Rock Cats Ride Five-Run Inning for Comeback Win; Defeat Richmond 5-3

Published on May 2, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - The New Britain Rock Cats came back to win a wild one on Saturday evening, a 5-3 come from behind victory against Richmond at New Britain Stadium. Down 3-0, the Rock Cats reeled off five runs in the seventh inning to overtake a lead they would not relinquish.

The Cats' were threatening in the bottom of the first, loading the bases with two outs after SS Trevor Story and CF Noel Cuevas hit back-to-back singles and 1B Will Swanner drew a four-pitch walk from LHP Matt Lujan. The southpaw jammed 3B Jayson Langfels in on the hands and was able to induce the 4-3 groundout to squash the rally.

Both Lujan and New Britain starter RHP Shane Carle swapped scoreless frames until RF Mac Williamson sent a 0-1 offering high over the wall in left-center for a three-run home run. 2B Blake Miller and 3B Mitch Delfino led off the top of the fifth with back-to-back singles and Williamson's drive put Richmond ahead 3-0.

New Britain broke up the visitors' shutout bid in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI double by 2B Pat Valaika, scoring C Jan Vazquez, who was making his 2015 debut. The backstop scored all the way from first on Valaika's drive off of Richmond reliever RHP Stephen Johnson.

The Rock Cats would continue to surge in the seventh. SS Trevor Story worked a walk to load the bases against RHP Tyler Rogers, who then gave the ball over to RHP Jose Casilla. Casilla allowed an infield single to CF Noel Cuevas, scoring Valaika. A two-run single from RF Tyler Massey erased the deficit and gave New Britain a 4-3 lead. Cuevas scored the very next play on a hit to 3B Mitch Delfino, who threw the ball into right field, allowing the centerfielder to cross the plate.

Carle had been scattering hits all evening - nine through 4 1/3 innings - without any damage before the fifth inning home run. The right-hander also walked two and struck out four before leaving down by three. RHP Justin Miller earned the win in relief, improving to 1-1 on the year and RHP Austin House converted his eighth save in nine opportunities.

The Flying Squirrels received six solid innings from Lujan but it would be spoiled in the bullpen's losing effort. RHP Tyler Rogers falls to 0-1 as he was charged with the winning run in the big home seventh.

New Britain looks to complete the sweep on Sunday afternoon. LHP Yohan Flande will be on the mound for the Rock Cats and squares off against RHP Joe Biagini who gets the call for Richmond. First pitch is slated for 1:35 p.m.

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Eastern League Stories from May 2, 2015


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