Capra Homers Twice to Lead NH to Fourth Straight Win

Portland, ME - Vinny Capra returned to the lineup for the first time in two weeks and hit a pair of Maine Monster homers as the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays Double-A affiliate) rolled to a 9-2 win over the Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox) on Sunday in Portland.

The win was the fourth straight for New Hampshire (14-21), who earned the series win at Hadlock Field. Maximo Castillo (W, 3-1) allowed one run on four hits over five innings to pick up the win.

Sean Rackoski, Graham Spraker, and Andrew McInvale all worked in relief, allowing just one run in four combined innings.

The Fisher Cats opened the scoring in the top of the second. Chris Bec drew a two-out walk, and Capra homered over the fence in left. It was the first home run of the season for Capra, who was batting for the first time in two weeks after being sidelined with an injury.

Portland (20-16) cut the lead to 2-1 with a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning by Ronaldo Hernandez.

In the top of the fifth, Samad Taylor walked and stole second, and Otto Lopez followed with a base hit to make it 3-1. A single by Jordan Groshans and a sacrifice fly by Chavez Young made it 4-1 New Hampshire.

Demi Orimoloye led off the sixth with a single, Bec walked, and Capra homered again to give him a career-best five RBIs on the day. New Hampshire then went back-to-back for the first time this season when Samad Taylor followed with his team-leading ninth home run.

New Hampshire added a final run on a double by Orimoloye and an RBI single by Bec in the seventh.

The Fisher Cats return to Delta Dental Stadium on Tuesday to play the Hartford Yard Goats (Colorado Rockies). Game time is 6:35 p.m. For tickets and information, visit nhfishercats.com. For media requests, please email Tyler Murray at [email protected].