EL1 New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Piñeiro Neutralizes New Britain Bats in 5-1 Win

Published on May 31, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release


NEW BRITAIN, CT - The New Hampshire Fisher Cats stifled the potent offense of the New Britain Rock Cats, downing their hosts for a 5-1 win on Sunday afternoon at New Britain Stadium.

The Fisher Cats (25-25) ran their record back to .500 at the 50-game mark of the season, utilizing strong pitching performances and timely hitting to earn a series victory. The Rock Cats (31-18) committed four errors in the loss, moving into a tie for the most miscues in the league. New Hampshire's series win avenged a four-game sweep dealt by New Britain in the first road series of the season for the Fisher Cats.

The Fisher Cats drew first blood against New Britain starter Ryan Carpenter (L, 3-5)in the top of the third inning. Ronald Torreyes reached on a one-out error by shortstop Pat Valaika, and moved to third when Jorge Flores cracked a two-out double. Shane Opitz hit a soft roller in front of home plate that catcher Tom Murphy completely botched, allowing Torreyes to score and make it 1-0 Fisher Cats.

New Hampshire made some hay of more New Britain miscues in the top of the fifth inning. Ian Parmley laced a leadoff single to center, and raced to third when Tyler Massey misplayed the ball. With one out, Opitz hit a bouncer to second that Trevor Story booted, allowing Opitz to reach first and Parmley to score from third. Two wild pitches by Carpenter moved Opitz to third, and he sped home on a two-out RBI double by Kevin Nolan, stretching the lead to 3-0.

The Fisher Cats tacked on two more in the sixth. With one out, Carpenter hit Jack Murphy in the foot, and walked Ronald Torreyes to bring up Parmley. The left fielder sliced a two-run triple to right to make it a 5-0 Fisher Cats edge.

The Rock Cats got on the board in the bottom of the sixth against Fisher Cats starter Joel Piñeiro (W, 1-2). Dean Espy led off with a pinch-hit double, and came around to score when Juan Ciriaco delivered an RBI single, trimming the lead to 5-1. That was as close as New Britain would come, as the bullpen came through for the visitors to slam the door.

Piñeiro earned the win for the Fisher Cats, allowing one run on seven hits and a walk while whiffing five in six innings. Jimmy Cordero fanned four in two innings of near-spotless relief, allowing only one runner to reach on an error. Scott Barnes pitched a perfect ninth inning to end the game.

New Hampshire will open a three-game series against the Bowie Baysox Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium, with lefty John Anderson getting the ball for the Fisher Cats. Radio coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. with Tom Gauthier on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network and www.nhfishercats.com.

The Fisher Cats return to Manchester on Tuesday night for the start of a six-game homestand that features two Atlas Fireworks shows, two mid-week day games, and a hat giveaway on Sunday. Tickets are available at www.nhfishercats.com.

Check out the New Hampshire Fisher Cats Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from May 31, 2015


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