Tellez Goes 3-for-4, Homers in 5-2 W

Fisher Cats snap four-game losing streak with victory over Reading

By Tyler Murray

August 26, 2016

Reading, PA - The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (63-69) snapped a three-game skid with a 5-2 win over the Reading Fightin Phils (83-48) on Friday night at FirstEnergy Stadium. Rowdy Tellez drove in two runs, including a homer, while John Straka struck out a career-high eight hitters in a winning effort.

For the fourth-consecutive game, the Fisher Cats scored first. Rowdy Tellez led off the second inning with a double to left center, and Jason Leblebijian drove him in with a two-bagger to the same spot. New Hampshire added to their lead with two runs in the third.

Christian Lopes started the rally with a one-out single, and two walks eventually loaded the bases. With two outs, Ryan Lavarnway hit a slow roller to third. Mitch Walding charged in to barehand the ball, but his throw flew wildly past first base. Two runs scored, and the Fisher Cats had a 3-0 lead.

Rowdy Tellez extended the advantage to 4-0 with a solo blast in the eighth inning, his 18th of the year. Tellez made it 5-0 with an RBI single to left in the top of the ninth, and finished 3-for-4 with a 1B, 2B, HR, BB and 2 RBIs. Christian Lopes added three singles and scored twice.

On the mound, Straka (W, 2-1) was brilliant. He struck out a career-high eight batters with one walk and three hits allowed in 5.1 shutout innings. Murphy Smith (H, 5) retired all five hitters he faced out of the bullpen, but Reading rallied in the ninth with a two-run homer from Rhys Hoskins and loaded the bases on a walk and two hits. Chris Smith came on to settle things down, and struck out two batters to end it.

Conner Greene (5-5, 4.45 ERA) will take the mound in Saturday's matchup against RHP Tyler Viza (4-5, 4.29 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium.

The Fisher Cats final homestand of the season opens on Monday, August 29 against Trenton at 6:35 p.m. with Firefighter Appreciation Night. For tickets and information, visit www.nhfishercats.com. The homestand also includes four games with the Sea Dogs and five Atlas Fireworks Shows. The season concludes on Labor Day against Portland with a 1:35 p.m. start time.