HARTFORD, Conn. – Despite being outhit, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats emerged victorious at Dunkin’ Donuts Park on Friday evening, defeating the Hartford Yard Goats, 4-2.
Three of those four Fisher Cat runs came in the second, where five of the inning’s six batters reached base.
Although Vince Fernandez’ leadoff homer took one run off that lead, the Yard Goats struggled to find any offensive footing, with New Hampshire starting pitcher Zach Logue scattering six hits over his 4 2/3 inning appearance.
Logue left shortly after Hartford’s second run, denying him the win that instead went to reliever Jake Fishman (1-0). Fisher Cat pitching allowed just two more hits after Logue’s departure, one of which came during Fishman’s eight batters faced.
The other was an aberration from what was another exceptional relief performance from Kirby Snead, who earned his second save of the year after retiring the side in the eighth and ninth.
Ty Culbreth (1-1) got the loss for Hartford, allowing those three second-inning runs as well as a fifth-inning Albert Mineo RBI double.
Mineo was the only Fisher Cat with multiple hits on the night, bringing his average up to .346 on the year. Alan Trejo and Colton Welker each recorded two hits for the Yard Goats.
Both teams return on Saturday night for another showdown as Yennsy Diaz (1-0, 0.00 ERA) takes the mound for New Hampshire against Hartford’s Rico Garcia (0-0, 2.25 ERA).
