Fisher Cats Shut Out For Just Fourth Time in 2018 in 3-0 Loss

NH Now Needs Two Wins and Two Trenton Losses to Win Division

Manchester, NH - One week after clinching the team's first playoff berth since 2011, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Toronto Blue Jays Double-A affiliate) saw their chances at a regular season division title take a serious hit with a 3-0 loss to the Hartford Yard Goats (Colorado Rockies) on Saturday night at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. 

The Trenton Thunder (New York Yankees) won 3-0, which puts New Hampshire one game back in the division with two games to play. Because Trenton has the head-to-head tiebreaker, their magic number to clinch the division is now one. This is the first time since July 14 that the Fisher Cats do not have at least a share of first place. 

In order to win the division, the Fisher Cats must finish 2-0, and Trenton must finish 0-2. New Hampshire will host Hartford on Sunday and Monday, with both games scheduled to start at 1:35 p.m.

Unless the Fisher Cats can pull of the comeback, they'll host Game 1 of the Eastern Division Playoffs on Wednesday, September 5 and Game 2 on Thursday, September 6 (both games at 6:35 p.m.) at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.

Two Hartford homers decided Saturday's game: a two-run shot from Roberto Ramos in the fourth, and a solo home run from Omar Carrizales in the ninth.

Tayler Saucedo (L, 4-5) pitched well, allowing just two runs on eight hits in six innings with four strikeouts, while Dusty Isaacs (2 IP, 1 H, 1 K) and Travis Bergen (1 IP, 1 R) kept it close out of the bullpen.

Bergen allowed his first earned run since June 15 on the Carrizales home run, and just his second earned run in 35.2 Double-A innings. His ERA is now 0.50. 

The Fisher Cats collected nine hits -- all singles -- but went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position against Frank Duncan (W, 3-4), Brian Moran (H, 3), Logan Cozart (H, 15) and Mitch Horacek (S, 2). 

Jon Berti led the way with a 3-for-4 night, while Bo Bichette, Forrest Wall and Santiago Espinal added two hits apiece. 

Sunday's 1:35 p.m. game features pre-game catch on the field from 12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m., and Kids Run the Bases after the game thanks to the New Hampshire State Liquor Commission, Division of Enforcement. For tickets and information, visit NHFisherCats.com.