Rock Cats earn walk off with win

Published on August 19, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - The Rock Cats walked off with a 6-5 win over Erie on a bases loaded walk that capped off a dramatic comeback. The Rock Cats have now won six straight.

The Rock Cats scratched their way back into the game in the bottom of the eighth with three consecutive singles by Felix Molina, Steve Tolleson, and Dustin Martin, with Martin's line drive to center field scoring Molina. Danny Valencia added an RBI single to cut the Seawolves lead to one, 5-4.

In the ninth, Brian Dinkleman reached base on a one-out single and scored on Molina's single to tie the game, 5-5. Erie's Rudy Darrow then intentionally walked both Tolleson and Martin to load the bases. David Winfree forced Darrow into another walk, this time unintentional, that scored Molina from third to give the Rock Cats the win.

Erie struck first with a solo homer by Santo De Leon in the second inning. Wilkin Ramirez added an RBI double to put the Seawolves ahead, 2-0.

The Rock Cats answered back in the fifth inning. Danny Berg, who started his first game for the Rock Cats since being promoted from Ft. Myers, led off with a walk. Toby Gardenhire followed with a single. Both runners moved up to scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Rodolfo Palacios. Berg scored on a ground out by Brian Dinkleman to cut the lead, 2-1. Matt Tolbert then reached base on a fielding error by shortstop William Rhymes that allowed Gardenhire to score and tie the game.

The Seawolves went on to score one run in each of the next three innings - including RBI singles by Jeff Frazier and James Skelton - to regain the lead, 5-2.

Zach Ward (4-6, 4.02) picked up the win with two scoreless innings in relief.

Josh Rainwater limited the Rock Cats to three earned runs on six hits through seven innings, but came away with the no-decision. Darrow (1-1) suffered the loss for Erie after allowing two runs in the ninth.

Tolbert, a former Rock Cat who is with the team as part of a Major League rehab assignment, finished the game 1-for-3. He led off the first inning with a single to center field and stole second base, but was later thrown out attempting to swipe third.

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Eastern League Stories from August 19, 2008


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