Connecticut Defenders Deny the Trenton Thunder in Close 3-2 Victory

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com – (Norwich, CT)-Connecticut CF Antoan Richardson drove in the go-ahead run in the 5th inning and scored a run in the 7th inning as Connecticut held off Trenton 3-2 on Wednesday night at Dodd Stadium in Norwich, CT.

With the score tied 1-1 in the 5th inning, Connecticut C Adam Witter led off with a walk and then advanced to third base on a single by DH Eddy Martinez-Esteve. Witter then scored the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly by Richardson to make it 2-1. Richardson led off the 7th inning with a bunt single, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. He stole third base and scored on a throwing error by C P.J. Pilittere to increase the Connecticut lead to 3-1.

Trenton (16-11) sliced the deficit to 3-2 in the 8th inning on an RBI double by RF Matt Carson. But, the Thunder would not close any further. RHP Sergio Romo struck out DH Kevin Russo for the final out of the inning stranding Carson at second base. Romo retired the Thunder 1-2-3 in the 9th inning for his 7th save of the season. Connecticut RHP Justin Hedrick (1-2) got the win tossing two shutout innings in the 5th and 6th. Connecticut starting pitcher Paul Oseguera did not qualify for the win as he only went the first four innings. Oseguera gave up 2 H and 1 R (unearned). The only run he allowed was in the 2nd inning on an errant pick-off attempt that allowed Russo to score from first. He struck out 4 and walked 3.

Thunder starting pitcher George Kontos (0-3) took the loss going 5.1 IP. He gave up 3 H and 2 ER. He struck out a season-high 7 and walked 4. Kontos retired the first six batters of the game before giving up a solo home run to C Adam Witter in the 3rd inning.
Connecticut and Trenton play the rubber game of the three-game series tomorrow at 6:35 p.m. RHP Dan McCutchen (3-1,1.42) starts for Trenton against Connecticut RHP Adam Cowart (1-1, 2.13).

BOX SCORE:

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_04_30_treaax_nrwaax_1

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