Saturday, August 18, 2007

CATS SWEEP 7th DOUBLEHEADER

PORTLAND, Me. – The New Britain Rock Cats just love to work overtime.

The Rock Cats kept their faint playoff hopes flickering by sweeping their seventh doubleheader of the season Saturday by whipping the Portland Sea Dogs, 8-1 and 6-3, before 7,368 at Hadlock Field.

The Rock Cats (58-63) remain in fourth place, five games out of the Northern Division’s last playoff spot currently held by second-place Portland (64-59). The teams still have six games remaining including the series finale Sunday at 1 p.m.

Minnesota Twins left-hander Glen Perkins made a rehab start in the first game and gave up a run in 2 1/3 innings. Felix Molina drew New Britain even in the second inning with an RBI single.

The Rock Cats took the lead for good in the fourth inning. David Winfree singled and took second on a walk to Rashad Eldridge. Molina sacrificed the runners forward, Brandon Roberts lifted a sacrifice fly and Trevor Plouffe lashed an RBI single.

Drew Butera drilled a two-run triple in the sixth. The Rock Cats added three in the seventh on an RBI single by Molina and consecutive bases-loaded walks. Portland manager Arnie Beyeler was ejected in the inning.

Tristan Crawford (7-5) pitched 2 1/3 innings to gain the win. Jose Mijares tossed the final 2 1/3 frames.

The Rock Cats also trailed by a run early in the nightcap when a double by Kyle Geiger, bunt single by Roberts and RBI hit by Plouffe tied it up. A home run by Molina – his eighth of the season – gave New Britain the lead the next inning.

New Britain put it away against former Cat outfielder John Barnes, who is back in Double A with Portland as a knuckleball pitcher.

Brock Peterson, who went 5-for-8 in the twinbill, ignited the two-run rally with a single. Matt Moses had an RBI single. Barnes’ knuckleball led to two passed balls that allowed runs to score.
Armando Gabino (2-0) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of Josh Hill. Gabino has not allowed a run in three appearances (5 innings) since his promotion from Class A.

Peterson is now 15-for-34 (.441) since coming back from a shoulder injury Aug. 8.
Barnes (1-1) took the loss for Portland.

Perkins is slated to get another rehab start at home Thursday against the Connecticut Defenders.

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