Altoona Takes Sluggish Tuesday Opener 

MANCHESTER, NH— The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (18-32, 48-70) dropped their first game of the season at Peoples Natural Gas Field to the Altoona Curve (21-31, 50-71) Tuesday, 3-1. The Fisher Cats managed three hits and three walks against three Curve pitchers; designated hitter Devonte Brown plated the Cats’ run with a solo homer.

New Hampshire had the tying run at the plate with one out in the top of the ninth but grounded into a game-ending double play.

Brown launched his solo shot off Altoona starter Nick Dombkowski in the second to put the Fisher Cats ahead, 1-0. The home run was Brown’s 10th of the year; he’s the second Fisher Cat to reach double-digit homers this year, joining Rainer Nuñez, who leads the team with 11.

Second baseman Ryan McCarty and center fielder Dasan Brown were the other New Hampshire batters to record hits. Dasan singled, then stole second and third in the sixth.

Cats starter Michael Dominguez pitched four scoreless frames and struck out two. Dominguez has allowed one run in 12 innings since returning from the Development List on August 15. Hunter Gregory (L, 5-4) gave up two runs on two hits in the sixth. Andrew Bechtold tossed a clean seventh, and Ryan Jennings was tagged with an unearned run before he struck out the side in the eighth.

Altoona reliever Grant Ford (W, 2-2) tossed two scoreless innings to earn the win. Jack Carey (S, 8) handled the final six outs.

First pitch for game two of the New Hampshire-Altoona series is scheduled at 6:00 PM EDT from Peoples Natural Gas Field. Right-hander Lazaro Estrada (2-3, 3.40 ERA) is on the hill for the Fisher Cats, while the Curve send RHP Emmanuel Chapman (2-1, 3.28 ERA).

Every Fisher Cats home game is streamed live on MiLB.tv and through the Bally Live App; fans can listen to every Fisher Cats game on the Fisher Cats Radio Network.

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].