Pitching Matchups; Game of the Day 5/17/11

6:00pm
Reading Phillies (Austin Hyatt 5-1, 3.18)
vs. Portland Sea Dogs (Stephen Fife 3-2, 3.00)

6:35pm
Pawtucket Red Sox (Kyle Weiland 2-4, 4.11)
vs. Columbus Clippers (Jeanmar Gomez 3-0, 2.45)

7:00pm
New Britain Rock Cats (Liam Hendriks 3-1, 3.66)
vs. Harrisburg Senators (Shairon Martis 1-1, 4.19)

7:05pm
Binghamton Mets (Brandon Moore 3-1, 3.98)
vs. New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Joel Carreno 1-3, 5.05)

Game of the Day - Rock Cats vs. Senators - The New Britain Rock Cats have quietly positioned themselves atop of the Eastern League's Eastern Division on the strength of a 5 game win streak and an 11-4 month of May...so far. The Cats make their second trip to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to take on the Senators, who despite being 17-18, are only 1 game out of first in the Western Division. In their first trip to Metro Bank Park, New Britain were not kind guests, sweeping a three game series. On the season, the Sens have only taken one of six from the Cats to date. Harrisburg starter Shairon Martis did get a previous start against New Britain back on April 30th, going 4 1/3, allowing 8 hits and 3 walks, but no earned runs. Liam Hendriks is the expected starter for the Rock Cats which would mark his third start and fourth appearance against the Senators this season. In 9 2/3 innings versus Harrisburg, Hendriks has only allowed 5 hits, 2 walks and 1 earned run while striking out 13. First baseman Chris Parmelee carries the hot stick for New Britain, knocking 17 hits over his last ten games to go along with 10 RBI and 9 runs.

Side note prediction (3-9) - New Hampshire starter Joel Carreno has struck out 6 or more batters in his last four starts, so look for him to keep that streak alive tonight versus Binghamton.

To listen to any of the above games live, click here: