Espinal's 6 RBI Power 'Cats to Series Win

BINGHAMTON, NY - Santiago Espinal became the ninth New Hampshire Fisher Cat (Blue Jays) in team history to drive in six runs in a game, leading the 'Cats to a 10-4 triumph over the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (Mets) on Wednesday night at NYSEG Stadium. The victory gave New Hampshire its first series win and first winning streak of the 2019 season.

Espinal's first two RBI came in a four-run fourth. In that inning, all nine men came to the plate for the Fisher Cats and they scored their four runs on three hits, which included Espinal's two RBI single to centerfield that made it 4-0.
Binghamton got a run back in the bottom of the third and they tied it with three in the fourth. 'Cats starter Zach Logue (W, 1-0) struck out the first two men of the inning but issued a two out walk. A single continued the frame for Kevin Kaczmarski, whose base hit brought home the second run of the game for the Rumble Ponies. Braxton Lee followed with a two-RBI, game-tying double that knotted things at four.
The 'Cats scored their eventual winning run in the sixth. With runners at second and third with two outs, a passed ball allowed Ryan Hissey to score from third and gave New Hampshire a 5-4 advantage.
A five-run eighth sealed the deal for the Blue Jays affiliate. A single and two walks loaded the bases with no outs, which brought Josh Palacios to the dish. He hit a ground ball to the first baseman, who elected to throw to the catcher for the force out but a hard slide from Kacy Clemens forced the ball out of the catcher's glove. After a pitching change and with the bases still loaded, Espinal launched his first home run of the year over the wall in left for a grand slam.
Leading 10-4, New Hampshire sent Bryan Baker and Francisco Rios to work in the eighth and ninth, respectively. They combined on the final six outs to secure the win by that score.
Notable Performers:

• Santiago Espinal's 6 RBI are the most by a 'Cat since Vladmir Guerrero Jr. plated six on April 9 against Trenton.
• Kacy Clemens logged two hits for the first time this season.
• Ryan Hissey went 24 with a walk and three runs scored.

The Fisher Cats return home on Thursday for the first of three with the Hartford Yard Goats (Rockies). Game five of the Plymouth Rock Assurance Cup begins at 6:35 p.m. on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network.