Burns Leads Fisher Cats Past Mets 6-4

Infielder drives home three to clinch series victory

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire - Andy Burns drove in three runs on Tuesday night, leading the Fisher Cats (14-16) to a 6-4 win over the Binghamton Mets (14-14). Burns' best run-producing game of the season provided the Fisher Cats with their second straight victory and sets them up for a shot at a series sweep in the finale with Binghamton on Wednesday morning.

Binghamton was leading 3-0 when Burns struck for the first time in the third inning. The bottom of the order started the rally as Andy Fermin singled and Jonathan Jones drew a walk.
After a force out, Burns ripped a doubled down the line in left to plate two and cut the Mets' lead to 3-2.

The score stayed that way to the fifth when Jones sparked another rally with a one-out single. He was driven home by Jon Berti's double to right-center field. After Berti took third on the throw to the plate, Burns brought him in with a sacrifice fly to give the Fisher Cats their first lead at 4-3.

The two rallies took starter Matt Boyd off the hook for the Fisher Cats. Making his second Double-A start, Boyd lasted just 3.1 innings, giving up three runs on a career-high nine hits. He did manage to strike out seven without a walk, but needed 90 pitches to complete his effort.

Richard Bleier took over in the fourth for Boyd, and held the Mets scoreless until the sixth inning. The lead-off hitter in the frame, Jayce Boyd, deposited a fly ball over the wall in right for a solo home run to even the game at 4-4.

New Hampshire answered right back, however, in the bottom of the frame with a pair of doubles by Mike McDade and Michael Crouse to re-take the lead at 5-4. The Fisher Cats added one more insurance run in the seventh on a Berti sacrifice fly to make it 6-4.

Bleier (W; 2-3) earned the victory to improve to 2-3 on the season. The only base runner he allowed was the Boyce home run in the sixth. He did not record a strikeout or a walk before turning the ball over in the eight to Scott Gracey.

The teams will wrap up the series on Wednesday morning with Manchester Schools Day. Thousands of Manchester school kids will enjoy a day at the park courtesy of Youk's Kids and E&R Cleaners. Tickets are available at the team box office, by calling (603) 641-2005, and by visiting www.nhfishercats.com.

The pitching match-up Wednesday morning will pit Fisher Cats RHP Casey Lawrence (2-2) against Binghamton righty Greg Peavey (1-1, 4.43). Tom Gauthier and Dick Lutsk will have the radio call beginning at 10:15 a.m. on WGIR 610 AM and www.nhfishercats.com.