Wards’ Double the Only Offense in Wednesday Loss

MANCHESTER, NH – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (15-18, 44-58) fell to the Reading Fightin Phils (14-21, 39-63) at Delta Dental Stadium on Wednesday afternoon, 8-1. New Hampshire's lone run came across in the bottom of the first inning on left fielder Je’Von Ward’s two-out double as the Fisher Cats went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

Box Score

Reading took an early lead by plating two runs in the top of the first inning on a two-run double from catcher Paul McIntosh. New Hampshire bounced back after first baseman Charles McAdoo knocked a double and scored on Ward’s two-bagger, and Reading led, 2-1.

Today’s top takeaways:

• OF Je’Von Ward doubles, extends extra base hit streak to four games

• RHP Pat Gallagher strikes out four, works 2-1/3 scoreless relief innings

• RHP Johnathan Lavallee records scoreless relief appearance

• INF Charles McAdoo extends hit streak to five games

Ward collected a pair of base knocks and has hit safely in his last four games played, going 6-for-13 with five runs driven in and four extra base hits in that span. With a single in the bottom of the ninth inning, third baseman Cade Doughty has now reached safely 16 of his last 17 games, dating back to July 12 in Somerset.

In his 14th start of the season, Rafael Sánchez (L, 2-6) pitched into the top of the third inning before finishing with four runs on four hits and two strikeouts across 2-1/3 innings of work. Reliever Pat Gallagher finished up the top of the third and went on to pitch 2-1/3 innings, allowing no runs on two hits and striking out four. Righty Michael Dominguez gave up three runs on four hits and went 1-2/3 innings pitched with two walks and two strikeouts. Johnathan Lavallee went 1-1/3 innings before Justin Kelly pitched a scoreless top of the ninth frame, allowing one run on one hit.

Reading starter Wil Crowe (W, 3-2) turned in five innings and surrendered one run on four hits with one walk and one strikeout to take the win. Right-hander Gabriel Barbosa dealt two scoreless innings of relief before Andrew Walling and Tommy McCollum each pitched one frame out of Reading’s bullpen.

The R-Phils would score six unanswered runs after that, including a two-run homer from right fielder Rafael Pineda in the top of the sixth inning and a solo shot from Nick Dunn in the ninth, finalizing the score at 8-1.

New Hampshire and Reading continue their series with a 6:35 PM EDT first pitch on Thursday night. Righty Trey Yesavage (1-1, 4.68 ERA) gets the ball for New Hampshire against Reading’s Griff McGary (0-3, 3.96 ERA).

Fans are encouraged to wear red to the ballpark for Love Your Heart Night on Saturday, featuring blood pressure screenings and opportunities to learn more about heart health. The first 1,000 fans in attendance for Sunday’s game will go home with a Golden Glove Dasan Brown bobblehead, courtesy of Northeast Delta Dental.

Fans can purchase 2025 multi-game memberships and single-game tickets at nhfishercats.com, via email at [email protected], by phone at (603) 641-2005, and in-person at the Delta Dental Stadium Box Office on 1 Line Drive in Manchester, New Hampshire.

About the New Hampshire Fisher Cats

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats are the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays and play their games at Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester. Over 160 former Fisher Cats have reached the Major League level. The Fisher Cats have raised millions of dollars for various charities through the Fisher Cats Foundation and continuously strive to improve the quality of life for Granite State residents. The organization has been recognized as New Hampshire Business Review’s “Best Sporting Event to Take Clients to”, Parenting New Hampshire Magazine’s “New Hampshire’s Favorite Sporting Event for Families”, and New Hampshire Magazine’s “Best New Hampshire Sports Team”. For more information on the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, please visit nhfishercats.com, call (603) 641-2005, or contact Chris Jared via email at [email protected].