MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com-NORWICH, CT- With their backs up against the wall and a potential sweep on the brink, Connecticut (29-24) responded with an 8-4 win over New Britain to salvage a lone win in the four game series Thursday afternoon in front of a crowd of 4,026 at Dodd Stadium. 

 

Brett Pill's solo homerun in the seventh inning over the left field wall put the Defenders up 5-4 on the Rock Cats.  Eddy Martinez-Esteve added two more with a double followed by Brock Bond's RBI double capping off four unanswered runs.

 

The Rock Cats cracked the scoreboard first against top prospect LHP-Madison Bumgarner in the top of second inning with back to back singles by DH-Whit Robbins and C- Wilson Ramos.  A walk issued by Bumgarner to RF-Juan Portes loaded the bases for New Britain.  LF-Matt Moses would drive in the first run of the game on fielder's choice, and then 2B-Toby Gardenhire would increase the lead to 2-0 with an RBI single.
ADVERTISEMENT

 

Connecticut would answer with two runs of their own in the bottom of the third inning.  LF-Mike Mooney lead off with a single and then C-Jackson Williams drew a walk, allowing 2B-Brock Bond to lay down a sacrifice bunt moving the runners into scoring position.  CF-Mike McBryde delivered a big RBI single to cut the lead in half at 2-1.  DH- Brad Boyer then drove in the second run of the inning on a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 2.

 

The Defenders took the lead adding single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, a two-out RBI single by Brock Bond in the fourth inning to score RF-Eddy Martinez-Esteve.  In the fifth, 3B-Sharlon Schoop hit a soft ground ball down the third base line and legged it out for an RBI infield single giving the Defenders a 4-2 advantage.

 

In the sixth Rock Cats' Juan Portes hit a game tying two run homerun over the left field wall.

 

In a game where Madison Bumgarner didn't have his best stuff, the lefty allowed four runs over six innings, striking out five in the no decision.  New Britain's RHP- Jay Rainville went 4.2 innings allowing four runs on seven base hits.

 

Defenders' reliever, RHP-Waldis Joaquin (1-3) picked up his first win of the season in relief of Bumgarner as RHP-Zach Ward (2-2) suffered the loss. 

 

Connecticut will travel to Binghamton for a short four game road trip over the weekend.  Friday Night's first pitch will be at 6:35pm. The Defenders drop their first series dating back to Reading in the beginning of May (2-1).

 

The Defenders hit the road tomorrow for a four game set versus the Binghamton Mets (NY Mets). Fans can catch all the action on the Defenders Radio Network or online at ctdefenders.com.

Box Score

Are You an Insider Yet?
SZ Insider. A look ahead into the big player feature, the big story, tips, rumors, and special opportunities for collectibles and memorabilia only available for our insiders. Free monthly to your e-mailbox. Click the link to subscribe to this FREE newsletter!