Yard Goats 3, Fisher Cats 2

MANCHESTER – A strong outing from RHP Jackson Wentworth was not enough for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (23-19), who fell in Saturday’s contest to the Hartford Yard Goats at Delta Dental Stadium, 3-2. Wentworth allowed one run in five innings, struck out two batters and was robbed of a winning decision, thanks to two Hartford runs in the top of the ninth.

Box Score

New Hampshire reliever Alex Amalfi (L, 1-4) tossed three scoreless innings out of the bullpen before running into trouble in the ninth. The Ashland, Mass., native allowed the game-tying home run to Yard Goats’ left fielder Conner Capel and a single to right fielder Zach Kokoska, who later scored. RHP Kelena Sauer did not give up a run in his second outing with New Hampshire.

Hartford’s Konner Eaton overcame a rough first inning to notch a quality start on Saturday. The lefty allowed six hits and issued four walks but only gave up two runs over six innings. Reliever Cade Denton (W, 2-3) pitched a perfect two innings and secured the win. Righty Carlos Torres (S, 2) allowed a ninth-inning base knock to pinch hitter Jay Harry but got left fielder Jackson Hornung to end the game on a groundout.

Top takeaways:

• Fisher Cats drop their fourth consecutive game, have dropped eight of their last 10.

• SS Arjun Nimmala goes 2-for-4 with a double and two stolen bases.

• RHP Jackson Wentworth fires first five-inning start since May 3 with one run allowed.

• RHP Alex Amalfi fires three scoreless innings of relief with no runs on one hit and four strikeouts, goes back out for ninth and falls responsible for decisive two runs.

• Fisher Cats are now 4-8 amidst two-week homestand

New Hampshire struck first on Saturday. With runners at second and third, first baseman Sean Keys laced a two-run single and put the Cats ahead.

Hartford responded with a run in the second inning. Right fielder Zach Kokoska doubled. Kokoska advanced to third on a single from center fielder Braylen Wimmer and scored on a sacrifice fly from third baseman Dyan Jorge.

In the ninth, Capel (3) swatted a game-tying home run. Kokoska walked and stole second to end Amalfi’s day, and following a pitching change, second baseman GJ Hill ripped an RBI single to gave Hartford the 3-2 lead.

The Fisher Cats and Yard Goats conclude their six-game series on Sunday with a 1:05 p.m. first pitch time from Delta Dental Stadium. Fisher Cats RHP Chris McElvain (3-0, 3.25 ERA) is scheduled to go against Rockies rehabber Ryan Feltner, who will be making his second start of the week.

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