Ochinko Smacks First Homer of 2013 in 5-3 Loss at New Britain
April 15, 2013 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. - Sean Ochinko smacked his first home run of 2013 on Monday, giving the Fisher Cats (6-6) hope in New Britain. Hope, however, was just a tease as the Fisher Cats dropped a 5-3 decision to open a three-game series with the New Britain Rock Cats (6-5). The loss leaves New Hampshire with a 2-3 record on their first seven-game road trip of the season.
Ochinko's home run came at a clutch moment as the Fisher Cats opened the ninth inning trailing 5-3. Facing reliever Bobby Lanigan, Clint Robinson singled to center for his second hit of the game. Ochinko then took Lanigan out of the yard to cut the Fisher Cats deficit to 5-3.
That's as close as they could get, however, as Lanigan retired the next two batters before giving up a single to Amadeo Zazueta. Lanigan left the game at that point for Mike Tonkin, who retired Kenny Wilson on one pitch for the game's final out.
New Hampshire couldn't complete the rally for starter Marcus Walden (0-2), who pitched into the sixth inning for the first time this year.
Walden had a 1-0 lead in the sixth, thanks to a fourth-inning RBI double by Clint Robinson. In the sixth, however, the lead evaporated quickly. The first seven men of the inning reached, five of them scoring against Walden to put New Britain ahead to stay at 5-1.
Walden allowed a season-high five runs, although only four were earned due to an error in the five-run frame. He surrendered a career-high 11 hits while walking one and striking out another.
Ochinko led the Fisher Cats offense with two of the team's eight hits. Robinson added two hits, as did Zazueta.
The Fisher Cats bullpen pitched very well, as Joel Carreno (three strikeouts), Clint Everts (one), and Chad Beck (three) combined to record seven strikeouts over the final three innings.
The teams will play the middle game of the series on Tuesday night at 6:35 p.m. The Fisher Cats will start righty Deck McGuire (1-1, 3.09) against New Britain righty Trevor May (0-1, 3.00). Fans can listen to the game with Tom Gauthier beginning at 6:15 p.m. on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network and at www.nhfishercats.com.
The Fisher Cats return home to Northeast Delta Dental Stadium on Thursday, April 18 for a seven-home homestand with Binghamton and New Britain. The first game of the stand features a fleece blanket giveaway for the first 1,000 fans courtesy of Heritage Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric. For tickets and a full list of promotions, visit www.nhfishercats.com.
• Discuss this story on the Eastern League message board...
Eastern League Stories from April 15, 2013
- Baysox Beat Erie on Jackie Robinson Day - Bowie Baysox
- Medchill Blast Paces 5-3 Thunder Win - Trenton Thunder
- B-Met Bats Struggle in 7-4 Loss - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Thunder Win Round One in Rematch with Aeros - Akron RubberDucks
- Harrisburg's Treinen Halts Reading Bats - Reading Fightin Phils
- Rock Cats Win vs Fisher Cats 5-3 on Monday - New Britain Rock Cats
- Ranaudo stellar in Sea Dogs 7-4 victory - Portland Sea Dogs
- Ochinko Smacks First Homer of 2013 in 5-3 Loss at New Britain - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Losing Streak Reaches Four with 2-0 Shutout Loss to Squirrels - Altoona Curve
- Squirrels Snodgrass Curve, Snap Slide, 2-0 - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Eastern League Names Pitcher and Player of the Week - EL1
- Sea Dogs Game Notes April 15 at Binghamton - Portland Sea Dogs
- Chris Martin Named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week - Portland Sea Dogs
- Squirrels' Duvall Named Eastern League Player of the Week - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Bowie Baysox Announce Player Move - Bowie Baysox
- Erie SeaWolves at Bowie Baysox Game Notes - Erie SeaWolves
- B-Mets Game Notes: Binghamton Mets vs. Portland Sea Dogs - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Seinfeld's "Soup Nazi" to Appear at the Diamond - Richmond Flying Squirrels
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
