Tigers Win On Walk-Off Walk

Norwich, CT - The Connecticut Tigers (13-16) defeated the Brooklyn Cyclones (15-14) by a score of 4-3 Saturday night at Dodd Stadium. The Tigers snap their three game losing streak in walk-off fashion as the Tigers rallied to defeat the Cyclones in game one of their three-game series. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning, Cyclones RHP Josh Prevost (0-2) walked DH Garrett Mattlage (0-2) which brought in 3B Steven Fuentes (0-4) to score the winning walk-off run. 

Tigers RHP Johnnie Kirkland entered the game in the third inning after relieving starter, RHP Spencer Turnbull who pitched two innings while allowing two runs on three hits. Kirkland kept the Tigers in the game as he pitched five scoreless innings while giving up three hits and struck out four batters. RHP Johan Belisario (3-0) picked up his third win of the season. Belisario pitched a perfect two-thirds of an inning as he struck out the two batters he faced in the ninth inning. Belisario relieved Gage Smith who pitched one and one-third innings while giving up one run on five hits.

Mattlage walked three times in the game and scored two runs, but none was bigger than his ninth inning walk that brought Fuentes in to score the game winning run. CF Ross Kivett (2-3) picked up two hits in the game with a run scored. SS Joey Pankake (1-3) picked up two RBI's in the game which included a game-tying RBI double in the seventh inning at 3-3. 

The Tigers RHP Fernando Perez (1-2, 7.32) is slated to face Cyclones RHP Corey Oswalt (2-0, 2.08) in game two of the three-game series. Tomorrow is Sunday Funday: Kids Run the Bases & Have a Catch! Fun in the sun at Dodd Stadium! All kids are invited to Run the Bases and receive a coupon for free ice cream from Ben & Jerry's. And don't forget your glove for Have a Catch in the outfield after the game presented by ROXY FM 100.9 and Falvey's! It is also Dodd Stadium 20 Seasons Card Series Giveaway #1 and is for the first 750 fans through the gates. This four-part series of baseball card giveaways will honor some of the greatest players to have played at Dodd Stadium over the first 20 seasons of its existence. Be sure to come for all four nights to collect the whole set! The pre-game show begins at 3:50 p.m. on AM 1310 WICH and cttigers.com.

The Connecticut Tigers are the Class-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers and play in the New York-Penn League. The Tigers are in their 5th season at Dodd Stadium. Tickets are now on sale! The Box Office is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. In addition, tickets can be purchased over the phone at (860) 887-7962. For more information go online to cttigers.com.