Start Homestand with 4-0 Shutout Win Over Binghamton
New Britain, CT- The New Britain Rock Cats (23-29) opened up a 3-game weekend series with a 4-0 win against the Binghamton Mets (30-23) in front of a sellout crowd of 7,769 at New Britain Stadium. LHP Sean Gilmartin (5-3) and three relievers combined on a 5-hit shutout, the Rock Cats second shutout win of the season. OF Mike Kvasnicka smashed a 3-RBI double to left center-field highlighting a 4-run 4th inning. The win was the third in four games for New Britain and its first victory against the B-Mets this season.
The ballpark stood as one in the middle of the 4th inning during a Stand Up To Cancer event in which all the players on both clubs, coaches and fans help up signs of someone that they are supporting with cancer. The Rock Cats got permission from Major League Baseball and the Eastern League to stop the game to do this.
Gilmartin hurled six shutout innings and permitted five hits with two walks and recorded 9 strikeouts for the third time this season. RHP D.J. Baxendale, LHP Ryan O'Rourke and RHP Matt Summers combined for three hitless and scoreless frames in the victory.
Binghamton had chances with runners on base throughout the game but went 0-10 with runners in scoring position.
The Rock Cats four run 4th inning came against B-Mets starter Angel Cuan (1-2) who allowed two singles and a walk to start the inning. 3B Nate Hanson sacrifice fly scored Daniel Ortiz making it 1-0. After a strikeout and walk, Kvasnicka ripped a wall scraping double off the left center field fence scoring Kenny Vargas, Reynaldo Rodriguez and Matt Koch.
The Rock Cats and Mets play the second of a 3-game series at New Britain Stadium on Saturday night (6:35 PM). RHP Virgil Vasquez will start for New Britain and RHP Matt Bowman will pitch for the Mets.