EL1 New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Burns Burning, but Fisher Cats Scalded 13-3

Published on August 2, 2014 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release


MANCHESTER, N.H. - Andy Burns had two more hits and his team-leading 12th home run, but the Fisher Cats dropped a 14-3 Saturday night decision to the Reading Fightin Phils at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. The win for Reading (47-66) evens the series between the two teams heading into the fifth game on Sunday afternoon.

Burns home run came early, but with the Fisher Cats (54-60) already trailing 3-0. In the top of the first, facing Double-A newcomer Taylor Cole (L; 0-1), the Phils put up three runs when the first four men reached in the inning. Burns answered back for New Hampshire with his solo shot to lead off the second to cut the deficit to 2-1.

After Reading added on two more on a Jake Fox homer in the top of the third, Jon Berti plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame, keeping the deficit at two runs with the score 5-3.

That's how the game stayed for Cole and Co. as the righty, promoted to New Hampshire on Friday, pitched into the sixth. That frame proved to be the decisive one for both parties. A bunt single and an error started the frame, and it only got worse as the Phils put up eight runs to build a 13-3 lead. The inning was highlighted by a grand slam from Zach Collier, the first of two home runs he would smack in the game. The lowlights for the Fisher Cats were the error by Burns, one hit batter, two walks, and a balk that led to five unearned runs.

Burns finished the game 2-4 with a homer, leaving him with nine hits over the first four games of the series. The third baseman is hitting .279 against the Phils this year with a team-high 12 runs batted in.

Berti added three hits and a pair of RBI while Dalton Pompey returned to the line-up for the first time since Sunday. The outfielder was on base three times, extending his hit streak to eight games with a double and single.

Cole took the loss in his Double-A debut. He allowed a career-high eight runs (seven earned) over 5.1 innings. The righty gave up eight hits while walking four with four strikeouts. Severino Gonzalez (W; 7-12) earned the victory with seven innings of three-run ball.

The teams will now meet for the final time on Sunday afternoon at 1:35 p.m. The first 1,000 kids will receive a Fisher Cats jersey courtesy of Coca-Cola. After the game, all kids can run the bases presented by the Buyers Beware program. Tickets are available by visiting www.nhfishercats.com, stopping by the Fisher Cats ticket office, or by calling (603) 641-2005.

Saturday's pitching match-up has lefty Daniel Norris taking the ball against Reading righty Ryan O'Sullivan. Radio coverage begins at 1:15 p.m. with Bob Lipman and Dick Lutsk on WGIR 610 AM and www.nhfishercats.com.

Check out the New Hampshire Fisher Cats Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from August 2, 2014


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