Hodge, Bonilla heading to New Britain

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Optimism continues to flourish in the New Britain Rock Cats camp.

The depth and experience of the pitching staff took on a brighter luster Friday when veterans Kevin Hodge and Henry Bonilla were sent down from the Triple-A roster.

With Colby Miller ailing, the Rock Cats received right-hander Jason Richardson from the Fort Myers Miracle and he promptly showed that he belonged Friday by tossing 3 2/3 innings of shutout ball in a 6-0 win over the Portland Sea Dogs.

Brian Wolfe came on and pitched 2 1/3 perfect frames. Victor Moreno, who struggled out of the New Britain bullpen during a three-month stint last year, hurled two shutout innings and Class A hurler Kevin Cameron mopped up without incident.

The Rock Cats presently have 13 pitchers, all right-handers. Two will be sent packing prior to the team’s arrival in New Britain Tuesday. Manager Stan Cliburn said a likely scenario would be choosing between Hodge and Moreno.

Hodge was told that he was being sent down on Thursday and reportedly wasn’t sure if he would accept the demotion. He was, however, in uniform and ready to go during Friday morning’s workouts.

Second baseman Luis Maza turned in a superb performance both at the plate and in the field. Maza, a 23-year-old Venezuelan second baseman, went 3-for-4 and drove in two runs.

"He made about seven outstanding defensive plays," Cliburn said. "It was one of the best individual games I’ve seen by one man in a long time."

Maza’s likely double-play partner, Jake Mauer, went 3-for-5 in the game.

The Rock Cats host the Altoona Curve today at 10 a.m., then vie with the Twins’ Triple-A Rochester club on Sunday and Monday before trekking north. The sold out home opener is Thursday morning against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the new Eastern League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.

CATS TALES: Bobby Korecky, another of the pitchers slated to start in New Britain, turned in a solid inning in the big-league game in which the Twins topped Pittsburgh, 4-3. Korecky struck out two and walked one.

Rock Cats James Tomlin and Ryan Owens turned in late-inning duty for the Twins.

Kevin West, who tied Dustan Mohr for second on the all-time Rock Cats seasonal list with 41 doubles last year, was also sent down from Rochester to New Britain. West is expected to be primarily a designated hitter.

Tommy Watkins was expected to be among the Rock Cats infielders at the start of the year but a sprained ankle will hold him back. With Maza at second and Mauer gaining the inside track at short, Owens probably will start at third with Seth Davidson in a utility role.