Fisher Cats Lose Low-Scoring Opener to Fightin Phils 

MANCHESTER, NH — The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (4-16, 34-54) couldn’t put any pressure on the Reading Fightin Phils (9-12, 35-53) in a 2-0 series-opening loss at Delta Dental Stadium Tuesday. New Hampshire brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth with two outs but couldn’t plate any runs.

Fisher Cats starter C.J. Van Eyk (L, 2-7) tossed six innings of two-run baseball but picked up the loss. The right-hander struck out three and gave up five hits. Bullpen arms Dahian Santos and Adrian Hernandez combined for three scoreless innings.

Reading starter Lachlan Wells (W, 6-5) dominated the Fisher Cats for seven innings; the lefty tied a career high with 11 strikeouts in seven scoreless innings. Cats right fielder Gabriel Martinez managed two of New Hampshire’s four hits off Wells.

Devonte Brown reached three times for the Fisher Cats, including his 13th double of the season in the sixth. Martinez now has five hits over the past three games.

Reading scored a run in the third and a run in the fifth. The Fightin Phils opened the scoring on a Caleb Ricketts sacrifice fly which scored Erick Brito. In the fifth, Brito hit a one-out double, then came around to score on a single from Justin Crawford.

New Hampshire and Reading continue their six-game set at Delta Dental Stadium with a 12:05 PM EDT first pitch on Wednesday. New Hampshire RHP Nick Fraze (0-0, 0.87 ERA) opposes Reading southpaw Matt Osterberg (2-6, 5.83 ERA)

Thursday night is Boy Bands Night at Delta Dental Stadium, as well as a Thirsty Thursday until the seventh inning. The Fisher Cats also recognize our Oral Health Challenge participants with two free tickets to any child 12 or under who brush and floss for seven days straight, presented by Northeast Delta Dental.

Friday, July 26 advertises A Pure Night of Imagination with a 6:35 PM EDT first pitch. On Saturday, July 27, New Hampshire takes the field as the Manchester Buffalo Chicken Tenders PM EDT first pitch with Atlas Fireworks postgame.

Fans can purchase multi-game memberships and single-game tickets at NHFishercats.com, via email at [email protected], by phone at (603) 641-2005, and in-person at the Fisher Cats box office on 1 Line Drive in Manchester.

About the New Hampshire Fisher Cats

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats are the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays and play their games at Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester. Over 155 former Fisher Cats have reached the Major League level. The Fisher Cats have raised millions of dollars for various charities through the Fisher Cats Foundation and continuously strive to improve the quality of life for Granite State residents. The organization has been recognized as New Hampshire Business Review’s “Best Sporting Event to Take Clients to”, Parenting New Hampshire Magazine’s “New Hampshire’s Favorite Sporting Event for Families”, and New Hampshire Magazine’s “Best New Hampshire Sports Team”. For more information on the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, please visit NHFisherCats.com, call (603) 641-2005, or contact Chris Jared via email at [email protected].