EL1 New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Fisher Cats Take Late Lead but Can't Hold On

Published on May 15, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release


BINGHAMTON, N.Y. - The New Hampshire Fisher Cats couldn't make a late lead stand up, losing a tight 9-8 affair to the Binghamton Mets Friday night at NYSEG Stadium.

New Hampshire (17-18) took the lead in the top of the ninth inning but failed to hang onto it, falling just short of what would have been their fifth road win of the season. The Mets (20-15) notched their 20th win of the season, powered by a five-RBI performance from catcher Xorge Carrillo. The two teams combined for 26 hits while drawing only four walks in the game.

The Fisher Cats opened the scoring in the top of the first against Mets starter Michael Fulmer (ND). With one out, Dwight Smith, Jr. singled and moved up to second on a wild pitch by Wheeler, advancing to third when Matt Newman grounded out to second. Matt Nolan slashed a single to left to plate Smith, and Andy Fermin ripped a ground-rule double to left to put runners at second and third. Jack Murphy poked a flare into shallow left for a two-run single, making it 3-0 Fisher Cats after one inning.

Binghamton batted around and took the lead in the bottom of the second against Fisher Cats starter Joel Piî=B1eiro (ND), powered by an RBI double by former Fisher Cat David Cooper, a two-run double by Carrillo, and an RBI fielder's choice hit by Jared King. When the dust settled, Binghamton had assumed a 4-3 lead.

The Mets added to their advantage in the bottom of the fifth. Dustin Lawley pounded a solo homer to left field off Piî=B1eiro, who then gave up a single to Cooper before being yanked for Austin Bibens-Dirkx. The new pitcher gave up a two-run blast to Carrillo, running the Binghamton lead to 7-3.

New Hampshire started to cut into the lead in the top of the seventh against new pitcher Beck Wheeler. With one out, Smith singled on a chopper back to the mound, and moved to second when Wheeler's throw to first went into the seats. After Newman flew out to left, Nolan cracked an RBI double to left-center field, scoring Smith and making it a 7-4 ballgame.

The Fisher Cats evened things up in the top of the eighth inning, as they loaded the bases with one out against new reliever Dario Alvarez. Jon Berti smoked a double into the left-field corner, clearing the bases and winding up at third on a throwing error by left fielder Jayce Boyd. The Fisher Cats entered the ninth with the score tied, and moved ahead on a solo blast by Pierce Rankin off Mets closer Paul Sewald (W, 3-0) to take an 8-7 lead.

Binghamton was not to be denied in the bottom of the ninth, however. The Mets loaded the bases against Fisher Cats closer Blake McFarland (L, 2-1) on three straight singles to start the inning, and McFarland balked home T.J. Rivera for the tying run. The Fisher Cats then intentionally walked Lawley to load the bases. McFarland fanned Cooper for the first out, but Carrillo lifted a sacrifice fly to deep left, scoring Josh Rodriguez for the winning run.

Piñeiro took a no-decision with six runs allowed on seven hits and a walk in 4.2 innings, whiffing two. Bibens-Dirks allowed one run on three hits and struck out two in his three innings of action. Scott Barnes fanned the only batter he faced in the eighth inning. McFarland took the loss, surrendering two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out one; he recorded only two outs and issued a critical balk.

The Fisher Cats will try to shake off the loss on Saturday afternoon at 1:05 p.m, with southpaw John Anderson taking the ball against the Mets' John Gant. Radio coverage begins at 12:45 p.m. with Ben Gellman on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network and at www.nhfishercats.com.

The Fisher Cats return home for a Memorial Day Weekend celebration starting Friday, May 22. The stand includes three four Atlas Fireworks shows and a Memorial Day matinee. Tickets are available by visiting www.nhfishercats.com, visiting the stadium box office, or by calling (603) 641-2005.

Check out the New Hampshire Fisher Cats Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from May 15, 2015


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