EL1 New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Burns Hits, Bullpen Falters in 7-6 Loss to Sea Dogs

Published on July 13, 2014 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release


PORTLAND, Maine - Andy Burns had a career-high four hits and Jon Berti and K.C. Hobson both hit home runs, but a four-run eighth by the Sea Dogs sent the Fisher Cats to a 7-6 defeat on Sunday afternoon.

For the fourth straight game, one of the teams scored in the first inning. On Sunday, it was the Sea Dogs (62-34). Peter Hissey singled off starter Richard Bleier. Shannon Wilkerson followed with a double to left-center to put Portland on top, 1-0.

The lead lasted until Hobson and Berti struck in the fourth against starter Mike McCarthy. Andy Burns started the inning with an infield single before Hobson bashed the next pitch into the seats in right for his third home run. Derrick Chung and Andy Fermin followed with base hits before Berti clubbed a three-run bomb over the video board in left center to put the Fisher Cats (44-51) on top, 5-1.

The Sea Dogs tacked on two more runs with a pair of solo homers against Bleier over the fourth and fifth innings. Bleier left after five in line for his fifth victory having allowed three runs with a season-high five strikeouts.

New Hampshire added a run in the seventh against reliever Pete Ruiz. Burns tripled off the center field wall, and then scored on a two-out single by Chung for a 6-3 lead.

The lead looked safe for the Fisher Cats, but the Sea Dogs had other thoughts. In the bottom of the eighth, the first four men all reached and scored against Tyler Ybarra (L; 4-4) to give Portland a 7-6 lead.

Blake Swihart led off the inning with Portland's third solo home run of the day. Michael Almanzar followed, reaching on an error and advancing to second on a wild pitch. Almanzar scored when David Chester singled to center to make it a one-run game.

Ybarra walked Jonathan Roof before exiting the game for Randy Boone. After recording the first out, Boone issued a walk and then a two-run single to Heiker Meneses to put the Sea Dogs on top to stay.

Burns tallied a pair of doubles to go along with his triple and a single. He had a chance for five hits and the cycle in the ninth, but grounded out in front of the plate for the game's final out. Kevin Nolan stayed hot with a pair of doubles. He now has seven hits in the first four games of the series.

The teams will now wrap up the series with the final game before the All-Star Break on Monday at noon. Righty Casey Lawrence takes the ball against Portland righty Mike Augliera. Radio coverage begins at 11:45 a.m. with Tom Gauthier on WGIR 610 AM and www.nhfishercats.com.

The Fisher Cats return home to begin an eight-game homestand after the All-Star Break on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. They'll open the homestand with four games against Portland featuring three Atlas Fireworks Shows and a Sunday hat giveaway. Tickets are available at www.nhfishercats.com, by visiting the Fisher Cats ticket office, and by calling (603) 641-2005.

Check out the New Hampshire Fisher Cats Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from July 13, 2014


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