Four-run first inning not enough in 6-4 loss to Reading
July 25, 2008 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release
Reading, PA- Eric Nielsen hit a solo home run, and Jacob Butler added a two-run double to highlight a four-run first inning for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, but the Reading Phillies rallied for a 6-4 victory in front of a crowd of 8,091 at FirstEnergy Stadium on Friday night.
New Hampshire (42-63) jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning. With one out, Nielsen (3-for-4, HR, BB) tagged a J.D. Durbin offering over the left-centerfield wall for his second home run of the season for a 1-0 lead. Travis Snider (0-for-2, 3 BB, R) walked, J. P. Arencibia (2-for-5, R) singled and Andrew Pinckney (0-for-3, BB, R) walked to load the bases. Kyle Phillips (0-for-3, BB, RBI) then drove in a run with a bases-loaded walk, and Butler (2-for-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI) knocked in two runs with a double to the wall in left-center.
Reading (44-61) began its comeback with an unearned run against Robert Ray in the bottom of the third inning on a Neil Sellers (1-for-2, SF, BB, 2 R, RBI) sacrifice fly that cut the New Hampshire lead to 4-1.
The Phillies managed to tie the game, 4-4, in the bottom of the sixth inning. Sellers and Luke Appert (1-for-4) began the inning with singles before Ray walked Clay Harris (1-for-2, 2 BB, R) and uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Sellers to score. Facing reliever Seth Overbey, Brad Harman (2-for-4, 2B, BB, 2 RBI) chopped a double down the left field line, plating Harris and Javon Moran (0-for-5, R).
Reading went ahead to stay against Overbey in the bottom of the seventh inning on a two-out, two-run single from Mike Eylward (1-for-4, 2 RBI), scoring Lou Marson (2-for-4, BB, R) and Sellers for a 6-4 advantage.
Travis Minix (2-3) earned the win with two hitless innings of relief. The right-hander struck out one and walked one.
In the ninth inning, Justin Pope allowed a single to Nielsen and a walk to Snider, but he earned his sixth save when Arencibia flied out to end the game.
Overbey (2-2) yielded two runs on three hits in 1.2 innings to absorb the loss. The right-hander walked two.
The Fisher Cats and Phillies continue their series Saturday night at 6:35pm in Reading. New Hampshire sends right-hander Kenny Rodriguez (1-2, 9.19) to the mound against Reading righty Tyson Brummett (2-3, 4.05). Radio coverage begins at 6:15pm on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network with Mike Murphy.
The Fisher Cats entertain the Portland Sea Dogs, Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, Monday night at Merchantsauto.com Stadium. The first 2,000 fans in attendance receive a FREE St. Mary's Bank Inflatable Bat. For tickets, visit www.nhfishercats.com or call (603) 641-2005.
Beginning at 6:05pm, New Hampshire and Portland resume a suspended game from June 22 with the Fisher Cats leading 4-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning. Following the game, the two teams will play their regularly-scheduled contest. Game two will be seven innings.
Eastern League Stories from July 25, 2008
- Baysox Walk Into Trouble Before Walk-Off - Chesapeake Baysox
- Trenton edged by Portland - Trenton Thunder
- Portland is 11-6 in their last 17 road games after latest win - Portland Sea Dogs
- Scram Homers Home Extra Innings Win - Erie SeaWolves
- Four-run first inning not enough in 6-4 loss to Reading - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Defenders stifled by Rock Cats - Connecticut Defenders
- Lewis Locks Down Mets in 5-1 Win - Akron RubberDucks
- Two Dorta home runs not enough for Curve - Altoona Curve
- Sens begin homestand with win - Harrisburg Senators
- Aeros Notes - Akron RubberDucks
- Akron Aeros roster move - Akron RubberDucks
- Former Thunder Pitchers Joe Hudson & Shawn Senior to Throw Ceremonial First Pitches on Monday - Trenton Thunder
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.
