Fisher Cats Bats Slowed in 9-1 Loss in Erie

ERIE, PA. – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (24-29) dropped a Wednesday contest to the Erie SeaWolves (29-22) at UPMC Park, 9-1. The Fisher Cats were held off the scoreboard until three consecutive hits in the top of the ninth to avoid the shutout loss.

SeaWolves starter Austin Bergner threw a season-high six scoreless innings and finished with five strikeouts.

Erie plated three runs in the first and second inning to take a quick 6-0 lead against Fisher Cats starter Michael Dominguez (L, 1-1). After back-to-back walks in the bottom of the first, Erie second baseman Hao-Yu Lee knocked his ninth home run of the season to put Erie up, 3-0.

The SeaWolves doubled the advantage in the bottom of the second. Center fielder Ben Malgeri slugged his third home run of the season to lead off the bottom-half. Shortstop Trei Cruz doubled off Dominguez to drive in a run and give Erie a 5-0 lead. Against new Fisher Cats pitcher Abdiel Mendoza, SeaWolves first baseman drove in Cruz with an automatic double to push the score to 6-0.

Mendoza held the SeaWolves scoreless in his 3 1/3 innings and did not allow an earned run. Fellow reliever Adrian Hernandez gave up three runs on four hits in two innings. Fisher Cats righty Juan Nunez made his first Double-A appearance of the season and notched a strikeout against Erie in the bottom of the eighth.

The Fisher Cats offense arrived in the top of the ninth with three consecutive two-out singles. Shortstop Josh Kasevich and third baseman Alex De Jesus each singled before first baseman Rainer Nunez plated Kasevich from second to end the scoring at 9-1. De Jesus finished 2-for-4 to lead the offensive effort.

The series continues from Erie with a 6:05 first pitch on Thursday night at UPMC Park. New Hampshire righty Devereaux Harrison (1-3, 5.28 ERA) takes the ball for New Hampshire against SeaWolves southpaw Carlos Pena (0-4, 4.66 ERA).

Following the end of a two-week road trip, the Fisher Cats return to Delta Dental Stadium to begin back-to-back weeks of baseball in Manchester. The Fisher Cats begin a six-game series against the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Tuesday, June 11. After six games against Richmond, the Fisher Cats welcome the Reading Fightin’ Phils to Manchester from Tuesday, June 18 through Sunday, June 23.

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].