Ninth inning sinks Fisher Cats
- Updated: April 20, 2019
MANCHESTER — Despite another strong start from Andrew Sopko (7 IP, 2 R) and a three-run rally in the eighth inning, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays Double-A affiliate) suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Hartford Yard Goats (Colorado Rockies), who scored twice in the top of the ninth inning to win 4-3 on Friday night at Northeast Delta Stadium.
Held to three hits over the first seven innings, New Hampshire trailed 2-0 for the majority of the game thanks to a pair of Hartford runs in the third. The Fisher Cats eighth-inning rally started with a walk to Ryan Hissey, and a dropped fly ball in left field off the bat of Vinny Capra that put runners on second and third.
With the tying runs in scoring position, Forrest Wall ripped a two-run single through second baseman Alan Trejo to even the score at 2-2. Santiago Espinal then blooped a single to left, and a ground out from Alberto Mineo put runners on the corners. The next batter was Kevin Smith, who pushed a bunt up the first base line as Wall raced home from third with the go-ahead run.
Hartford struck back with two runs in the top of the ninth on a walk, a hit batter and a two-run double by Scott Burcham. A 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth secured the 4-3 final.
The loss brought New Hampshire’s three-game winning streak to an end, but the Fisher Cats can still pick up their second consecutive series victory with a win over Hartford on Saturday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium, with RHP Patrick Murphy on the hill for New Hampshire.
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