EL1 New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Fisher Cats Erupt for Seven-Run 6th Inning in 9-8 Loss to Defenders

Published on July 17, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release


Manchester, NH- Trailing 9-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats exploded for seven runs on six hits and two walks, matching their best offensive inning of the season, but it wasn't quite enough in a 9-8 loss to the Connecticut Defenders before a Friday-night crowd of 5,986 at Merchantsauto.com Stadium.

The Fisher Cats' rally started with their first seven batters scoring in the home half of the sixth, as Darin Mastroianni (2-for-5, 2 RBI, R) lined a bases-loaded, two-run single to center that chased Defenders' starter Tim Alderson; Adam Calderone (1-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI, R) followed with a two-run double down the right field line; Jonathan Diaz (1-for-1, 2 BB, SAC, R) reached when reliever Dan Griffin threw wildly on his sacrifice bunt, allowing Calderone to score. Todd Donovan (3-for-5, RBI, 2 R, SB) added an RBI single before David Cooper (2-for-5, RBI, R) closed out the uprising with a run-scoring fielder's choice grounder.

Ben Snyder put out the fire with three shutout innings out of the bullpen for Connecticut (54-38), and All-Star closer Dan Otero worked a scoreless ninth for his 18th save in 19 opportunities.

Alderson (6-1) held on for the victory, allowing five runs, four earned, on eight hits in five-plus innings. The 20-year-old right-hander fanned two and walked two.

Luis Perez (6-7) was saddled with the loss after yielding a season-worst eight runs, six earned, on seven hits in three-plus innings. The southpaw notched three strikeouts and walked one in dropping his first decision since June 16.

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Casey Janssen, making a Major League injury rehabilitation appearance for New Hampshire (42-50), struck out two of the three batters he faced in a scoreless seventh inning.

The Defenders erased an early 1-0 deficit in the top of the third inning on an RBI fielder's choice grounder by Mike McBride (0-for-5, RBI, R). Third baseman Scott Campbell's throwing error allowed Jackson Williams (2-for-4, 2B, 2 R) to score on the play, giving Connecticut a 2-1 lead. Brandon Crawford (1-for-4, 2 RBI, BB) increased the advantage to 4-1 with a two-run single to left.

Mike Mooney (2-for-3, HR, HBP, 2 R, 3 RBI) belted a three-run homer, his fifth, off Perez in the top of the fourth inning, and Williams scored on a double-play grounder for an 8-1 Connecticut lead.

Adam Witter (1-for-2, RBI) made it 9-1 when he laced an RBI single off reliever Leon Boyd in the top of the fifth, scoring Eddy Martinez-Esteve (1-for-3, R), who singled, with what turned out to be the deciding run.

The Fisher Cats grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Donovan singled, advanced on a catcher's interference, stole third base for his team-leading 17th stolen base of the season and scored on a double-play grounder.

The Fisher Cats and Defenders continue their series Saturday night at 7:05pm when New Hampshire right-hander Marty McLeary (1-2, 3.18) takes on Connecticut left-hander Jesse English (6-5, 3.38) at Merchantsauto.com Stadium. Saturday night is PMC/Team Emma's Enchantment Night, with the Fisher Cats wearing specially-designed uniforms that will be auctioned off to raise money for cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. An Atlas Fireworks Show follows the game. 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 July 17, 2009


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