Bleier, Wilson Lead Fisher Cats Over Sea Dogs

MANCHESTER, N.H. - Kenny Wilson's run-scoring single in the sixth made a winner out of Richard Bleier and the Fisher Cats (17-32) on Sunday afternoon against the Portland Sea Dogs (33-16). Wilson drove home Matt Newman to give the Fisher Cats a 1-0 triumph and a chance to split the holiday weekend series on Monday afternoon.

After a rout by the Sea Dogs on Saturday night, neither team could generate much offense against the starting pitchers on Sunday - Radhames Liz in his Fisher Cats debut and Brian Johnson for the Sea Dogs.

Liz went three scoreless in his first start since coming off the disabled list. He turned it over to Richard Bleier, who carried the battle against Johnson through the first five innings of a 0-0 game.

In the sixth, after Bleier retired the Sea Dogs in order in the top of the inning, Newman started the Fisher Cats rally with a lead-off double to left field. He took third on a groundout by Pierce Rankin before scoring when Kenny Wilson bounced a single to center field for the game's only run.

Bleier protected the lead for an additional two innings, totaling five shutout in the game. He allowed three hits, walked one, and struck out two to improve to 3-4 on the year. He turned it over to Randy Boone, who worked a scoreless ninth for his second save.

Wilson drove in the game's only run, but Newman was the Fisher Cats only player with multiple hits. He had a sac bunt in the third before his sixth-inning double and an eighth-inning single.

It was the first 1-0 win for New Hampshire since a 1-0 victory in Altoona, Pa. in June of 2011. The win improved New Hampshire to 5-17 in one-run games in 2014.

The Fisher Cats can now split the four-game set with Portland on Monday afternoon at 1:35. The Fisher Cats will honor the men and women who serve our country by offering all active and veteran military members free admission. The first 1,000 fans will receive a miniature American flag courtesy of BAE Systems. Tickets are available at www.nhfishercats.com, at the Fisher Cats ticket office, and by calling (603) 641-2005.

Monday's pitching match-up has Scott Copeland (3-4, 4.44) taking the hill against Portland's Keith Couch (6-0, 2.39). Radio coverage begins at 1:15 p.m. with Tom Gauthier and Bob Lipman on WGIR 610 AM and www.nhfishercats.com.