EL1 New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Mesa Returns from DL with Hot Bat

Published on April 21, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release


TRENTON, N.J. - The New Hampshire Fisher Cats made a late rally but couldn't quite overcome the host Trenton Thunder, dropping a 4-3 game in front of 5,588 at Arm & Hammer Park Tuesday night.

The Fisher Cats (6-7) got off to a hot start but were overtaken by the hosts, setting up a rubber match for the series Wednesday. Trenton (7-5) rode their power bats to victory, with all four of their runs coming on extra-base hits.

New Hampshire got things cooking in the top of the first inning. With Jon Berti on third and Dwight Smith, Jr. at first base, Melky Mesa smacked a double into the left-field gap to plate both runners and give the Fisher Cats a 2-0 lead against Trenton starter Miguel Sulbaran (W, 1-0). The advantage was short-lived, however, with Trenton third baseman Eric Jagielo blasting a two-run opposite-field homer off New Hampshire hurler Taylor Cole (L, 0-1) in the bottom of the frame, knotting things up at 2-2.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Trenton moved ahead with two big hits. Aaron Judge hammered a one-out triple to left, and Greg Bird doubled him home, making it 3-2 in favor of the Thunder. The home team tacked on one more in the sixth inning, as Jose Rosario knocked a two-out double to left to score Cito Culver and extend Trenton's lead to 4-2.

That would prove critical in the ninth inning, as Jake Fox led off with a single to left-center field off Trenton closer Mark Montgomery (S, 2). With one out, Kevin Nolan laced a single to right, putting runners on the corners for Jack Murphy. The New Hampshire backstop hit a tough bouncer up the middle that Rosario grabbed and flipped to Culver at second for a force-out, though Fox scored on the play. With two outs, Matt Newman singled, putting runners on first and second. Pinch hitter Ryan Schimpf couldn't deliver, however, popping out to shallow left field for the final out.

Cole took his first loss of the year, allowing all four runs on ten hits while whiffing five in 5.2 innings. Greg Burke followed with 1.1 scoreless innings, hitting one batter and fanning one. Blake McFarland pitched a scoreless frame of relief with only one hit surrendered. Sulbaran took his first victory, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out six over 5.1 innings. At one point, he retired 16 consecutive Fisher Cats batters.

The rubber match comes Wednesday morning against the Thunder. First pitch from Arm and Hammer Stadium is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., with Fisher Cats RHP Casey Lawrence getting the ball against Trenton righty Taylor Garrison. Radio coverage begins at 10:15 a.m. with Ben Gellman on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network and at www.nhfishercats.com.

The Fisher Cats return home for a seven-game stand on Thursday, April 23. The stand begins with a Thursday Night Rock 101 DJ and Atlas Fireworks. Curious George and The Man in the Yellow Hat will visit Northeast Dental Dental Stadium during the homestand from April 24-26. To purchase tickets and to view the entire promotional schedule, visit www.nhfishercats.com.

Check out the New Hampshire Fisher Cats Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Eastern League Stories from April 21, 2015


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.

OurSports Central