Raphael Rhymes Leads CT Tigers' Reinforcements

Former LSU standout Raphael Rhymes joined the Connecticut Tigers on Thursday. Rhymes a 2013 draft pick brings a potent bat to the CT Tigers lineup. Rhymes had two hits in his first game with Connecticut Saturday night in Troy. Joining Rhymes with the Tigers are pitchers Kevin Ziomek (the 58th pick in the 2013 MLB draft out of Vanderbilt) Julio Felix and Logan Ehlers. Also joining the team is catcher Chris Taladay and outfielder Tyler Gibson. 

CT Tigers Split Twin Bill With Tri-City Saturday Night In Troy, NY (6-29-13)

Saturday, June 29, 2013 @ Bruno Stadium, Troy, City

Game One

Connecticut Tigers 5

Tri-City Valley Cats 1

WP-Tigers: Phillips (1-0)

LP-Tri-City: Boshue (1-1)

Home Runs-Tigers: Azcona (2), B. Harrison (1)

Tigers' Batting: 2B-Verlander (3), HR-Azcona (2), B. Harrison (1), RBI-Azcona (4, 5), B. Harrison (5, 6), Gibson (1)

Tigers' record (4-7)

Game Two

Tri-City Valley Cats 4

Connecticut Tigers 0

WP-Tri-City: Basford (1-0)

LP-Tigers: Felix (0-1)

Attendance (4489)

Tigers' record (4-8)

Tigers-Valley Cats Rained Out Friday Night in Troy, NY (6-28-13)

Tonight's game between the Connecticut Tigers and Tri-City Valley Cats at Bruno Stadium in Troy, New York was postponed due to rain. 

CT Tigers Lose 1-0 Pitcher's Duel To Vermont Thursday In Norwich (6-27-13)

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Vermont Lake Monsters 1

Connecticut Tigers 0

WP-Vermont: Powers (1-0), Save-Duran (0-1)

LP-Tigers: Crawford (0-1)

Attendance (1274) Time (2:09)

Tigers' record (3-7)

Detroit Tigers' #1 draft pick in 2013 Jonathon Crawford takes the loss for Connecticut in his first pro decision. 

Tigers Blitz Vermont 10-3 Wednesday Night in Norwich-Verlander With First Pro HR (6-26-13)

The Connecticut Tigers had their most impressive offensive showing of the 2013 season Wednesday at Dodd Stadium in Norwich when they dropped a ten spot on the Oakland A's affiliate the Vermont Lake Monsters in a 10-3 CT Tigers win. 2013 draftee Ben Verlander was the star of the game, hitting his first home run as a pro (a two run shot in the first inning) and an RBI double (driving in three runs on the night.) The Tigers improved to 3-6 on the season.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Connecticut Tigers 10

Vermont Lake Monsters 3

WP-Tigers: Kirkland (1-0)

LP-Vermont: Torres (1-1)

Home Runs-Tigers: Verlander (1)

Tigers' Batting: 2B-Azcona (5), Verlander (2), Harrison (3), Coffman (1), McAlpine (3), HR-Verlander (1), RBI-Verlander (3, 4, 5), Leyland (2, 3), Coffman (4), Powell (2), McAlpine (5), Harrison (4)

Attendance (1063) Time (2:41)

Tigers' record (3-6)

Valley Cats Outlast Tigers 8-6 Tuesday Night In Norwich (6-25-13)

The Connecticut Tigers lost to the Tri-City Valley Cats 8-6 on Tuesday night at Dodd Stadium in Norwich, CT. The Tigers trailed 8-0 at one point but clawed their way back to make a game of it, falling short by two runs. The Tigers fall to 2-6 on the season. 

