New Britain Third baseman Alejandro Machado hit the go-ahead three-run home run in the fifth inning, and the Rock Cats went on for a 4-1 win over Trenton on Labor Day from New Britain Stadium. New Britain took three out of four games in the season-ending four-game series between the two teams. The loss ends Trenton's season.
Down 1-0, New Britain scored a run in the bottom of the 4th inning to tie the game at 1-1.With two outs, Designated Hitter Whit Robbins singled. Right fielder Juan Portes followed with a walk to move Robbins to second base.Shortstop Steve Singleton plated Robbins with an RBI single to tie the game at 1-1.
New Britain scored three runs in the fifth inning off of Trenton Starting Pitcher Lance Pendleton (1-3) to take a 4-1 lead. Second baseman Ramon Santana reached on an infield single to start the inning.Santana moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Catcher Danny Lehmann.After an error by Shortstop Eduardo Nunez allowed Center fielder Yancarlos Ortiz to reach first base, Third baseman Alejandro Machado connected on a three-run home run to give the Rock Cats the lead.It was the first home run of the season for Machado.
Trenton took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on a solo home run by Third baseman Marcos Vechionacci.The home run was his 10th of the season. Vechionacci joined Infielder Jorge Vazquez as the only double-digit home run hitters on the Thunder this season.Thunder Outfielder Edwar Gonzalez had two hits in the loss.
Pendleton tossed seven innings and yielded six hits and four runs (three earned). He struck out seven and walked one.Pendleton's seven innings were the most he threw in a start for the Thunder since joining the team on July 31st. New Britain Starting Pitcher Ryan Mullins gave up one run over four innings.New Britain Reliever Spencer Steedley (2-1) picked up the win with two shutout innings. New Britain Reliever Frank Mata tossed a scoreless ninth inning for his third save. With the win, the Rock Cats win the season-series 11-10. New Britain will play Connecticut on Wednesday in the first game of the Northern Division Championship Series.
Trenton finished the 2009 season with a record 69-72. The Thunder ended the season with a losing record for the first since 2004. Next game is in April 2010...
