Robbins Homer Lifts Rock Cats into Playoffs

Published on September 6, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - Whit Robbins delivered a two-run homer in the sixth inning that erased an early Trenton lead and put New Britain ahead for good as the Rock Cats went on to win 6-4 on Sunday afternoon. The victory clinched second place - and the final playoff spot - in the Northern Division. It is the first time the Rock Cats have made the postseason since the 2003 season.

Trenton made the road to victory a difficult one as the Thunder erupted for four runs in the first inning off of Rock Cats starter Mike McCardell. After retiring the first two batters, McCardell allowed a double to Eduardo Nunez (4-for-4) before walking Chris Malec and Noah Hall to load up the bases. James Cooper then laced a triple to center field to clear the bases and put the Thunder ahead, 3-0. McCardell then walked P.J. Pilittere to dig himself further in a hole before Marcos Vechionacci singled to center to knock in Cooper.

The Rock Cats answered back in the bottom of the first when Brian Dinkelman led off with a base hit to right field. Dinkelman moved to second on Ramon Santana's groundout before coming around to score when Erik Lis drilled a double to center to put the Rock Cats on the board, 4-1.

Wilson Ramos' solo home run to leadoff the bottom of the fourth cut the lead in half, 4-2. The Rock Cats continued to scratch back in the sixth when Santana walked and scored on Lis' double to center to bring the 'Cats within one run. Robbins then delivered the final blow with a two-run shot to right field that put the Rock Cats on top for good. Alejandro Machado added an RBI single that plated Juan Portes in the eighth for an insurance run.

McCardell (5-2) settled down after the first and finished with four runs on five hits and three walks. He struck out five in six innings. Kyle Waldrop tossed two scoreless innings in relief before he gave way to closer Alex Burnett, who fired three shutout innings in Saturday night's game. Burnett forced a groundout and a fly out before pinch hitter Richie Robnett sent a lazy fly ball towards Dinkelman in center field. Dinkelman - who already had two sliding catches in center earlier in the day - made the easy catch for the final out to send the Rock Cats into the post-season. Burnett notched his ninth save of the season.

PLAYOFF WATCH: The Rock Cats will head to Norwich for two games on September 9 and 10 before returning to New Britain on Friday, September 11 for Game 3 of the Northern Divisional series...Game 4 (if necessary) would be at New Britain Stadium as well on Saturday, Sept. 12...The Defenders (Northern Division) and Akron Aeros (Southern) have both secured division titles...Reading clinched the final playoff spot in the Southern Division.

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Eastern League Stories from September 6, 2009


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