Martin, Rock Cats Keep Altoona at Bay

Published on August 11, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


NEW BRITAIN, CT - Blake Martin turned in a solid start and Evan Bigley knocked in three runs as the Rock Cats held off a late comeback by Altoona to escape with a 6-5 victory before a sellout crowd of 7,620 fans. It was the 21st capacity-filled crowd at New Britain Stadium of the season.

The Curve jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when Starling Marte (2-for-4) led off the game with a home run off of Martin. The lead didn't last long, though, as the Rock Cats answered back with four runs in the bottom of the inning.

Brian Dozier and Yangervis Solarte opened the bottom of the first with consecutive base hits into center field. With one out, Chris Parmelee reached base safely on a fielding error by shortstop Brock Holt that loaded the bases. Bigley delivered a base hit inside the right field line. Right fielder Andrew Lambo misplayed the ball, allowing all three runners to score and put Bigley at third base. Bigley later scored on Mark Dolenc's ground out to first base for the 4-1 lead.

Altoona's Quincy Latimore doubled in Tony Sanchez in the second inning to cut the lead in half.

The Rock Cats scored again in the fourth, when Deibinson Romero doubled with two outs and scored on Jair Fernandez' single to left field.

Bigley added an RBI double in the bottom of the fifth. Martin (2-4) limited the Curve to three runs on six hits and four walks in five innings. He struck out five. Deolis Guerra and fired two shutout innings in relief for the `Cats.

The Curve made things interesting in the bottom of the ninth against closer Tyler Robertson. The first two batters grounded out before Robertson walked Holt. Josh Rodriguez then lined a double into left to move Holt to third. Lambo then singled to right to knock in two runs and close the gap to one run. Robertson forced Sanchez to ground out into a force out to shortstop to end the game and notch his 13th save.

Kyle McPherson (6-4) scattered seven hits and struck out five in five innings. He was charged with three earned runs.

ALLSTATE PLAYER OF THE GAME: RF Evan Bigley went 2-for-4 with one double and three RBI. He also scored one run for the Rock Cats.

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Eastern League Stories from August 11, 2011


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