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Tri-City Valley Cats 8

Connecticut Tigers 6

WP-Tri-City: Westwood (1-0), Save-Lo (1)

LP-Tigers: Carmichael (0-1)

Home Runs-Tigers: Coffman (1), Azcona (1)

Tri-City: Mitchell (1)

Tigers' Batting: 2B-Verlander (1), HR-Azcona (1), Coffman (1), RBI-Coffman (2, 3), Azcona (1, 2, 3), Leyland (1)

Attendance (1123)

Time (2:40)

Tigers' record (2-6)

Tigers Host Tri-City Tonight At Dodd Stadium 7:05 PM (6-25-13)

Tigers Blank Tri-City Valley Cats 4-0 Monday Night in Norwich (6-24-13)

Monday, June 24, 2013

Connecticut Tigers 4

Tri-City Valley Cats 0

WP-Tigers: A. Harrison (1-0)

LP-Tri-City: Feliz (1-1)

Tigers' Batting: 2B-Ficociello (3), Green (1), RBI-McAlpine (4), Green (1), B. Harrison (3), Coffman (1)

Attendance (1517)

Time (2:00-10 minute delay)

Tigers' record (2-5)

CT Tigers Beaten By Tri-City In 10 Innings Sunday Afternoon (6-23-13)

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Tri-City Valley Cats 5

Connecticut Tigers 2  (10 innings)

WP-Tri-City: Bushue (1-0)

LP-Tigers: Huber (0-2)

Tigers' Batting: 2B-Azcona (4), RBI-Verlander (1, 2)

Attendance (3792), Time (3:00)

Tigers' record (1-5)

Tigers Home Today vs Tri-City Valley Cats (Astros affiliate) 4:05 PM (Sunday, June 23, 2013)

Tigers Get In The Win Column-Defeat Vermont 8-4 Saturday (6-22-13)

The Connecticut Tigers (1-3) finally got in the win column by defeating the Vermont Lake Monsters 8-4 Saturday night in Vermont. The dropped eight runs on Vermont in the seventh inning, thanks in part to a three run homer by Duncan McAlpine (his first and also the team's first homer of 2013.) The Tigers were on their way to a 8-0 rout before Tigers reliever Ryan Beck melted down in the bottom of the 9th giving up 4 runs and collecting only 1 out. Andrew Harrison finally shut the door sealing the win for the Tigers. 

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Connecticut Tigers 8

Vermont Lake Monsters 4

WP-Tigers: Reininger (1-0)

LP-Vermont: Massey (0-1)

HR-Tigers: McAlpine (1)

Tigers' Batting: 2B-Azcona (2, 3), Ficociello (2), HR-McAlpine (1), RBI-Ficociello (1, 2), Harrison (2), McAlpine (1, 2, 3)

Vermont Batting: 2B-Macklin (1), Soto (3), Marincov (1), Mateo (1), RBI-Soto (2), Brugman (5), Marincov (1), Mateo (1)

Attendance (1985), Time (2:59-57 minute rain delay)

Tigers' record (1-3)

Tigers Lose Fourth Straight Friday In Vermont (6-21-13)

The Connecticut Tigers are off the their worst start in the team's four year history. The Tigers lost their fourth straight game to start the 2013 season with Friday's 4-1 loss to the Vermont Lake Monsters in Vermont. The lone bright spot for the Tigers was Detroit first round pick in 2013 Jonathon Crawford getting his first start for Connecticut. He pitched two scoreless innings, fanning three. Otherwise the Tigers offense was a no-show again. The team has scored only 4 runs total for the first four games of the season. The team is in last place in the NY-League Stedler Division.  The Tigers face Vermont again Saturday in the final game of the three game series.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Vermont Lake Monsters 4

Connecticut Tigers 1

WP-Vermont: Hansen (1-0), Save-Duran (1)

LP-Tigers: Bailey (0-1)

HR-Vermont: Brugman (1)

Tigers' Batting: 2B-McAlpine (2)

Attendance (2753), Time (2:53)

Tigers' record (0-4)

Winless Tigers Drop Third Straight In Vermont 5-1 (6-20-13)

The Connecticut Tigers are off to another tough start in 2013. The team lost their third straight on Thursday night at Centennial Field in Burlington, Vermont to the Vermont Lake Monsters 5-1. The winless Tigers have opened the season in an 0-3 hole. The team's offense has been woeful in the early going, producing only two runs in three games. The Tigers face Vermont in game two of the three game series Friday night. 

