Historic Comeback Leads NH Past Portland, 10-8

Manchester, N.H. - The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Toronto Blue Jays Double-A affiliate) matched their biggest comeback win in franchise history on Saturday night, overcoming an 8-3 deficit to shock to Portland Sea Dogs (Boston Red Sox) 10-8 at Delta Dental Stadium.
Trailing 8-3 in the seventh inning, the Fisher Cats rallied for seven runs to take the lead. The rally started when New Hampshire loaded the bases on two walks and a fielder's choice. Santiago Espinal  drew a run-scoring base on balls, Nash Knight doubled home a pair of runs, Josh Palacios  singled home two more to tie the game, and Chad Spanberger  belted a two-run homer to put New Hampshire in front, 10-8.
Relievers Danny Young  (W, 1-1) and Bryan Baker  (S, 9) combined to hold Portland scoreless the rest of the night as the Fisher Cats (6-13) snapped a five-game losing streak and ended the Sea Dogs' six-game winning streak.
Portland (9-9) struck first on a two-out, two-run double from Joey Curletta in the first inning. New Hampshire cut the lead to 2-1 in bottom of the fourth. Espinal walked and Knight singled to left field. Espinal raced to third on the hit, and was able to score when Portland threw the ball away.
Jerry Downs, who hit his first Sea Dogs homer on Friday night, hit a solo shot in the top of fifth inning. He also added a two-run single in the top of the sixth as Portland opened up a 6-1 lead.
The Fisher Cats cut into the deficit in the bottom of the sixth inning. A double by Espinal, a single by Knight and walk by Josh Palacios loaded the bases. Alberto Mineo 's two-run single brought New Hampshire back within 6-3, but Portland put two runs on the board in the seventh inning to extend the lead to five.
Tanner Houck (L, 8-6), took the loss in relief for the Sea Dogs.

Portland and New Hampshire meet again on Sunday at 1:35 p.m. at Delta Dental Stadium. It's a Hood Kids Club Game and Kids Run The Bases after the game. For tickets and information, visit www.nhfishercats.com.