Rock Cats on Wrong End of Blowout

Published on July 27, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


NEW BRITAIN, CT - Toronto's highly-touted pitching prospect Deck McGuire was impressive in his Eastern League debut with New Hampshire as he went the distance and he received plenty of run support as the Fisher Cats hammered the Rock Cats, 17-3 in the seven-inning nightcap of Wednesday's Day-Night doubleheader. The Rock Cats drew a sellout crowd of 6,844, the second capacity-filled crowd of the day and 18th of the season.

McGuire, who was selected out of Georgia Tech by Toronto with the 11th overall pick in the first round of the 2010 Draft, continued his success in his first professional season. The 22-year-old went 7-4 with a 2.75 ERA in 19 games for Dunedin in the Florida State League before his promotion to New Hampshire.

McGuire (1-0), who is ranked as the third-best prospect in the Blue Jays' system according to Baseball America, scattered nine hits while limiting the Rock Cats to three runs in a seven-inning complete game. He struck out six.

In his first inning of work, McGuire ran into a bit of trouble. Brian Dozier greeted the rookie with a sharply hit single to center field before Mike Hollimon drew a four-pitch walk. Joe Benson - who was coming off a big game in the day portion of the doubleheader - flew out to center for the first out of the inning. McGuire then walked Parmelee to load the bases with one out. McGuire showed resilience by striking out Evan Bigley and Nathan Hanson to escape the jam.

From that point on, McGuire received all the run support he needed as the Fisher Cats exploded for 11 runs over the next two innings. In the second, Mark Sobolewski led off with a base hit to center off Rock Cats starter Bobby Lanigan and moved to second on a fielding error by Mark Dolenc. Sobolewski, a New Haven native, scored on a double by John Tolisano. Callix Crabbe reached on a fielding error by Hollimon at second base before Jonathan Diaz knocked in two runs with a double to right field for the 3-0 lead. Adeiny Hechavarria added an RBI single in the inning.

The Fisher Cats continued the hitting barrage against Lanigan in the third with a seven-run inning. Sobolewski started the scoring off with a solo homer to left field. The Fisher Cats had eight hits in the inning, highlighted by a two-run triple by Anthony Gose. Moises Sierra, who led off the inning, delivered an RBI single in his second at-bat of the inning. Sobolewski followed with a double that forced manager Jeff Smith to turn to his bullpen to stop the bleeding.  Spencer Steedley took over on the mound and forced a fly out to end the inning with the Fisher Cats ahead, 11-0.

The Rock Cats got on the board in the third inning. Dozier singled to open the frame and came around to score on a ground out by Parmelee. Jair Fernandez added an RBI single in the fourth that scored Hanson, who led off the inning with a double.

Steedley tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief for the Rock Cats. In an effort to save the bullpen, the Rock Cats turned to 5'3" infielder Chris Cates in the sixth inning. In his second pitching appearance this season, Cates dished up four hits and walked two. He was struck for six runs with the biggest blow coming on a grand slam by Travis d'Arnaud. Cates did strike out two batters, including getting Sobolewski swinging to end the inning. Cates returned to the mound in the seventh and put up a zero in the run column.

The Fisher Cats finished the night with 19 hits, led by Sobolewski's four-hit performance. Every batter in the starting lineup had at least one hit with five players turning in multi-hit games. D'Arnaud (5 RBI), Hechavarria and Mike McDade all had three hits apiece.

Lanigan (6-8) suffered the loss after allowing 11 runs - six earned - on 14 hits. He faced 24 batters in just 2 2/3 innings.

 

OF NOTE: The Rock Cats and Fisher Cats split the four-game series, 2-2...New Britain Stadium was filled to capacity for both games on Wednesday for a total attendance of 13,045, a new franchise record for a Day-Night doubleheader...The Rock Cats announced two transactions - RHP David Bromberg has been added to the roster and LHP Andrew Albers was reassigned to Ft. Myers.

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Eastern League Stories from July 27, 2011


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