Fisher Cats 7, Patriots 1

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – Thanks to a strong start from Jackson Wentworth and solid pitching from the bullpen, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (18-28, 52-60) snapped their six-game losing skid on Sunday at TD Bank Ballpark against the Somerset Patriots (23-22, 59-55), 7-1. Fisher Cats’ pitching held Somerset to one run on three hits in the series finale.

Box Score

Wentworth (W, 6-7) twirled five innings of one-run ball against the Patriots. In five starts against Somerset this season, Wentworth pitched to an ERA of 3.24 in 25 innings. Reliever Angel Obando followed with two perfect innings out of the bullpen. Right-handers Kelena Sauer and Yondrei Rojas secured the final six outs of the game.

Despite allowing five runs, Somerset starter Rory Fox (L, 1-1) completed seven innings and struck out five hitters. Relievers Tony Rossi, Kevin Stevens, and Harrison Cohen combined to allow two runs in two frames.

Top Takeaways:

• 1B Carter Cunningham cracked two hits and hit .348 (8-for-23) with four RBIs and four stolen bases across six games this series.
• In five starts against Somerset, RHP Jackson Wentworth tossed at least five innings in four of them.
• With Sunday’s win, New Hampshire finished the season 9-15 against the Patriots.

New Hampshire scored two runs in the top of the first. Designated hitter Victor Arias singled on the first pitch of the game. Arias quickly stole second and scored one batter later on an error. The Cats soon loaded the bases and right fielder Alexis Hernandez drove in the second run of the frame on a fielder’s choice.

Somerset cut their deficit in half in the third. Following a two-out single and walk, catcher Omar Alfonzo laced an RBI knock which made it 2-1.

The Cats’ bats stayed hot in the fourth. Hernandez started the inning with a double. Three batters later, left fielder Mathieu Vallee singled. With runners on the corners, Arias ripped a two-run double and gave New Hampshire a three-run advantage.

Leading 4-1, the Fisher Cats added a run in the top of the sixth. Hernandez kicked off the inning with his second base hit of the game. The next hitter, center fielder Hedbert Perez, mashed an RBI double and made it 5-1.

New Hampshire scored two more runs on an error in the top of the ninth which helped the Cats snap their six-game losing streak and win 7-1.

Following a day off, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats continue their road trip and visit the Erie SeaWolves for six games. First pitch Aug. 18, is slated for 6:05 p.m. Coverage begins at 5:45 p.m. on the Fisher Cats Radio Network.