Kvasnicka's Three-Run Shot in the Eighth Gives Rock Cats Victory

Published on July 31, 2014 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - The Rock Cats came back late to defeat the Erie SeaWolves by the score of 5-4 at New Britain Stadium on Friday evening.

RF Mike Kvasnicka ( pronounced QUAZ-NICKA) was the hero of the night - sending RHP Slade Scott's offering deep into the night for a three-run home run, giving New Britain their first lead of the evening and ultimately the 5-4 win. The outfielder's blast helped preserve Rock Cats starter RHP Tyler Duffey's bid for a fifth consecutive win in as many starts.

Tyler worked eight innings, appearing to get stronger as the game went along. The Houston, TX native allowed four runs, all earned, on seven hits while walking one and striking out two. He moves to 6-1 at home this season, improving to 8-2 overall. Reliever RHP Alex Wimmers came on for New Britain's ninth - striking out two en route to his first save of the season.

SeaWolves RF Steven Moya, who leads the Eastern League in Home Runs, did what he does best in the opening frame - launching a two-run homer high over the wall in left-center field off of Duffey. The left-handed power hitter clubbed his 27th home run of the year, moving 2B Devon Travis around the bases in the process to give the visitors an early 2-0 advantage. Travis cracked a base hit out to left in the previous at-bat.

New Britain answered back with a home run of their own in the bottom half of the inning - a two-out, solo shot from CF Aaron Hicks, his fourth longball of the year.

Erie added to their lead in the top of the second when SS Dixon Machado lifted a sacrifice fly out to deep center field, providing DH Dean Green enough time to tag up from third and pick up the third run of the evening. Green doubled down the right field line to lead off the inning and moved up a base on a single through the hole at second from 1B Aaron Westlake before coming home.

The Rock Cats started to take some big cuts against SeaWolves starter RHP Jeff Ferrell in the bottom of the fourth, picking up a run on two hits and making it a 3-2 ballgame. LF Tony Thomas ripped a two-out double to left field and then sprinted around the bases on a single from 2B Stephen Wickens, his fifth RBI this season.

The visitors widened the gap once again in the sixth inning - getting a run on a fielder's choice grounder from C Ramon Caberea. Erie had runners on first and third with one out when Caberea sent a bouncing ball over to Wickens, scoring Travis for the second time on the night and putting the SeaWolves ahead 4-2.

New Britain overtook Erie for the lead in a big way in the bottom of the eight - a three-run blast by Kvasnicka that put the Rock Cats ahead 5-4. With runners on first and second, Kvasnicka sent Erie reliever RHP Slade Scott's pitch high over the wall in right field, clanking off the roof of the batting cages just beyond the fence.

Ferrell was tough on the New Britain offense over his 6 2/3 innings of work, allowing just two runs on nine hits. The righthander struck out seven Rock Cats while allowing no free passes. Smith was the tough luck loser, suffering both the blown save (fourth) and the loss (2-4).

The Rock Cats continue their home series against the Detroit Tigers Eastern League partner on Friday evening with first pitch slated for 7:05 p.m. New Britain calls upon RHP Virgil Vasquez, who pitched in the Majors for the Tigers back in 2007, while Erie starts LHP Kyle Ryan.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Eastern League Stories from July 31, 2014


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.

OurSports Central