Jimenez’s five RBI night leads Fisher Cats to victory

HARTFORD, C.T — The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, bounced back on Wednesday night, defeating the Hartford Yard Goats 8-3 from Dunkin’ Park, evening the series one game apiece.

The win snapped a five-game losing streak against Hartford (4-3, 33-41) dating back to the first series meeting at Delta Dental Stadium in April.

New Hampshire (2-6, 37-39) trailed for the first half of the game but went on to score four in the seventh and three in the eighth to get the victory while receiving solid pitching from the bullpen.

Leo Jimenez collected a game-high three hits and five RBIs, his first five-RBI game of his professional career. The Blue Jays No. 19 prospect was a triple shy of the cycle and delivered the go-ahead runs in the seventh with a three-run homer off Hartford right-hander Mike Ruff (0-4), his fifth homer of the season.

Will Robertson tacked on a run in the seventh with an RBI double off the right-field wall, his third RBI and third double of the series.

In the eighth, Hartford third baseman Bret Boswell made a throwing error fielding a sac bunt from Steward Berroa that brought home another run while run-scoring singles by Jimenez and Rainer Nunez cushioned the lead to five.

Miguel Hiraldo recorded two more hits on the night and has five in the series. The Fisher Cats second baseman is hitting .454 (10-for-22) vs Hartford this year.

It was a bullpen game for the Fisher Cats as right-hander Andrew Bash made only his second start of the season. He went 2.2 innings, allowing two runs on three hits.

Right-hander Gabriel Ponce delivered an 1.2 innings of scoreless relief while newcomer and right-hander Al Pesto (1-0) pitched 2.2 strong innings, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out three, picking up the win in his Double-A debut.

The 26-year-old Pesto signed a Minor League deal with the Blue Jays on June 3 after pitching for the Billings Mustangs in the Pioneer League last year. He had made four outings for the FCL Blue Jays before arriving in Hartford on Wednesday night.

Right-hander T.J. Brock slammed the door with two scoreless innings and two strikeouts.

The Fisher Cats continue their road trip against Hartford tomorrow night at 7:10 pm. RHP Adam Kloffenstein (4-3, 2.84 ERA) will get the start for New Hampshire against LHP Joe Rock (0-4, 4.63 ERA) for Hartford.

The next homestand for the Fisher Cats will begin on Friday, July 14 against the Altoona Curve. Promotions for the weekend include Marvel’s Defenders of the Diamond night Friday with a special Marvel-themed jersey auction, Copa de la Diversion night Saturday with postgame Atlas fireworks, presented by Corona Hard Seltzer, and a Flag Giveaway Sunday, presented by 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.