Defenders Win 8-4
June 4, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
NORWICH, CT- With their backs up against the wall and a potential sweep on the brink, Connecticut (29-24) responded with an 8-4 win over New Britain to salvage a lone win in the four game series Thursday afternoon in front of a crowd of 4,026 at Dodd Stadium.
Brett Pill's solo homerun in the seventh inning over the left field wall put the Defenders up 5-4 on the Rock Cats. Eddy Martinez-Esteve added two more with a double followed by Brock Bond's RBI double capping off four unanswered runs.
The Rock Cats cracked the scoreboard first against top prospect LHP-Madison Bumgarner in the top of second inning with back to back singles by DH-Whit Robbins and C- Wilson Ramos. A walk issued by Bumgarner to RF-Juan Portes loaded the bases for New Britain. LF-Matt Moses would drive in the first run of the game on fielder's choice, and then 2B-Toby Gardenhire would increase the lead to 2-0 with an RBI single.
Connecticut would answer with two runs of their own in the bottom of the third inning. LF-Mike Mooney lead off with a single and then C-Jackson Williams drew a walk, allowing 2B-Brock Bond to lay down a sacrifice bunt moving the runners into scoring position. CF-Mike McBryde delivered a big RBI single to cut the lead in half at 2-1. DH- Brad Boyer then drove in the second run of the inning on a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 2.
The Defenders took the lead adding single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, a two-out RBI single by Brock Bond in the fourth inning to score RF-Eddy Martinez-Esteve. In the fifth, 3B-Sharlon Schoop hit a soft ground ball down the third base line and legged it out for an RBI infield single giving the Defenders a 4-2 advantage.
In the sixth Rock Cats' Juan Portes hit a game tying two run homerun over the left field wall.
In a game where Madison Bumgarner didn't have his best stuff, the lefty allowed four runs over six innings, striking out five in the no decision. New Britain's RHP- Jay Rainville went 4.2 innings allowing four runs on seven base hits.
Defenders' reliever, RHP-Waldis Joaquin (1-3) picked up his first win of the season in relief of Bumgarner as RHP-Zach Ward (2-2) suffered the loss.
Connecticut will travel to Binghamton for a short four game road trip over the weekend. Friday Night's first pitch will be at 6:35pm. The Defenders drop their first series dating back to Reading in the beginning of May (2-1).
The Defenders hit the road tomorrow for a four game set versus the Binghamton Mets (NY Mets). Fans can catch all the action on the Defenders Radio Network or online at ctdefenders.com.
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