Stroman Stacks up Strikeouts in Loss

MANCHESTER, N.H. - After striking out a minors-best 55 batters in July, Marcus Stroman was back at it again on Tuesday night, striking out seven Bowie Baysox over seven strong innings. However, a pair of infield singles led to a pair of runs in the third inning, just enough for Bowie (56-58) to beat the Fisher Cats, 2-1, at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.

Stroman began his night recording a pair of strikeouts in the first inning before a double play ended his second frame after a one-out single. In the bottom of the second, A.J. Jimenez doubled home Kevin Nolan (eight-game hit streak) to put Stroman and the Fisher Cats on top, 1-0.

The Baysox answered right back in the third netting the game's final runs. An infield single from Garabez Rosa led to a run-scoring double by Brian Ward to tie the game with one out. After a grounder advanced Ward to third, a slow roller fielded behind second base allowed Ward to score the go-ahead run for the Bowie.

Stroman (L; 6-3) worked around a few more hits on his way to seven innings of work, tying the longest outing of his career. His final line read two runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts and no walks. On the year, Stroman has struck out 99 hitters over 83 innings of work.

Bowie's Jake Pettit (W; 6-5) was just as good as Stroman, shutting down the Fisher Cats after giving up the second inning run. He worked a double play in the third, stranded two men in the sixth, and left another runner at second base in his eighth and final inning. He struck out six giving up just one walk and six hits in the victory.

Jimenez, Nolan, and Andy Burns all finished with two hits. Nolan's final tally came in the ninth when the Fisher Cats put the first two men on the bases before Daniel McCutchen (save, 1) struck out the next three hitters to end the game.

The series continues with a matinee on Wednesday afternoon at 12:05 p.m. It's a Splash Day presented by Whale's Tale Water Park with splash zones and dunk tanks in the ballpark. Tickets are available by visiting www.nhfishercats.com, stopping by the box office at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium, or by calling (603) 641-2005.

Wednesday's pitching match-up features a couple of top prospects for their respective teams. Lefty Sean Nolin (7-3, 2.94) takes on Bowie's Mike Wright (9-2, 3.59) in a rematch of an afternoon game won by Bowie last Thursday. You can follow the game beginning at 11:45 a.m. with Tom Gauthier and Bob Lipman on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network and at www.nhfishercats.com.