Connecticut wins 5-2 over New Britain tonight...

in a game I didn't think they would get in as it rained most of the day. I got to the park in the bottom of the second with the Defs behind 1-0. A Travis Ishikawa walk, a single by Simon Klink and a Jake Wald RBI double would tie the score and then Trey Webb hit a grounder to the first baseman who threw to former Defender pitcher Jesse Floyd covering first. Floyd looked for the bag before getting the ball and dropped the throw allowing both runners to score for a 3-1 Defender lead.

The RockCats would come back the next inning and get a run back on a Brian Buscher RBI groundout; his second RBI of the game as he continues to haunt his old team mates this season.

Brook McNiven took over in relief in the sixth from starter Darren Sack (5 IP, 5 H, 2 unearned runs, 3 Ks) and pitched 2 shut out innings. In the bottom of the sixth after a Brian Horwitz walk, Travis Ishikawa hit a two run homer for a 5-2 Connecticut lead. Alex Hinshaw came on and pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Brian Anderson came on in the ninth to close. He made it interesting loading up the bases with one out on a walk, single and another walk before getting a stikeout for the second out and a grounder fot the final out and his third save so far.

Misc fan notes: The game started 15 minutes late because of conditions. Small crowd maybe 750 but loud, alot of kids on hand because of Friday fireworks. Fireworks were rained out so everyone in the park got a free ticket to another Friday Firework game for anytime in the 2007 season. Class move by the front office.

Pat Dobson started his first game in the outfield patrolling center field and looked OK. Travis' HR was the first at home for the Defenders this season--a solid shot to right field. This was the first time I've seen McNiven pitch; he has nice stuff. Klink's hitting streak continues; I'm beginning to like him. Def manager Dave Mac, coaching in the third base box, and former Navigator/Defender 3B Brian Buscher had a running conversion all game.
Anderson is scary as a closer.