Fisher Cats Edge Rock Cats, 4-3, in Opener
Published on May 17, 2013 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. - Kevin Pillar pieced together another four-hit night, and then scored the game-winning run in the top of the ninth to help the Fisher Cats (20-22) beat the New Britain Rock Cats 4-3 on Friday night. The victory is just New Hampshire's third against the Rock Cats (20-21) this season, but starts the Fisher Cats in the proper fashion on a seven-game road trip.
The winning rally started for the Fisher Cats with one out. Pillar reached on an infield single to shortstop before stealing second base against New Britain reliever Mike Tonkin (L; 1-2). After a single by Ricardo Nanita moved Pillar to third, Clint Robinson's groundball to short trickled through Danny Santana's legs to bring home Pillar for the winning run.
Joel Carreno closed the door in the bottom of the ninth, working around a single and a two-out walk for his third save. He picked up the save to end a good night for the bullpen, which had allowed seven runs on Thursday. Carreno (S, 3), Evan Crawford (W; 2-1), and Dustin Antolin (Double-A debut) combined for four scoreless innings in relief of Tyson Brummett.
Pillar's four hits led the Fisher Cats offense, but the biggest blow of the night belonged to Nashua's Kevin Nolan. Trailing 3-1 in the sixth, Nolan smashed a 2-0 fastball to left field for his third home run. The blast tied the game at 3-3, nearly clearing a 45-foot-high video board structure in the process.
The series continues on Friday night at 6:35 p.m. LHP Sean Nolin (1-0, 1.93) takes the ball against New Britain southpaw Logan Darnell (3-2, 2.06). Radio coverage begins at 6:15 p.m. with Tom Gauthier on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network and www.nhfishercats.com.
New Hampshire returns home to play New Britain on Friday night May 24 at 7:05pm. An Atlas Fireworks Show will follow the game and fans can buy one ticket, get one free, courtesy of ENH Power. For tickets and information, visit www.nhfishercats.com.
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