Pitcher’s duel belongs to Fisher Cats in victory
BRIDGEWATER, N.J — The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, silenced the Somerset Patriots for a second night in a row, defeating the reigning Eastern League champions by a score of 2-1 on Wednesday night from TD Bank Ballpark. New Hampshire (34-30) held Somerset
BRIDGEWATER, N.J — The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, silenced the Somerset Patriots for a second night in a row, defeating the reigning Eastern League champions by a score of 2-1 on Wednesday night from TD Bank Ballpark.
New Hampshire (34-30) held Somerset (39-25) to just one run on two hits in the game, despite collecting only one hit themselves. The Fisher Cats have held the Patriots to just two runs on four hits in the first two games of the series.
On the mound, right-hander Chad Dallas (3-0) made his sixth Double-A start since being promoted to New Hampshire in mid-May. The 22-year-old threw 6.2 innings, allowing just one run on two hits and one walk while striking out seven, picking up the win. It’s the longest road start of the season for Dallas and it lowered his ERA on the road to 1.05 in 17.2 innings thrown.
As they did yesterday, the Fisher Cats grabbed the first run of the game in the first inning against Somerset starting right-hander Yoendrys Gomez. A sacrifice fly off the bat of Will Robertson brought home Leo Jimenez, his 29th RBI of the season, which is third-best on the team.
Mickey Gaspar hit a solo homer off Dallas to tie up the score in the sixth but the Fisher Cats would retake the lead in the seventh. After Somerset right-hander Ian Hamilton (1-1) gave up a walk to load the bases, Orelvis Martinez drove in his 45th RBI of the season with a sacrifice fly to center-field, bringing home Zac Cook.
In the bullpen, right-hander Fitz Stadler threw a scoreless inning of relief with three strikeouts. The 26-year-old has thrown three scoreless innings out of the bullpen so far this season since making his return to New Hampshire on June 15 for the first time in two years after recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Right-hander TJ Brock recorded his fourth save of the year, his third four-out save, to remain perfect on the year in saves to save opportunities.
It’s the first time in 19 games in franchise history where the Fisher Cats have been one-hit but ended up winning the game.
The Fisher Cats continue their six-game road trip against the Somerset Patriots tomorrow at 7:05 pm. LHP Jimmy Robbins (3-5, 5.68 ERA) will get the start for New Hampshire against RHP Richard Fitts (3-5, 4.27 ERA) for Somerset.
The next home stand for the Fisher Cats begins Wednesday, June 28 against the Portland Sea Dogs. Promotions include Pride Night Wednesday, Star Wars Night Thursday with postgame Atlas Fireworks, Italian Plumbers Appreciation Night Friday, and a Mega Blast Atlas Fireworks Weekend Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
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.