Tazawa six shutout frames â LF Aaron Bates 2-for-4, RBI
Published on May 22, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Portland Sea Dogs News Release
(Portland, ME) - The Connecticut Defenders (23-18) used a 3-run seventh inning to beat the Portland Sea Dogs (20-20) 3-2 on a Fireworks-Friday night at Hadlock Field in front of 7,175 fans. Portland has dropped 7 of 12 to Connecticut this season and trails the Defenders by 2.5 games in the Eastern League's Northern Division.
Portland starter RHP Junichi Tazawa hurled six terrific innings and left the game with a 2-0 lead after six innings. Tazawa took a no-decision, allowing three hits, walking two and fanning five. In the sixth inning, Connecticut loaded the bases with one out but Tazawa retired DH Eddy Martinez-Esteve and fanned 1B Brett Pill on a 3-2 breaking-ball.
The Defenders scored all three runs off losing pitcher RHP Chris Province (2-4) in the top of the 7th inning. Tyler LaTorre knocked in the first run with a pinch-hit single, which sent CF Mike McBryde to third base. 2B Brock Bond hit into what appeared to be a 4-6-3 double play but 1B Lars Anderson could not pick the throw from SS Argenis Diaz, allowing McBryde to score the tying run. 3B Brad Boyer (3-for-5) delivered the game-winning hit, smacking a run-scoring double down the right-field line.
LHP Ben Snyder (3-1) relieved starter RHP Jesse Foppert and worked 3.2 scoreless frames on two hits and four strikeouts to earn the win. LHP Joe Patterson pitched a perfect ninth inning to convert his third save in as many opportunities.
Portland LF Aaron Bates (2-for-4, RBI) knocked in the game's first run with a 2-out, RBI single in the first inning. C Mark Wagner (1-for3, RBI) gave Portland a 2-0 lead with a sacrifice-fly in the fifth inning. The âDogs did not have more than one hit in any inning.
The two teams are in action tomorrow afternoon with a 1:00 PM start at Hadlock Field. RHP Blake Maxwell (0-3, 9.12) will take on LHP Madison Bumgarner (2-0, 0.75), the top prospect in the Giants Organization according to Baseball America. Catch all the action on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network beginning at 12:35 PM with the CorrectDeck Pre-Game. Tickets for Sea Dogs Baseball can be purchased at www.seadogs.com or by calling (207) 879-9500.
Notes...Bates picked up his 12th 2-out RBI this season, tying him with 3B Jorge Jimenez for the team lead...Tazawa has four quality starts out of nine appearances this season...RHP Chad Rhodes pitched a perfect ninth and has not allowed a run in 6 of 7 appearances.
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