Schimpf's Stays Hot in 11-5 Loss to Thunder

Thunder score 11 in fourth to earn series split

TRENTON, N.J. - Ryan Schimpf belted a two-run triple and scored two runs, but the Fisher Cats allowed 11 runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, ultimately losing to the Trenton Thunder 11-5 on Sunday afternoon. The defeat was the second straight for the Fisher Cats and left them with a split of their four-game series with the Thunder.

Nothing happened over the first three innings of the contest, as each team sent nine men to the plate and all nine were retired. In the fourth, things change.

It started with Schimpf. With two on, he belted a ball to the wall in right field. Two runs scored on Schimpf's first triple of the season. On the play, the relay throw from the outfield sailed by the catcher, which allowed Schimpf to score for a 3-0 New Hampshire lead.

In the bottom half, the Thunder found an answer. With one out, nine consecutive Thunder hitters reached, highlighted by a two-run homer from Rob Segedin. After knocking out Scott Copeland, Thunder catcher Gary Sanchez knocked the Fisher Cats out with a grand slam against John Anderson to punctuate the inning. All told, the Thunder scored 11 runs on two singles, two doubles, a triple, two home runs, three walks, and a costly error. The 11-run frame tied the worst mark the Fisher Cats have allowed in 11 seasons.

Copeland took the loss in his Double-A debut. He allowed eight runs (six earned) over 3.1 innings. John Anderson allowed three runs in the big inning before Tyler Ybarra and Gregory Infante kept the Thunder in check the rest of the way.

Schimpf was on base two times on the day, scoring two of the Fisher Cats' five runs. He finished the series 5-for-10 with a home run and three runs batted in. Brad Glenn added a single to extend his hitting streak to four games on the young season.

The Fisher Cats now head to Reading, Pa. for the second leg of the opening road trip. Casey Lawrence starts the opener for the Fisher Cats against Reading's Luis Paulino.  First pitch is at 6:35 p.m. Tom Gauthier has the call beginning at 6:15 p.m. on WGIR 610 AM and www.nhfishercats.com.

The Fisher Cats will open the home portion of the schedule on Thursday night against the Binghamton Mets at 6:35 p.m. The first 2,500 fans will receive a magnet schedule courtesy of The Elliot Orthopaedics. To purchase tickets, visit www.nhfishercats.com.