Rock Cats Battle in Front of 7,949; Downed by Altoona 8-5

Published on July 23, 2014 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - The Rock Cats fought an uphill battle for the second time in less than 24 hours, this time coming up short by a score of 8-5 in front of 7,949 fans at New Britain Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. The seating bowl was very loud and very colorful throughout the season's seventh capacity crowd contest - comprised of many groups representing local summer camps and recreation programs.

Altoona's LF Drew Maggi came across to score the game's first run in opening half inning. Maggi shot a base hit up the middle and then stole second to put himself in scoring position. RF Willy Garcia cracked a single right past LHP Pat Dean that went out into centerfield, bringing around the leftfielder and giving the Curve a 1-0 lead.

The visitors then went on a tear to start the second frame, sending back to back to back solo home runs over the sixteen-foot wall. The culprits were CF Keon Broxton, 2B Gift Ngoepe and C Carlos Paulino and the three longballs were the most that Dean has given up this season. Maggi kept the offense rolling with a one-out double and then came around to score his second run of the game on a base hit by DH Josh Bell, making it 5-0 Altoona.

New Britain responded with a lead-off homer of their own as DH Kennys Vargas sent a laser over the right field wall on the second pitch he saw from RHP Adrian Sampson. Vargas, who had not hit one out since July 10th, continues to pace the club at 16 home runs.

Maggi continued his assault on Rock Cats pitching in the top of the fourth, picking up his third hit in as many at-bats, this time plating 3B Jarek Cunningham to push Altoona to a 6-1 lead.

LHP Jim Fuller relieved Dean after four innings of work but that didn't cool off the Curve bats much as Ngoepe picked up his second RBI of the day to widen the gap by six runs. The second baseman scored RF Willy Garcia on a base hit up the middle.

Dean's rough start lasted just four innings, in which he allowed six runs on nine hits. The lefthander walked one and struck out three in the loss. He is now 7-6 on the year.

New Britain 3B Brandon Waring did his part to chip away at the lead - as he sent a solo home run the opposite way over the wall in right-center to make it a 7-2 ballgame. The two long balls would be the only runs Sampson gave up on the day - as he held the Rock Cats to just four hits over six innings, walking one and striking out three. His record improves to 9-5.

The top of the seventh brought a new arm out of the Rock Cats bullpen and it was RHP Alex Wimmers, who was making his first appearance in Double A since he started for New Britain back on April 9th, 2012. The Twins 2010 1st Round pick was reached for one run on three hits, reflecting an 8-2 score in favor of Altoona.

Waring crushed a solo home run in consecutive at-bats, this one coming off of RHP Emmanuel de Leon in the bottom of the eighth. The third baseman joins Vargas and Reynaldo Rodriguez in the double-digit home run club, now sitting at 11.

Rodriguez pulled the Rock Cats within three on a two-run double in the bottom of the eighth, picking up RBIs number 46 and 47 and increased his Eastern League lead in doubles at 32.

New Britain now plays host to the Boston Red Sox Eastern League partner, the Portland Sea Dogs. The Rock Cats send RHP Jose Berrios to the hill to make his highly anticipated home debut. The 20 year old right hander will face Red Sox top pitching prospect LHP Henry Owens, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Eastern League Stories from July 23, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central