PORTLAND, Maine – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats’ divisional lead fell to just one game following their 12-6 loss to the Portland Sea Dogs and a Trenton Thunder victory earlier on Monday night.
Portland’s early offense provided an insurmountable lead as the Sea Dogs left the opening frame with a pair of runs followed by five more in the second. Although New Hampshire was able to claw back three runs in top of the fifth thanks to a trio of doubles from Juan Kelly, Bo Bichette and Harold Ramirez, the Sea Dogs added three more runs of their own in the bottom of the fifth, as well as two more runs in the seventh thanks to RBI hits from Danny Mars and Esteban Quiroz.
New Hampshire posted three consolation runs with two outs in the ninth to conclude the scoreline.
A difficult night for pitchers on both sides, Ramirez finished with a 3-for-5 night and three RBI while Bichette, Kelly and Jon Berti also put up multi-hit nights for the Fisher Cats. Portland ended up with five batters getting at least two hits, led by Jantzen Witte’s 4-for-5 night.
Witte ended with four RBI, finishing just a triple away from hitting for the cycle.
Cavan Biggio had two RBI on the night for New Hampshire, putting him at 97 for the season, seven shy of the franchise record and one behind league leader Will Craig of Altoona.
On the mound, Trey Ball rose to 4-4 on the year for his three innings of work while Tyler Saucedo got the loss, giving up nine earned runs off nine hits and a pair of walks in 4 2/3 innings.
The two teams return to Hadlock Field on Tuesday night as Jon Harris (10-5, 4.60 ERA) takes the mound for New Hampshire against Portland’s Teddy Stankiewicz (7-12, 4.49 ERA).
