MANCHESTER, N.H. – On Tuesday night, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats took the second game of their three-game series against the Altoona Curve, 2-1.
Both of New Hampshire’s runs came in the fifth, beginning with Chad Spanberger’s fourth home run of the year. Spanberger’s blast was followed by a Vinnie Capra single, with Capra coming home one at-bat later thanks to Forrest Wall’s 10th double of the year.
Altoona cut the lead in half one inning later thanks to a home run by Jerrick Suiter that landed in the patio of the Hilton Garden Inn. Following Suiter’s home run, New Hampshire pitcher Hector Perez allowed a first-pitch double to Arden Pabst but managed to escape the inning with the lead intact.
Perez did not return in the seventh, but New Hampshire’s bullpen held on to the lead allowing just two base runners during the game’s final three innings.
Perez climbed to a record of 3-2 with the win, allowing just five hits and three walks over his six innings of work, striking out five Altoona batters. Brian Baker earned his third save of the year after retiring the side in order in the ninth.
Altoona’s starting pitcher Cam Vieaux was saddled with the loss, falling to 2-3 on the year. Like Perez, Vieaux also pitched six innings, allowing eight hits while striking out 10 New Hampshire batters.
At the plate, every batter in New Hampshire’s lineup had one hit, excluding Alberto Mineo. Along with Wall, Brock Lundquist also recorded a double off Vieaux.
The series concludes on Wednesday with an 11:35 AM matinee. Patrick Murphy (2-4, 3.35 ERA) takes the mound for New Hampshire against Altoona’s Scooter Hightower (2-4, 5.63 ERA).
