Series Split Hopes Dashed In Extras

HARTFORD, CT - The New Hampshire Fisher Cats trailed early, surged ahead but lost in extra innings Sunday, a 5-4 defeat at the hands of the Hartford Yard Goats (Rockies) at Dunkin' Donuts Park.

MLB.com's #3 Blue Jays prospect Nate Pearson made his third career Double-A start and battled through four innings that each featured a base runner. The right-hander allowed three runs on seven hits, walked two and struck out six, three of which came on pitches clocked at 100 miles per hour.
Hartford got to Pearson for a run in the first. Colton Welker singled with two outs then Vince Fernandez walked after an extended battle - the first free pass issued by Pearson since he became a 'Cat - to bring up Arvicent Perez, who singled up the middle to score Welker and make it 1-0.
The Fisher Cats tied it in the second. Alberto Mineo reached with a knock before Patrick Kivlehan's double put two runners in scoring position with nobody out. Riley Adams plated Mineo with a sacrifice fly two batters later to even the score at one.
Three Yard Goat hits - including a Tyler Nevin solo home run to start the inning - in the third led to a pair of Hartford scores, but the 'Cats responded in their next at-bat. Mineo's second single of the day set the table for Kivlehan, who powered his first home run with the Blue Jays over the left field wall to bring New Hampshire even at three.
In the fifth, Nash Knight legged out an infield single, advanced to second on a ground out and scored via Santiago Espinal's two-out base hit to give the Fisher Cats a 4-3 advantage.
The 'Goats tied it in the bottom of the seventh. With runners on first and second with two outs, an errant throw to first on what should have been the third out of the inning led to a bases loaded walk that forced in a run to make it 4-4.
Tied until the tenth, Hartford laid down a bunt on the first pitch of the frame in an attempt to advance the placed runner to third. The throw to first sailed wide and allowed the winning run to score from second, securing a 5-4 triumph for the Yard Goats.
Notable:

• Jake Fishman tossed two scoreless innings of relief
• Mineo, Kivlehan and Vinny Capra logged two hits apiece.

The loss makes New Hampshire 4-10 against Hartford this season as they trail by six games in the Plymouth Rock Assurance Cup standings.
After an off day Monday, the 'Cats return to Delta Dental Stadium on Tuesday, May 21 to take on the Altoona Curve (Pirates). RHP Patrick Murphy is on the hill for New Hampshire while the Curve have penciled in LHP Sean Brady as their starter. For tickets, visit nhfishercats.com.