The Hits Keep Coming for Red-Hot Nolan
July 21, 2014 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release
MANCHESTER, N.H. - Kevin Nolan picked up three more hits and drove in another 4 runs on Monday night, but the Fisher Cats were swept in both ends of a doubleheader by the Trenton Thunder, 4-1 and 8-5.
Nolan accounted for the Fisher Cats' lone run in the first game with an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth inning. He dropped one into right field to bring home Jon Berti, who opened the inning with a double. At the time, it cut Trenton's lead down to 2-1.
That was as close as the Fisher Cats (47-55) would get in that game. The Thunder (48-55) took a 2-0 lead in the third when Gary Sanchez belted a two-out, two-run homer off losing pitcher John Anderson (L; 3-2). They added unearned runs in the fifth and sixth to provide insurance for winning pitcher Jaron Long (W; 3-0).
Anderson allowed all four runs (two earned) in his first start as a member of the starting rotation. He gave up seven hits, walked two, and added two strikeouts. Long stayed perfect in three starts, pitching into the seventh and allowing one run on four hits with four Ks.
The nightcap started with a wild back-and-forth before the Thunder squirreled away with an 8-5 win. The Fisher Cats scored three quick runs in the first thanks to an RBI double from Matt Newman followed by a two-run double from Nolan.
The Thunder answered right back in the top of the second with four runs against starter Richard Bleier (ND). Peter led off the frame with his 20th home run. Tyson Blaser doubled before Francisco Arcia belted his first homer to tie it at 3-3. A two-out error followed by a triple from Mason Williams gave the Thunder the lead, 4-3.
New Hampshire answered back in the bottom of the inning. With two outs, Berti, Newman, and Nolan strung together consecutive two-out doubles to go back on top, 5-4.
The lead was short-lived once again when Bleier surrendered a pair doubles, the latter by Blaser knotting the game at 5-5.
The Thunder took the lead for good in the fifth when a bases loaded walk by Blake McFarland (L; 0-2) pushed across Tyler Austin. A sac fly and a bloop single plated two in the sixth against Randy Boone to push the lead to 8-5.
Mark Montgomery (W; 1-0) earned the win for the Thunder with two scoreless innings. Francisco Rondon (S; 1) earned the save by keeping the three-run cushion over the final two innings.
Bleier allowed five runs (four earned) over three innings, his shortest start of the season. Trenton starter Jairo Heredia was equally ineffective giving up five runs in his three-inning sting.
Nolan finished the night 3-7 with a pair of doubles and four runs batted in. He has hit safely in 12 in a row, tying the longest streak for the Fisher Cats this season. He has hit safely in 25 of 29 games to the tune of a .369 average (38-103) since June 19.
Newman reached four times in game two, but saw his eight-game hit streak end in the first contest. Berti had three hits and scored three runs over the two games.
The teams meet again for game three of the series on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. The game will be followed by Atlas Fireworks. It's also Salute to Break Night presented by J.J. Nissen. Tickets are available at www.nhfishercats.com, by visiting the Fisher Cats ticket office, and by calling (603) 641-2005.
The pitching match-up on Tuesday night calls for righty Scott Copeland (5-7, 4.34) against Trenton LHP Manny Banuelos (0-3, 6.03). Radio coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. with Tom Gauthier and Dick Lutsk on WGIR 610 AM and www.nhfishercats.com.
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Eastern League Stories from July 21, 2014
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