Fisher Cats Fall to Portland on Opening Night

Portland, Maine — Tanner Morris homered on the first pitch of the season and Blue Jays No. 2 prospect Orelvis Martinez also homered in his debut, but the New Hampshire Fisher fell in the season opener, 11-6, to the Portland Sea Dogs (Boston Red Sox) on Friday night at Hadlock Field.

Morris became the first New Hampshire player in 12 years to homer in his first Double-A at bat when he took Sea Dogs starter Chris Murphy over the center field wall.

Portland responded with 11 runs in its first four innings at the plate, with second baseman David Hamilton leading the way with a single, triple and two homers, driving in seven runs. His fourth inning grand slam put the Sea Dogs up 11-1.

The Fisher Cats scored four times in the top of the fifth inning. Spencer Horwitz drew a bases loaded walk, Sebastian Espino drove in a pair with a double and Will Robertson added an RBI single to cut the Portland lead to 11-5.

Martinez added a solo shot in the eighth inning to make it 11-6.

Elvis Luciano (L, 0-1) allowed six runs on eight hits in two innings for New Hampshire (0-1). Parker Caracci, Joey Murray and Cre Finfrock all pitched in the game for the Fisher Cats. Murray tallied a team-high seven strikeouts.

The series at Portland continues on Saturday at 1 p.m. RHP Nick Fraze is scheduled to start the game for the Fisher Cats. The Fisher Cats return to Delta Dental Stadium for a six-game homestand beginning Tuesday, April 12 against the Hartford Yard Goats. The homestand includes multiple Atlas Fireworks shows, 90s night and Kids Run the Bases sponsored by New Hampshire State Liquor Commission. Tickets for the upcoming homestand and for the season can be found at NHFisherCats.com, via email at [email protected], over the phone at (603) 641-2005, or in-person at the Fisher Cats box office at 1 Line Drive in Manchester.