Smith Smokes Fourth Homer in Six Games
May 25, 2016 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release
TRENTON - The New Hampshire Fisher Cats made a ninth-inning charge but came up just short Wednesday night, falling 6-4 at the hands of the Trenton Thunder at ARM & HAMMER Park in Trenton.
The Fisher Cats (20-24) dropped their third straight game, and have now lost five of their last seven contests. The Thunder (25-19) never trailed in the game and are on the precipice of a four-game sweep of New Hampshire. Trenton benefited from a second-inning homer from Alex Rodriguez, as the New York Yankees star is rehabbing an injury with the Thunder.
Trenton opened the scoring in the bottom of the first against Fisher Cats starter Casey Lawrence (L, 1-3). Dustin Fowler singled with one out, and moved to second on a groundout by Rodriguez. Tyler Austin singled Fowler home, and came home himself on a double by Kyle Higashioka. Mark Payton then rapped a single, scoring Higashioka and giving Trenton a 3-0 lead.
The Thunder doubled their advantage in the bottom of the second. Juan Silva led off with a double, and moved to third on a groundout to short by Dante Bichette, Jr. Tyler Wade bounced out back to the mound, but Fowler singled to score Silva. Rodriguez then hammered a Lawrence fastball over the center field fence for a two-run blast, making it 6-0 Trenton.
The Fisher Cats got on the board in the top of the fourth against Trenton starter Dietrich Enns (W, 4-2). Rowdy Tellez led off the frame with a single for New Hampshire before Matt Dean struck out looking on a low slider. That brought up Dwight Smith, Jr., who crushed a pitch from Enns over the right-field wall for a two-run blast, trimming Trenton's lead to 6-2. It was Smith's fourth homer over his last six games.
In the top of the ninth, New Hampshire made things very interesting against reliever Caleb Smith. Ian Parmley worked a leadoff walk, and Shane Opitz singled him to second with one out. Jon Berti grounded out on a bang-bang play at first, and Roemon Fields hit a bouncer to short that looked like it'd be the third out. However, Tyler Wade missed it entirely, and Parmley and Opitz scored to cut the margin to 6-4. Rowdy Tellez came to the plate with a chance to tie the game, but grounded out to Wade to end the game.
Lawrence took the loss, allowing six runs on eight hits and a walk over six innings while fanning four. Jason Bergen tossed two scoreless innings, surrendering one hit.
The Fisher Cats will try to avoid the sweep Thursday morning in the final game of the series against the Thunder, with righty Luis Santos starting for New Hampshire against Trenton right-hander Eric Ruth. First pitch is scheduled for 10:30 AM, and Ben Gellman has the call starting at 10:15 AM on the Fisher Cats Radio Network.
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