Rock Cats down Trenton, 10-7

Published on September 4, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - Estarlin De Los Santos doubled in Juan Portes from third for the go-ahead run in the seventh inning as the Rock Cats went on to down Trenton, 10-7 before a sellout crowd of 6,189. It was the 20th sellout at New Britain Stadium this season.

The Rock Cats pounded out 15 hits on the night, including three-hit games by Portes, Mark Dolenc, and Chris Cates.

Kane Holbrooks, who began the season in Low Class-A Beloit, was making his Rock Cats debut after a promotion from Ft. Myers yesterday. He took the mound for the first time in Double-A and immediately gave up a double to Justin Christian. With one out, Daniel Brewer doubled to right to plate Christian for the first run of the game.

The lead didn't last long as Joe Benson, who took over the leadoff spot for the Rock Cats shortly before the game started, hammered the first pitch he saw over the left field wall. His team-best 21st homer put the ‘Cats on the board, 1-1. Benson took over in the leadoff spot after Ben Revere was pulled from the lineup after receiving a promotion to the Minnesota Twins. Adam Warren retired the next two Rock Cats before allowing consecutive singles to Chris Parmelee and Juan Portes. Dolenc then lined a double into right field to knock in Parmelee to put the Rock Cats on top.

Trenton regained the lead in the fourth when Marcos Vechionacci opened the inning with a homer to right field.

The Rock Cats battled back in the bottom of the fifth. Cates reached base on a bunt down the third base line and Benson followed with a base hit to left field. A throwing error by shortstop Luis Nunez with one out allowed Evan Bigley to reach first safely to load the bases. Parmelee then drew a walk to force Benson in from third to tie the game. Portes followed with another walk that scored Benson in for the go-ahead run. Bigley added a two-run double in the sixth.

The Thunder erupted for four runs in the seventh, including a three-run double by Rene Rivera that gave Trenton a 7-6 lead. The hit came off of Billy Bullock, who had just entered the game. Dakota Watts, who also made his Double-A debut, was charged with the runs.

In the seventh, Portes off the inning with a base hit to right and moved to third on Mark Dolenc's base hit to center. That set the stage for De Los Santos, who lined a double to center field to knock in Portes and put the Rock Cats on top, 8-7.

Portes added a solo homer in the eighth. Dolenc doubled, stole third, and scored on a single by Tobias Streich for the final run of the game.

Bullock (2-4) came away with the win after striking out three in 2 1/3 scoreless innings. Pat Venditte (1-1) suffered the loss in relief for the Thunder.

The Rock Cats have two games remaining this season - Sunday and Monday afternoon. Both games will start at 1:35 P.M.

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Eastern League Stories from September 4, 2010


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