(TRENTON)- Shortstop Raul Tablado went four-for-four with a game-tying home run, part of a three-run eighth inning, as the New Hampshire Fisher Cats topped the Trenton Thunder 3-1 Wednesday night in Trenton. Tablado had two singles, a double, and a solo home run to lead off the eighth off Trenton starter and loser Jeff Karstens (7-7). Second baseman Brad Hassey followed with a single and catcher Erik Kratz walked. Center fielder Miguel Negron bunted the runners up before Ron Acuna hit a liner to second, dropped by J-T Stotts for an error allowing Hassey to score. First baseman Clint Johnston followed with a single to make it 3-1 Fisher Cats. The win marked only the third time this season the Fisher Cats have rallied for a win after trailing after seven innings. The game also marked the first New Hampshire start since May 8, 2004 for right hander Dustin McGowan, who underwent Tommy John (elbow) surgery. He allowed five hits and one earned run in 5.2 innings, while walking one and striking out five. In the fifth inning, designated hitter Yubal Duenas singled and was tripled home by catcher Jason Brown for the Trenton run. Tracy Thorpe (1-0), the Fisher Cats second pitcher, relieved McGowan, and worked a 1.2 scoreless innings of relief to pick up his first win. Left hander Jesse Carlson struck out Trenton's Bronson Sardinha with one out, and two on, in the eighth inning, the only batter he faced in relief. Closer Lee Gronkiewicz got Shelley Duncan to ground into a force play to end the eighth, and retired Trenton in order in the ninth to pick up his 23rd save. The Fisher Cats (40-37) closed to within two games of first place Trenton (43-36) with the win. The rubber game of the series is tomorrow night at 7:05pm with Josh Banks (7-5, 4.32) for New Hampshire against Trenton right hander Charlie Isaacson (4-2, 3.09). New Hampshire returns home this weekend to play the Altoona Curve. For ticket information, visit www.nhfishercats.com or call 603-641-2005.
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