Hit Batter Costs Defenders
Published on July 12, 2007 under Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
The Connecticut Defenders resumed seasonal play a day after fog plagued Dodd Stadium and cut the Eastern League All Star game short. But it was a beautiful night for baseball as the Defenders hosted the Binghamton Mets in game one of a three game set and saw a pitching duel fall in their favor for a 2-1 victory.
Bobby Parnell was excellent on the mound for the Binghamton Mets in the start and allowed just 2 hits through his first five innings of work. The Defenders finally touched him the bottom of the sixth inning OF Eugenio Velez reached on a single, SS Trey Webb was hit by a pitch and 1B Tyler Von Schell singled to right field to drive in Velez for the first run of the game. The Defenders led 1-0 after six full innings.
Defenders starter Nick Pereira was great on the mound, following his best outing of the season with another terrific performance. He left after six full innings without surrendering a run and gave way to RHP Osiris Matos. Matos worked a scoreless seventh inning but ran into trouble in the top of the eighth. After 3B Mark Kiger doubled to center field, an out later, OF Caleb Stewart delivered an RBI single to tie up the game at 1. Though he'd get out of trouble without surrendering any additional runs, the damage was done and Pereira would no longer factor in the decision.
But the Defenders got things going in the bottom of the frame. Reliever Sal Aguilar surrendered leadoff walk to pinch hitter Alex Requena, followed by a single to OF Eugenio Velez. SS Trey Webb attempted to sacrifice the runners into scoring position but popped out to the catcher in his efforts. Aguilar was pulled in favor of LHP Kevin Tomasiewicz to set up the lefty-lefty matchup against OF John Bowker, but Bowker worked a five-pitch walk to load the bases.
The Mets went to their bullpen again and brought in RHP Brandon Nall. Nall was able to retire Von Schell who grounded into a fielders choice after attempting to bunt his way on. The Mets cut down Requena at the plate to keep the Defenders from scoring. But all would be rectified as 3B Simon Klink took a 1-2 pitch off of his leg to bring in the go ahead run. The Defenders took a 2-1 lead heading into the top of the ninth inning.
In the top of the ninth inning, Brian Anderson came in to close it out and looked sharp retiring 3 of 4 batters that he faced. He gave up just a 2-out single to Corey Coles but recovered to retire C Drew Butera on a line out to left field to end the ball game. The Defenders took the 2-1 win.
Sal Aguilar (L, 4-4) absorbed a loss after pitching 1.1 innings, surrendering 1 run, 1 hit, and walking 2 without striking out a batter. Osiris Matos (BS, 2)(W, 4-0) blew his second save of the year but picked up his fourth win of the season after tossing 2 innings, giving up 1 run, 4 hits, and recording a strikeout. Brian Anderson (S, 21) picked up league leading save number twenty-one in his scoreless, 1-hit ninth inning. Eugenio Velez went 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored in the win. Nick Pereira had his potential win squandered but pitched 6 scoreless innings and struck out 8 batters in his outing. The Defenders host the Mets on Friday July 13 at 7:05 p.m. at Dodd Stadium.
Eastern League Stories from July 12, 2007
- Sea Dogs Rock Cats Late, 4-3 - Portland Sea Dogs
- Aeros Rip Curve, 10-4 - Altoona Curve
- Hit Batter Costs Defenders - Connecticut Defenders
- Sardinha Helps Thunder Win 11th Straight - Trenton Thunder
- Fisher Cats fall 6-4 in Trenton - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Tejada Slam Lifts Phillies - Reading Fightin Phils
- B-Mets Lose Pitchers' Duel - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Kown Goes Distance as SeaWolves Win Fourth Straight - Erie SeaWolves
- Clynk Teams With Sea Dogs for New Recycling Program - Portland Sea Dogs
- All-Star Balester Moves - Harrisburg Senators
- SeaWolves Game Notes - Erie SeaWolves
- Senators Game Notes - Harrisburg Senators
- Gardner Promoted To AAA Scranton-Wilkes/Barre - Trenton Thunder
- Chad Spann Added to Sea Dogs Roster - Portland Sea Dogs
- Sea Dogs Game Notes - Portland Sea Dogs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
