Rock Cats Edge Thunder, 5-4

Published on June 26, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


NEW BRITAIN, CT - New Britain's Oswaldo Arcia slugged his first career Double-A home run and Aaron Hicks added three hits to lead the Rock Cats to a 5-4 victory over first-place Trenton on Tuesday night. The Rock Cats have now won six-straight and are now just two games behind the Thunder.

"There were a lot of strikes thrown by both teams. Kind of back and forth there that first five innings," said Rock Cats manager Jeff Smith.

It was the Thunder who struck first when Damon Sublett led off the game with a double. Rock Cats starter Aaron Thompson managed to force two consecutive groundouts before plunking Melky Mesa with a pitch. Luke Murton then knocked in Sublett with a single to left field.

In the bottom of the inning, the Rock Cats answered back. Hicks delivered a leadoff base hit into right field but was called out at second on a stolen base attempt. Chris Herrmann followed with a walk before Arcia - in his first at-bat in New Britain Stadium - muscled a shot over the right field wall for the 2-1 lead.

The Thunder regained the lead in the third. Murton's RBI single tied the game before Addison Maruszak scored Mesa with a sacrifice fly to center. Once again, the Rock Cats retaliated in the bottom of the inning. Hicks led off with a triple before scoring on a two-out base hit by Chris Colabello for the 3-3 tie.

The `Cats went ahead for the second time of the night in the fourth. Deibinson Romero and Matt Rizzotti opened the inning with consecutive singles before Nate Hanson grounded into a force out that left runners on the corners with one out. A wild pitch by Adam Miller allowed Romero to cross the plate for the go-ahead run. Hicks then laced a single into right to score Hanson for the 5-3 advantage.

Zoilo Almonte hit an 0-2 pitch over the left field wall for a solo homerun for the Thunder in the fifth.

Thompson (2-2) finished with eight hits for four runs in 6 2/3 innings. Dakota Watts added 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief before Bruce Pugh struck out two in the ninth to notch his third save.

"The bullpen nailed it down at the end there," said Smith. "Watts and Pugh were fantastic."

Miller (0-3) surrendered five runs on eight hits in just four innings.

OF NOTE: The Rock Cats received RHP Dakota Watts from High-A Ft. Myers todaypitcher Luis Perdomo was promoted to Triple-A Rochester.

ALLSTATE PLAYER OF THE GAME : RF Oswaldo Arcia went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer - his first in Double-A.

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Eastern League Stories from June 26, 2012


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