A Walk In The Park For Fisher Cats in 2-0 win over Defenders
April 15, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release
Manchester, NH- Fabio Castro worked six shutout innings, and relievers Celson Polanco, David Shinskie and Leon Boyd combined on a four-hit shutout as the New Hampshire Fisher Cats blanked the Connecticut Defenders, 2-0, before 2,325 Wednesday night at Merchantsauto.com Stadium.
The game was scoreless until the bottom of the eighth inning, when with two outs, the Fisher Cats drew five consecutive walks to earn the win. Losing pitcher Waldis Joaquin (0-2) retired the first eight New Hampshire batters he faced before walking Luis Sanchez, Todd Donovan and Brian Jeroloman. Joaquin was lifted for reliever Steve Edlefsen, who threw a wild pitch allowing Sanchez to score the first run. He then walked Brad Emaus to reload the bases, and then walked David Cooper (1-for-3, RBI) to drive in Donovan to make it 2-0.
Leon Boyd, making his Fisher Cats debut, retired the Defenders in order in the ninth inning to earn the save and give New Hampshire (4-3) the victory and a winning homestand to open the 2009 season. For Boyd, who was the closer for the Netherlands in the just completed World Baseball Classic, it was his first outing since being signed by the Toronto Blue Jays, and assigned to New Hampshire.
It was another outstanding start for Fabio Castro for the Fisher Cats. The southpaw, for the second straight start, did not allow a run. Castro worked the first six innings, allowing four hits, walking one and striking out two. After the Defenders threatened in the top of the fifth inning with consecutive singles by Sharlon Schoop and David Maroul, Castro struck out Jackson Williams, got Antoan Richardson to fly out and retired Brian Bocock on a groundout. Celson Polanco and David Shinskie each pitched a scoreless inning in relief for New Hampshire. Shinskie (1-0) earned credit for his first win.
Defenders starter Brooks McNiven worked five scoreless innings, allowing five hits, walking none and striking out three batters.
The Fisher Cats start a seven-game roadtrip on Thursday night at New Britain. LHP Luis Perez (0-1, 3.60) starts for New Hampshire against Rock Cats LHP Ryan Mullins (0-1, 4.15) The BayRing Communications Pre-Game Show begins at 5:45pm with Mike Murphy on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network.
The Fisher Cats return home on Thursday, April 23 to open a homestand with the Binghamton Mets. The first 2,000 children attending the game at Merchantsauto.com Stadium will receive a Fisher Cats pennant courtesy of Coca-Cola. For tickets, call (603) 641-2005 or visit www.nhfishercats.com.
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