Akron, OH - Three home runs helped fuel the New Hampshire Fisher Cats' 9-6 win over the Akron RubberDucks in the series finale at Canal Park on Thursday, as the 'Cats managed to avoid the sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Indians affiliate. New Hampshire used the long ball
Akron, OH - Three home runs helped fuel the New Hampshire Fisher Cats' 9-6 win over the Akron RubberDucks in the series finale at Canal Park on Thursday, as the 'Cats managed to avoid the sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Indians affiliate.
New Hampshire used the long ball to take an early lead. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit a three-run home run in the first after Jonathan Davis doubled and Anthony Alford was hit by a pitch, and Tim Lopes matched his teammate with a three-run shot of his own in the second inning to make it 6-0 'Cats.
Akron plated their first two runs of the game with a home run in the bottom of the second, but starter Jon Harris (W, 6-10) did not allow anything further over six innings to earn himself a quality start.
Richard Ureña homered to begin the third inning to put New Hampshire up 7-2, one of three hits on the night for the second baseman. He finished a triple shy of the cycle.
The 'Cats put up two runs in the sixth to pad their advantage. Two-out RBIs from Alford and Harold Ramirez helped New Hampshire go up 9-2.
Two runs in the seventh and a run in the eighth for Akron set up a hair-raising ninth inning. Leading 9-5, New Hampshire's Jose Fernandez surrendered a lead-off bloop single, walked the next batter then saw the next man reach on an error to load the bases with no outs. Up stepped slugger Bobby Bradley as the potential tying run, but Fernandez struck him out on a 2-2 fastball. With the bases loaded and one out, Yu Chang lifted a fly ball to centerfield that should have been caught but was dropped for the second error of the inning, allowing a run to score and putting the tying run at first.
On came Andrew Case (S, 6), who needed two pitches to induce a game-ending double play off the bat of Akron's home run leader Eric Haase, and the 'Cats escaped with a 9-6 win.
The far west road trip continues on Friday night in Erie, PA. LHP Thomas Pannone (6-2, 3.01 ERA) is on the hill for the Fisher Cats in his second start as a member of the Blue Jays organization. The SeaWolves have yet to announce their starter. First pitch from UPMC Park is set for 7:05 p.m. and can be heard locally on AM 610 WGIR or online via iHeartRadio.
