Morris Dominates On The Mound, Rogers Drives In A Pair

(Sugar Land, TX – August 17, 2019) – The New Britain Bees (14-20, 49-54) defeated the Sugar Land Skeeters (21-14, 56-49) 5-1 at Constellation Field on Saturday night to even up the seven-game series at a victory apiece.

New Britain starting pitcher Akeel Morris (4-3) was victorious after firing six and one-third scoreless innings on just two hits allowed, walking two and striking out a season-high eight. Sugar Land starting pitcher Troy Scribner (4-4) suffered the loss, giving up three runs (two earned runs) on five hits across five innings on the mound, walking four while striking out five.

New Britain took a 1-0 lead against Scribner in the top half of the fourth when Mike Carp plated Bijan Rademacher with an opposite-field RBI single to left center after Rademacher led off the frame reaching on an error committed by Sugar Land second baseman Javier Betancourt. The Bees made it 3-0 in their favor just one inning later courtesy of run-scoring base knocks produced by Ryan Jackson and Jason Rogers that allowed Rando Moreno and Darren Ford to cross the plate after Moreno began the rally with a leadoff double to right and Ford followed with a free pass. The three-run cushion was more than enough for Morris, who was lifted by skipper Goose Gozzo with one out and one on in the last of the seventh for fellow right-hander Brady Dragmire, who proceeded to erase D.J. Peterson by way of a fielder’s choice and Juan Silverio on a fly ball to Rademacher in right, stranding two men on base in the process. The boys from the Hardware City added a pair of much needed insurance runs in the ninth to extend their advantage to 5-0 thanks to the speed of Ford and the bat of Rogers as Ford led off by lacing a triple into the right field corner that was fielded by Anthony Giansanti, who hit the cutoff man in Betancourt, but the relay to third was thrown off-target of Silverio and out of play as Betancourt’s second error of the ballgame allowed Ford to come home. Three batters later, Rogers doubled into the gap in right centerfield for his 22^nd two-base hit and 71^st run batted in as Jackson hustled home all the way from first base and the visitors were able to come away with a much-needed victory. Rogers and Jackson led the way offensively with a pair of hits each, with Rogers now standing third overall in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball with 71 runs batted in while also recording his 29^th multi-hit game in 2019 and team-best 19^th multi-RBI performance. Photo provided courtesy of Joe Doll.

The Bees return to New Britain Stadium on Friday, August 23^rd when they welcome in the Long Island Ducks for a three-game weekend series. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 P.M. It will be another Fat Tire Friday in the Hardware City! Close out the week with some great baseball and a cold beer! Fat Tire Belgian Ale Drafts are just FIVE DOLLARS AT ANY CONCESSION STAND ALL NIGHT LONG! CLICK HERE for tickets.

About the New Britain Bees

The New Britain Bees are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at New Britain Stadium. For information on ticket packages, group outings and sponsorships call 860-826-BEES (2337) or visit NBBees.com.

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

With eight teams in the Mid-Atlantic and Texas, the ALPB is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 900 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 40 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 22-year history.  For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.

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