Hanson and Vargas Provide the Fireworks

New Britain, CT - The Rock Cats defeated the visiting New Hampshire by the score of 4-2 on Friday evening at New Britain Stadium. 1B Nate Hanson and DH Kennys Vargas provided the power with a home run each to propel the Cats to victory in front of a crowd of 5,813.

 

New Britain's first hit of the night was solo home run from Hanson off of New Hampshire starter RHP Casey Lawrence, his second blast of the season.

 

The game would remain that way until the top of the sixth when Rock Cats starter LHP Sean Gilmartin ran into a little rough patch, issuing two walks to start the inning and uncorking a wild pitch to move the runners to second and third. C A.J. Jimenez sent a sacrifice fly to deep center to bring home 3B Andy Burns, tying the ballgame at 1-1.

 

The home team answered back in a big way - going up 4-1 on an RBI single from CF Kenny Wilson and the exclamation point, a line drive two-run home run delivered by Vargas. Wilson, playing against his former club after being released by Toronto last week, drove in 2B Tony Thomas who started the rally with a double to the corner in left field. Vargas' homer was his fifth of the year, increasing his club lead in both RBIs (16) and home runs.

 

The lefthander Gilmartin put together a very good start for the home club - working six innings, allowing one earned run on three hits while walking four and striking out eight. Three Rock Cats relievers combined on the final three innings - allowing one run on three hits while striking out six - highlighted by RHP Daniel Turpen striking out the side in the top of the seventh. RHP Adrian Salcedo picked up his first save of the year after closing out the ninth.

 

Fisher Cats starter Lawrence was tagged with the loss on the night, dropping his record to 2-2. He was touched for four runs, all earned, on six hits over six innings while walking none and striking out one.

 

The Rock Cats continue their three-game stint against New Hampshire on Saturday evening with the first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. New Britain sends LHP Pat Dean to the mound to square off against Fisher Cats starter RHP Aaron Sanchez.