Rock Cats Defeat Sea Dogs 11-8 In Bottom Of Ninth

Published on April 26, 2007 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - The New Britain Rock Cats claimed another "walk-off" victory today when 2B Luke Hughes belted a 3-Run HR off the LF foul pole in the bottom of the 9th inning to defeat the Portland Sea Dogs 11-8 at New Britain Stadium. The Rock Cats last three wins have come in similarly dramatic, last-at-bat opportunities.

The back-and-forth contest was played before 5,892 ultimately delighted fans at New Britain Stadium.

The visiting Sea Dogs took an immediate lead with 2 Runs in the 1st inning of the 10:35 AM game. CF Jacoby Ellsbury, the League's leading hitter, scored the first Portland run on an infield force out after he slapped a single to left to open the game. The second run came in on an INF error.

In the Rock Cats 2nd, RF Matt Allegra doubled and then came in on DH Brock Peterson's two-out, two-bagger to left field. The Rock Cats took a 5-2 lead in the 4th when 1B Gil Velazquez belted a grand-slam HR far over the LF fence.

The Sea Dogs tied it immediately, scoring 3 Runs of their own in the 5th. Portland had three doubles in the inning, one each by Ellsbury, 3B Andrew Pinckney and 2B Jeff Natale.

SS Trevor Plouffe homered over the LF wall on the first pitch of the bottom of the 5th to put the Rock Cats back on top, 6-5. In the 7th, Plouffe again delivered, doubling in RF Rashad Eldridge, who had led the inning with a single, to give New Britain a 7-5 advantage.

The Sea Dogs struck back with 3 in the 8th - including two runners who scored on a long, 1-out Sac Fly to RF by Cory Keeler - to gain an 8-7 lead going into the decisive 9th.

Plouffe started the last of the 9th for the Rock Cats with his 4th hit of the game, a double to right-center. Two batters later, Matt Allegra singled sharply to left to plate Plouffe with the tying run. Hughes then belted the first pitch he saw from Portland reliever Mike James off the LF pole for the game winner. It was Hughes' first HR at the AA level.

James took the loss for Portland while LHP Brian Forystek earned his first W in a New Britain uniform.

The Rock Cats collected a total of 15 Hits; three New Britain hurlers limited Portland to 7 total hits.

The Rock Cats took two of the three games played between the two Eastern League clubs this week in New Britain. Both teams now stand at 6-7 on the young season.

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Eastern League Stories from April 26, 2007


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