New Britain Ends Slide; Tops Harrisburg 5-4

Published on April 9, 2014 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - The Rock Cats defeated the Harrisburg Senators by the score of 5-4 on Tuesday night at New Britain Stadium.

1B Kennys Vargas broke a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the fifth when he slid past C Brandon Bantz after some confusion on a botched double play attempt by Harrisburg, helping the Rock Cats to their first win since besting Richmond back on Friday morning.

The Rock Cats got on the board in the bottom of the first, courtesy of Vargas who put New Britain ahead with his first home run of the season, a three-run shot off RHP Blake Schwartz. The big first baseman sent Schwartz's offering on top of the batting tunnel behind the right field wall, scoring 2B Brad Boyer and DH Nate Hanson.

Harrisburg would respond in the second as they tied the game with three runs on four hits off of New Britain starter LHP Pat Dean. Harrisburg loaded the bases against the Connecticut native and C Brandon Bantz knocked in two runs with a single to right field. CF Michael Taylor also plated a runner with an infield-style single to make it a 3-3 ballgame.

The visitors would go on top in the third when DH Destin Hood singled home SS Jason Martinson, who tripled in the previous at-bat.

Schwartz appeared to be on the ropes in the third after giving up a single and walking two straight, but he regained his composure to strike out 3B Brandon Waring and got RF Mike Kvasnicka to fly out, stranding three and maintaining the lead.

The game was evened up in the bottom of the fourth on a single by 2B Brad Boyer, scoring SS Aderling Mejia who singled over the shortstop earlier in the inning for his second hit of the night.

After Vargas singled to start the fifth and moved to second on a walk issued to Waring, Kvasnicka grounded into to 1B Justin Bloxom, who threw to Martinson to turn the double play. Martinson threw the ball away and allowed Vargas to run all the way home to give the Rock Cats the lead they would not relinquish.

Dean proved to be very tough on Harrisburg hitters following a few rough innings early on. The lefthander pitched six strong innings to improve his record to 2-0, allowing four runs on seven hits while walking one and striking out five. A.J. Achter picked up his first save of the year in relief.

New Britain takes the show on the road for the first time in 2014, as they start a four-game set against Portland. RHP D.J. Baxendale take the mound for the Rock Cats and RHP Keith Couch gets the call for the Red Sox affiliate. The game starts at 6:00 p.m.

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Eastern League Stories from April 9, 2014


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