Rock Cats Split Doubleheader with New Hampshire

Published on May 25, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


(Game 1) NEW BRITAIN, CT - The Rock Cats rallied in the final inning as they scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh but fell short to New Hampshire, 7-5 in the opening game of Tuesday night's double header.

In the bottom of the seventh, Juan Portes opened the inning with a single and Rene Tosoni followed with a two-run homer to right field to put the Rock Cats on the board, 7-2. Catcher Jair Fernandez, who was called up earlier in the day, doubled to center before Steve Singleton delivered the second two-run homer of the inning to bring the Rock Cats within three runs. Yancarlos Ortiz then reached base on a walk that knocked Fisher Cats starter Luis Perez out of the game. Trystan Magnuson came on in relief and forced Brandon Roberts to fly out to center and struck out Mark Dolenc for two quick outs. Yangervis Solarte kept the rally alive with a base hit to right. Erik Lis then hammered a double into left that scored Ortiz and brought the Rock Cats to within two runs with two men in scoring position. Magnuson forced Juan Portes to pop up to short to end the rally and the game; he notched his second save of the season.

The game started as a battle between Perez and Tyler Robertson, who each put up zeros in the first three innings. Robertson held the Fisher Cats scoreless until the fourth inning. Brad Emaus led off with a base hit to left field, but was retired at second when Robertson forced Shawn Bowman into a double play. Adam Loewen kept the inning alive with a line drive single into left field and then stole second base to put himself into scoring position. David Cooper knocked Loewen in with a double to right before Jonathan Jaspe followed with an RBI single for a 2-0 advantage.

The wheels fell off for Roberston in the fifth when he allowed five hits and five runs, highlighted by a grand slam by David Cooper. Jaspe added an RBI double. Robertson (0-4) finished with 11 hits and seven runs and three walks. He struck out four.

Perez (5-3) allowed five runs on six hits in six innings.

(Game 2) NEW BRITAIN, CT - Ben Revere scorched a grounder to short with the bases loaded and the game tied and the ball was bobbled by New Hampshire's shortstop Manny Mayorson. The error allowed Steve Singleton to score the winning run from third as the Rock Cats downed the first-place New Hampshire Fisher Cats, 2-1 in the nightcap of Tuesday night's doubleheader.

The Rock Cats took a 1-0 lead into the top of the seventh and final inning. The first run of the game came courtesy of Yangervis Solarte's single that scored Rene Tosoni in the fourth inning.

The slim lead appeared to be enough as Kyle Gibson took the mound for the first time at New Britain Stadium - and just his third start in a Rock Cats' uniform - and lived up to his billing as he held New Hampshire scoreless through the first six innings. The Fisher Cats managed to finally get on the board in the seventh, though. With two outs and one runner on base, Mayorson dropped a single into center field that scored pinch-runner Darin Mastroianni and tied the game. Gibson unleashed a wild pitch before striking out the final batter to end the inning.

In the bottom of the seventh, the hot-hitting Singleton led off with a single. Jair Fernandez then dropped a sacrifice bunt in front of home plate and reached first safely after a throwing error by pitcher Boomer Potts. New Hampshire manager Luis Rivera argued the call and was ejected from the game. Potts (0-1) then intentionally walked pinch-hitter Juan Portes to load the bases for Revere. Mayorson mishandled the ball off Revere's bat and was charged with an error as the winning run crossed the plate.

Gibson (3-0) picked up the win after scattering seven hits and striking out four in a seven-inning complete game.

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Eastern League Stories from May 25, 2010


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