Santos Spins Six Shutout Frames

TRENTON - The New Hampshire Fisher Cats got within one out of avoiding a sweep but couldn't hang on, suffering a 2-1 walkoff loss to the Trenton Thunder on Thursday at ARM & HAMMER Park in Trenton.

The Fisher Cats (20-25) got their only run on just six hits, but it looked as though it would stand up before a series of hits in the ninth wrecked the game for the visitors. The Thunder (26-19) completed the four-game sweep of New Hampshire, the first time the Fisher Cats have been swept in such fashion since July 23-26 of last year at Portland.

New Hampshire opened the scoring in the top of the fourth inning against Trenton starting pitcher Eric Ruth. Jon Berti led off with a base hit, and swiped second for his 19th steal of the year. Dwight Smith, Jr. was retired, but Matt Dean served a single into left field, and Berti raced home to score and give New Hampshire a 1-0 lead.

From there, the Fisher Cats pitching staff looked to have things well in hand. Starting pitcher Luis Santos twirled six shutout innings, allowing just six hits and fanning eight. He handed off to Matt Dermody, who gave up just one hit in 1.1 innings and whiffed two batters. Murphy Smith took over with one out in the eighth inning, walking one and striking out one before departing with the 1-0 lead in hand. The Fisher Cats loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the ninth, but Jonathan Holder (W, 3-1) was able to strike out Christian Lopes to retire the side.

Wil Browning (BS; L, 1-1) took over in the bottom of the ninth, and struck out Billy Fleming and Sebastian Valle to start the inning. But Jonathan Silva singled with two outs, as did Cito Culver, putting runners at first and second. Tyler Wade sliced a single up the middle, scoring Silva and moving Culver to third. Dustin Fowler took it from there, cracking Browning's first pitch to him into left field for an RBI single to win the game. It was the first time that Browning had allowed opponents to score since his first appearance on April 11.

The Fisher Cats will try to shake off the sweep Friday night at home, with righty Jeremy Gabryszwski starting for New Hampshire against right-hander Ben Lively of the visiting Reading Fightin Phils. First pitch is at 6:35 p.m., and Bob Lipman has the call on the Fisher Cats Radio Network starting at 6:15 p.m.