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.

PLENTY LEFT TO PLAY FOR

New Britain's 12-5 victory over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Tuesday proved that the team has no intention of yielding no matter how long the odds of making the postseason.

Manager Riccardo Ingram had a heart-to-heart with his youthful legions upon their arrival home from a 2-4 road trip to remind them that the season isn’t over and every game can have its rewards.

“We said it’s gonna take a lot for us to have a shot at getting to the playoffs,” Ingram said. “The only thing we can do is take care of what we need to take care of.”

The Rock Cats entered Wednesday’s game in fourth place, 2 ½ games behind New Hampshire and six in back of the Portland Sea Dogs, who currently hold the second of the Northern Division’s two playoff spots behind the Trenton Thunder.

“These are the last 30 games and these are the last impressions you’re going to leave in the staff’s eyes and all the evaluators who are going to come through,” Ingram said. “We’ve got to play all nine innings, not give away at-bats and I think we showed that (Tuesday).”

Ingram stressed that a player can make or break his season in the final 30 games. A hot streak can jump .280 to .300. Laxity can reduce prospects to suspects.

“There’s a lot left to this season and we’ve got to keep playing hard,” he said. “Don’t let these games, at-bats and innings get away. It can cause your season to be a bad one, or if you’re having a mediocre season you can have a good one. Don’t let it get down to the last week and think about how you gave away at-bats or innings.”

Left fielder Garrett Guzman, for example, used a 3-for-5 night to catapult his season average to .305. Combine that with his 13 home runs and team-best 71 RBI and there will be little doubt that he belongs in Triple-A next season. With the advent of a late-season slump comes questions.

Among pitchers with plenty at stake is Anthony Swarzak. His season eroded by a 50-game suspension, The 6’3, 195-pound right-hander from Fort Lauderdale, has raised eyebrows by going 3-2 with a 2.94 ERA since returning to New Britain in late June.

Closer Tim Lahey has come a long way in his transitioning from catcher to pitcher. Through May 6, he was 0-0 with one save and a 6.00 ERA. Since July 1, the native of Worcester, Mass., has eight saves in 10 chances and a sparkling 0.82 ERA.

Most will agree that he has what it takes to compete in the major leagues and he’ll want to reduce that ERA (3.06) a bit to further such thought.

Ingram reminded them that they all have something to play for. If Tuesday was any indication, they’re listening.