READING, PA - Cavan Biggio's first three-hit performance of the season catalyzed the New Hampshire Fisher Cats' (Blue Jays) 7-2 triumph over the Reading Fightin Phils (Phillies) Wednesday night at FirstEnergy Stadium in a game where Vladimir Guerrero Jr. raised his average to a Minor League Baseball-best .425 through 43 games.

The Fisher Cats got on the board first with a pair of runs in the opening frame. Jonathan Davis doubled, Bo Bichette was hit by a pitch and Vlad Jr. reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases. Up stepped Biggio, who laced a double down the right field line to plate a pair and put the Fisher Cats up 2-0 after one.

Biggio tripled and scored in the third to add to the 'Cats lead, and New Hampshire scored another two in the fourth thanks to a solo home run from Juan Kelly and an RBI double off the bat of Davis later in the stanza that made it 5-0 through four. Another tally came home for the Fisher Cats in the fifth without a hit on the ledger to make it 6-0 after five frames.

T.J. Zeuch (W, 1-2) turned in his longest outing of the season to earn a quality start and his first career Double-A victory. The former 21st overall pick in the 2016 draft went seven innings, scattered eight hits and allowed two earned runs, both of which scored on a two-run home run from Reading's Zach Green in the bottom of the sixth. Zeuch struck out a season-high seven Fightin Phils.

The 'Cats added a run in the ninth thanks to a two-out double from Vlad Jr. and Biggio's third hit of the night, an RBI single to right field.

Andrew Case worked two scoreless innings of relief to secure the 7-2 win and the series victory.

Biggio's three-knock night was the first time he tallied three hits this season. Davis also logged a multi-hit effort.

With the win, the Fisher Cats sit alone at the top of the Eastern Division standings and are a season-high 11 games over .500.

New Hampshire goes for the sweep tomorrow morning in Reading. RHP Josh DeGraaf will make his 2018 'Cats debut while the starter for the Fightins has yet to be announced. Coverage begins at 11:30 a.m. with the Fisher Cats Pregame Show and continues with first pitch at 11:45 a.m. on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network.

New Hampshire returns home on Friday night to open a long homestand through Memorial Day Weekend. On Friday, the Fisher Cats will welcome the Hartford Yard Goats for a 6:35 p.m. game. An Atlas Fireworks Show will follow the game, presented by AutoFair. For tickets and information, visit www.nhfishercats.com.

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Posted 5/23/18