Schierholtz sparks Defenders
Schierholtz had an RBI single and scored during a four-run third inning as the Defenders opened a 5-1 lead. Randy Walter led off the frame with a single, stole second and came home on Tyler Von Schell's two-out triple. Schierholtz singled in Von Schell and Aaron Sisk followed with an RBI double before crossing the plate on Brian Munhall's single to right field.
Connecticut added four runs in the ninth to make it 12-5 on one hit, two walks, two wild pitches and a two-run throwing error by catcher Jose Morales on Clay Timpner's forceout.
The Defenders (36-45) pounded out 15 hits and eight players scored at least once. Jake Wald collected three hits and drove in two runs. Munhall finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Walter chipped in with two hits and two runs scored.
Connecticut starter James Garcia (1-1) gave up four runs -- two earned -- on five hits with three strikeouts and a walk in six innings. Oscar Montero inherited an 8-5 lead with two outs in the eighth and recorded the last four outs for his first save.
Rock Cats starter Glen Perkins (2-9) remained winless since June 10 after yielding six runs -- five earned -- on nine hits with two strikeouts and three walks in five innings.
Doug Deeds led New Britain (33-46) with three hits and Felix Molina scored twice. -- Eric Justic/MLB.com