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EL1 New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Thames Extends Hit Streak in 10-0 Loss

August 5, 2010 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release


Eric Thames extended his hit streak to 15 games as the New Hampshire Fisher Cats fell to the Richmond Flying Squirrels 10-0 Thursday in front of 6,209 at Merchantsuto.com Stadium.

A pair of homeruns off the bats of Conor Gilaspie and Brandon Belt powered the Flying Squirrels (54-57) on offense, while Mike MacDonald threw a five-hit, complete-game shutout against Fisher Cats. Richmond, formerly the Connecticut Defenders, took the rubber match in their franchise-first series in New Hampshire.

Thursday marked only the fourth time the Fisher Cats have been blanked all season. MacDonald (4-7, 4.29) went the distance, scattering five hits, while striking out five and walking none. Only Thames, Adam Loewen, Shawn Bowman, Darin Mastroianni and Matt Liuzza were able to squander a hit for New Hampshire.

The Flying Squirrels took a 1-0 lead, and got all the runs they would need in the top of the first. Nick Noonan, who reached on an infield single, came around to score when cleanup hitter Belt found the hole on the right side of the infield. The Fisher Cats (66-46) are now 15-33 when the opponent scores first.

Richmond added to the lead in the second with two runs on two hits and two walks. Sharlon Schoop started the rally off with a one-out single, and scored on a fielder's choice. Tyler La Torre then made it 3-0 when Noonan smacked a RBI single to center. The damage could have been worse, but on the play second baseman Jonathan Diaz' cut-off throw allowed catcher Matt Liuzza to perform a head-first tag for the final out of the frame.

Gillaspie gave the Flying Squirrels two runs of insurance in the top of the sixth with one swing of the bat. With Belt on board via a base-knock, Gillaspie belted his sixth homerun of the season off the top of the fence in right-center field.

Randy Boone (2-8, 4.18), who has pitched at least six innings or more in each of his last three starts, received the loss. The right-handed hurler's winless streak has now extended from May 22 on the lack of run support. Boone finished after six innings with a 5-0 deficit, giving up five runs on seven hits, while striking out two and walking two.

The score ballooned to 9-0 in the seventh highlighted by Thomas Neal's two-run single, and Gillaspie's two-run towering shot that ricocheted off the video board and back onto the field. The lead grew to double digits off of reliever Clint Everts in the eighth when Ryan Lormand was plated on the RBI triple by Noonan. B.J. LaMura also came out of the bullpen, and pitched a scoreless ninth for the home team.

The homestand continues at Merchantsauto.com Stadium on Friday with the first of a three-game set with the Bowie Baysox, AA-affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. Right-hander Rey Gonzalez (2-2, 7.22) gets the start for the Fisher Cats and will be opposed by Baysox southpaw Rick Zagone (2-3, 3.91). Fisher Cats Pre-Game begins at 6:45 p.m. on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network with Bob Lipman.

It's Frito Friendly Friday and there will be a Scout Sleepover following the game. The Fisher Cats have also announced that playoff tickets will go on sale next Tuesday, August 10. For ticket information, visit www.nhfishercats.com or call (603) 641-2005.

Check out the New Hampshire Fisher Cats Statistics

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