Manchester, NH  [4/19/18]  -  Jordan Romano allowed one run on two hits in his second consecutive solid start and Lourdes Gurriel homered as the Fisher Cats completed the first homestand of the 2018 season with a 5-2 win over the Binghamton Rumble Ponies on Thursday.

Romano, drafted by the Blue Jays in the 10th round of the 2014 draft, improved to 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA. He walked three and struck out four.

Jose Fernandez and Zack Jackson finished up the contest, which was played in a snappy two hours on Manchester Schools Day at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. The shortest nine-inning home game in Fisher Cats history lasted one hour and 57 minutes against the Norwich Navigators on April 12, 2005.

New Hampshire (9-3) opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning. Andrew Guillotte singled and moved to third on an errant pick off throw. Cavan Biggio picked up the RBI with a sacrifice fly to make it 1-0.

Binghamton (4-7) tied the game in the top of the fourth with a two-out rally. Peter Alonso reached on a hit-by-pitch and Jeff McNeil walked. Matt Oberste singled in the tying run.

The Fisher Cats would move back in front in the bottom of the fourth inning. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled, moved to second on a wild pitch, and advanced to third on a single by Gurriel. Max Pentecost singled Guerrero home, and Guerriel scored on a fielder's choice grounder by Harold Ramirez.

Gurriel hit his first home run of the season, a two-run shot, in the bottom of the eighth inning off reliever Eric Hanhold. Binghamton's starter Andrew Church worked the first seven innings, allowing three runs, walking one, and striking out four.

The Rumble Ponies drew to within 5-2 in the top of the ninth inning. Jeff McNeil doubled and would score on an RBI fielder's choice by Tim Tebow before Jackson came out of the bullpen to get Levi Mitchell to pop out to end the game and earn his first save in a Fisher Cats uniform.

The Fisher Cats open a six-game road trip in Reading on Friday at 7:15 p.m. Coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network.

The next home game will be Friday, April 27 when the Fisher Cats meet the Trenton Thunder at 6:35 p.m. It's a Hood Kids Club game and an Atlas Fireworks Show will follow the contest. For tickets and information, visit www.nhfishercats.com.

►  MORE 2018 Fisher Cats Coverage.


Posted 4/19/18