Rock Cats Split Doubleheader; Win Game One 1-0, Drop Nightcap 2-1

Published on June 29, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - The New Britain Rock Cats split Monday evening's doubleheader with the visiting Richmond Flying Squirrels - coming away with a 1-0 win in game one, which was the continuation of Saturday's suspended contest, and dropped game two by the count of 2-1.

Both of Saturday's starters had worked quickly and efficiently - battling through a steady drizzle all evening. LHP Matt Lujan worked three perfect innings for visiting Richmond while Rock Cats starter RHP Shane Carle allowed a first-inning walk over three scoreless frames. Unfortunately the rain would continue to fall and the game was ultimately suspended with no outs in the top of the fourth.

Monday evening's first game saw both teams pick up where they left off and Rock Cats reliever RHP Matt Flemer continued the trend of strong starting pitching. The right hander allowed no runs on four hits while striking out two over five innings of work, improving his record to 4-3. New Britain RHP Carlos Estevez recorded his first save of the season after turning in a scoreless ninth inning.

The only run of the game came on an opposite field single to left by C Tom Murphy, scoring LF Mike Tauchman who singled himself earlier in the frame. Murphy collected his 41st RBI of the year off of RHP Joe Biagini, who falls to 6-5 in the losing effort. The tall righty allowed one run on three hits while walking one and striking out four.

Game Two

The nightcap was also another pitcher's duel, with both Rock Cats starter RHP Ryan Arrowood and Flying Squirrels LHP Adalberto Mejia swapping scoreless frames until New Britain got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth, in the most dramatic of fashions.

With 3B Jayson Langfels aboard on a lead-off double to left field, he was moved over to third on a sacrifice bunt by SS Pat Valaika and then came home on a suicide squeeze play with a perfectly executed bunt by CF Mike Tauchman.

Arrowood allowed no runs on four hits while walking one and striking out two over five innings before giving way to the bullpen. LHP Kraig Sitton recorded a scoreless sixth but Richmond would come up with two in the top of the seventh against Rock Cats closer RHP Austin House. The right hander allowed two runs on three hits, highlighted by a two-run single by SS Rando Moreno with the bases loaded, scoring both 2B Myles Schroder and pinch runner Juan Ciriaco.

Now up 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh, Richmond called upon RHP Derek Law to close out the game. With one out, 2B Juan Ciriaco laced a double down the right field line and was moved to third on a groundout by 1B Dean Espy. With the tying run just 90 feet away, Law struck out C Jan Vazquez to salvage a split for the evening.

House was hit with his fifth blown save and drops to 0-4 on the year. Meija improves to 3-0 while Law converted his first save of the year.

The Cats' welcome a new opponent starting Tuesday, the Reading Fightin' Phils, and send LHP Ryan Carpenter to the hill for the 7:05 p.m. contest. Reading starter RHP Colin Kleven gets the call for the Philadelphia Phillies' Eastern League partner.

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Eastern League Stories from June 29, 2015


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