EL1 New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Dopirak rips two-run double in 7-2 loss to Portland

Published on May 20, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release


Portland, ME- Brian Dopirak smashed a two-run double, driving in his Eastern League-leading 32nd and 33rd runs of the season, in the top of the seventh inning, but Aaron Bates responded with a three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh to propel the Portland Sea Dogs to a 7-2 victory over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Wednesday night at Hadlock Field.

An unearned run staked Portland (19-19) to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Ryan Khoury (0-for-2, 3 BB, 2 R, SB) walked, stole second base and scored when Dopirak mishandled Marc Rzepczynski's throw to first on Aaron Bates' infield single.

Facing Rzepczynski in the bottom of the fourth, Zach Borowiak (2-for-4, 2 2B, 3 RBI) ripped a two-run double off the Maine Monster in left, driving in Jon Still (double) and Reid Engel (walk) for a 3-0 Sea Dogs' lead.

Rzepczynski (6-3) took the loss by giving up three runs -two earned- on six hits and three walks in five innings. The southpaw pushed his league-leading strikeout total to 57 by fanning five.

Borowiak laced his second RBI double of the game in the sixth inning, depositing a Celson Polanco pitch into the left-centerfield gap to score Still (2-for-4, 2B, R), who had doubled, pushing the lead to 4-0.

That was enough for winning pitcher Jarod Plummer (2-1), who worked five shutout innings, allowing four hits, three walks and notching three strikeouts.

New Hampshire (22-18) rallied back against Portland reliever Dustin Richardson in the seventh when Adam Calderone (1-for-4, 2B, HBP, SB, R) doubled into the right field corner, David Cooper (2-for-5, R) singled and Dopirak (1-for-3, 2B, 2 BB, 2 RBI) cracked a double off the top of the right field wall, plating both runners and drawing the Fisher Cats to within 4-2. Dopirak now leads the EL in RBIs (33), doubles (T-14) and extra-base hits (23).

Polanco walked Khoury and Bubba Bell (0-for-3, 2 BB, R) to start the seventh inning before giving way to Adrian Martin. On a 3-2 pitch, Bates (3-for-5, HR, 2B, 3 RBI) launched Martin's payoff deep over the Maine Monster to cap the scoring.

The Fisher Cats and Sea Dogs wrap up their three-game series with a 12:00pm start on Thursday. New Hampshire right-hander Randy Boone (3-1, 4.50) will be opposed by Portland left-hander Felix Doubront (3-2, 3.58). Radio coverage begins at 11:45am with the BayRing Pre-Game Show on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network with Mike Murphy.

The Fisher Cats return to Merchantsauto.com Stadium this Friday night, May 22, to open a four-game series against the Trenton Thunder at 7:05pm. It will be Law Enforcement Night at Merchantsauto.com Stadium, and it's also David Ortiz Bobblehead Giveaway Night, courtesy of Sovereign Bank. For tickets, visit www.nhfishercats.com or call (603) 641-2005.

Check out the New Hampshire Fisher Cats Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from May 20, 2009


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