New Britain's 10th Walk of the Night Is a Walk Off

Published on May 14, 2014 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - The Rock Cats came back to win in dramatic fashion in the bottom of the ninth, defeating the Portland Sea Dogs 4-3 on Wednesday evening at New Britain Stadium.

Down by two in the bottom of the ninth, New Britain strung together five straight hits to tie the contest 3-3 and it was 3B Brandon Waring's bases-loaded walk off of reliever RHP Jose Valdez that completed the comeback, giving New Britain the 4-3 walk off victory.

Portland 2B Mookie Betts led off the game with a double to left field and was quickly ushered around the bases on two wild pitches from Rock Cats starter RHP Tyler Duffey to put the visitors up early 1-0.

The Sea Dogs made it a 2-0 game in the top of the second when RF Henry Ramos, who singled earlier in the inning, crossed the plate on a base hit from CF Shannon Wilkerson.

The Rock Cats had a chance to cut into the lead in the bottom half of the fifth when they loaded the bases against Portland reliever RHP Noe Ramirez. The Sea Dogs let out a sigh of relief when RF Reynaldo Rodriguez's hard line drive found its way into 1B Stefan Welch's glove to end the rally.

Sea Dogs starter LHP Henry Owens, Boston's top prospect, threw four no-hit innings before being pulled after 87 pitches. The lefthander walked five and struck out eight. His record remains 4-2.

Portland would tack on another in top of the seventh, manufacturing a run with a leadoff walk drawn by LF Peter Hissey, a sacrifice bunt and then an RBI single that shot up the middle hit by SS Deven Marrero.

New Britain would get on the board in the bottom half of the frame to make it a 3-1 game. DH Nate Hanson lifted a ball out to shallow right field that was misplayed by Ramos, allowing SS A.J. Pettersen to come in all the way from second. Pettersen reached base on a throwing error by Marrero.

The Rock Cats dialed up the offense just in the nick of time, leading off the bottom of the ninth with five straight hits, swinging the momentum to the home side and tying the game up 3-3. After LF Daniel Ortiz grounded into a force out at home, it was Waring who picked up his third walk of the night, this one being the biggest of all, scoring 1B Kennys Vargas and earning the win.

New Britain starter Duffey worked five innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on five hits while walking two and striking out five. He earns his third straight no-decision as he exited the game down 2-0. New Britain relievers allowed one run over four innings and it was RHP Daniel Turpen who earned the win, bringing his record to 1-1.

New Britain looks to sweep the series on Thursday morning, a 10:35 a.m. matchup. The Rock Cats send LHP Sean Gilmartin to the hill to square off against LHP Brian Johnson.

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Eastern League Stories from May 14, 2014


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