EL1 New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Schimpf Smashes Another Homer Wednesday

Published on August 26, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release


PORTLAND, MAINE - The New Hampshire Fisher Cats got a league-best 20th homer out of Ryan Schimpf but were outslugged Wednesday night, dropping a 7-3 decision to the Portland Sea Dogs at Hadlock Field.

The Fisher Cats (63-64) lost out on a critical chance to gain ground in the race for the Eastern Division's second playoff spot, and fell shy of their first sweep of Portland since May 2013. The Sea Dogs (48-82) bounced back after falling a team-record 35 games below .500 on Tuesday. Schimpf's 20th homer marks the first time a Fisher Cat has reached that level since Schimpf cracked 23 dingers in 2013.

New Hampshire struck first in the top of the first inning against Portland starter Luis Diaz (W, 2-10). Jorge Flores reached on an error by third baseman Dustin Lawley, and went to third on a double by Melky Mesa. With Ryan Schimpf at the plate, a wild pitch brought Flores home and moved Mesa to third. Schimpf was able to ground out to shortstop to score Mesa and give New Hampshire the 2-0 lead.

Portland answered in a big way in the third inning against Fisher Cats starting pitcher Scott Barnes (L, 2-6). Tim Roberson doubled home Tzu-Wei Lin, and Oscar Tejeda walked to load the bases. Barnes fanned Aneury Tavarez but issued a bases-loaded walk to Lawley to score Sam Travis, and Luis Martinez followed with a bases-clearing double to make it 5-2 in favor of the hosts.

Schimpf hammered a fastball from Diaz over the right-field fence in the top of the fourth to trim the lead to two runs, but Portland answered immediately and forcefully against new reliever Dustin Antolin in the bottom of the fourth. Manuel Margot led off with a double before Lin singled him home, and Sam Travis singled to score Lin and extend the Portland edge to 7-3.

Barnes took the loss, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks in three innings while fanning four. Antolin gave up two runs in two innings, surrendering five hits and a walk and striking out two. Cory Burns dealt two shutout frames, registering three strikeouts against one hit. Chad Girodo fired one perfect inning of relief for New Hampshire.

The Fisher Cats will open up a crucial four-game series against the Binghamton Mets Thursday evening, with righty Austin Bibens-Dirkx drawing the start for New Hampshire against Binghamton righty Tyler Pill. First pitch is at 6:35 p.m., and Ben Gellman has the radio call beginning at 6:15 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 26, 2015


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