MANCHESTER, NH – On Monday, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats welcomed the Portland Sea Dogs to Manchester for the first time this season with the resounding roar of baseballs impacting wooden bats.
New Hampshire defeated Portland 10-2 in the first game of this three-game series between AL East farm clubs.
The Fisher Cats struck first, in the first, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. collecting three RBI off his fourth home run of the year.
New Hampshire added three more runs in the fourth and the two teams traded home runs in the fifth, with Portland adding two runs from Conrad Gregor’s blast and Cavan Biggio providing a run off his seventh dinger of the year.
The sixth inning provided another three runs, first from a Bo Bichette double that brought home Jonathan Davis, and then by Guerrero’s second home run of the night, bringing Bichette home in the process.
Monday’s win was another masterpiece for New Hampshire hurler Sean Reid-Foley, allowing just four hits and two walks in his five-inning starting appearance. Reid-Foley climbs to 5-0, with only Andrew Case’s ninth-inning implosion on May 2 keeping him from a 6-0 record.
However, New Hampshire’s rotation appears to be set for some changes, beginning with a relief appearance from Nick Tepesch.
Tepesch has struggled so far this year in the starting rotation, allowing 16 earned runs in 26 2/3 innings, allowing 10 hits to Reading in his last appearance on May 1.
The Fisher Cats have also not announced their starter for Tuesday’s contest against Portland.
It would have been Francisco Rios’ turn in the rotation, but Rios has also struggled, attempting a return from an injury plagued 2017 campaign where he also struggled as a starter.
Last year, Rios also began the year in the starting rotation going to the bullpen after returning from the disabled list.
Kevin McAvoy (0-1) was the losing pitcher, leaving after the fourth, leaving after five earned runs off four hits and five walks.
Guerrero and Biggio combined for half of New Hampshire’s eight hits on the night while Cole Sturgeon picked up two walks for Portland.
Bichette also drew three walks for the Fisher Cats, bringing him up to 16 on the year, two behind Biggio’s league leading pace.
