Defenders Win 2-0/ Lead Series 2-0
Published on April 14, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
MANCHESTER, NH- Patience and perseverance paid off for the Defenders in game 2 of 3 against New Hampshire as Connecticut prevailed 2-0 in a pitchers duel.
It was a matchup of the Defenders number one starter RHP-Daryl Maday and the Fisher Cats number two starter RHP-Rei Gonzalez. Maday would only last four innings as he found himself in trouble time and again but would eventually get out of it. Maday allowed just two hits, walked and struck out three.
New Hampshire's starter Rei Gonzalez pitched a masterpiece in just his second start silencing the Defenders bats for fourteen straight over the middle innings. Gonzalez pitched all the way into the ninth then gave way to bullpen with eight and two thirds innings of work where he spread five hits and struck out four.
Connecticut squandered an opportunity in the seventh when RF-Eddy Martinez Esteve delivered a seeing-eye single to center to breakup the fourteen consecutive putouts by Gonzalez. C-Adam Witter then sent a shot to the alley way in left-center where the Fisher Cats CF-Sean Shoffit dropped the ball. Shoffit made up for the miscue as he relayed the ball back in to get Martinez-Esteve trying to advance to third. Gonzalez would retire the next two Defenders in a row, leaving Witter stranded and keeping the game at 0-0.
The ninth inning brought all the fireworks. Both managers played the strategy the game as they matched up personnel. After retiring the first two batters to start the ninth, Fisher Cats manager Gary Cathcart went to the bullpen for the first time, replacing his starter Gonzalez. Witter would deliver a base hit against the lefty then was replaced with the speedy Antoan Richardson. After another pitching change, 1B-Brett Pill slapped a single to right setting up runners on the corners. DH-Andy D'Alessio would get intentionally walked to load the bases for RF-Mike Mooney who would capitalize on a 2-2 pitch driving it down the right field line over the leaping glove of 1B- Brian Dopirak and give the Defenders a 2-0 lead.
The Defenders closer RHP-Dan Otero came in and shut the door on New Hampshire striking out Shoffit looking for his second save of the season. Connecticut's reliever LHP-Joe Paterson (1-0) picked up his first win of the year after pitching an impressive one and two thirds innings and struck out one when the team needed it most. New Hampshire's RHP-Zach Dials (0-1) suffered his first lost with just a third of an inning pitched, while giving up two hits, one earned run, and walked one.
Connecticut will go for the three game series sweep tomorrow at 6:35pm to wrap up their seven day road-trip. The Defenders send RHP-Brooks McNiven (0-0) against the Fisher Cats RHP-Fabio Castro (1-0). Catch all the action starting with the Defenders Pre-game Show at 6:20pm on WICH1310AM or online at ctdefenders.com.
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 14, 2009
- Offense On Display In Erie - Chesapeake Baysox
- Gonzalez twirls 8.2 scoreless innings in 2-0 loss to Defenders - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Defenders Win 2-0/ Lead Series 2-0 - Connecticut Defenders
- Portland wins their third straight, look for the series sweep on Wednesday - Portland Sea Dogs
- Home opener features free food, fundraising, fun - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Thunder game postponed - Trenton Thunder
- Curve/Aeros postponed - Altoona Curve
- Aeros Rained Out - Akron RubberDucks
- R-Phils and B-Mets postponed on April 14 - Reading Fightin Phils
- B-Mets And Phillies Postponed, Rescheduled For August 15 - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Aeros Notes - Akron RubberDucks
- Rock Cats Set For 2009 Home Opener - New Britain Rock Cats
- Lawson Placed on the D.L., Hedrick Added to Roster - Portland Sea Dogs
- Curve Closer but Still Winless - Altoona Curve
- Aeros Outlast Rain, Nip Curve 7-6 - Akron RubberDucks
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