Happy B-Day Pablo! and welcome back JP!...
as the Defs win a wild one 10-9 at Dodd with the final out at home, tag applied by the B-boy.
I guess everyone was tired having played 5 games in three day plus rain delays sprinkled thru-out as the teams combined for 7 errors (4 for CT and three for the vistors). Portland jumped out with three unearned errors in the first to take a 3-0 lead in this see-saw contest. CT came back with a run in the second on Adam Witter's DP grounder. In the third the Defs scored four times thanks to a pair of SeaDog errors. Kyle Haines singled in one run and Carlos Sosa's ground out produced another. On another 3-2 pitch Pablo, the birthday boy, hit a long homer (#8) off the batter's eye with a runner aboard to make it 5-3 Defenders. Sandoval ended the day going 3 for 3 with four runs scored.
In the top of the fourth Defs starter Dave McKae gave up three runs thanks to a CT error and a BP fastball that Mickey Hall hit out as Portland regained the lead 6-5. In the fifth the SeaDogs would extend the lead to 7-5 as McKae's day was over.
The Defs got a run back in the sixth as Pablo singled and hustled to third on Simon Klink's single. Pablo then came in on Witter's RBI groundout and it was 7-6 Portland.
Paul Oseguera came on for McKae in the the sixth and gave up an unearned run in the seventh as Portland went up 8-6.
Old friend Steve (JP) Palazzolo came on and loaded the bases with two outs before getting the third out. Palazzolo had been promoted to Fresno, injured and is now back with CT.
Connecticut rallied to win with four runs in the 8th. Sosa and Sandoval lead off with singles and Klink walked to load the bases with no outs. Witter then tied the game at 8-8 with a two run RBI single. EME's weak infield groudout brought in Klink with the go ahead run. Kyle Haines then singled in Witter for a much needed insurance run to make it 10-8 Connecticut.
Jason Waddell came on the save the game in the top of the 9th. But waddell loaded the bases with one out before getting a shallow fly ball to right for the second out. Up came the dangerous Zach Daeges who hit a hard smash to shortshop Kyle Haines in the infield hole. One run came in and the SeaDog manager sent home his runner from second to try and score on the deep infield hit. Haines from a kneeling position threw a strike to the birthday boy to get the final out and CT wins 10-9 taking 5 games out of six from the SeaDogs. Wow!
JP gets the win and is now 5-2, Waddell gets a shakey second save of the season. Klink goes three for three. Witter knocks in three runs and Haines brings home a pair. The Defender are now 61-60 on the season in fourth place but just two games out of second place and the playoffs.
Misc fan notes: After 8 games in six days I need a day off. Pablo homer was a shot and a half.
Can't believe there is just one homestand left. Today marked a new season attendance record for your humble blogger as this was my 48th Defenders game breaking the previous high of 47 games in both '06 and '07.
Pics from top the bottom are: the birthday scoreboard salute to Pablo, Pablo's homer and McKae.
posted by greg8370 at 6:13 PM
9 Comments:
Joe Palooka, aka JP, aka Steve Palozzolo is back! Pablocito's HR today was the first I remember off the black in center field. If it didn't hit a wall, it likely would have been 500'.
It would be difficult choosing between Pablocito or Eugenio as the in season addition who had the most influence turning the team in the right direction.
7:44 PM
Pablito is flat-out raking right now.
Head's up: There might be a chance you guys get another infielder soon. This years sandwich pick Conor Gillaspie might get promoted to SJ this week (from the AZL) and they have a glut of infielders already so someone will most likely get bumped to CT.
8:58 PM
This post had me worried because my calendar shows Pablo's birthday on the 11th.
I am relieved after a quick check, Pablo's birthday is tomorrow. I am guessing that they celebrated today because tomorrow is an off day.
Not sure if I have mentioned this before, but I really enjoy your game recaps.
Thanks!
9:04 PM
1.) Pablocito-- power, solid defense, and for a big guy he can move
2.) thanks for the tip servn!
3.) thanks tom!
Travel triva--there is a cahrt on the EL website for distances from one town to another. 555 miles from Norwich to Akron. Mapquest has it as under 10 hours driving time.
From my place in Uncasville mapquest has me going thru NYC over the Tappen Zee but I think it's easier taking I-84 west.
Any thoughts? It's borders on almost 10 hours either way.
12:01 AM
hey guys...it aint over till the fat lady sings...the team is now 2 games out of second...doesnt that mean they are back in the hunt?...with sj assured of a playoff spot (i know they would like the bye, by winning the second half too) isnt it possible that they could send a bat over to assist in the stretch run...i know the org would like to crow about every team except the grizzlies getting into the post...and i do believe that pablo is real, and may very well be on the mlb roster early next season
4:04 AM
Talk about one of the most exciting games of the season and the one I've even seen at Dodd.
10-8 game with 2 outs and Waddy on the mound with bags full. Great play by Haines to stop it on a dive and throw from one knee to get the 2nd runner trying to score. 10-9 win
Side note- only the 2nd win for the team after trailing after 7 innings this year. I believe the were 1-51.
12:02 PM
Think I'd go the Tappan Zee route and pick up the Pa Tpke off of the NJ Tpke or Garden State. Taking Rte 84 is longer because you will be traveling North to Scranton, then South on Rte 81 until you get to the PA Tpke. But from Norwich, it ain't easy no matter which route you chose.
12:08 PM
nice catch Tom. We decided to wish Pablo a Happy B-Day early since we wouldn't be at the park when his real b-day hit.
1:33 PM
One word for the Pablo home run...BOMB!
4:32 PM
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