Fisher Cats can't close door, lose series to Portland

Portland, Maine – Portland scored three times in the bottom of the seventh inning to rally past the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Toronto Blue Jays Double-A affiliate, 2-4, 33-42) for a 4-2 win on Sunday night to earn a series victory at Hadlock Field.

The Fisher Cats opened a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. John Aiello walked and moved to third on a single by Orelvis Martinez. Martinez broke to second on a steal attempt and Aiello scored when the throw went into centerfield.

Chris Bec reached on an error in the top of the fifth inning and scored on a ground rule double into the left field corner by Cam Eden to give the Fisher Cats a 2-0 lead. Both of New Hampshire's run were unearned, and Eden finished 2-for-5 with two doubles in his sixth multi-hit game with New Hampshire.

The Sea Dogs (Boston Red Sox, 4-2, 34-41) rallied to take the lead in the bottom of the seventh. David Hamilton started the inning with a hit by a pitch, Kole Cottam walked and Tyler Dearden singled to left field to plate the first run. The top three batters in the Portland order then walked twice and hit an infield single to put Portland in front, 3-2. New Hampshire pitching walked three, hit a batter and gave up two singles in the frame. Thomas Ruwe (L, 0-2) was tagged with the loss in 0.1 innings of work.

After the Sea Dogs made it 4-2 in the bottom of the eighth, the first two Fisher Cats reached to start the ninth. Zac Cook and Sebastian Espino began the inning with singles. Spencer Horwitz and Rafael Lantigua each got a pinch-hit at bat, but the Fisher Cats could not take advantage. They dropped the game, 4-2, and lost their first series to Portland this season.

The Sea Dogs’ Oddanier Mosqueda (W, 4-3) earned the win in relief and Jake Thompson picked up his fourth save.

Paxton Schultz started for New Hampshire, working for the first time in 12 days. He worked 3.1 scoreless frames, allowing two hits and striking out one. Schultz has not allowed a run in three outings against the Sea Dogs this season (12.2 innings). Braden Scott added 2.2 frames and gave up one run, working into the seventh inning.

The Fisher Cats return to Delta Dental Stadium tomorrow to open a series with the Hartford Yard Goats (Colorado Rockies). New Hampshire will play their only Monday game of the season of July 4 and will celebrate with The Biggest Fireworks Show in Fisher Cats History. Tickets can be found at NHFisherCats.com, via email at [email protected], over the phone at (603) 641-2005, or in-person at the Fisher Cats box office at 1 Line Drive in Manchester.