Thursday. June 20, 2013

Vermont Lake Monsters 5

 Connecticut Tigers 1

WP-Vermont: Torres (1-0), Save-Johnson (1)

LP-Tigers: Mantiply (0-1)

Tigers Batting: 2B-McAlpine (1), Schotts (2), Harrison (2), RBI-Schotts (1)

Attendance (3169)

Tigers' record (0-3)

Tigers Drop Second Straight To Spinners In Lowell

Wednesday, June 19, 2012

Lowell Spinners 5

Connecticut Tigers 1

WP-Lowell: Alcantara (1-0)

LP-Tigers: Jamison (0-1)

Tigers Batting: 2B-Harrison (1), RBI-Powell (1)

Attendance 4842

Tigers' record (0-2)

The Connecticut Tigers lost their second straight game to the Lowell Spinners Wednesday night in Lowell by the score of 5-1. The Tigers' offense has been anemic to start the season, scoring only 1 run in 18 innings to start the year on the wrong foot again. The Tigers head to Burlington, Vermont on Thursday to begin a three game series with the Oakland A's affiliate the Vermont Lake Monsters. 

Tigers-Lowell Rained Out Tuesday Night In Norwich

Tuesday's game between the Connecticut Tigers and Lowell Spinners has been postponed due to rain. The Tigers begin a four game road trip on Wednesday that will take them to Lowell and Vermont. The Tigers return home on Sunday with 4PM game with Houston Astros affiliate Tri-City Valley Cats. 

Tigers Drop Home Opener 1-0

Monday, June 17, 2013

Lowell Spinners 1

Connecticut Tigers 0

WP-Lowell: Aro (1-0)

LP-Tigers: Huber (0-1)

Tigers Batting: Azcona (1), Schotts (1). Ficociello (1)

Lowell Batting: No extra base hits or RBI

Tigers record (0-1)

Attendance:3214

Connecticut Tigers Opening Day Tonight 7 PM vs Lowell Spinners

The Connecticut Tigers open their fourth season tonight at Dodd Stadium in Norwich against the Boston Red Sox affiliate the Lowell Spinners

Probable Pitchers:

Lowell : Sergio Gomez (0-0)

Tigers: Alex Phillips (0-0)

2013 Connecticut Tigers Opening Day Roster

2013 Connecticut Tigers Opening Day Lineup

Pitchers

RHP #48 Tanner Bailey

LHP #39 Ryan Beck

RHP #40 Nick Carmichael

RHP #52 Jonathan Crawford

RHP #30 Buck Farmer

RHP #59 Andrew Harrison

RHP #23 Brett Huber

LHP #35 Preston Jamison

RHP #19 Johnnie Kirkland

RHP #46 Jonathan Maciel

LHP #28 Joe Mantiply

LHP #57 Alex Phillips

RHP #15 Austin Pritcher

RHP #18 Zac Reininger

RHP #58 Hunter Scantling

RHP #50 Scott Sitz

Catchers

#29 Austin Green BR

#31 Duncan McAlpine BL

#10 Tim Remes BL

Infielders

DH #27 Javier Azcona BR

1B #55 Dominic Ficciociello BS

3B #1 Brett Harrison BR

2B #11 Taylor Johnson BL

1B #9 Pat Letland BR

SS #7 Curt Powell BR

1B #26 Jesus Ustariz BR 

Outfielders

OF #56 Kasey Coffman BL

LF #12 Tyler Gibson BL

CF #54 Austin Schotts BR

RF #24 Patrick Smith BL

OF #14 Ben Verlander RHP

Manager-Andrew Graham

Pitching Coach-Mark Johnson

Hitting Coach-Mike Rabelo

Detroit Tigers First Round Pick Crawford Heads To Connecticut To Start 2013

The Detroit Tigers 2013 first round draft Jonathan Crawford will be heading to the Connecticut Tigers to start 2013. Crawford a RHP from the University Of Florida will be the first #1 draft pick to play with Connecticut in the team's four year history. Crawford will be joined by 14th round pick Ben Verlander (younger brother of Justin Verlander) and 2012 third rounder Austin Schotts. Opening day is Monday night June 17, 2013 at Dodd Stadium in Norwich vs the Boston Red Sox affiliate the Lowell Spinners. First pitch is 7:05 PM

Detroit Tigers Select OF Ben Verlander In 14th Round Of 2013 Draft

The Detroit Tigers have selected OF Ben Verlander in the 14th round of the 2013 MLB draft from Old Dominion University. Ben Verlander is the younger brother of Detroit ace Justin Verlander. Ben had a breakout season in 2013 with ODU (.367-11-37) and could see time with the Connecticut Tigers this summer. He had previously been drafted by Detroit as a pitcher in 2011 but didn't sign. 

