Defenders Win 5-2/ Series tied at 1
May 2, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
NORWICH, CT- The Defenders (11-11) put it all together Saturday night against the Portland Sea Dogs (10-11) as they rolled to a 5-2 victory at Dodd Stadium in front of a crowd of 2,890.
A 3-run third inning by the Defenders capped off by a LF-Bobby Felmy RBI single pushed the lead to 4-0 and set the pace for the rest of the game.
In the first inning, 2B-Brock Bond got things going with a leadoff single to centerfield and Felmy delivered his first hit of night down the left field line for a double scoring Bond from first. Connecticut's bats would add two more runs in third when Felmy would come up big for a second time, this time singling to left to bring home Brett Pill and the Defenders had the 4-0 advantage.
Portland would cut the lead in half in fifth inning. Defenders reliever, RHP-Waldis Joaquin would load the bases with just one out, and manager Steve Decker would make the move to LHP-Matt Yourkin. Yourkin would escape the inning allowing just one base hit by LF-Aaron Bates which plated the two runs for the Sea Dogs.
In the seventh inning, Connecticut found themselves with runners on the corners. DH-Brett Pill would be intentionally walked to get the lefty-lefty match up for Sea Dog's reliever Dustin Richardson. Felmy would connect on his fourth hit of game, a single through the hole on the right side of the infield scoring Bond to give the Defenders a 5-2 lead.
Defenders' starter Jesse English went 3.2 innings of scoreless baseball scattering 3 base hits, allowing Connecticut to jump on top of Portland. English would hand the game off to the bullpen and the combination of Joaquin, Yourkin and Geivy Garcia would help the keep the Sea Dogs at bay heading into the ninth.
Dan Otero would come in to pitch the ninth, earning save number 6 in his sixth opportunity. Sealing the win for the Defenders was Matt Yourkin(2-1) and Blake Maxwell (0-1) suffered his first loss for Portland.
With the win, Connecticut sets up a rubber match for Sunday. The matchup features the Defenders RHP-Jesse Foppert (1-2) against the Sea Dogs RHP-Adam Mills. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05pm at Dodd Stadium. Catch all the action starting with the Pre-game Show at 12:50pm on the Defenders Flagship Station WICH 1310AM or online at ctdefenders.com.
The Defenders will have Sundae-Fundae-Rundae courtesy of Edy's where kids get to run the bases after the game as well as receive a FREE ice cream. Connecticut will also have a Breast Cancer Awareness Silent Jersey Auction as the team will be wearing special pink jerseys in the series versus Portland.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Defenders Box Office at (860)-887-7962 or purchase them online at ctdefenders.com.
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