Strong Pitching and Early Runs Power Rock Cats to Victory; Win 7-2

Published on May 20, 2014 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - The Rock Cats defeated the Richmond Flying Squirrels by a final score of 7-2 on Monday evening at New Britain Stadium.

The star of the night was Rock Cats starter LHP Sean Gilmartin, who kept the opposition guessing all game long. Sean went a season high eight innings, mixing his pitches well and combining with C Kyle Knudson for nine strikeouts.

The home club started the hit parade in the first inning to give LHP Sean Gilmartin an early cushion, picking up three runs on four hits off of Richmond starter LHP Adalberto Mejia. The Cats led off with three straight hits, latter of which was an RBI single from 3B Nate Hanson. 1B Kennys Vargas drove in 2B Tony Thomas with a sacrifice fly out to deep center and finally it was an RBI double cracked by LF Daniel Ortiz that brought RF Reynaldo Rodriguez across the plate, making it 3-0 in favor of New Britain.

Richmond responded with two of their own in the second to cut into the Rock Cats lead. C Myles Schroder tapped a grounder that was fielded by Gilmartin and while the pitcher ran the ball over the first, it allowed 3B Mario Lisson to scamper in from third. 1B Ricky Oropesa followed with a sacrifice fly out to center to bring DH Angel Villalona in and cut the deficit down to one.

Ortiz came through again in the bottom half of the third with another two-out RBI double, scoring Thomas who led off the frame with a single and also stole second.

New Britain increased their lead by two in the bottom of the fifth, seeing Vargas collect his second RBI on the night with a single that brought home Thomas for his third run of the night. Hanson came home on a double play ball hit by Rodriguez, giving the home club a 6-2 edge.

CF Corey Wimberly, who scored the first Rock Cats run of the night, slapped a double down the line to score SS A.J. Pettersen in the bottom of the eighth, giving New Britain their final run of the night.

Gilmartin pitched very well en route to his fourth win of 2014 (4-2 overall), striking out nine over eight innings, tying a season-high. The lefthander allowed just two runs on four hits while allowing no walks. RHP Lester Oliveros threw a scoreless ninth to close out the win.

Mejia lasted only four innings before being relieved by RHP Austin Fleet, who went the rest of the way. The 20-year old starter was reached for six runs, five earned, on eight hits while walking two and striking out four. His record falls to 1-4.

For the second time in as many nights, it will be a battle of the southpaws as the Rock Cats send LHP Pat Dean to square off against Richmond starter LHP Kelvin Marte.

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Eastern League Stories from May 20, 2014


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