Speed Kills! Fisher Cats Runners Drive Win

MANCHESTER - The New Hampshire Fisher Cats made the most of their opportunities Saturday night, working a 3-1 win over the Reading Fightin Phils in front of a packed house of 7,639 at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.

The Fisher Cats (21-26) snapped a five-game losing streak and rode timely hitting throughout the game, evening up the four-game series against the visitors. Reading (33-16) took a lead in the top of the first but couldn't hang on, succumbing to a series of miscues and small-ball plays to drop the game. The crowd of 7,639 roared with every pitch, giving New Hampshire a big home-field advantage.

The Fightin Phils drew first blood against Fisher Cats starter Shane Dawson in the top of the first inning. Leadoff man Roman Quinn sliced a double to left field, and moved to third on a groundout by Jesmuel Valentin. Rhys Hoskins then hit a slow bouncer to first for an RBI groundout, scoring Quinn and giving Reading the 1-0 lead.

New Hampshire equalized in the bottom of the fourth against Reading starter Nick Pivetta. Ryan Lavarnway smashed a two-out double to deep left-center field, just barely missing a homer. Rowdy Tellez then laced a ground-rule double up the right field line to plate Lavarnway and tie the game 1-1. 

The Fisher Cats surged into the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Ian Parmley dropped down a bunt single to lead off the frame, and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jorge Flores. With two outs, Roemon Fields ripped a liner into the right center field gap for an RBI triple. Parmley easily scored, and the Fisher Cats assumed a 2-1 lead.

New Hampshire added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Jon Berti got aboard on a one-out single, and advanced to second when reliever Jeremy Bleich threw the ball away on a pickoff attempt. Dwight Smith, Jr. then rocketed a single off Bleich's leg into center field, scoring Berti and extending New Hampshire's lead to 3-1. The Fisher Cats bullpen held together in the ninth to preserve the lead and the win.

Dawson earned the win as he tossed six solid innings of one-run baseball, allowing one run on four hits and five walks. Colt Hynes threw 1.2 frames, surrendering just one hit to Reading batters for his first save. Murphy Smith fired 1.1 shutout innings with one hit against one strikeout for his second save.

The Fisher Cats and Fightin Phils will square off again Sunday evening, with lefty John Anderson starting for New Hampshire against Reading righty Ricardo Pinto. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m., and Bob Lipman and Charlie Sherman have the call on the Fisher Cats Radio Network starting at 5:45 p.m.