Rock Cats - Richmond Split Morning Doubleheader At New Britain Stadium

Published on May 5, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


GAME 1:

The Rock Cats got another strong outing from starting pitcher Steve Hirschfeld this morning as the big righty allowed just 3-hits in leading New Britain to a 2-1 victory over visiting Richmond in Game 1 of today's daytime Doubleheader at New Britain Stadium. A sellout crowd of 6,752 enjoyed a crisply played Game 1, as both pitchers were effective for most of the way.

The game was scoreless until the 3rd inning, when New Britain plated both their Runs. Joe Benson got things going by belting a 1-out Double over the Richmond CF's head. Chris Parmelee, the next batter, promptly banged a single up the middle scoring Benson. Evan Bigley followed with a triple to right, scoring Parmelee, who had advanced to second base after Richmond southpaw Clayton Tanner's first of 2 wild pitches on the day.

The Flying Squirrels scored their only run of the game in the 6th inning when SS Nick Noonan homered off Hirschfeld; it his Noonan's first HR of the year.

With today's win, Hirschfeld - who walked none - improved his record to 2-0 and reduced his ERA to 1.93. Tanner dropped to 0-3 for Richmond. The Rock Cats' bullpen ace, Cole DeVries, threw a spotless final frame and picked up his 5th Save of the year.

GAME 2:

The second half of the doubleheader was scoreless until the bottom of the 4th when the Rock Cats strung together 2 hits and three walks off Richmond starter, Ryan Verdugo, to plate 2 Runs; New Britain's Chris Hermann, playing in his first AA action, collected his first Hit and RBI in the frame.

The Flying Squirrels responded against Rock Cats starter Liam Hendriks in the next inning. After two were out in the 5th, Nick Noonan got the key hit, a 2-run double to right to knot the score at 2. Hendriks departed after 6 full innings, in which he allowed just 4 hits and fanned 8.

The New Britain bullpen faltered in the 7th with a leadoff hit batsman starting the trouble. A sac bunt and pinch-hit single by Juan Flores gave Richmond a 3-2 lead. After two Richmond batters received free passes from New Britain reliever Jake Stevens, Charlie Culberson delivered a single to right to make it 4-2.

In what was to have been their final at-bat, Joe Benson led off the 7th with a walk. Two outs later, Yangervis Solarte singled to knock in Benson before Deibinson Romero doubled high off the RF wall, scoring Solarte with the tying run.

The contest remained tied at 4 until the 10th. With Tyler Robertson working into his third inning of relief for New Britain, Noonan led off the frame for Richmond with a long HR to right center field. The Squirrels scored twice more before being retired.

Trailing 7-4, the Rock Cats went quietly in their half of the 10th - giving Richmond the victory and a split of both the doubleheader and the 4-game series.

Southpaw reliever Justin Dowdy (3-0) picked up the Win for Richmond while Robertson (2-2) absorbed the Loss for the Rock Cats.

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Eastern League Stories from May 5, 2011


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