Fisher Cats Power Way to Doubleheader Sweep over Yard Goats 

Game 1

Final: New Hampshire 5, Hartford 2

WP- Murray (1-0)

LP-Kilkenny (0-2)

S- Danner (1)

T- 1:39

A-3,133

Game 2

Final: New Hampshire 8, Hartford 0

WP- Fraze (1-0)

LP-Bush (0-1)

S- none

T-1:25

Manchester, NH- The New Hampshire Fisher Cats blasted six home runs in a doubleheader sweep against the Hartford Yard Goats on Friday evening at Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester, New Hampshire. The Blue Jays affiliate cranked three homers in a 5-2 win in the first game, and then added three more home runs to back starter Nick Fraze in the nightcap, and 8-0 win. New Hampshire shortstop Orelvis Martinez homered in each game for the Fisher Cats who improved to 5-2. It was the first doubleheader for both teams this season. Outfielder Jimmy Herron had two hits, including his second home run for the Yard Goats.

Fisher Cats third baseman Tanner Morris set the tone for the evening as he hit the first pitch of the bottom of the first inning out of the ballpark giving the home team a 1-0 lead. Two batters later Martinez swatted one out of the stadium, lifting the Fisher Cats to an early 2-0 lead against Yard Goats starting pitcher Mitch Kilkenny. New Hampshire added two more runs in the second inning on Ryan Gold’s two-run double and it was 4-0.

The Yard Goats got a run in the third inning on Michael Toglia’s two-out RBI single which scored Ezequiel Tovar to make it a 4-1 game. Fisher Cats starter Joey Murray allowed just two hits and had five strikeouts over the first four innings until Jimmy Herron ripped a solo homer in the fifth. Zac Cook hit New Hampshire’s third homer, a solo shot in the fourth inning.

In game two, Martinez smashed a two-run homer in the first inning, his second of the night, to give the Fisher Cats a 2-0 lead off Hartford starter Nick Bush. New Hampshire got more breathing room in the third inning as Sebastian Espino joined the home run parade with a three-run shot to make it 5-0. Meanwhile, New Hampshire cruised behind Nick Fraze who retired the first nine batters and allowed just three singles in five shutout innings.

Fisher Cats outfielder Zac Cook capped the night with the teams sixth homer of the day, a solo dinger in the fourth inning to make it 6-0. New Hampshire reliever Hayden Juenger retired the final six batters with four strikeouts as the Fisher Cats completed the doubleheader sweep.

The Yard Goats continue their first road trip of the season on Saturday in New Hampshire at 6:35 PM. RHP Garrett Schilling will start for the Yard Goats and RHP Paxton Schultz will start for New Hampshire. The game will be broadcast on Newsradio 1410 WPOP. The Yard Goats return to Dunkin’ Donuts Park on Tuesday, April 19 (7:05 PM) against the Yankees affiliate, the Somerset Patriots.