Cats top 'Dogs with eighth inning rally, 6-4

8th inning error leads to three unearned runs

Manchester, NH -  The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (33-38) scored three unearned runs in the bottom of the eighth to steal a 6-4 win from the Sea Dogs (27-46)
 night at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.

The Fisher Cats trailed 4-3 heading to the bottom of the eighth, but got a break to begin the inning when Shane Opitz's (0-4, R) grounder off Madison Younginer went through Carlos Asuaje's legs to allow a leadoff baserunner.  After a sac bunt by Jorge Flores (1-3, 2B), Ian Parmley (1-4, RBI, R) doubled to left to tie the game.  Younginer struck out Dalton Pompey (1-4, HR, RBI) for the second out, but then hit Jon Berti (1-2, 2 R).  It was the third time Berti got hit in the game and resulted in warnings to both benches, which elicited an argument from New Hampshire manager Bobby Meachem, who was subsequently ejected by home plate umpire Ryan Clark.  After a lengthy delay, Dwight Smith Jr. (2-5, RBI, R) hit the first pitch he saw from Younginer into the gap in left center field to give New Hampshire a 5-4 lead.  They added an insurance run on an RBI single by Kevin Nolan (2-5, 2 RBI) to make it 6-4.

Neither starter factored into the decision.  Luis Diaz went five innings for Portland, allowing three earned runs on seven hits while walking one and striking out three.  John Anderson went six for the Fisher Cats and allowed four earned runs on six hits while walking two and striking out two.  Chad Girodo (1-0) earned the win with two scoreless innings of relief, while Younginer (2-3) was saddled with the loss.

New Hampshire got off to a quick start when Dalton Pompey led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run off of Diaz.  The Sea Dogs would answer in the top of the third on an RBI groundout by Carlos Asuaje (0-4, RBI), scoring Cole Sturgeon (2-4, R).

The Fisher Cats would answer right back in the bottom of the third.  After Jon Berti was hit by a pitch from Diaz, Dwight Smith Jr. and Kevin Nolan hit back-to-back singles to plate Berti and make it 2-1 'Cats.  After an infield fly, Jack Murphy delivered a two-out single to score Smith and extend the lead to 3-1.

The Sea Dogs took the lead back in the fourth.  Sam Travis (1-4, 2B, R) doubled for his first Double-A hit, then Manuel Margot (2-4, 2B, RBI, R, 2 SB) doubled to pick up his first Double-A RBI and cut the New Hampshire lead to 3-2.  After Keury De La Cruz (1-3, BB, R) walked, Marco Hernandez delivered a two-out, two-run single to put the Sea Dogs ahead 4-3.

The series continues tomorrow night at 7:05, Kyle Kraus (0-0, 5.26) makes the start for Portland while Austin Bibens-Dirx (1-3, 9.50) is scheduled to start for New Hampshire. Pre-Game coverage begins at 6:45 PM on the WPEI U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network.


 Tickets are still available for the next Sea Dogs homestand beginning on Saturday, June 27th, and can be purchased by phone at 207-879-9500 or online at seadogs.com.