MANCHESTER, NH – A seven-run inning proved too much to overcome on Monday night as the New Hampshire Fisher Cats fell to the visiting Portland Sea Dogs, 8-6.
Portland’s gigantic fourth inning was preceded by a pair of two-run homers by Cavan Biggio and Bo Bichette, with Biggio’s failed stolen base attempt ending any chance for more New Hampshire runs in the third.
The Sea Dogs would capitalize, beginning with a Tate Matheny grand slam, followed by a first pitch double by Jordan Betts. Danny Mars brought Betts home on a sharp grounder to right, with Chad De La Guerra adding a two-run homer that would chase New Hampshire starting pitcher TJ Zeuch.
De La Guerra added a solo shot in the sixth, with Biggio answering half an inning later, bringing home Bichette on a force at first.
A Portland error and two consecutive wild pitches allowed Jon Berti to round the bases in the eighth, but the Sea Dogs’ bullpen shut things down after that, facing just six more batters prior to the conclusion of the contest.
The difficult start for Zeuch contrasted from his recent overpowering performances, lasting just 3 2/3 innings, his shortest start since promotion in early May.
Zeuch (5-3) gave up seven runs off eight hits and three walks in the loss.
Dedgar Jimenez was the winning pitcher for Portland, giving up five of New Hampshire’s eight hits on the evening.
Jimenez (3-6) struck out five Fisher Cats while walking only one, a seven pitch walk to Gunnar Heidt in the fourth.
Bichette, Biggio and Harold Ramirez combined for seven of those eight New Hampshire hits while Portland received multi-hit days from Mars, Betts, De La Guerra and Jeremy Rivera.
Josh DeGraaf (1-4, 7.27 ERA) takes the mound for New Hampshire at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday night versus Portland’s Kyle Hart (5-4, 3.18 ERA).
