Portland escapes with 10-8 win over Rock Cats

Published on May 15, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - The Rock Cats nearly pulled off a dramatic comeback on Friday evening but fell short as Portland escaped with a 10-8 win in a completion on Thursday night's suspended game.

Rain delayed the start of Thursday night's game for over an hour. When the game finally got underway, the Rock Cats jumped out to an early lead in the first on back-to-back doubles by Steve Tolleson and Brian Dinkelman. Tolleson doubled to left field with one out and scored on Dinkelman's two-base hit to right field.

Rock Cats' starter Jay Rainville retired the first six-straight batters he faced, but then the wheels fell off in the third. The Sea Dogs struck for six runs in the inning, including an RBI double by Ryan Khoury and RBI single by Lars Anderson. Jorge Jimenez slugged a three-run homer to right field. Reid Engel added a double to right field that scored Juan Apodoca, who slid into home and was called safe on a close play at the plate. Rainville (1-2) immediately was ejected for arguing the call. He finished with six earned runs on five hits in 2 2/3 innings.

Soon after Rainville's departure, the game was suspended due to heavy rain in the top of the fourth with Portland batting with the bases loaded and two outs. The Sea Dogs carried an 8-1 lead into Friday afternoon and tacked on two more runs in the sixth on Khoury's RBI double and an RBI single by Jimenez.

The Rock Cats' bats finally woke up in the seventh with Rene Tosoni starting things off with a leadoff homer to center field. Dinkelman followed with a three-run blast and Whit Robbins' single to center scored Juan Portes, who reached on a double, to close the gap, 10-6.

New Britain nearly pulled off the comeback in the eighth. Danny Lehmann drew a leadoff walk and Tolleson singled with one out. Dinkleman delivered a single to center that score Lehmann. Portes added an RBI sacrifice fly to put the Rock Cats within two runs. Robbins reached base on a single to extend the rally, but Matt Moses struck out to end the inning and strand two runners on base.

That's as close as the ‘Cats would come as Toby Gradenhire singled to start off the bottom of the ninth, but Yancarlos Ortiz struck out and Lehmann grounded into a double play to end the game.

Chad Rhoades (3-0) picked up the win for the Sea Dogs. He allowed two runs on three hits in three innings of relief. T.J. Large notched his third save with 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

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Eastern League Stories from May 15, 2009


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