EL1 New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Fisher Cats Hit Back-To-Back Homers, Fall in Extras

Published on May 14, 2014 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release


MANCHESTER, N.H. - Michael Crouse and Gabe Jacobo hit back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the ninth inning on Wednesday, tying the game and sending the Fisher Cats (15-23) into extra innings with a late rally. In the tenth, the bullpen faltered once again, allowing the Reading Fightin Phils to go home with a 5-4 win and a three-game sweep at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.

Reading looked to have the win wrapped up in the regulation nine-inning time frame. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, they led 4-2 and the Fisher Cats didn't have a runner on base. That's when Crouse, working the count full, blasted his second homer on top of the Samuel Adams Bar & Grill to make it a one-run game. Jacobo followed, hammering a 2-1 pitch from Hector Neris (W; 1-0) onto the patio in left-center to tie the game at 4-4.

But, like the previous two games of the series, it didn't take long for the Phils to answer. In the top of the tenth, they put two runners on against reliever Randy Boone (L; 0-2). Cam Perkins then delivered the go-ahead two-out double to put Reading up 5-4.

The hit by Perkins capped another frustrating day for the Fisher Cats, who have now lost four in a row. Their first two runs both scored on the same type of play. Kenny Wilson stole third in the first inning, then scored when the throw bounced into left field. Andy Burns pulled off the feat in the seventh, giving New Hampshire a 2-0 lead.

It was in the eighth that Reading first got on the board, erasing the 2-0 deficit to take the lead. With runners at second and third and one out, Tyler Ybarra entered the game for Deck McGuire and uncorked a wild pitch to cut the lead to 2-1. A few pitches later, Carlos Alonso homered to left to put Reading up 3-2.

The Phils added to their lead against Ybarra in the ninth with an inside-the-park home run from Anthony Hewitt, pushing the advantage to 4-2.

Deck McGuire took a tough no-decision in his ninth start of the year. He didn't allow a run through his first seventh inning, but was charged with two when he left the runners on with one out in the eighth. He worked 7.1 total, striking out a season-high eight on the game.

The Fisher Cats now take a scheduled day off on Thursday before beginning the second leg of their homestand on Friday night against the Binghamton Mets (New York Mets). Friday's game begins at 6:35 p.m. and features Atlas Fireworks presented by HYUNDAI. Tickets are available at www.nhfishercats.com, at the Fisher Cats ticket office, and by calling (603) 641-2005.

The Fisher Cats will send right Scott Copeland (3-3, 3.58) to the mound on Friday night in search of his fourth win. Binghamton has yet to name its starters for the series. Radio coverage begins with Tom Gauthier and Charlie Sherman at 10:15 a.m. on WGIR 610 AM and www.nhfishercats.com.

Check out the New Hampshire Fisher Cats Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from May 14, 2014


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