Three More Homers for Rock Cats; Reading Doubles up New Britain 12-6

Published on July 3, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - The New Britain Rock Cats were outslugged by the Reading Fightin' Phils by the score of 12-6 in front of 5,946 fans at New Britain Stadium on Friday evening.

The fireworks show started early for fans as the Cats' received solo home runs from both 3B Pat Valaika and C Tom Murphy in the bottom half of the first. Reading starter LHP Hoby Milner, who was recently recalled from Single-A Clearwater, allowed a lead-off longball to the infielder Valaika and Murphy followed up two at-bats later with a homer of his own. Both players have now left the park in back-to-back games.

Reading responded with a run of their own in the top of the second, making it a 2-1 contest. CF Drew Heid led off the inning with a wall-ball double to right, advanced to second on a long fly ball by LF Brian Pointer and scored on a single off the bat of 3B Harold Martinez.

New Britain increased their lead to three in the bottom of the second on the back of a sacrifice fly by Valaika and an RBI single by LF Mike Tauchman, only to see the visiting Phils score three in the top of the third to tie the game 4-4. The first three Reading batters of the inning would score, although only one run was earned against Rock Cats starter RHP Shane Carle. C Rene Garcia, CF Drew Heid and LF Brian Pointer all picked up RBIs in the inning that saw eight batters, two hits, two walks and an error.

RF Jeremy Barfield cracked the Rock Cats' third homer of the night in the bottom of the third to give the home club the lead once again. Milner had only given up one home run in 13 games this season coming into Friday night's start.

The Fightin' Phils quickly erased that lead in the top half of the fourth on a two run double by RF Kelly Dugan, pulling Reading ahead 6-5. That would be the last batter of the night for Carle, who was reached for six runs, four earned, on eight hits while walking two and striking out one. The righthander falls to 8-5 on the season.

Five more runs for the visitors in the top of the sixth made it an 11-5 ballgame. LHP Kraig Sitton came on to relief RHP Shane Broyles after the right hander walked back-to-back batters and was welcomed with four straight hits, including three consecutive doubles. Both Heid and Martinez added two more RBIs, giving them three on the night, while Pointer finished with a pair.

Milner also lasted only three innings before giving way to the bullpen. The southpaw allowed five runs, all earned, on seven hits while walking none and striking out one. RHP Colton Murray worked three innings of scoreless relief en route to the victory (1-0).

New Britain heads up to New Hampshire for the three-game holiday weekend series and then moves onto Binghamton for three against the Mets affiliate. RHP Matt Flemer starts on the hill for the Rock Cats while RHP Taylor Cole gets the nod for the Fisher Cats. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m.

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Eastern League Stories from July 3, 2015


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