Defenders, RockCart split. Defenders behind the

pitching of James Garcia (see pic) take the opener 1-0. Billy Sadler gets the final two outs for his second save in as many days and 12th on the season. In the nightcap the RockCats scratched a run in the top of the 7th for a 2-1 victory. R.D. Spiehs took the loss.
The trio of McMains, Buscher and Horwitz accounted for both the Defenders runs in almost identical fashion. In the first game D-Mac was HBP, moved to third on a single by Buscher and came home on a single by Horwitz (see pic) for the only run of the game for both teams. Those were two of only three Defenders hits in Game one; the other an opposite field double by Nate Schierholtz.
Travis Ishikawa continues to show a nice fielding touch while his struggles at the plate continue. He started a nifty 3 to 2 DP in the top of the first to keep the RockCats off the board. The RockCat runner tried to dance around catcher Andy Busch at the plate to avoid the tag which looked pretty funny and the play got some smiles after in the Defenders dugout (see pic). The victory was the fourth in a row for the Defenders. Garcia pitched well again and goes to 2-1 with the Defenders.
In Game two Jason Waddell made the spot start giving up an unearned run in the top of the first in his three innings of work. Oscar Montero went two innings and escaped a bases loaded no outs jam in the fourth. Spiels record drops to 3-1.
The Defenders only run of this game basically came the same way with D-Mac walking instead of being HBP.
Misc fan notes; Andy Busch (2 for 30 this season) caught both games with Munhall out. Brian was up on the concourse with his foot in a protective cast between games. Hope the Defs get another catcher soon--return of the immortal one Steve Holm????
Small crowd for a Saturday with SailFest and fireworks in New London