Rock Cats drop rubber game 5-2

New Britain, CT - The Rock Cats lost to the Harrisburg Senators by the score of 5-2 in front of 5,961 fans who came out to New Britain Stadium for Father's Day.

The Senators broke things open to start the third inning, with the first five batters hitting safely off of Rock Cats starter RHP D.J. Baxendale. The hit parade saw the visitors jump out to a 4-0 lead.

New Britain cut into the Harrisburg lead thanks to four straight singles to start the bottom of the sixth. 1B Reynaldo Rodriguez, LF Daniel Ortiz, RF Jordan Parraz and C Kyle Knudson all hit safely, ultimately scoring Rodriguez to put the first Rock Cats run on the board.

The Senators would answer back in the next inning when DH Jimmy Van Ostrand grounded into a fielder's choice, scoring CF Brian Goodwin who singled earlier in the frame.   

Fans thought they would see fireworks in the bottom of the eighth with bases loaded and Twins top prospect 3B Miguel Sano at the plate with two outs. Sano would walk on a full count to bring the score to 5-2, but would be all the offense the Cats could muster on this day.

Baxendale went six innings, giving up four runs, all of them earned, on six hits while walking one and striking out one.

Monday will be a travel day for the Rock Cats as they embark on a 9-day road trip, taking on Erie, Akron and Altoona. RHP Trevor May will take on LHP Matt Crouse for the 7:05 p.m. Tuesday game.