Yard Goats 8, Fisher Cats 4

MANCHESTER – A four-run fourth inning was not enough for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (22-33, 56-66) who fell to the Hartford Yard Goats (20-35, 59-64), 8-4 Friday night at Delta Dental Stadium.

The Yard Goats scored seven unanswered runs following the fourth inning as the Cats dropped their second contest of the series.

New Hampshire starter Jackson Wentworth threw five frames with three runs and exited the game with a 4-3 lead. Right-hander Angel Obando (L, 1-2) was tagged for four runs in two innings out of the bullpen. Reliever Kelena Sauer fired the final two frames and struck out two.

Box Score

Hartford starter Connor Stained allowed four runs on six hits with four strikeouts in five innings. Relievers Sam Weatherly (W, 2-5), Nathan Blasick, and Fidel Ulloa blanked the Cats in the final four frames.

Top Takeaways:

• Aaron Parker made his first professional start in left field and went 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored at the plate.
• Infielders Eric Snow and Adrian Pinto both walked three times in the loss.
• INF Tucker Toman gave New Hampshire an early lead with a bases-loaded single.
• New Hampshire drew 11 walks against four Hartford arms.

Hartford struck first in the top of the third. With two outs, shortstop Andy Perez doubled and second baseman Roynier Hernandez ripped an RBI single to make it 1-0.

New Hampshire’s offensive erupted for four runs in the bottom of the fourth. The Fisher Cats loaded the bases with one out and third baseman Tucker Toman pushed the Cats ahead with a two-run single. Catcher Edward Duran popped a sacrifice fly to make it 3-1. Following a Mathieu Vallee single, shortstop Eric Snow laced an RBI knock and made it a 4-1 game.

With one away and two runs in scoring position, shortstop Andy Perez brought in a run on an RBI ground out to cut the Fisher Cats’ lead to 4-3. After second baseman Roynier Hernandez cracked an RBI single, the Yard Goats evened the score at four in the sixth on an RBI single from Cole Messina.

The Goats blew the game open with three runs in the top of the seventh. The inning was highlighted by a two-run double from first baseman Jack O’Dowd and an RBI double by right fielder Zach Kokoska. Hartford added to their lead in the ninth on an RBI single from third baseman Dyan Jorge and secured a Friday win, 8-4.

New Hampshire and Hartford continue their six-game series on Saturday with first pitch slated for 6:03 p.m.. Right-hander Nolan Perry (0-1, 3.00 ERA) will start for the Fisher Cats and the Yard Goats will counter with lefty Konner Eaton (4-2, 4.70 ERA). Coverage begins at 5:43 PM on MLB.tv, the Bally Sports Live app, and the Fisher Cats Radio Network.