Rock Cats Battle, Come up Short as Portland Wins 4-2

Published on May 17, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - The New Britain Rock Cats dropped their third straight game as they were bested by the Portland Sea Dogs to the tune of 4-2 on Sunday afternoon at New Britain Stadium.

Portland received strong starting pitching from RHP Justin Haley along with relievers RHP Madison Younginer and RHP Pat Light, who held the Cats' to just five hits on the day.

DH Tim Roberson, who has feasted on New Britain pitching this series, collected his eighth RBI in the past three games when his single scored

LF Keury De La Cruz in the top of the second. The outfielder led off the frame with a double off of Rock Cats starter RHP Shane Carle and was scored in the very next at-bat.

The home club responded in their half of the third to knot the contest up at one run a piece. After C Jan Vazquez smacked a one-out double off of Haley, LF Tyler Massey dropped a line drive in front of CF Blake Tekotte and manager Darin Everson sent Vazquez home to tie the game.

With no outs and Sea Dog RF Jonathan Roof on first, Tekotte sent Carle's offering high over the right field wall to give the visitors a 3-1 lead. The two-run homer was the outfielder's first of 2015.

The Rock Cats picked up a run in the bottom of the fifth to get within one. 1B Dean Espy singled out to center to score 3B Jayson Langfels, who led off the inning with a walk - the only free pass allowed by Haley on the day, who also struck out a season-high eight over six innings.

The righthander notches his first win of the season (1-4) and turned in his best performance of the year as well - two runs on three hits while walking one and striking out the aforementioned eight Rock Cats batters.

LHP Jason Gurka came on in relief of Carle in the top of the seventh and the Sea Dogs would once again increase their lead to two runs. 2B Carlos Asuaje sent a two-out chopper into center field and that would score RF Jonathan Roof, who got aboard with a lead-off double.

Carle suffers his first Double-A loss of the 2015 season (5-1), as he allowed three runs, all earned, on six hits while walking two and striking out one.

Portland's Younginer earned the hold (1) and Light converted on his first save of the year in the winning effort.

Monday is a travelling day for the Rock Cats as they venture out for a two-city, seven-game road trip against Akron and Harrisburg. The RubberDucks will start RHP Mike Clevenger on Tuesday evening while the Rock Cats give RHP Devin Burke his first start at the Double-A level. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 pm.

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