Rock Cats Break out the Bats; Defeat Richmond 10-6

Published on May 19, 2014 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - The Rock Cats toppled the Richmond Flying Squirrels by the score of 10-6 on Monday evening at New Britain Stadium.

New Britain put together two big offensive innings - a four-run third and five-run sixth, complimented by a run in the fourth en route to the victory. Although they reached double-digits in runs, the Rock Cats were outhit by the Flying Squirrels, 12-9. This was the eighth win in the last ten home games for the Cats.

Visiting Richmond put two up early on starter RHP Tyler Duffey, on a home run from DH Mario Lisson. The Flying Squirrels got a two-out double from CF Jarrett Parker and it was Lisson's big fly that made it a 2-0 ballgame after the opening half inning.

New Britain would not stay down for long however, picking up four runs on four hits and taking advantage of two fielding errors to take over the lead after three. The Rock Cats started the scoring when 2B Tony Thomas tripled home SS Brad Boyer, who led off the inning with a double to right-center. Thomas scored in the following at-bat when DH Nate Hanson grounded out to the SS Matt Duffy. Duffy booted a ground ball hit up the middle by C Matt Koch a few batters later, good enough to bring home 1B Kennys Vargas who was waiting on third after reaching base on an error by 1B Angel Villalona. CF Corey Wimberly sent a single out to center to send LF Daniel Ortiz across the plate to give New Britain a 4-2 lead.

The home club would not let off the gas against Richmond starter RHP Clayton Blackburn, as Vargas singled up the middle to drive home Thomas and make it a 5-2 ballgame after four innings. Vargas upped his RBI total to 29 on the year, leading the club and good enough for fifth in the Eastern League.

Richmond fought back in the sixth to get within one run, picking up runs on a single from Parker and then a sacrifice fly by Lisson, his third RBI on the night, made it a 5-4 ballgame.

New Britain got some breathing room in the bottom half of the inning, picking up five more runs to go up 10-4. Ortiz was batting when reliever LHP Bryce Bandilla uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Thomas to score easily from third and then followed up with a two-run blast over the wall in right field, his third of the season. Boyer tacked on a bases-loaded, two-run single to make it a six run lead for the home team. The five run frame was the most productive showing in one inning for the Rock Cats this season.

The Flying Squirrels picked up runs in the seventh and ninth to pull within four but it would not be enough on this night.

The righthander Duffey was able to work past the early runs and went on to earn his first win as a Rock Cat. He worked 6 2/3 innings, allowing five runs, four earned, while walking none and striking out four. After earning no decisions in his first three starts, his record goes to 1-0.

Richmond's Blackburn would only work four innings before the turning over to the bullpen, ultimately using six pitchers on the night. He was touched for five runs, three earned, on seven hits while walking two and striking out three. His record falls to 2-5.

The four-game series continues on Tuesday evening when the Rock Cats send LHP Sean Gilmartin to the hill to square off against LHP Adalberto Mejia.

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Eastern League Stories from May 19, 2014


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