SeaWolves 6, Fisher Cats 5

ERIE, Pa. – First baseman Dub Gleed totaled three hits, but the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (19-29, 53-61) stumbled in their Wednesday night game at UPMC Park against the Erie SeaWolves (32-15, 68-47), 6-5. The Fisher Cats scored three runs in the sixth and led 4-2, but the SeaWolves’ stormed back with runs in the sixth and seventh.

Box Score

New Hampshire starter Austin Cates was tagged for five runs on nine hits in five innings of work. Reliever Aaron Munson (L, 3-3) allowed a run in 1 2/3 innings and Alex Amalfi struck out two in a scoreless eighth inning.

SeaWolves starter Carlos Peña allowed four runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. Reliever Johan Simon (W, 2-1) gave up a run in 1 2/3 innings but notched his second win of the season. Wandisson Charles (SV, 4) secured the final three outs and recorded the save.

Top Takeaways:

• 1B Dub Gleed swatted three hits and scored two runs in the loss.
• RHP Austin Cates has gone five innings in five of his last six outings.
• OF Alexis Hernandez recorded his fifth multi-hit game since joining New Hampshire on August 4.
• INF J.R. Freethy turns in two-hit effort. Was 1-for-21 in previous six contests.
• New Hampshire offense totals 11 hits, brings series total to 26 in two games.

The SeaWolves delivered the knockout blow in the bottom of the seventh. With the game locked in a 5-5 tie, shortstop Peyton Graham drilled a go-ahead double. The Fisher Cats were unable to score in the eighth and ninth and dropped the Wednesday contest.

Erie opened the scoring in the bottom of the first. Graham and second baseman Woody Hadeen smacked back-to-back singles to begin the inning. With runners on the corners, left fielder Zyhir Hope popped a sacrifice fly and made it 1-0.

The Seawolves added another run in the second. First baseman Andrew Jenkins kicked off the frame with a triple. Two batters later, catcher Luke Shliger ripped an RBI double which extended Erie’s lead to two.

New Hampshire battled back in the middle innings. In the fifth, center fielder Hedbert Perez doubled and stole third base. Following a strikeout, second baseman J.R. Freethy laced an RBI single and cut the Cats’ deficit to one.

The Fisher Cats’ offense exploded in the sixth. Gleed singled and designated hitter Aaron Parker walked. The next batter, left fielder Carter Cunningham, blooped a game-tying RBI knock. One pitch later, right fielder Alexi Hernandez smacked an RBI single. After third baseman Tucker Toman walked, catcher Charlie Saum drew a bases loaded walk and made it 4-2.

Erie immediately responded with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Highlighting the inning was a two-run home run hit by Thayron Liranzo (14) and an RBI single from Izaac Pacheco.

The Cats tied the game in the seventh. With one out, Gleed and Parke hit consecutive singles. With runners at first and third, SeaWolves reliever Simon balked which forced Gleed home and evened the score at five.

New Hampshire and Erie continue their six-game series on Thursday with first pitch slated for 6:05p.m. Right-hander Danny Thompson Jr. (1-1, 2.40 ERA) will start for the Cats and the SeaWolves will counter with righty Lucas Elissalt (0-0, 0.00 ERA). Coverage begins at 5:45 p.m. on WKXL and the Fisher Cats Radio Network.