Pair of Homers Lift Rock Cats

Published on September 5, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release

New Britain, CT - Joe Benson slugged two home runs and Matthew Williams turned in a solid start to lead the Rock Cats downed first-place Trenton, 4-1 on Sunday afternoon.

Williams (2-3) scattered six hits in six innings of work as he held the Eastern League Eastern Division champs to one run. He did issue four walks and struck out just one.

Williams held the Thunder scoreless until the top of the fourth when Marcos Vechionacci drew a one-out walk and scored on a double by Damon Sublett to put Trenton on the board, 1-0. The lead didn't last for long as the Rock Cats struck back in the bottom of the inning. Benson led off the inning with a homer over the center field wall - his team-leading 22nd of the season - to tie the game. Juan Portes followed with a double and scored on a two-out single by Steve Singleton that put the `Cats on top, 2-1.

Benson added to his home run total with another solo homer to lead off the bottom of the seventh inning. The Rock Cats added to their lead when Benson singled to start off the bottom of the eighth and scored on Evan Bigley's double to center with two outs.

Benson finished the game with three hits and scored three runs. He also made a highlight reel running catch in center field to open the seventh inning. Bigley also went 3-for-4 as the Rock Cats pounded out 12 hits on the day.

Bobby Lanigan entered the game in the seventh but left with an injury after retiring the two batters he faced. Steve Blevins took over on the mound for the Rock Cats and fired 2 1/3 shutout innings to notch his first Double-A save. Trenton's Cory Arbiso (5-5) allowed three runs on eight hits in six innings to suffer the loss.

The Rock Cats will play the final game of the 2010 regular season against the Thunder at 1:35 P.M. on Monday afternoon.

Eastern League Stories from September 5, 2010

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• 100 Dreams Come True in 9-2 Win - Portland Sea Dogs
• Cooper Extends Hit Streak to Ten Games, But Fisher Cats Fall - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
• Pair of Homers Lift Rock Cats - New Britain Rock Cats
• Thunder Drop Second Straight in New Britain - Trenton Thunder
• Richmond Flying Squirrels Game Notes - Richmond Flying Squirrels
• Aeros Notes - Akron RubberDucks

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