Tigers Get Back To Winning Ways
Norwich, CT - The Connecticut Tigers (35-31) defeated the Hudson Valley Renegades (43-23) by the final score of 5-3 Friday night at Dodd Stadium. In the top of the 9th inning, with the Tigers lead 5-3, RHP Johan Belisario (S, 2) closed the door on the Renegades as he picked up his second save of the season. Belisario needed four outs to record the save and recorded all four outs via strikeouts. Belisario pushed his streak to 23 consecutive scoreless innings.
For one night only the Tigers were the Norwich Navigators and the Navigators let the fans go home with a smile on their face after they picked up the win for the Tigers. With the Tigers leading 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning, 2B Brett Pirtle (2-4) hit a two run double that put the Tigers ahead by three runs at 4-1. It was lead big enough for the Tigers to secure the win with. 3B Steven Fuentes (2-4) and LF Kasey Coffman (2-4) each chipped in with a two hit performance. RF Mike Gerber (0-4) had an RBI ground out in the third inning that gave the Tigers a 2-1 lead. It was Gerber's 37th RBI of the season which tied James Robbins (2010) for second on the all-time Connecticut Tigers RBI list.
RHP Chase Edwards (6-3) picked up his sixth win of the season and is now tied for second in wins in the New York-Penn League. Edwards had a stellar performance as he went six strong innings and gave up three runs (one earned) on six hits while matching a season high seven strikeouts. RHP Gage Smith (H, 1) pitched 1.2 scoreless innings in relief of Edwards. Smith gave up two hits and struck out two batters. The Renegades struck out a combined 13 times against Tigers pitching. The defense continued to be shaky for Connecticut as they committed a season high five errors in the win.
In game two of the series, Tigers RHP AJ Ladwig (0-3, 3.50) is slated to face Renegades RHP Nolan Gannon (5-2, 2.68). Tomorrow is Eugenio Suarez bobblehead giveaway. Suarez played for the Connecticut Tigers in 2011 and is currently with the Detroit Tigers. The giveaway is for the first 1,000 fans and is presented by YP.
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.