Smith Tosses Seven Shutout Frames for Third Win
August 24, 2011 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Norwich Sea Unicorns News Release
ABERDEEN, MD - Behind yet another strong outing from Brennan Smith the Connecticut Tigers took down the Abderdeen IronBirds 4-2 on Wednesday night at Ripken Stadium.
The Tigers struck early, as Eugenio Suarez, the second batter of the game crushed a pitch from IronBirds starter Matt Hobgood over the left field fence for a solo homer, his fifth long ball of the season.
It was Suarez again starting a rally in the third inning, leading it off with a base hit. Tyler Collins followed with an RBI triple and Collins scored on a wild pitch from Hobgood, giving the Tigers a 3-0 lead.
The IronBirds threatened in the eighth. Nick Avila came out of the bullpen in relief of starter Brennan Smith and got two quick outs. Martin Serrata then slapped a base hit, Mychal Givens drew a walk and Joe Velleggia smashed a two-run double off the left field wall, only feet away from a homer that would of tied the game. The double though brought Aberdeen within a run, as they trailed 3-2 going into the ninth.
The Tigers added an insurance run in the ninth on a Chad Wright RBI single, scoring Jeff Holm, who led off the inning by drawing a walk.
Smith tossed seven five-hit innings, completing his third consecutive start with seven shutout frames, to earn his third win of the season. He has not allowed a run in 21 consecutive innings.
Hobgood pitched a season-high five innings, giving up three runs on six hits, but suffered his sixth loss of the year. Melvin Mercedes pick up his third save of the season.
Suarez finished the game 3-for-5 and just a double shy of hitting for the cycle, while Collins went 2-for-4 in the victory.
The Tigers will finish a three-game series in Aberdeen tomorrow night with the sixth game in a row against the IronBirds. First pitch is set for 7:05 PM.
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