Rock Cats Win Second Straight Over Erie

New Britain, CT - David Dahl and Mike Tauchman each collected three hits to highlight a 12-hit attack, pacing the New Britain Rock Cats to a 6-5 win over the Erie Seawolves Friday night, before 4,588 fans at New Britain Stadium. It was the Rock Cats second straight victory and fifth in their last six home games.

DH Jordan Patterson added two run-scoring doubles to help RHP Matt Flemer to his sixth win against seven losses. Hard-throwing Carlos Estevez recorded a four-out save, his sixth of the season. The RHP struck out Miguel Gonzalez with the tying run at second base, then retired the side in the ninth inning.

For a second straight game the Rock Cats launched their attack early, plating three runs in the first inning. Dahl and Noel Cuevas put the home team on the scoreboard with back-to-back doubles to start the frame. Tauchman then singled, setting the stage for a double steal for the second run. Patterson's double completed the scoring. New Britain built a 6-2 lead entering the sixth, before the Detroit Tigers affiliate made things close.

Dahl, who collected a triple and single to compliment his first inning double, was a home run shy of the cycle, before he struck out in his last at bat. The left-handed hitter said he was aware he needed a home run to accomplish the feat, but didn't like the odds. "With a left-hander out there, I figured my chances of hitting a home run were going to be tough," he said.

The Rock Cats continue the series against the SeaWolves on Saturday night at 7:05.   Jeff Hoffman will make his New Britain pitching debut. The right-hander is one of the highly touted prospects acquired by the Colorado Rockies organization in a six-player deal that sent SS Troy Tulowitski to the Toronto Blue Jays. Hoffman was a first round draft pick last season and the ninth over-all selection in the country.