HARTFORD, CT - Nearly eight hitless innings, a four-hit performance from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Cavan Biggio's league-best 12th home run of the season helped the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays) complete a three-game sweep of the Hartford Yard Goats (Rockies) with a 7-1 win at Dunkin' Donuts Park Wednesday afternoon.

Biggio's blast was the highlight of a five-run third in which the 'Cats sent all nine men to the dish. Andrew Guillotte led off with a double and scored the first run of the game when Ryan Hissey singled in the next at-bat. After a Jonathan Davis triple scored Hissey, Bo Bichette played Davis with a sacrifice fly to clear the bases and make it 3-0 Fisher Cats. Vlad Jr. followed with a double, setting up Biggio's big fly one batter later. When the dust settled, New Hampshire had scored five runs on five hits in the frame.

As it turned out, the Fisher Cats pitching staff would need just two of those five runs in one of the finest pitched games of the year for the 'Cats. Starter Jordan Romano (W, 7-0) became the first Fisher Cats pitcher in franchise history to start a season with seven wins and no losses thanks to six hitless innings in which he walked two and struck out five.

The 'Cats would add single runs in the fifth and seventh, with the latter stanza featuring Guerrero Jr.'s seventh home run of the season. His solo shot to begin the inning gave him four hits on the day, the first Fisher Cat with a four-knock performance this season.

Danny Young came on in relief of Romano in the seventh and struck out the side. In the eighth, a two-out solo home run spoiled the no-hitter and shutout, but Young was otherwise excellent. Dusty Isaacs allowed one hit in the ninth but put up a zero to secure the 7-1 victory.

With the win, New Hampshire remains tied for first place in the Eastern Division and are a season-best 10 games over .500. The last time the Fisher Cats were 10 over .500 was the end of the 2011 season (77-65 +12). The 'Cats have not been above .500 on June 1 since 2011. The 2011 team went 23-8 in May, the best month ever. They're also undefeated in seven games in Hartford this season.

Vlad Jr. finished the day with four hits in five trips and a triple shy of the cycle. He scored thrice and delivered his league-leading 40th RBI of the year courtesy of his solo home run. Guillotte, Biggio and Davis all recorded multi-hit efforts.

The Fisher Cats return home Thursday night for the first of five games against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (Mets). While the starting pitchers have yet to be announced, coverage will begin at 6:15 p.m.

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Posted 5/16/18