs off of seven hits, walked two and struck out three.
The Defenders and Sea Dogs will complete the four game series tomorrow afternoon at 1pm up in Maine. Connecticut sends RHP-Jesse Foppert against Portland's RHP-Ryne Lawson. Catch all the action starting with the Defenders Pre-Game Show at 12:45pm.
The Defenders season opener is April 16 vs. Trenton (Yankees). For more information or to order tickets, call the Box Office at (860)-887-7962 or purchase online at www.ctdefenders.com.
Eastern League Stories from April 11, 2009
- Aeros Claim Unsightly Affair, 12-2 - Akron RubberDucks
- Baysox Lose Control In Loss to Akron - Chesapeake Baysox
- Sea Dogs Can't Defend Connecticut's Offense, Lose 10-4 - Portland Sea Dogs
- Defenders Win 10-4 - Connecticut Defenders
- Erie Continues Hot Start - Erie SeaWolves
- Calderone drills first HR of season in 5-1 loss to Rock Cats - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Thunder Game Postponed - Trenton Thunder
- Aeros Media Notes - Akron RubberDucks
- Altoona Curve Game Notes - Altoona Curve
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