Espy Homers in Back-To-Back Games; Rock Cats Fall 9-4

Published on May 29, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - The New Britain Rock Cats were defeated by the New Hampshire Fisher Cats by the score of 9-4 on Friday evening at New Britain Stadium.

Rock Cats 1B Dean Espy provided a bright spot for the home crowd of 5,953 when he cracked his second home run in as many days. The first baseman's long ball appeared to be the only mistake that New Hampshire starter RHP Casey Lawrence committed during the evening - becoming the first pitcher on the staff to toss a complete game this season.

The Toronto Blue Jays Double-A affiliate were quick to get on the scoreboard - putting up two runs on three hits off of Rock Cats starter RHP Devin Burke. An RBI double from 1B K.C. Hobson and a sacrifice fly courtesy of RF Matt Newman gave New Hampshire the early 2-0 lead. Newman's productive out plated former big leaguer Daric Barton, who signed with the club earlier this week.

New Hampshire's offense continued their attack in the top of the second, knocking the right-hander out of the game before he could record the first out. The visitors' lead grew to 8-0 as they collected another six runs on five hits before Burke was lifted for RHP Shane Broyles, who joined the club earlier in the afternoon.

Espy jolted the home crowd back to life with a three-run home run in the bottom of the third, making it a 8-3 contest. Both DH Jan Vazquez and 3B Jayson Langfels singled off of Lawrence to lead off the inning and Espy's blast, his third in 2015, gave New Britain their only runs of the night.

Fisher Cats SS Ronald Torreyes singled home Barton in the top of the fourth to increase the lead by six runs. The infielder would be the final batter of the night for Broyles, who worked 2 2/3 innings in relief, allowing one run on four hits while striking out two in his Rock Cats debut.

New Britain picked up a run in the bottom of the ninth on a sacrifice fly from Vazquez to score C Tom Murphy, making it a 9-4 game, but it would be too little, too late.

Burke falls to 0-1, responsible for all eight runs allowed on eight hits while walking one.

Game two of the three game series will begin at 6:35 p.m. on Saturday evening. New Britain sends RHP Matt Flemer to the hill while the Fisher Cats send RHP Taylor Cole.

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Eastern League Stories from May 29, 2015


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