Manchester, NH  [5/26/18] - The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays Double-A affiliate) and Hartford Yard Goats (Colorado Rockies) split a doubleheader on Saturday night at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. Fisher Cats 1B Juan Kelly hit a two-run homer in both games.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. finished the twin bill 2-for-6 with an RBI, while Bo Bichette went 1-for-5 with two walks and a run scored.

Game 1: Hartford 5, New Hampshire 3

The Fisher Cats opened a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. After walks to Jonathan Davis and Bo Bichette, Vlad Guerrero Jr. ripped a single off the right field wall to make it 1-0. Hartford moved in front in the top of the 3rd inning. Chris Rabago walked and Yonathan Daza hit a two run homer to left to give the Yard Goats a 2-1 lead.

Juan Kelly drilled his fifth homer of the season, a two-run shot, to put New Hampshire back in front in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Hartford won the game with three runs in the top of the seventh inning. Chris Rabago drilled a two-run double with the bases loaded to make it 5-3, scoring on a single by Omar Carrizales.

Yard Goats starter Ryan Castellani (3-2) picked up the win, working six innings. Matt Pierpont picked up his 14th save. Kirby Snead (1-1) took the loss. Fisher Cats starter Nick Tepesch allowed two runs in his six innings in a strong effort.

Game 2: New Hampshire 4, Hartford 1

The Fisher Cats started strong in the bottom of the first. Bo Bichette began the inning with a walk and Vlad Guerrero Jr. singled. Cavan Biggio rolled a single to right to score the first run, and Guerrero scored on a sacrifice fly by Andrew Guillotte to make it 2-0.

Hartford closed it to 2-1 in the top of the third inning. Scott Burcham walked, moved to second on a wild pitch, got to third on a groundout, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Carrizales.

Juan Kelly's second home run of the doubleheader, a two-run shot in the bottom of the third, made it 4-1.

Three New Hampshire pitchers combined in the win. Jordan Barrett, making his first start of the season, allowed a run on two hits in 3.1 innings. Nick Hartman (W, 1-0) earned his first win since joining the Fisher Cats earlier in the week. Andrew Case retired all five batters he faced for his third save. He struck out three. Craig Schlitter (0-1) took the loss.

The series continues on Sunday at 1:35 p.m. Participants in the Velcro Reading Challenge will be playing catch on the field before the game. Join them in dressing in red, white, & blue! We'll also have the drawing for $5,000 for those schools with top participation in this year's reading program. Stick around after the game and kids can run the bases, courtesy of the New Hampshire Liquor Commission, Division of Enforcement.

►  MORE 2018 Fisher Cats Coverage.


Posted 5/27/18