Cats Pitchers Combine for Series-Opening Shutout

BINGHAMTON, NY — A balanced attack drove the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (8-18, 38-56) to a 6-0 win over the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (15-12, 50-44) Tuesday at Mirabito Stadium. Nick Fraze, Hunter Gregory and Jimmy Burnette combined to shut out the Rumble Ponies, who managed two hits in the contest.

Third baseman Alex De Jesus finished 2-for-4 with a two-run double, while second baseman Cade Doughty drove in a run with his first Double-A triple in the Tuesday victory.

Fraze (W, 1-1) was in control from the start, as he struck out four of the first six batters he faced. The right-hander finished his Tuesday start with five strikeouts, and allowed two baserunners: one hit, and one hit batter. Gregory struck out the side in the sixth, then stranded multiple runners on base in both the seventh and eighth. Burnette tossed a scoreless ninth to seal the deal.

The New Hampshire offense packed an early punch against Binghamton starter Dakota Hawkins (L, 0-1). Two batters in, Josh Kasevich singled, his 100th hit of the season. Ryan McCarty was hit by a pitch and Rainer Nuñez walked to load the bases. De Jesus cracked a double into the gap which scored both Kasevich and McCarty. Nuñez advanced to third on the two-bagger, then scored on a sacrifice fly from Gabriel Martinez. After the game’s first action, the Cats led, 2-0.

Andres Sosa started off the top of the second with a walk, then the top of the order manufactured more offense. Devonte Brown singled, Kasevich walked, and the bases were juiced for McCarty. The Penn State-Abington product drilled a fly ball to deep left, a couple feet away from clearing the fence as New Hampshire’s first grand slam of the season. Instead, it was simply a long sacrifice fly, as Sosa jogged home to bump the Cats lead to 3-0.

After Fraze cruised through five, the Cats tacked one more run for good measure. De Jesus started off the top of the sixth against Binghamton reliever Junior Santos with a single, then Doughty barreled his triple with New Hampshire off the left field fence. De Jesus scored without a play at the plate. The next batter, Garrett Spain, brought Doughty home with a ground ball to second and advanced New Hampshire’s advantage to 6-0.

New Hampshire and Binghamton continue the six-game series Wednesday, July 31 with a 1:05 PM EDT first pitch. RHP Devereaux Harrison (4-5, 4.36 ERA) gets the ball for the Fisher Cats, while Binghamton’s Joander Suarez (5-5, 4.58 ERA) starts for the Rumble Ponies.

The Fisher Cats return home on August 6 to face the Erie SeaWolves, Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, for six contests. Promotional nights during the Erie homestand include Love Your Heart night presented by Dartmouth Health, 90s Night with a Fanny Pack giveaway, presented by Fidium Fiber, and postgame Atlas fireworks. The series concludes on Sunday, August 11 with a 1:35 PM EDT first pitch on First Responders Day.

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].