Late inning Fisher Cats magic falls short on Wednesday

Six run deficit too large to overcome

(Cindy Lavigne)

May 10, 2023

READING, P.A — The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, had their five-game win streak snapped on Wednesday, falling to the Reading Fightin’ Phils 6-5 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Fisher Cats offense hit three home runs from the sixth inning on after being shut

READING, P.A — The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, had their five-game win streak snapped on Wednesday, falling to the Reading Fightin’ Phils 6-5 at FirstEnergy Stadium.

The Fisher Cats offense hit three home runs from the sixth inning on after being shut down for the first five innings by Reading starter Tyler Phillips (1-2), who set down the first 15 hitters faced in a row.

Orelvis Martinez was inserted into the game at shortstop in the third inning and opened the scoring for the Fisher Cats with a two-run home run in the sixth to cut the Reading (11-17) lead 6-2. Martinez has a team leading five home runs and 17 RBIs on the season.

Will Robertson hammered his fourth home run of the season with a solo shot to open the seventh and trim the deficit to three. He has collected an RBI in his last five games and has seven RBIs in his last five contests.

In the ninth with two outs, Phil Clarke drilled a two-run home run to the right-field patio and make it a one-run ballgame. Miguel Hiraldo tried to keep the game alive for New Hampshire (14-14) but struck out swinging to end the night.

The Fisher Cats continue their six-game road trip against the Reading Fightin’ Phils tomorrow at 6:45 pm. RHP Adam Kloffenstein (2-2, 2.52 ERA) will get the start for New Hampshire against a pitcher to be determined for Reading.

The next home stand for the Fisher Cats begins Tuesday, May 16 against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. Promotions for the week include Margaritaville Night and Atlas Fireworks on Thursday, Wizards & Wands Night with Atlas Fireworks on Saturday, Princesses at the Park and Kids Run the Bases Sunday, presented by the New Hampshire Liquor Commission Division of Enforcement, and a Youth Jersey Giveaway Sunday, courtesy of Delta Dental.

Tickets are available at NHFisherCats.com, via email at [email protected], over the phone at (603) 641-2005, or in-person at the Fisher Cats box office at 1 Line Drive in Manchester.