Cats Score First But Fall to Pats 

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (22-45, 52-83) dropped 2024’s penultimate contest to the Somerset Patriots (42-24, 74-61) at TD Bank Ballpark on Saturday, 3-1. New Hampshire struck first, but couldn’t keep the momentum rolling afterwards, as the Cats were blanked through the last eight innings.

New Hampshire knocked seven hits to the Patriots four. Somerset plated two of their three runs on Elijah Dunham’s two-run home run in the bottom of the second inning. The Patriots plated another un on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third to cement their Saturday night win.

The Cats scored their lone run in the first. Center fielder Dasan Brown led off with an infield single off Somerset starter Cam Schlittler (W, 2-4), then advanced to second on a balk and stole third. Two batters later, third baseman Charles McAdoo poked an opposite-field single into right to score Brown and put New Hampshire in front, 1-0.

Schlitter found a groove afterwards. The right-hander struck out nine cats through five innings and allowed one hit after the first inning. New Hampshire starter Michael Dominguez (L, 2-8) ventured through 3 2/3 innings in his final start of 2024. Dominguez allowed three runs – all earned – on three hits and four walks and struck out five Patriots.

The Fisher Cats bullpen was flawless again, posting zeroes for the second straight night. Hunter Gregory pitched 2 1/3 scoreless frames and struck out four. Ryan Boyer tossed a five-pitch seventh and Andrew Bechtold blanked Somerset in the eighth. New Hampshire’s bullpen has allowed three runs in their last 20 innings of relief.

The final game of the 2024 season starts at 1:05 PM EDT from TD Bank Ballpark Sunday. Right-hander Kevin Miranda (1-0, 2.08 ERA) will take the hill for New Hampshire. Somerset RHP Trystan Vrieling (12-7, 4.76 ERA) makes his second start of the series. If the Patriots win Sunday, they clinch the 2024 Northeast Division second half title; either Somerset or Portland will face first half champion Hartford in the Eastern League Divisional Playoffs on Tuesday, September 17.

Every Fisher Cats home game is streamed live on MiLB.tv and through the Bally Live App; fans can listen to every Fisher Cats game on the Fisher Cats Radio Network.

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].