Rock Cats down Portland

Published on July 16, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - Catcher Jair Fernandez started the fireworks show a little early when he crushed a two-run homer that hit the scoreboard for a walk-off victory in the bottom of the 10th to down Portland, 6-4 on Friday night.

The Rock Cats appeared to have the comeback win in sights in the bottom of the ninth when Juan Portes reached on a two-out line drive single. Chris Parmelee followed with a single into right to put Portes at second. Erik Lis then hit a grounder to second and Parmelee was called out on a questionable interference call to end the inning.

The Rock Cats rallied back after having the early lead. New Britain struck first with a run in the bottom of the second. Steve Singleton led off with a double to right and moved to third on a base hit by Alexander Soto. Mark Dolenc grounded to third to score Singleton for the first run of the game.

The Sea Dogs answered back in the third. Chih-Hsien Chiang stared the inning off with a shot to first baseman Chris Parmelee, who mishandled the ball and then misfired to first for an error. Michael McCardell then walked Ryan Khoury before unleashing a wild pitch that moved both runners into scoring position. Che-Hsuan Lin then delivered a triple to left to put the Sea Dogs on top, 2-1. Red Sox outfielder Jeremy Hermida - with Portland on a rehab assignment - knocked in Khoury with a groundout to shortstop.

Portland tacked on another run in the sixth when Luis Exposito led off with a double and came around to score when Ryan Lavarnway grounded into a double play.

Rock Cats outfielder Joe Benson cut the lead in half with a solo shot to right field - his team-leading 14th and 18th overall on the season. In the seventh, the Rock Cats broke out their bats and took advantage of some shaky control against the Sea Dogs' bullpen. Dolenc greeted relief man Eammon Portice with a double to left. Dolenc moved to third on a groundout before Ben Revere reached base after being hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners. Juan Portes followed with an RBI single to close the gap, 4-3. Erik Lis later added an RBI single to score Revere to tie the game.

Chris Province (5-1) picked up the win for the Rock Cats with two scoreless innings to close out the game.

Red Sox top pitching prospect Casey Kelly scattered eight hits while allowing two runs in six innings. Bryson Cox suffered the loss with two runs - on the Fernandez homer - in 1 1/3 innings. Benson led off the tenth against Cox with a single up the middle and moved to third on a sac bunt by Singleton. Fernandez, who entered the game in the ninth at catcher after a pinch runner ran for Soto in the bottom of the eighth, then launched a two-run shot over the left field wall for his second homer of the year.

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Eastern League Stories from July 16, 2010


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