EL1 New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Fisher Cats rally from three-run, ninth inning deficit to beat Thunder, 5-4

Published on July 23, 2006 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release


Manchester, NH - Chip Cannon hit a three-run, game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, and Ryan Klosterman scored from second base on a passed ball in the eleventh to give the New Hampshire Fisher Cats a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Trenton Thunder at Merchantsauto.com Stadium Sunday afternoon.

Klosterman worked a walk against Scott Patterson (0-1) to lead off the eleventh and advanced to second on Manny Mayorson's sacrifice bunt. With Tim Olson batting, Trenton catcher Jason Brown mishandled a Patterson pitch that bounced all the way toward the Thunder dugout. Klosterman dashed around third and slid headfirst across the plate to give New Hampshire (45-56) its third straight win over Trenton (54-46).

Cannon (1-for-5, 3 RBI) erased the Thunder's 4-1 lead with his 17th home run, a three-run blast off Justin Pope (2 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 1 K) with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning that sailed deep over the rightfield fence. It was the third blown save of the season for Pope, the Eastern League's saves leader, and the first home run he allowed in 31 appearances this season.

Rodney Ormond (3-4) pitched two shutout innings for the victory.

Eric Duncan went 2-for-3 with two solo home runs for Trenton before he was ejected for arguing a runner's interference call in the 10th inning. Thunder manager Bill Masse and relief pitcher JB Cox (3 IP, 0 ER) were also ejected following the play that would have allowed the Thunder to take a 5-4 lead when Randy Ruiz seemingly scored the go-ahead run on Mayorson's wild relay throw to first base. Instead, base umpire Dan Bellino ruled Duncan left the baseline and signaled for an inning-ending double play.

The Fisher Cats won for the first time in 47 games where they trailed after the eighth inning, recorded their seventh walk-off win of the season and third of the homestand.

New Hampshire now heads to Binghamton to start a three-game series with the Mets at NYSEG Stadium. Monday night at 7pm, right-hander Jesse Litsch (1-2, 5.18) takes the mound against Binghamton righty Michael Devaney (1-0, 1.35).

The Fisher Cats open a four-game series with the New Britain Rock Cats Friday night at Merchantsauto.com Stadium. For tickets, call (603) 641-2005, or visit www.nhfishercats.com.

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Eastern League Stories from July 23, 2006


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