Cats Dominate Middle Innings for Thursday Triumph 

READING, PA — The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (14-25, 44-63) took down the Reading Fightin Phils (17-25, 48-62) at FirstEnergy Stadium on Thursday night, 6-4. The Fisher Cats rode a 6-0 lead before the R-Phils scored four unanswered runs in the seventh and eighth. Right-hander Jonathan Lavallee (S, 2) produced the final out of the eighth and fired the first Fisher Cats immaculate inning of 2024 to cement the Thursday win.

Left fielder RJ Schreck started the scoring with a solo homer in the top of the third inning, his 14^th of the year and second since joining New Hampshire’s roster on August 2.

Right-hander Michael Dominguez made his first start in over a month for New Hampshire and tossed three scoreless innings. Dominguez didn’t allow a runner past second base. Abdiel Mendoza (W, 8-8) pitched the middle three innings and blanked the R-Phils. Nick Fraze tossed 1 2/3 innings and fell responsible for the four Reading runs.

Third baseman Charles McAdoo walked and stole second to begin the top of the fourth. First baseman Rainer Nuñez also walked, and after both runners advanced on a wild pitch, designated hitter Yohendrick Piñango plated McAdoo with a single to stretch New Hampshire’s lead to 2-0. Right fielder Gabriel Martinez drove in Nunez on a groundout to move the lead to 3-0.

The Fisher Cats tallied another two-run inning in the top of the fifth. Center fielder Dasan Brown walked with one out and Schreck notched his second hit of the game to put runners at the corners. Shortstop Alex De Jesus reached on a fielder’s choice to move the New Hampshire lead to 4-0. After a walk from McAdoo, Nuñez poked a two-out single into left field to score De Jesus and give the Fisher Cats a 5-0 lead.

New Hampshire’s scoring ended in the top of the seventh; Brown singled and stole second before a McAdoo RBI single – his fourth time reaching base in the game – to give the Fisher Cats a 6-0 lead.

Reading threatened with four unanswered runs and came as close as bringing the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the eighth. The Fightins broke up the shutout bid in the bottom of the seventh, thanks to a solo home run by Ethan Wilson. Reading’s Trevor Schweke highlighted a three-run eighth inning with a two-out, two-run single to right field. After trailing 6-0, the Fightin Phils brought the tying run to the plate. Lavallee forced the final out of the eighth and struck out the side with his immaculate inning in the ninth.

New Hampshire and Reading continue the series with game four of six at FirstEnergy Stadium on Friday, with a 7:00 PM EDT first pitch. Fisher Cats RHP Lázaro Estrada (1-3, 2.93 ERA) takes the hill to face Reading’s Jean Cabrera (0-1, 4.05 ERA).

After the road stretch, the Cats are back at home for six against the Northeast Division first half champions, the Hartford Yard Goats. Promotions include 2000s Night on August 22, New Hampshire Primaries Night on August 23, and Hockey Night on August 24, with a bobblehead giveaway and postgame Atlas Fireworks.

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].