Manchester, NH - Jason Leblebijian drove in two runs, including the game-winner in the bottom of the eighth inning ,and Shane Opitz homered as the Fisher Cats edged Portland 4-3 on the Fourth of July.

In the decisive frame, Roemon Fields walked and advanced to third when an errant pickoff throw rolled into right field. Leblebijian's sacrifice fly plated Fields with the go-ahead run. New Hampshire (37-47) picked up the victory after Chris Smith set down the Sea Dogs in order in the ninth for his third save.

Matt Dermody (2-0), on his 26th birthday, retired all five batters he faced with two strikeouts, to pick up the win. Ty Buttrey (0-7) took the loss for the Sea Dogs.

Yoan Moncada singled to start the game for Portland (30-53) and three batters later, Nate Frieman drilled his eighth homer of the season to stake the Sea Dogs to a 2-0 lead.

New Hampshire picked up a run in the bottom of the third inning. Catcher Jorge Saez singled, moved to second on a single by Christian Lopes, and scored on a single by Leblebijian.

The Fisher Cats moved in front in the bottom of the fourth inning. Emilio Guerrero doubled and scored on a home run by Opitz, his first of the season, to put New Hampshire up 3-2.

Portland tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the seventh inning, chasing Fisher Cats starter Luis Santos. Cole Sturgeon singled and scored on a double by Jake Romanski.

Santos did not figure in the decision, allowing three runs on seven hits in 6.1 IP. He walked one and struck out five.

Mitch Atkins allowed three runs on seven hits in 6.0 innings in his start for Portland. He walked one and struck out five.

The Fisher Cats will continue the four-game series with the Portland Sea Dogs on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. Each game in the series will be followed by an Atlas Fireworks Show at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.

The top two prospects in the Red Sox organization, Yoan Moncada and Andrew Benintendi, are currently on Portland's roster.

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Posted 7/10/16