Schimpf, Perez Lead the Way to Victory
MANCHESTER, N.H. - Luis Perez hurled five shutout innings and Ryan Schimpf bashed his league-leading 19th home run to help the Fisher Cats beat the Binghamton Mets, 3-0, in the nightcap of a Saturday doubleheader. The victory evened the score with the Mets, who won game one of the twin bill by the same 3-0 score.
After allowing Binghamton (68-56) to score first on Friday night and in the first game Saturday, the Fisher Cats (60-63) tallied first in game two on Saturday. With runners at first and third in the second inning, Derrick Chung plated Schimpf with a sacrifice fly for a 1-0 lead.
Schimpf and Chung factored into the next rally in the fourth. With one out, Schimpf blasted his 19th homer to right field, pushing the lead against starter Mickey Jannis (L; 0-1) to 2-0. With two outs, Kevin Nolan doubled to left before Chung brought him home with a single to right.
Perez (W; 2-1), making his first start for the Fisher Cats since June of 2010, was dazzling in his role as spot starter. He twirled five hitless innings on just 53 total pitches. The lefty walked three and finished with three strikeouts to earn his first win as a starter since a victory over the Oakland Athletics on August 21, 2011 with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Schimpf went 2-2 with a walk and the home run in game two. Chung was 1-1 with two RBI. He now has five RBI in the series.
Binghamton's lone hit in the game came in the sixth inning when TJ River singled with one out against Blake McFarland (S; 13). McFarland induced a double play off the bat of Joe Benson to end the inning. He struck out three over the final two innings to earn the save.
Austin Bibens-Dirkx (5-7) hurled six strong innings in the first game of the twin bill, but the Fisher Cats (59-63) were unable to generate any offense as they fell 3-0 in the seven-inning affair.
After a rocky first inning highlighted by a two run single by third baseman Jonathan Galvez, Bibens-Dirkx settled down to throw the next five innings without allowing a run. Bibens-Dirkx struck out five B-Mets and walked three, and he retired 16 of the final 17 hitters he faced.
Binghamton's Tyler Pill (W; 4-0) bested Bibens-Dirkx with 5.2 innings of scoreless work. He and Paul Sewald (S; 22) held the Fisher Cats to four hits, two by Dwight Smith, Jr.
The homestand and series wrap up on Sunday afternoon at 1:35 p.m. with Don Zimmer bobbleheads for the first 1,000 fans presented by Manchester Community College. Daniel Tiger will be at the ballpark for photos courtesy of NHPTV. After the game, kids can run the bases thanks to the Buyers Beware Program. Tickets are available at www.nhfishercats.com, by calling (603) 641-2005, or by visiting the team box office at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.
The pitching match-up in the finale pits Fisher Cats RHP Taylor Cole (5-10) against Binghamton righty Matt Koch (4-7). Bob Lipman and Tom Gauthier have the radio call beginning at 1:15 p.m. on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network and www.nhfishercats.com.