Rock Cats Open Thier Fifth Homestand with Victory

Published on June 9, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - Whit Robbins had three hits for the second consecutive night and Jeff Manship tossed seven solid innings as the Rock Cats downed Altoona, 7-2 on Tuesday night.

Robbins, who is batting .486 in his last 10 games, went a perfect 3-for-3 and scored two runs for the Rock Cats.

The Rock Cats jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second when Robbins led off with a double to right field and Wilson Ramos followed with a single that got by shortstop Brian Friday. Erik Lis continued the offensive attack with a double to center that scored Robbins for the 1-0 advantage. A fielding error by Friday allowed Ramos to score and Juan Portes to reach first. Lis came around to score the third run of the inning when Matt Moses grounded into a double play.

Ramos and Robbins continued with their hot hitting in the third, with Robbins reaching on a two-out single to right field and Ramos delivering a double to left field to knock in Robbins.

The Curve finally got to Rock Cats starter Jeff Manship in the top of the fourth, with a leadoff double by Jim Negrych and a one-out triple by Jeff Corsaletti.

The Rock Cats answered back with another three-run inning in the bottom of the fourth. Portes started things off with a single and a stolen base before Moses launched a home run to left field. Brian Dinkelman added a sacrifice fly that scored Yancarlos Ortiz, who reached base on a double.

Mike Crotta (3-3) labored through four innings, surrendering seven runs on eight hits.

Manship (5-4) limited the Curve to two runs and five hits while striking out four in seven innings. Yohan Pino tossed a perfect eight and Anthony Slama shut the door in the ninth by retiring the only three batters he faced.

Draft News: The Minnesota Twins selected RHP Kyle Gibson out of the University of Missouri in the first round (22nd overall) of the draft on Tuesday night. The 6', 6," 210-lb. pitcher is described on MLB.com as having "three pitches he can throw for strikes in any count and he shows a lot of poise and a competitive streak on the mound." With the selection of the 21-year-old junior right-hander, the Twins snapped a three-year streak of selecting outfielders with their first draft pick. Minnesota also has a compensation draft pick (46th overall) in the supplemental first round and hold the 21st pick (70th overall) in the second round.

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Eastern League Stories from June 9, 2009


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