HARTFORD, Conn. – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats could not obtain a late comeback, falling 3-2 on Sunday to the Hartford Yard Goats.
Kacy Clemens provided New Hampshire their first run, posting a sac fly RBI in the first, but couldn’t muster another run until the seventh. There, the first three Fisher Cat batters reached base safely off incoming Hartford reliever Scott Griggs, but only Brandon Grudzielanek’s ground ball single to left bore any fruit.
New Hampshire stranded two men in that last rally, with Hartford’s Zach Cosart putting the visitors down in order twice to earn his first save of the year.
Despite going 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position, Hartford salvaged just enough offense to take the victory, with Alan Trejo’s RBI single bringing home Manuel Melendez in the third, followed by a two-run homer by Trejo in the fifth.
Along with Trejo’s hits, Colton Welker went 3-for-4 for the ‘Goats while Kevin Smith led the way for New Hampshire with a 2-for-4 day.
Ashton Goudeau (1-1) earned the win for Hartford, posting six innings and allowing six hits on the day. Andrew Sopko (0-2) was the loser of record, giving up 7 of the ‘Goats eight hits on the day, striking out six and walking two before leaving after the end of the fifth.
New Hampshire travels to Binghamton, N.Y. for the first of three with the Rumble Ponies Monday night at NYSEG Stadium. Patrick Murphy (0-1, 3.38 ERA) gets the nod for the ‘Cats while the ‘Ponies have yet to name their starter.