Connecticut Tigers Connection Supports Bozrah Pizza Restaurant

Our favorite place to eat prior to the game is Bozrah Pizza Restaurant on Route 82 in Bozrah. Please support them if you can!

Austin Schotts Ticketed For CT Ctigers

Outfielder Austin Schotts has been added to the 2013 Connecticut Tigers' roster. Schotts was the Detroit Tigers' third round pick in 2012 and spent the majority of the season with the rookie league GCL Tigers. Schotts tore up Gulf Coast League pitching in 2012 (.310 3 HR 21 RBI's.) This earned him a late season promotion to the 2012 Florida State League champion Lakeland Tigers. 

Schotts began the 2013 season with the Low Class A West Michigan Whitecaps of the Midwest League. Schotts has struggled so far with the Whitecaps (.192-1-17) in 59 games. Look for Schotts to start in the CT Tigers opener against Lowell on Monday, June 17th. Austin Schotts was rated the Detroit Tigers #5 prospect by Baseball America heading into the 2013 season. 

Sonic's Rendezvous Band-City Slang (1978)

Good Old Detroit Rock & Roll!

MC5-Motor City Is Burning

Soledad Brothers-Cage That Tiger

Connecticut Tigers Connection Theme Song 2013

Former CT Tiger Mercedes Dominating Florida State League In 2013

Former 2011 Connecticut Tigers reliever Melvin Mercedes has been dominant in his role as closer with the High Class A Lakeland Flying Tigers in 2013. Through 20 games with Lakeland, Mercedes is 2-0, with an 0.73 ERA with 9 saves. Mercedes has been close to untouchable in 2013, allowing only 17 hits in 24.2 IP. He also has 15 K's and just 4 walks. Mercedes spent time in the Detroit Tigers this spring and was ranked as Detroit's #13 prospect heading into the 2013 season. Perhaps Melvin will be the Tigers' closer of the future. 

2012 CT Tiger Vasquez Holding His Own At West Michigan In 2013

2012 Connecticut Tigers team MVP Danry Vasquez is having a better go of it in his second stint at Low Class A West Michigan on the Midwest League. Vasquez began the 2012 season at West Michigan but struggled so he spent the rest of '12 with the Connecticut Tigers, where was the team's best player by far (.311-2-35.) This year at West Michigan, Vasquez is hitting .268 with 3 homers and 23 RBI's through 54 games with the Whitecaps. Vasquez entered 2013 as the Detroit Tigers #6 ranked prospect by Baseball America. 

Detroit Tigers Select Vanderbilt LHP Ziomek With Pick #58 In 2013 MLB Draft!

The Detroit Tigers have selected Vanderbilt LHP Kevin Ziomek with the 58th pick in the 2013 MLB draft. Ziomek had a breakout year with Vanderbilt in 2013 and was rated as the 9th best left-hander in the 2013 draft.

Tigers Grab Power Closer Knebel With 39th Pick In 2013 MLB Draft!

The Detroit Tigers have chosen RHP Corey Knebel with the 39th pick in the 2013 draft. Knebel was the closer for the University Of Texas Longhorns in 2013. He was second in the nation with 19 saves in 2013. He was rated #19 in the category of right-handed pitchers by Baseball America. Knebel fastball has been clocked as high as 98 MPH. If he lands in Connecticut, he will most likely be the team's closer. 

Detroit Tigers Select RHP Jonathan Crawford With Pick #20 In 2013 MLB Draft

The Detroit Tigers have selected RHP Jonathan Crawford from the University Of Florida with pick #20 in the 2013 MLB draft. Crawford was ranked as the #6 right-handed pitcher in the draft by Baseball America. Look for Crawford to see time with the Connecticut Tigers in 2013. The Tigers will pick again at #39 in the Competitive Balance round. Stay tuned!