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EL1 New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Mills pitches seven shutout innings in 5-2 win over Curve

August 24, 2008 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release


Altoona, PA- Brad Mills scattered three hits -including two infield singles- over seven shutout innings, and Chris Gutierrez went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a walk and an RBI as the New Hampshire Fisher Cats defeated the Altoona Curve, 5-2, on Sunday night to earn a series victory before 6,475 fans at Blair County Ballpark.

New Hampshire (58-77) jumped out to a 2-0 lead against Dan Reichert in the top of the third inning when Jacob Butler (2-for-4, 2B, RBI, R) singled and Jonathan Diaz (1-for-3, BB, R) walked. Gutierrez (3-for-4, 2 2B, BB, RBI) knocked in Butler with a double to left, and Diaz came home on a ground out by Eric Nielsen (0-for-5, RBI).

The Fisher Cats increased their lead to 4-0 in the top of the sixth inning when Reichert walked David Smith (1-for-4, BB, R) and Andrew Pinckney (1-for-3, BB, R) to start the frame. Butler scored Smith with a double to deep centerfield, ending Reichert's outing. Erik Kratz (0-for-2, SF, HBP, RBI) plated Pinckney with a sac fly off reliever Blair Johnson.

J.P. Arencibia (1-for-5, 2B, RBI) ripped a run-scoring double to right field off Johnson in the top of the seventh inning, allowing Brian Dopirak (1-for-5, R), who singled and advanced on a passed ball, to score from second base for a 5-0 Fisher Cats' lead.

Mills (3-2) allowed one single in the first inning, one in the third inning and one in the sixth inning to earn his third victory and his Toronto Blue Jays' Minor League-leading 13th overall win. The left-hander fanned six and walked three, reducing his ERA to 1.10 in six Double-A starts.

Reichert (2-4) was tagged for the loss after yielding four runs on six hits in five-plus innings. The former Major Leaguer struck out two and walked three.

Altoona (61-74) broke up the shutout when Milver Reyes (1-for-4, HR, RBI) hit reliever Jason Burch's first pitch over the leftfield wall for his first home run since 2005, trimming New Hampshire's lead to 5-1. Shelby Ford (1-for-4, 3B, R) tripled off Burch and scored on a two-out single by Jonel Pacheco (2-for-3, BB, SB, RBI), making it 5-2.

Daryl Harang struck out the only batter he faced, James Boone (0-for-3, BB), with runners on the corners and two outs in the eighth inning to preserve the 5-2 lead.

Mike MacDonald worked the ninth for his third save in three opportunities, giving the Fisher Cats their first series victory over a Southern Division team since taking two out of three from the Reading Phillies April 29-May 1 at Merchantsauto.com Stadium.

Following an off day on Monday, the Fisher Cats open their final three-game homestand of the season Tuesday night at 7:05pm against the Binghamton Mets at Merchantsauto.com Stadium. Right-hander Brandon Magee (6-13, 4.99) gets the start for New Hampshire against Binghamton right-hander Dylan Owen (1-0, 1.50). Radio coverage begins at 6:45pm on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network with Bob Lipman and Mike Murphy.

The first 1,500 fans on hand for the 7:05pm game on Tuesday receive FREE Beach Towels, courtesy of Executive Health and Sports Center/NH Sportsplex. For tickets, visit www.nhfishercats.com or call (603) 641-2005.

Check out the New Hampshire Fisher Cats Statistics

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