Manchester, NH- Ricky Romero allowed two runs on five hits over eight innings, but Connecticut rallied in the ninth inning for a 4-3 win over New Hampshire before 3,776 at Merchantsauto.com Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Scott Campbell (3-for-4, HR, RBI, 2 R) broke a 2-2 tie, leading off the bottom of the eighth inning for the Fisher Cats with a home run to right field. It was the second home run of the season for Campbell, who is hitting .517 (15-for-29). He extended his hitting streak to seven games.
Connecticut (6-3) rallied in the ninth inning against the Fisher Cats bullpen to beat New Hampshire for the fifth time in six meetings. Travis Denker (2-for-3) singled off Mike MacDonald to lead off the frame. After Travis Ishikawa flied out, reliever Daryl Harang (0-1) walked Adam Witter. Seth Overbey came out of the bullpen to strikeout pinch hitter Carlos Sosa before Simon Klink doubled to the wall in left field scoring pinch runners Trey Webb and Dayton Buller to give the Defenders a 4-3 lead.
Sergio Romo allowed a one-out single to New Hampshire's Anthony Hatch (2-for-4, RBI) in the ninth inning before getting Ryan Klosterman to ground into a double play to end the game, earning his fourth save, all against New Hampshire. Ronnie Ray (1-0), who retired Erik Kratz to end the eighth inning, earned his first win for the Defenders.
Romero and Connecticut starter Joey Martinez breezed through four scoreless innings. The Defenders took a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning on a two-out solo home run by Eddy Martinez-Esteve.
New Hampshire (1-7) tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning. Ryan Patterson doubled, went to third on a throwing error on the play, and scored on a single by Hatch.
The Defenders moved back in front 2-1 in the sixth inning. Antoan Richardson singled, stole second and third base and scored on a ground out by Travis Ishikawa.
The Fisher Cats tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning. Campbell singled, stole second and went to third on a wild pitch. He scored on a sacrifice fly by Brian Jeroloman.
Romero, Toronto's first round draft pick in 2005 (6th overall) completed his longest outing as a Fisher Cats starter by retiring the final eight batters he faced. Romero walked one and struck out five.
New Hampshire looks to earn a split of the series with Connecticut at 1:05pm Sunday afternoon when right-hander Jean Machi (0-0, 5.68) takes the mound against Connecticut right-hander Brooks McNiven (0-0, 0.00). Radio coverage begins at 12:45pm on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network with Bob Lipman and Mike Murphy.
The first 2,000 fans attending Sunday's game will receive a Magnetic Schedule courtesy of AIG. To purchase tickets, visit www.nhfishercats.com or call (603) 641-2005.
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