Rock Cats' Duffey Strikes out 8 in Victory

Published on July 14, 2014 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - The Rock Cats ended the first half of the regular season on a winning note - receiving great pitching and a ten-hit outpouring en route to a 3-2 victory over the Reading Fightin' Phils.

New Britain starter RHP Tyler Duffey recorded a season-high eight strikeouts while improving his record to 5-2.

The game was scoreless after two innings of play until Reading LF Peter Lavin lifted a sacrifice fly out to left field, deep enough for RF Zack Collier to come home from third. Collier was issued a free pass from Rock Cats starter RHP Tyler Duffey when he led off in the top of the third.

New Britain's bats came alive in the bottom of the fifth as they hung three runs on Reading starter LHP Adam Loewen. LF Mike Kvasnicka started the scoring when he pulled a double down the left field line, scoring 2B Stephen Wickens, who reached on a fielder's choice when he pushed a bunt down the first base line. C Kyle Knudson scored on a groundball from RF Aaron Hicks that was misplayed by SS KC Serna and third run came on a sacrifice fly to deep center that allowed Hicks to make it a 3-1 game for the Cats'

In the top of the sixth and a runner on first, Collier placed a wall-ball triple over Hicks' head, scoring CF Aaron Altherr and pulled Reading within one.

Duffey was outstanding in 7 1/3 innings of work - allowing two runs, one earned, on three hits while walking one and striking out eight Reading batters.

Rock Cats relievers LHP Ryan O'Rourke and RHP Cole Johnson combined on 1 2/3 scoreless innings. O'Rourke earned his fifth hold and Johnson records his sixth save of 2014.

The Rock Cats a few days off with the Eastern League All-Star game taking place in Altoona, PA. Five players will be representing New Britain - RHP Cole Johnson, LHP Taylor Rogers, IF/OF Reynaldo Rodriguez, SS/2B Tony Thomas and 1B Kennys Vargas. Regular season play picks up once again on July 17th on the road against Reading.

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Eastern League Stories from July 14, 2014


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