New Hampshire Hardball

Fisher Cats start slow in loss

HARTFORD, Conn. — The New Hampshire Fisher Cats were kept off the base paths for six consecutive innings Saturday night in a 5-3 loss to the Hartford Yard Goats (Rockies) at Dunkin’ Donuts Park, dropping to 4-10 in the Plymouth Rock Assurance Cup standings.

A two-run first started the scoring for the Yard Goats. A double set up Vince Fernandez‘s third home run of the series, a two-run shot to left-center field that made it 2-0.

Another run scored in the bottom of the second on an RBI single from Manny Melendez and a solo home run from Arvicent Perez in the third gave the ‘Goats a 3-0 lead.

Hartford starter Ashton Goudeau set down all 18 batters he faced in six innings of perfection to keep the ‘Cats at bay, but was removed after six in favor of big league rehabber Chris Rusin.

Forrest Wall greeted the Rockies’ reliever with a double to start the seventh, the first hit and first base runner of the night for the Blue Jays affiliate. After a groundout and a pair of walks loaded the bases, Patrick Kivlehan brought home Wall with a sacrifice fly to spoil the shutout. Kevin Smith followed with an RBI double that made it 5-2.

Wall started another rally in the eighth. His two-out triple set up Santiago Espinal‘s RBI single to pull the ‘Cats within two, but despite bringing the tying run to the dish in the ninth the Fisher Cats fell 5-3.

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The series concludes Sunday afternoon. RHP Nate Pearson will go for New Hampshire while Hartford has tabbed LHP Jack Wynkoop as their starter. Coverage begins at 12:45 p.m. and continues with first pitch at 1:05 p.m. on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network.

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