(New Britain, CT)---Ryan Schimpf hit his eighth home run of the season, but New Britain plated a run in the bottom in the ninth inning to give the Rock Cats a 4-3 win over the Fisher Cats on Friday night at New Britain Stadium.

With the game tied 3-3, Aaron Hicks drew a one-out walk. Chris Herrmann (3-for-5) doubled as Hicks slid in under the tag at the plate to give New Britain the win, which keeps alive their playoff hopes with three games remaining in the season.

Bruce Pugh (4-2) earned the win in relief, getting out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the ninth inning as the Fisher Cats threatened to move in front. Ron Uviedo (5-3) took the loss for New Hampshire.

The Fisher Cats (61-78) opened the scoring in the top of the first inning. Jake Marisnick singled, moved to second on a Ryan Goins bunt, and scored on a single by Mark Sobolewski for a 1-0 lead.

New Britain (72-67) bounced back in the bottom of the first inning to take a 2-1 lead. Aaron Hicks led off with a double and Oswaldo Arcia homered.

The Rock Cats extended the lead in the bottom of the third inning. Hicks reached on a bunt single, stole second, moved to third on a dropped third strike, and scored on a single by Arcia.

Schimpf homered in the top of the sixth to pull the Fisher Cats to within a run at 3-2. It was his 8th since joining the Fisher Cats and his 22nd of the season overall, tops in the Blue Jays Minor League Organization.

In the top of the seventh inning, Koby Clemens drew a two-out walk and scored on a triple by Marisnick to tie the game at 3-3.

Deck McGuire made his final start of the season, but did not figure in the decision. He allowed six hits and three runs in five innings. McGuire did not walk a batter and struck out one.

The Fisher Cats and Rock Cats meet again on Saturday at 7:05pm. RHP Fernando Hernandez (5-7, 4.24) starts for New Hampshire against New Britain LHP Luke French (3-1, 2.06). Coverage begins at 6:45pm with Bob Lipman on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network and at www.nhfishercats.com.