EL1 New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Wilson Running, But Fisher Cats Stumble Twice in Reading

Published on May 19, 2014 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release


READING, Pa. - Kenny Wilson and Gabe Jacobo were big factors again on Monday night, but the Fisher Cats (15-28) struggles continued with a pair of loss to the Reading Fightin Phils, 5-3 and 2-0.

Reading won the opener of the doubleheader, 5-3, to begin the night. The Phils scored first, scratching out a pair of runs on an error in the fifth against starter Aaron Sanchez (ND) to take a 2-0 lead.

The top of the sixth saw the Fisher Cats rally for three runs to take the lead back. A.J. Jimenez brought home the first run with a single to center field. He advanced to third on a single by Ryan Schimpf, and then scored on a ground out from Gabe Jacobo. Schimpf followed Jimenez home when Matt Newman singled to right for his first Double-A RBI to put New Hampshire on top, 3-2.

The rally put Sanchez in line for the win, but the Phils took it away in the bottom of the sixth. Facing Ybarra, they scored a run on a force out and then took the lead when Albert Cartwright hit his first homer to right field to put Reading on top, 5-3.

Sanchez took a no-decision thanks to the blown save. He pitched five full innings, allowing just two hits with four walks and six strikeouts. Perci Garner (W; 4-2) earned the win with six innings of three-run ball.

Game two saw the Fisher Cats score first in the second inning. Kevin Nolan tripled to right field, and then scored on a squeeze bunt by Jonathan Jones for a 1-0 lead.

It stayed that way until the fifth when the teams alternated runs over the next three frames. In the bottom of the fifth, Reading scored on a force out from Brock Stassi to tie it at 1-1. Gabe Jacobo put New Hampshire ahead in the sixth with a sacfrice fly, but the Phils answered back in the seventh with a single from Stassi to send the game to extras.

New Hampshire had a chance to take the lead in extra innings. With one out, Berti singled, followed by a third Wilson walk. Jacobo followed with a two-out walk, but Andy Burns struck out with the bases loaded to end the threat.

Reading scored the winning run in the bottom of the inning. Facing Dustin Antolin (L; 0-3), Aaron Altherr singled to left field. He took second on a sac bunt by Zach Collier, and then raced around with the winning run on a dying single to shallow center from Anthony Phillipps.

Spot-starter Richard Bleier was denied the win for the Fisher Cats in game two despite allowing just one run in his longest outing - five innings - of the season. He scattered seven hits, walking one and strikeout one in the no-decision.

Wilson finished the doubleheader with five walks and three stolen bases. He has walked six times in the last three games while pushing his stolen base total to 12 with five steals since Sunday.

The series continues on Tuesday night at 6:35 p.m. from FirstEnergy Stadium. RHP Deck McGuire (3-4, 3.27) takes the ball against Reading lefty Jesse Biddle (3-4, 3.20). Radio coverage begins at 6:15 p.m. with Tom Gauthier on WGIR 610 AM and www.nhfishercats.com.

The Fisher Cats return home after the short road trip for their first home series against the Future Red Sox, the Portland Sea Dogs, on Friday night. The four-day holiday weekend series features two fireworks shows, a Sunday hat giveaway, and a Memorial Day matinee. Tickets are available at www.nhfishercats.com, at the Fisher Cats ticket office, and by calling (603) 641-2005.

Check out the New Hampshire Fisher Cats Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from May 19, 2014


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