EL1 New Hampshire Fisher Cats

McFarland Masterful in Return to Fisher Cats

Published on July 25, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release


PORTLAND, MAINE - The New Hampshire Fisher Cats got the tying run on base twice in the last two innings but couldn't tie the game up, losing 2-1 to the Portland Sea Dogs on Saturday at Hadlock Field.

The Fisher Cats (50-47) dropped their fourth straight game despite excellent pitching performances, with a critical error in the seventh inning allowing the go-ahead run to score. Portland (38-63) continued to rain on the Fisher Cats' postseason hopes, improving to 6-9 against New Hampshire in 2015. The Fisher Cats stranded 12 runners on base in the game.

The teams were scoreless going into the bottom of the sixth inning, when Portland broke the deadlock against Fisher Cats starter Austin Bibens-Dirkx (L, 3-5). Manuel Margot laced a leadoff single up the middle, and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Carlos Asuaje. Sam Travis took the first-pitch fastball and sliced a single to left field, scoring Margot and making it 1-0 in favor of the Sea Dogs.

New Hampshire struck back in the top of the seventh inning, as Christian Lopes drew a leadoff walk from Portland reliever Williams Jerez (W, 1-0). Roemon Fields bunted Fields to second base. Shane Opitz lined out to left field, but Kevin Nolan came up with a two-out single to center to plate Lopes and knot the score up at 1-1.

The tie was short-lived, as Portland got to Bibens-Dirkx again in the bottom of the inning. Tzu-Wei Lin drew a leadoff walk and swiped second base as David Chester struck out. Keury De La Cruz hit a grounder to first that rolled through K.C. Hobson's legs for a critical error, allowing Lin to race around and score the winning run.

Bibens-Dirkx took the loss despite a quality start, allowing two runs (one earned) in 6.2 innings on five hits and three walks. He struck out four for New Hampshire and induced 10 ground-ball outs. Blake McFarland was superb in his first relief effort since being returned from Triple-A Buffalo, striking out two and retiring all four batters he faced.

The Fisher Cats will try to stave off a four-game sweep Sunday afternoon at Hadlock Field in the final game of the four-game series. Righty Casey Lawrence will start for New Hampshire against Portland right-hander Justin Haley. First pitch at Hadlock Field is set for 1:00 p.m., and Ben Gellman's pregame show begins at 12:45 p.m. on 610 AM WGIR and online at www.NHFishercats.com.

On Monday, July 27, the Fisher Cats will welcome their four millionth fan at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium with a bountiful prize pack! Tickets are still available by calling 603-641-2005, or by visiting www.nhfishercats.com.

Check out the New Hampshire Fisher Cats Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from July 25, 2015


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