Rock Cats See Winning Streak Snapped

Published on April 17, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


NEW BRITAIN, CT - Australian native Liam Hendriks made his much anticipated New Britain Stadium debut, but one shaky inning proved to be costly as Portland downed the Rock Cats, 11-6 on Sunday afternoon. The loss snapped a six-game win streak for the `Cats.

The Rock Cats got on the board first when Joe Benson drew a leadoff walk to open the second inning, moved to second on a base hit by Mark Dolenc, and scored on Mike Hollimon's infield grounder that forced Dolenc out at second base.

The lead didn't last long, though, as the wheels fell off for Hendriks, who is rated the sixth-best prospect in the Minnesota system, in the third. Ryan Dent started the scoring spree with a one out double to right field. Mitch Dening followed with a base hit to center that plated Dent to tie the game. Hendriks then hit the next batter before Alex Hassan lined a two-run double into left field for the 3-1 lead. Ryan Lavarnway added a two-run homer to put the Sea Dogs ahead by four runs.

Ray Chang drew the Rock Cats closer with an RBI single in the bottom of the third. In the fourth, Benson led off with a triple and scored on Dolenc's grounder back to the pitcher to close the gap, 5-3.

Hendriks (0-1) finished the game with five runs - all coming in the third inning - on five hits through five innings. He struck out four while walking none. Hendriks was replaced in the sixth inning by Brett Jacobson, who allowed a homer to the first batter he faced, Tim Federowicz. The Sea Dogs scored twice more against Jacobson in the sixth, including an RBI single by Oscar Tejeda.

Chris Parmelee delivered a solo home run - his first of the season - in the bottom of the sixth. In the following inning, the Rock Cats continued to claw back. Steve Singleton lined a one-out single into center field and moved to third on a Solarte double. Chang then launched a sacrifice fly to right field that scored Singleton. Parmelee added an RBI single to bring the `Cats within two runs.

The Sea Dogs struck for three more runs in the top of the ninth to secure the victory. Dening started the scoring in the final frame with a home run - his first of the season - off Santos Arias.

Stephen Fife (2-0) limited the Rock Cats to three runs and six hits in five innings of work. Hassan led the Sea Dogs with three hits and three RBI.

OF NOTE: UConn product and Danbury native Michael Tarsi made his New Britain Stadium debut on Sunday. He fired a scoreless eighth inning, allowing one hit, in his third appearance overall this season.

ALL-STATE PLAYER OF THE GAME: Rock Cats 1B Chris Parmelee finished the game with three hits and two RBI, including his first home run of the season - a solo shot in the sixth inning.

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Eastern League Stories from April 17, 2011


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