Patriots 12, Fisher Cats 1

BRIDGEWATER, NJ – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (17-23, 51-56) were unable to overcome an early deficit and fell in their Tuesday opener at TD Bank Ballpark against the Somerset Patriots (19-21, 56-53), 12-1. Despite the loss, first baseman Dub Gleed smashed two more hits and extended his hit streak to 12.

Box Score

New Hampshire starter Mason Olson (L, 4-4) was tagged for nine runs, eight earned, on seven hits in 1 1/3 innings. Right-hander Alex Amalfi gave the Fisher Cats some length but was hit for three runs in 3 1/3 innings.

Relievers Jonathan Todd and Gage Stanifer did not allow a run over the final 3 1/3 innings, with Stanifer striking out three batters. Somerset starter Rory Fox (W, 1-0) held the Cats to one run on five hits in 5-1/3 innings. The right-hander racked up five strikeouts in his outing.

Top Takeaways:

• INF Dub Gleed extended his hit streak to 12 games with a first-inning single.

• Gleed has five multi-hit games during that stretch.

• RHP Gage Stanifer fired two shutout frames in his second straight relief outing and struck out three batters.

• The Fisher Cats have dropped six straight to the Patriots after winning four of their previous five games.

Somerset blasted their way to an early lead in the first. Center fielder Jace Avina reached on an error and stole second. Two batters later, second baseman Roderick Arias ripped and RBI single. Following another single, right fielder DJ Gladney (20) launched a three-run homer. The next batter, third baseman Coby Morales (19), blasted a solo homer and made it 5-0.

The Patriots’ bats stayed hot in the bottom of the second. Left fielder Cole Gabrielson singled to start the frame. Avina followed with an RBI double which extended Somerset’s lead. With a runner at second, shortstop Core Jackson lined an RBI single. After a hit by pitch and pitching change, Gladney (21) slugged his second three-run homer of the game. Two batters later, catcher Manny Palencia (3) clubbed a solo homer which made it 11-0.

After Somerset scored a run in the bottom of the fifth, New Hampshire got on the board in the top of the sixth. Center fielder Victor Arias and catcher Aaron Parker singled. With runners on the corners, first baseman Carter Cunningham drove in New Hampshire’s lone run.

New Hampshire and Somerset continue their six-game series on Wednesday with first pitch slated for 12:05 PM. RHP Nolan Perry (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will start for the Fisher Cats and the Patriots’ starter is to be determined. Coverage begins at 11:45 AM on the Fisher Cats Radio Network.