Rock Cats Blow Lead, Come Back to Edge Fisher Cats 8-7

May 24, 2010 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


NEW BRITAIN, CT - Steve Singleton delivered a walk-off RBI single into center field that scored Marc Dolenc in the bottom of the tenth as the Rock Cats recovered from blowing a six-run lead to down New Hampshire, 8-7 on Monday night. The Rock Cats have won five of the last six games.

Rock Cats starter Michael McCardell looked to have his first victory of the season in the bag when he left the mound in the eighth with one out and two men on base. In the eighth, McCardell took the mound and allowed a leadoff single to Jonathan Diaz before unleashing a wild pitch that put Diaz at second. He walked the next batter before the Rock Cats turned to the bullpen. Joe Testa came on in relief and walked the first batter he faced to load the bases. Diaz scored from third on a sacrifice fly off Eric Thames' bat. Rock Cats' manager Jeff Smith immediately turned to the bullpen again, this time bringing in Chris Province, who allowed an RBI single to Brad Emaus, hit a batter, and gave up another RBI single to Loewen. Province then walked David Cooper to force in Emaus for another Fisher Cats' run to tie the game, 6-6.

Singleton came to the rescue for the first time of the night as he slugged a two-out solo homer in the bottom of the eighth to put the Rock Cats back on top, 7-6. The Fisher Cats answered back in the top of the ninth, though, as Adam Calderone delivered an RBI double to tie the game again.

The Rock Cats came up empty in the bottom of the ninth and put up two quick outs in the bottom of the tenth. Dolenc reached on a walk issued by Vince Bongiovanni (4-2), who entered the game at the start of the inning. Yangervis Solarte followed with a single before Singleton lined a base hit over the center fielder's head to score Dolenc for the game-winner.

The Rock Cats gave up a 6-0 lead that started in the fourth inning as they broke out for four runs in the inning. Ben Revere started the inning off with a base hit to center and stole second before moving to third on Brandon Roberts' sacrifice bunt down the third base line. Rene Tosoni reached on a walk to put runners on the corners before Erik Lis singled to right, knocking in Revere for the first run of the game. Mark Dolenc grounded into a force out that retired Lis at second and again put runners on the corners. Fisher Cats starter B.J. LaMura gave way to Bubbie Buzachero, who immediately allowed an infield single to Solarte that scored Tosoni. Steve Singleton followed with an RBI double that dropped into left field and scored Dolenc. Allan de San Miguel added an RBI single to put the Rock Cats ahead, 4-0.

B.J. LaMura lasted just 3 2/3 innings for the Fisher Cats. He allowed three runs on two hits and two walks.

Revere led off the fifth with another base hit - this time a line drive to right - and came around to score on Lis' fielders' choice.

The Fisher Cats got on the board with a solo homer by Shawn Bowman in the seventh inning. McCardell had retired ten-straight batters before the homer. Adam Loewen then doubled before scoring on David Cooper's base hit to right to close the gap, 5-2. Cooper was thrown out at second to end the inning.

McCardell finished with four runs on six hits and five strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings. Michael Allen (1-0) picked up the win for the Rock Cats with 1 2/3 shutout innings in relief.



Eastern League Stories from May 24, 2010


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