EL1 New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Greene Great, Smith Slugs in 8-4 Win

Published on August 24, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release


PORTLAND, MAINE - The New Hampshire Fisher Cats burst out of their recent offensive malaise, rolling up eight runs on eight hits to beat the Portland Sea Dogs 8-4 Monday night at Hadlock Field.

The Fisher Cats (62-63) took their third straight win dating back to the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheader against the Binghamton Mets, using aggressive baserunning and timely hitting to earn the victory. The Sea Dogs (47-81) allowed New Hampshire to claim their 10th win in the season series between the two clubs. New Hampshire was unable to gain any ground on Reading, Binghamton or Trenton, as all three teams won in their respective games Monday.

The Fisher Cats drew first blood in the top of the fourth against Portland starter Justin Haley (L, 5-14). Dwight Smith, Jr. led off with a double, and Melky Mesa reached on an infield single to shortstop Tzu-Wei Lin that left runners at first and second. A groundout by Ryan Schimpf moved the runners up, and KC Hobson reached on a fielder's choice that scored Smith and left Mesa at third. Martin Medina then hit a sacrifice fly to right that scored Mesa and made it 2-0 in favor of the visitors.

New Hampshire added to their lead in the top of the sixth inning. Smith led off by slicing a double to right field, and Mesa singled him to third base. Haley plunked Schimpf, loading the bases for Hobson, who worked a walk to bring home Smith. Against reliever John Cornely, Medina grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to score Mesa, and Schimpf raced home on an RBI single by Emilio Guerrero to extend New Hampshire's lead to 5-0.

That lead was put to the test in the bottom of the sixth, as Fisher Cats starter Conner Greene (W, 2-0) came unglued in that frame after hurling five stellar innings. Greene plunked leadoff man David Chester and gave up a double to Aneury Tavarez to put runners at second and third. Manuel Margot singled home Chester and advanced to second on the throw by center fielder Roemon Fields. Tzu-Wei Lin grounded out to the right side to score Tavarez, and Sam Travis hit an infield single that plated Margot. After Greene walked Tim Roberson, John Anderson came on for New Hampshire. He got Carlos Asuaje to pop out, but Oscar Tejeda singled to drive home Travis, trimming New Hampshire's lead to 5-4. Dustin Lawley then flew out to right to end the inning.

New Hampshire added two runs in the top of the seventh on a bizarre play. With Fields at third and Smith at first base with two outs, Schimpf struck out on a wild pitch by Cornely. Roberson, the catcher, tried to fire to home plate to get Fields streaking home from third, but his throw was wild. As Fields scored, Smith hustled for third base. Lin came over from shortstop and tried to throw out Smith, but his throw was well wide of the base. Smith immediately sprinted home, and Schimpf scooted to second. When the dust had cleared, two runs had scored on two errors, and the Fisher Cats led 7-4. New Hampshire tacked on one more run in the top of the ninth inning against Kyle Martin, as Mesa singled home Fields to give the Fisher Cats their final 8-4 margin.

Greene got the win, allowing four runs on four hits and a walk over 5.1 innings and striking out four. Anderson walked one and fanned two in 1.2 innings, allowing one inherited runner to score. Gregory Infante whiffed four in two innings, allowing a hit and a walk en route to his first save of the season.

The Fisher Cats look for their fourth straight win on Tuesday, with righty Casey Lawrence drawing the start for New Hampshire against Portland southpaw Danny Rsenbaum. First pitch is at 7 p.m., and Ben Gellman has the radio call beginning at 6:45 p.m. on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network and www.nhfishercats.com.

The Fisher Cats return home for the final homestand of 2015 on Monday, Aug. 31. The Future Red Sox, the Portland Sea Dogs will be in town with two Atlas Fireworks shows, free t-shirts and posters, and a retirement ceremony for the No. 29 in honor of New Hampshire legend Chris Carpenter. Tickets are available at www.nhfishercats.com, by calling (603) 641-2005, or by visiting the team box office at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.

Check out the New Hampshire Fisher Cats Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from August 24, 2015


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