Fisher Cats flex power in victory over Reading
READING, P.A — The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, hit a season-high five home runs on Thursday night, defeating the Reading Fightin’ Phils 9-2 at FirstEnergy Stadium. Orelvis Martinez collected his first multi-home run game of the season, hitting two in the victory
READING, P.A — The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, hit a season-high five home runs on Thursday night, defeating the Reading Fightin’ Phils 9-2 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Orelvis Martinez collected his first multi-home run game of the season, hitting two in the victory while Miguel Hiraldo, Sebastian Espino and Damiano Palmegiani followed with a home run each. Last year, Martinez had four multi-home run performances.
Trailing 2-1 in the sixth, Hiraldo launched his second home run of the season to right-center field to even the score 2-2. Hiraldo ended the game with two RBIs on the night, including a sac-fly.
In the seventh, New Hampshire’s (15-14) offense went off for six runs to take control of the game. Martinez blasted his first of two home runs on the night off Reading (11-18) reliever David Parkinson (0-2) with a two-run shot to left to give the Fisher Cats a 4-2 lead.
Next batter later, Espino hammered his first homer of the season over the right-center field wall to extend the lead 5-2. Palmegiani added another with his fourth home run of the season to widen the lead 8-2 after the seventh.
In the eighth, Martinez skied his second home run of the game over the left-center field wall by the scoreboard for his team-leading seventh home run and 20th RBI of the season. The Blue Jays No. 4 prospect now has three home runs and five RBIs in the series.
On the mound, starting pitcher Adam Kloffenstein pitched five strong innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit and one walk while striking out seven in a no decision. Kloffenstein has now struck out six or more hitters in each of his last four starts.
The Fisher Cats bullpen of Luis Quinones (3-0), Adrian Hernandez, and Troy Watson combined for four shutout innings of relief with six strikeouts.
The Fisher Cats continue their six-game road trip against the Reading Fightin’ Phils tomorrow at 6:45 pm. RHP Sem Robberse (0-2, 3.64 ERA) will get the start for New Hampshire against RHP Mick Abel (2-1, 3.53 ERA) for Reading.
The next home stand for the Fisher Cats begins Tuesday, May 16 against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. Promotions for the week include Margaritaville Night and Atlas Fireworks on Thursday, Wizards & Wands Night with Atlas Fireworks on Saturday, Princesses at the Park and Kids Run the Bases Sunday, presented by the New Hampshire Liquor Commission Division of Enforcement, and a Youth Jersey Giveaway Sunday, courtesy of Delta Dental.
Tickets are available 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.