Howard Homer Ends Portland Marathon 5-3

June 26, 2012 - Eastern League (EL) New Hampshire Fisher Cats

PORTLAND, Maine - Kevin Howard lofted a high arching fly ball just inside the right field foul pole in the 13th inning on Tuesday night, lifting the Fisher Cats (29-46) to a 5-3 marathon win against the Portland Sea Dogs (31-45). The two-run shot broke a 3-3 tie and erased memories of a blown 3-0 lead for the Fisher Cats at the start of an eight-game road trip through Portland and Reading.

Howard's home run came against starter-turned-reliever Chris Balcolm-Miller (L; 3-5). With one out, Mark Sobolewski picked up his third hit of the game on a bloop to left field. Howard then twisted his game-winner inside the foul pole in right to put the lead at 5-3.

The Fisher Cats had a 3-0 lead built through the first six and a half innings. In the third, Ryan Goins brought home John Tolisano on a force out to produce a 1-0 lead. Sobolewski homered in the sixth before a single by Brian Bocock in the seventh pushed the lead to 3-0.

Portland's comeback began with two unearned runs in the seventh. A dropped pop-up by Mike McDade led to a pair of unearned runs against Sam Dyson. A pair of walks and a bunt single from Scott Gracey were followed by a run-scoring double play to tie the game at 3-3 in the ninth.

Matt Wright (W; 1-1) earned his first Double-A victory by recording the final six outs. He combined with four relievers to allow three runs - albeit just one earned - over eight innings of work. In the last two games the bullpen has allowed just two earned runs in 15.1 innings.

The series continues on Wednesday night at 7 PM. RHP Deck McGuire (2-9, 6.54) takes the ball against Portland RHP Jeremy Kehrt (Radio coverage begins at 6:45 PM with Tom Gauthier on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network and www.nhfishercats.com.

The Fisher Cats return home to begin a fireworks-filled six-game homestand starting on the 4th of July against the Future Red Sox, the Portland Sea Dogs. Beginning with the Fourth, the Fisher Cats will host five consecutive nights of Atlas Fireworks during the stand. For the complete list of promotions and to order tickets, visit www.nhfishercats.com.

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