NH Fisher Cats can’t float one past Akron RubberDucks

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Shane Opitz drove home the lone run for New Hampshire on a second-inning triple.
Shane Opitz drove home the lone run for New Hampshire on a second-inning triple.

AKRON, OH – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats fell behind early and were hammered late, dropping an 8-1 decision to the Akron RubberDucks Wednesday night at Canal Park in Akron.

The Fisher Cats (27-31) fell for the fifth time in their last six games, squandering the momentum ofTuesday’s 9-1 victory. The win for Akron (27-30) snapped a three-game losing skid. New Hampshire fell to 10-15 on the road with the loss.

The RubberDucks struck first in the bottom of the first inning. Todd Hankins led off with a double against Fisher Cats starter Casey Lawrence (L, 4-7), and advanced to third on an errant throw by center fielder Dalton Pompey. With two outs, Bryson Myles laced a double to right, plating Hankins and giving Akron a 1-0.

The Fisher Cats knotted things up in the top of the second. Jack Murphy drew a one-out walk from Akron starter Adam Plutko (W, 2-0), and came around to score when Shane Opitz smashed a two-out triple to left-center field. The run tied the ballgame at 1-1.

Akron moved back into the lead in the bottom of the third inning. Hankins singled to lead things off, and advanced to third on a single by Yandy Diaz that Opitz threw away, putting runners at second and third with one away. Anthony Gallas sliced a ground ball up the third-base line for a two-run double, and Akron reclaimed the lead at 3-1.

The RubberDucks exploded the gap in the bottom of the seventh inning, as Lawrence gave up a leadoff walk to Ronny Rodriguez, and a single by Tony Wolters put runners on second and third when right fielder Melky Mesa committed a throwing error. After allowing a two-run single to Jeremy Lucas, Lawrence was yanked for Dustin Antolin. Antolin ran into some hard times of his own, getting a force out from the first batter, but allowing an RBI single to Yandy Diaz and a two-run homer to Anthony Gallas, expanding the Akron lead to 8-1, where it would stay.

Lawrence took the loss, allowing six runs (five earned) in six innings on eight hits and two walks while fanning one. Antolin surrendered two runs on two hits in his lone inning of action. Luis Perez fanned two and gave up one hit in his only inning of action.

The Fisher Cats will try to take the rubber match Thursday against the RubberDucks from Canal Park. Taylor Cole will be on the hill for New Hampshire against Akron righty Will Roberts on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. Radio coverage will begin at 4:45 with Ben Gellman on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network and at www.nhfishercats.com.

The Fisher Cats will return home on June 19th to face Binghamton at 7:05 p.m. on an Atlas Fireworks night, with a Family Sleepover and Scout Night! Tickets are available at www.nhfishercats.com or by calling the ticket office at (603)-641-2005.


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About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!