New Hampshire Outhits R-Phils, Can’t Keep Scoring Pace

READING, PA — The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (14-26, 44-64) couldn't keep up with the Reading Fightin Phils (18-25, 49-62) at FirstEnergy Stadium on Friday night, falling 10-6. Although the Fisher Cats outhit the R-Phils 13-8, Reading scored four decisive runs in the eighth.

Seven of the 10 Cats who recorded an at-bat Friday tallied a base hit. Second baseman Michael Turconi tied a season-high with three hits, the fourth time Turconi’s reached the mark in 2024. Third baseman Charles McAdoo also smacked three hits; the Blue Jays No. 8 prospect (MLB Pipeline) now has seven in the series. First baseman Rainer Nuñez and native Pennsylvanian Ryan McCarty both poked two hits. Designated hitter Devonte Brown returned from the injured list with a 1-for-4 evening and 2 RBIs.

New Hampshire starter Lazaro Estrada made it through three innings and was tagged for five runs on five hits. Righty Adrian Hernandez worked the fourth through sixth innings. Southpaw Ian Churchill (L, 0-2) was tagged with the loss after allowing four runs in the bottom of the eighth.

After the Fightin Phils scored five runs in the bottom of the third, the Cats quickly responded in the top of the fourth. McAdoo stroked a leadoff single and RJ Schreck walked. Nuñez then brought McAdoo home with a single; Schreck scored on a fielder’s interference call amidst a rundown between third and home. With Nuñez on third and McCarty on second, Brown cracked a line drive single to left which scored both runners. After the top of the fourth, New Hampshire trailed, 5-4.

The Fightins counter-punched with a solo homer from Marcus Lee Sang in the bottom of the fourth, and the Cats answered in the next half-inning with three straight singles from Turconi, McAdoo and Schreck, who drove Turconi home.

Reading took a 6-5 lead into the top of the eighth, when Turconi smoked his third hit of the night to plate center fielder Dasan Brown and tie the game. The R-Phils retook the lead in the bottom of the frame on a bases-loaded, 3-RBI double off Churchill and tacked on one more to worsen the blow.

New Hampshire and Reading continue the series with game five of six at FirstEnergy Stadium on Saturday, with a 6:45 PM EDT first pitch. Fisher Cats RHP Rafael Sanchez (2-0, 0.00 ERA) pits his 13 2/3 inning-long scoreless streak against Reading and right-hander Moises Chace (0-0, 0.00 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].