Peterson the difference in doubleheader sweep

Published on September 2, 2007 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


GAME ONE

New Britain, CT - Brock Peterson provided the offense and the bullpen shut down Portland as the 'Cats downed the Sea Dogs 3-2 in the opening game of Sunday's doubleheader.

In the sixth inning, Peterson hit a sacrifice fly to right field to knock in Rashad Eldridge from third base to give the Rock Cats the eventual game-winner.

Peterson also scored the Rock Cats' first run of the game. He led off the bottom of the second inning with a double and scored on a triple by David Winfree for a 1-0 lead. Felix Molina followed with a single before Matthew Allegra's sacrifice fly to center field drove in Winfree from third.

Portland tied the game in the fourth on an RBI double by Andrew Pinckney and an RBI single by John Otness.

Rock Cats starter Josh Hill lasted 3 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four walks and four hits. He struck out four. Eduardo Morlan picked up the win - his first in Double-A - with 2 1/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen. He struck out four. Armando Gabino notched his fourth save with a scoreless seventh. Gabino has yet to allow an earned run in 16 innings of work with the Rock Cats.

Michael Bowden (8-6) went the distance for Portland, surrendering three runs on five hits in six innings. He struck out four.

GAME TWO

New Britain - Brock Peterson hit a grand slam in the bottom of the first inning and the Rock Cats never looked back as the 'Cats cruised to a 12-3 win over Portland in the nightcap of Sunday's doubleheader.

Portland starter Felix Diaz struggled out of the gate. Brandon Roberts, Rashad Eldridge, and Garrett Guzman all reached base on consecutive singles. Peterson then sent the ball over the right field wall for a grand slam and a 4-0 Rock Cats' lead.

Kyle Geiger started the second inning off with a single and scored on a single by Eldridge. Guzman followed with a single before Peterson was hit by a pitch that was thrown up and in. Diaz was immediately ejected from the game by the home plate umpire. The Rock Cats continued their offensive attack against the Portland bullpen. Matt Moses had an RBI sac fly and David Winfree pounded out a two-run double. Felix Molina added an RBI single in the inning to put the Rock Cats ahead, 9-0.

The Rock Cats finished with 15 hits, led by a perfect 4-for-4 performance by Guzman. Eldridge had three hits and scored three runs. Brandon Roberts added two hits, including a solo home run in the fifth.

Starter Jesse Floyd fired seven of his most impressive innings of the season. He limited the Sea Dogs to five hits and three runs. Floyd (7-9) struck out eight.

Portland's Jay Johnson hit a solo homer in the fourth inning to break-up the shutout. For the Sea Dogs, Diaz (4-4) took the loss as he was charged with eight hits and eight runs through 1 1/3 innings.

The Rock Cats have won six straight, including four in a row from Portland. Despite being mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, the Rock Cats can play spoilers tomorrow by beating the Sea Dogs. The two teams will square off for a Labor Day regular season finale, tomorrow at 1:35 P.M. at New Britain Stadium.

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Eastern League Stories from September 2, 2007


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