EL1 New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Fisher Cats Hang on for 5-4 Win over Rock Cats

Published on July 29, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release


Manchester, NH- David Cooper ended a 101 at-bat homerless drought by blasting a three-run shot in the bottom of the third inning, and Todd Donovan made a diving catch to record the game's final out, as the New Hampshire Fisher Cats held on for their third straight victory, a thrilling 5-4 defeat of the New Britain Rock Cats at Merchantsauto.com Stadium on Wednesday night.

New Britain (50-54) loaded the bases in the top of the ninth against Danny Farquhar when Steve Singleton (walk), Brandon Roberts (HBP) and pinch-hitter Yancarlos Ortiz (bunt single) all reached with no outs. Rene Tosoni (1-for-4, SF, RBI) hit a sac fly, trimming the Fisher Cats' lead to 5-4. After Farquhar struck out Brian Dinkelman (1-for-5, 2B, R), Luke Hughes (1-for-4, BB) ripped a deep drive to center that was snared by Donovan as he slid across the warning track to preserve Farquhar's ninth save in 10 chances.

Randy Boone yielded three runs, one earned, on seven hits in six innings to become the Fisher Cats' first eight-game winner. Boone (8-5) struck out three and walked one. Edgar Estanga (0.2 IP) and Zach Dials (1.1) teamed up for two shutout innings of middle relief for New Hampshire (49-55), which registered its 400th all-time win.

With the Fisher Cats leading 2-1 in the third, Rock Cats' starter Matt Fox walked Donovan (0-for-2, 2 BB, 2 SB, R) and Brad Emaus (0-for-3, BB, R) before Cooper (1-for-4, HR, 3 RBI) launched the first pitch he saw over the right field fence for his fifth homer of the season, and first since June 28, building New Hampshire's lead to 5-1.

Fox (6-7) fell to 0-5 in July and saw New Britain lose for his seventh consecutive start after yielding five runs on five hits in six innings. The right-hander struck out three and walked three.

Erik Lis (2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI) helped the Rock Cats chip away by belting a solo homer, his 13th, in the fourth and adding a run-scoring single in the fifth, scoring Dinkelman, who had reached on a two-out fielding error by Cooper, cutting the Fisher Cats' lead to 5-3.

New Hampshire jumped out to a 2-0 lead courtesy of three straight two-out hits off Fox in the bottom of the second. Brian Jeroloman (2-for-3, 3B, R) tripled into the right field corner, Jonathan Diaz (2-for-3, 2B, RBI, R) smashed a double to deep left and Bryan Kervin (1-for-3, RBI) grounded a run-scoring single down the right field line before being cut down trying to stretch the hit to a double.

New Britain got on the board courtesy of an unearned run in the top of the third. Brandon Roberts (1-for-3, HBP, R) singled, Danny Lehmann (0-for-2, SAC) reached on a sacrifice bunt when Boone committed a throwing error and Tosoni beat out a bunt single to load the bases. Boone induced a double-play grounder from Dinkelman, but Roberts crossed the plate, reducing New Hampshire's lead to 2-1.

The Fisher Cats and Rock Cats meet for the final time this season on Thursday night at 7:05pm when New Hampshire right-hander Kenny Rodriguez (1-2, 5.84) squares off against New Britain righty Michael McCardell (0-1, 9.00). Radio coverage begins with the BayRing Pre-Game Show at 6:45pm with Mike Murphy on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network. An Atlas Fireworks Show follows the game. For tickets and more information, visit www.nhfishercats.com or call (603) 641-2005.

Check out the New Hampshire Fisher Cats Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Eastern League Stories from July 29, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central