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EL1 New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Dopirak Hits 17th HR, Drives in Three, in 9-4 Win Over Reading

June 23, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release


Reading, PA- The New Hampshire Fisher Cats erased a 2-0 deficit by erupting for a season-high seven runs in the fourth inning, and Brian Dopirak hit his Eastern League-leading 17th home run and drove in three runs in the Fishers' 9-4 win over the Reading Phillies on Tuesday night at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Trailing 2-0 in the top of the fourth, New Hampshire (31-40) pounced on losing pitcher Mike Stutes when Cody Haerther (1-for-4, RBI, R) hit a bases-loaded, infield single; Darin Mastroianni (0-for-4, R, RBI), making his Fisher Cats' debut, drove in a run on a ground ball that became an error when shortstop Ozzie Chavez dropped a throw from first baseman Brian Stavisky. That miscue led to four unearned runs as Luis Sanchez (1-for-4, 2 RBI, R) followed with a two-run single to center, Todd Donovan (2-for-4, SF, RBI) added a sacrifice fly and, following a walk to Scott Campbell (1-for-2, 3 BB, 2 R), Dopirak, who started the inning with a single, connected for a run-scoring single off reliever Chance Chapman. Adam Calderone (1-for-4, 2B, BB, RBI) concluded the inning with an RBI double, lifting the Fisher Cats to a 7-2 lead.

Reading (39-30) crept closer when Michael Taylor (3-for-5, HR, 2 RBI, SB) ripped a two-run homer, his 13th, off winning pitcher Randy Boone in the bottom of the fifth, trimming New Hampshire's lead to 7-4.

But Dopirak (3-for-5, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R), one day after being named the Eastern League Player of the Week for the second time this season, announced his candidacy for a repeat performance by lining a two-run homer to right off Chapman, driving in his league-leading 54th and 55th runs of the year.

Boone (5-4) notched the victory after allowing four runs on eight hits in six innings. The right-hander fanned four and walked two.

Rommie Lewis pitched three shutout innings of two-hit baseball, notching four strikeouts and walking two, to notch his first save since August 5, 2007, when he pitched for the Bowie Baysox.

Stutes (4-4) was roughed up for seven runs, three earned, on six hits and four walks in 3.2 innings in the loss.

The Fisher Cats look to make it back-to-back wins over the Phillies on Wednesday night at 7:05pm when right-hander Marty McLeary (0-0, 2.45) takes the mound against Reading right-hander Tyson Brummett (3-6, 4.25) at FirstEnergy Stadium. Radio coverage begins at 6:45pm with the BayRing Pre-Game Show on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network with Mike Murphy.

The Fisher Cats open a four-game series against the Portland Sea Dogs, Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, with a 7:05pm game on Friday night at Merchantsauto.com Stadium. The first 1,500 fans on hand receive a free Merchantsauto.com Stadium Replica, courtesy of Merchants Automotive Group. For tickets, call (603) 641-2005 or visit www.nhfishercats.com.

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