Erie Defeats Rock Cats, 4-1

Published on June 16, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


NEW BRITAIN, CT - New Britain's struggles to drive in runs continued as the Rock Cats fell to Erie, 4-1 before a sellout crowd of 6,259 fans at New Britain Stadium. It was the second consecutive sellout and ninth overall of the season.

The Rock Cats managed seven hits on the night but went just 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

"It's a common theme a little bit," said Rock Cats manager Jeff Smith. "We've got to fight through this little funk that we're in right now."

The Rock Cats did get on the board first when Evan Bigley reached base safely in the second inning on a two-out fielding error by left fielder Rawley Bishop. It appeared the inning would be over when Bigley sent along fly ball to the wall that landed in Bishop's glove before the Seawolves outfielder dropped it, allowing Bigley to reach second base safely. Matt Rizzotti then came through with an RBI single for the 1-0 lead.

In the third, the Seawolves answered back with three runs against Rock Cats ace B.J. Hermsen, who entered the night with a 2.59 ERA, 6th best in the Eastern League. Hermsen allowed an uncharacteristic three-straight singles to the Seawolves to open the inning, with Corey Jones - who opened the inning with a base hit to center - scoring on Brandon Douglas' single to right to tie the game. Niuman Romero then hit into a fielder's choice to third baseman Deibinson Romero, who fired home to force Jamie Johnson out at the plate. Jordan Lennerton then dropped a base hit into right field to score Douglas for the go-ahead run. Bishop added an RBI sacrifice fly to put the Seawolves on top, 3-1.

The Seawolves tacked on another run in the fourth when Jones tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Johnson. Jones finished the night 3-for-4 and scored two runs.

Erie's Ramon Garcia (5-5) struck out five and limited the `Cats to one run on seven hits in eight innings. Kenny Faulk finished off the Rock Cats in the ninth to pick up his fourth save of the season.

Hermsen (4-3) scattered seven hits for four runs in six innings to suffer the loss. Daniel Turpen and Luis Perdomo combined for three shutout innings in relief for the Rock Cats.

"Our relief pitching kept us in the ballgame. We had more than enough chances to go ahead and tie the game and take the lead and keep putting runs up," said Smith. "Unfortunately, we weren't able to do that like we needed. We didn't get a shutdown inning like we needed. It's the same thing as last night. We just need to regroup and get back to work tomorrow."

The Rock Cats have now dropped four in a row and look to avoid a series sweep on Sunday. Game time is 1:35 P.M.

ALLSTATE PLAYER OF THE GAME : RF Evan Bigley went 1-for-4 with a triple and scored the lone Rock Cats run of the night.

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Eastern League Stories from June 16, 2012


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