Fisher Cats use long ball in victory over Fightin’ Phils

READING, P.A — The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, hit three more home runs on Friday night, defeating the Reading Fightin’ Phils 14-6 at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Orelvis Martinez hit his eighth and ninth home runs of the season, part of a five RBI night for the Blue Jays No. 4 prospect. It’s the second straight multi-home run game for Martinez. He has five home runs and 10 RBIs in the series.

Miguel Hiraldo also drove in five RBIs for the first time this season, blasting a three-run home run in the fifth.

Will Robertson and Trevor Schwecke collected multi-RBI performances while Robertson recorded a game-high three hits on the night.

Eight of the nine Fisher Cats in the starting lineup recorded at least one hit on the night. New Hampshire (16-14) matched season-highs in runs (14) and hits (13).

Gabriel Ponce (1-0) picked up his first win of the season, pitching a scoreless fourth and fifth in relief with two strikeouts. Alejandro Melean struck out a season-high eight batters over three innings pitched in relief.

The Fisher Cats continue their six-game road trip against the Reading Fightin’ Phils (11-19) tomorrow at 6:45 pm. RHP Nick Fraze (1-0, 2.16 ERA) will get the start for New Hampshire against RHP Cristian Hernandez (1-0, 4.05 ERA) for Reading.

The next home stand for the Fisher Cats begins Tuesday, May 16 against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. Promotions for the week include Margaritaville Night and Atlas Fireworks on Thursday, Wizards & Wands Night with Atlas Fireworks on Saturday, Princesses at the Park and Kids Run the Bases Sunday, presented by the New Hampshire Liquor Commission Division of Enforcement, and a Youth Jersey Giveaway Sunday, courtesy of Delta Dental.

Tickets are available 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.