Back-To-Back Home Runs Highlight Fisher Cats' 5-4 Loss
June 29, 2010 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release
Manchester, NH- David Cooper and Danny Perales hit back-to-back home runs in the seventh inning, but it wasn't enough to overcome an early deficit, as the New Hampshire FisherCats lost to the Reading Phillies 5-4 at Merchantsauto.com Stadium Tuesday Night.
Hours after the Eastern League All-Star teams were announced, two Eastern Division teammates were matched up on the mound. New Hampshire's Kyle Drabektook on Reading's Vance Worley, but for the second game in a row the Phillies (37-39) built a commanding lead early. On Monday, New Hampshire (46-32) was put in a seven-run hole after the first inning. Tonight, the Phillies scored in bunches, once again, with five runs in the top of the third.
After facing six batters through the first two frames, Drabek's 0-1 offering to No. 7 hitter Cody Overbeck got things started by sending centerfielder Darin Mastroianni to the deepest part of the park in right-center for a triple off the wall. Overbeck then got Reading on the scoreboard one batter later when a bloop by Freddy Galvis fell in front of Mastroianni in shallow center. Drabek proceeded to get two outs, but couldn't minimize the damage, allowing a RBI double to Ozzie Chavez, a walk to Michael Spidale and a three-run home run by All-Star Matt Rizzotti to cap off the rally. The Phillies finished the third inning jumping out to a 5-0 lead, hitting for the team-wide cycle and eventually dropping the Fisher Cats to 11-21 when their opponent scores first.
The Fisher Cats used the long ball to their advantage in the bottom of the fourth, and chipped into the deficit with three runs. All-Star inductee Shawn Bowman (1 for 4, run) led off the home-half of the inning with a single through the hole on the left side of the infield. One out later, David Cooper (1 for 4, 2 RBI) cleared the bases, hitting his 11thhomerun over the centerfield fence. Two pitches later, Danny Perales(2 for 4, RBI, run) went back-to-back with his fifth blast of the season to right field, closing the gap to 5-3.
The Fisher Cats threatened, but could not score in the fifth. Singles by Manny Mayorson (1 for 5) and All-Star Eric Thames (1 for 4) set up men at first and third with one out, but the opportunity was squandered when Worley got out of the jam with two consecutive strikeouts. Worley worked a 1-2-3 sixth inning, and finished the night after 6 IP, allowing three earned runs on seven hits and striking out six, while walking two.
Drabek finished his night after seven innings, retaking the Eastern League lead in that category with 98.0 IP for the season, 1.2 IP ahead of Erie's Thad Weber. The hurler's only blemish came in the third, where he was roughed up for all five of his earned runs, and gave up four of his five hits. Drabek also struck out five and walked two.
With Worley on the bench, the Fisher Cats made some noise against the Phillies' bullpen in both the seventh and eighth innings. Three-time All-Star Brian Jeroloman(1 for 2, BB) led off the seventh by getting hit by reliever John Ennis. A single by fellow All-Star Mastroianni (1 for 4) allowed Jeroloman to go from first to third, and eventually score on a groundout by Mayorson. However, the rally stopped there as Mastroianni was stranded at third for the next two outs.
The home team had another opportunity in the eighth, but left another man in scoring position. This time Perales hit a two-out double, but ended up being just one of seven left on base for New Hampshire on the night. Reading's other pitcher headed to Harrisburg on July 14 for the All-Star game, Michael Schwimer, closed the books on the Fisher Cats, and recorded his ninth save of the first half by retiring the side in order in the bottom of the ninth. The Fisher Cats are now 1.5 games behind Trenton for first place in the Eastern Division after the Thunder split a double header between the Rock Cats.
On Wednesday night, right-hander Zach Stewart (5-2, 4.36) gets the nod for the Fisher Cats, and will oppose Reading right-hander J.C. Ramirez (1-1, 5.54). Fisher Cats Pre-Game begins at 6:45 p.m. on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network, starring Mike Murphy and Bob Lipman.
The first 1,000 kids through the gates at Merchantsauto.com Stadium Wednesday will receive a free Webkinz, courtesy of NortheastDelta Dental. Fans will also play USA Subs Baseball Bingo, and celebrate Fungo'sFifth Birthday. For tickets, call (603) 641-2005 or visit www.nhfishercats.com.
Eastern League Stories from June 29, 2010
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