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EL1 New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Fisher Cats drop 7-6 heartbreaker in Portland

September 5, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release


Portland, ME- David Cooper went 3-for-4 with two singles, a double and an RBI, but Portland came from behind to beat the Fisher Cats 7-6 Saturday night before 6,008 at Hadlock Field.

The Fisher Cats (63-77) lost when Iggy Suarez drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the ninth inning off Zach Dials (1-5).

New Hampshire built a 6-2 lead three innings into the game. Cooper singled home Todd Donovan in the top of the first after Donovan had walked and stolen second base to make it 1-0.

The Fisher Cats made it 3-0 in the top of the second. Darin Mastroianni (2-for-3, 2 RBI) doubled and stole third base. He scored on a sacrifice fly by Moises Sierra. Jonathan Diaz singled and scored on a double by Todd Donovan.

Portland (66-73) battled back with two runs in the bottom of the second. Lars Anderson and Luis Exposito drew walks from starting pitcher Sean Smith. Yamiaco Navarro drove in Anderson with a single and Exposito scored on a single by Iggy Suarez (2-for-4, 2 RBI).

New Hampshire loaded the bases in the top of the third inning against Portland starter Ryne Miller. Brad Emaus and Cooper singled and Nick Gorneault walked. Mastroianni singled Emaus and Cooper home. Gorneault scored on wild pitch to make it 6-2.

Portland battled back with two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Luis Exposito singled, Yamiaca Navarrao walked and both scored on a double by Daniel Nava to make it 6-4.

New Hampshire nearly had another run in the top of the seventh inning when Cooper drilled a long fly to right-center. The ball was played as if it had hit the wall and Cooper stopped at second, but one umpire had called it a home run. After conferring, Cooper was sent back to second base leading to an argument in which manager Gary Cathcart was ejected.

Portland rallied for the second straight night to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth inning. Ryan Kalish, who won last night's game with a solo home run in the bottom of the 14th inning, drew a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the eighth inning to cut the lead to 6-5 before Jorge Jiminez singled to tie the game against Leon Boyd.

In the bottom of the ninth, Jon Still doubled, Anderson was issued an intentional walk, Jason Place walked and Suarez walked to end the game.

Tommy Hottovy and Chad Rhoades (6-2) combined for four shutout innings in relief for Portland with Rhoades earning the victory.

New Hampshire outhit Portland 9-to-8, but yielded a franchise record 13 walks in losing a fourth straight, including three-in-a-row in the opponents final at bat.

The Fisher Cats continue the final four-game series of the season at Hadlock Field tomorrow afternoon at 1pm. Right-hander Andrew Liebel (1-0, 2.25) will start for New Hampshire against Portland right-hander Ryne Lawson (3-12, 6.15). Radio coverage begins at 12:45pm with the BayRing Pre-Game Show on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network with Bob Lipman.

Fisher Cats 2010 Season Tickets are now on sale by calling (603) 641-2005 or visiting www.nhfishercats.com.

Check out the New Hampshire Fisher Cats Statistics

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