HARTFORD, CT  [5/14/18] - Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette each recorded three hits and Juan Kelly slugged the first grand slam for the New Hampshire Cats (Blue Jays) since June of 2016 as the 'Cats beat the Hartford Yard Goats (Rockies) 10-5 on Monday night at Dunkin' Donuts Park.

Vlad Jr.'s first hit of the game put the Fisher Cats in front for good in the opening stanza. The 19-year-old launched his sixth home run of the season on the second pitch of his first at-bat, an opposite field shot that made it 1-0.

New Hampshire added three runs in the second inning by sending all nine men to the plate. Connor Panas, Andrew Guillotte and Gunnar Heidt had RBI base hits in the frame to put the 'Cats up 4-0.

After Hartford scored three in the bottom of the third, the Fisher Cats plated a pair in the fourth. Jonathan Davis and Bichette delivered consecutive base hits, and Vlad Jr. scored Davis with an RBI single. Cavan Biggio followed with an RBI knock of his own and give the 'Cats a 6-3 advantage.

Hartford scored single runs in the fifth and sixth to pull within one, but New Hampshire put the game out of reach in the eighth. With the bases loaded and one out, Kelly crushed a grand slam to right field for his third homer of the season and the first New Hampshire grand slam since June 29, 2016.

Jon Harris (W, 2-3) managed to escape multiple jams over 5.2 innings of work to earn the victory. Andrew Case and Zach Jackson combined on 3.2 innings of scoreless to secure the 10-5 win.

The series continues tonight in Hartford. RHP Nick Tepesch will be opposed by RHP Ryan Castellani. Coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. with the Fisher Cats Pregame Show and continues with first pitch at 7:05 p.m. on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network.

►  MORE 2018 Fisher Cats Coverage.


Posted 5/6/18