Paulino Homers in Return as Fisher Cats Fall
MANCHESTER, NH – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (7-14, 36-54) dropped the series opener to the Hartford Yard Goats (13-9, 49-42) at Delta Dental Stadium on Tuesday night, 4-2. Relievers Alex Amalfi, Grayson Thurman and Justin Kelly combined to hold Hartford to one hit and no runs over six innings,
MANCHESTER, NH – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (7-14, 36-54) dropped the series opener to the Hartford Yard Goats (13-9, 49-42) at Delta Dental Stadium on Tuesday night, 4-2. Relievers Alex Amalfi, Grayson Thurman and Justin Kelly combined to hold Hartford to one hit and no runs over six innings, and second baseman Eddinson Paulino cracked a solo homer in his first game back in New Hampshire’s lineup since July 4.
Tonight’s top takeaways:
Starter Michael Dominguez allows all four runs in first inning, capped with two-run homer
Relievers Alex Amalfi*,* Grayson Thurman and Justin Kelly combine for six Ks in six scoreless innings, one walk and one run
CF Victor Arias records two-hit night*, 1B Jackson Hornung* tallies first triple
DH Eddinson Paulino homers in ninth*, RF Gabriel Martinez* doubles with two outs to bring tying run to the plate
New Hampshire starter Michael Dominguez (L, 0-2) surrendered four runs on three hits with three walks and one strikeout in three innings of work. Amalfi took over in the top of the fourth inning and went on to fire three scoreless innings of relief with one hit and four strikeouts. Thurman then tossed two shutout frames with one strikeout, and Kelly dealt a struck out one in a blank top of the ninth inning.
Hartford starter Sean Sullivan (W, 8-4) made his third start against the Fisher Cats this year and tallied nine strikeouts over 6-2/3 innings, with one run on five hits. Reliever Collin Baumgardner replaced Sullivan in the bottom of the seventh inning before allowing one hit in 1-1/3 innings of work. Goats reliever Welinton Herrera (S, 6) surrendered one run on two hits in the bottom of the ninth inning and closed out Hartford’s 4-2 win.
The Yard Goats rattled off four runs in the top of the first inning when center fielder Cole Carrigg led off the game with a double and came around to score on a grounder from first baseman Charlie Condon. Catcher Bryant Betancourt collected a run on a single that made it 2-0 before scoring on third baseman Braylen Wimmer’s two-run shot to give Hartford an early 4-0 advantage.
New Hampshire responded in the bottom of the first inning after first baseman Jackson Hornung led off with a triple and scored on center fielder Victor Arias’ single to make it a 4-1 game.
Despite holding the Yard Goats to one hit in the last eight innings, New Hampshire could only muster across one more run on Paulino’s homer and fell, 4-2.
The series continues with a 12:05 PM EDT first pitch on Wednesday afternoon for Camp Day. New Hampshire’s Grant Rogers (2-6, 3.38 ERA) gets the start against Hartford righty Blake Adams (4-6, 5.98 ERA) in the second game of the series.
The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a specialty Fisher Cats pickleball paddle, presented by Coca-Cola, for Pickleball Night on Friday. The Fisher Cats play as the Malmo Oat Milkers and host another postgame fireworks show after Saturday night’s 6:35 PM EDT first pitch. The Fisher Cats and Yard Goats round out the series with Military Appreciation Day on Sunday.
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].