Smith, Cats walk off with win

July 19, 2008 01:50 am

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MANCHESTER, N.H. — David Smith's ground ball single in the ninth inning plated Travis Snyder with the winning run as New Hampshire slid past New Britain, 3-2.

Reliever Zach Dials got the victory, working 2/3 of an inning and striking out one to go to 2-2 on the season.

The Fisher Cats (38-60), hadn't gotten a hit since the fourth inning. But Snider (double, two runs) and Brian Jeroloman (single, RBI) walked to set the stage for Smith's walk-off heroics.

Ryan Klosterman had New Hampshire's other RBI, scoring the hot-hitting Andrew Pinckney (double) in the third on an infield ground out.

After suffering an error that scored the first run for the Rock Cats (41-57), left fielder Eric Nielsen made two spectacular warning track grabs to keep the Fisher Cats in the hunt.

Left-hander Ricky Romero started for New Hampshire and worked seven-plus innings, allowing one earned run and five hits while striking out four.

Righty Brandon Magee (2-11, 5.37) draws tonight's pitching assignment for the Fisher Cats in the third of four games against New Britain starting at 7:05 p.m.

Pride 5, Rapidz 2

NASHUA, N.H. — Second baseman Ismael Castro did it all for Nashua, driving in three runs and scoring twice to lead the Pride to a 5-2 victory over Ottawa.

Castro smacked out a pair of doubles, helping starting pitcher Isaac Burkett (1-2) pick up his first professional victory. Burkett allowed one run on three hits in six innings of work, getting one inning of help from former Red Sox hurler Rich Garces and a solid closing effort from Andrew Weimer.

Vinny Pennell also helped the Pride's cause with two hits and an RBI while Luis Rodrigues also drove in a run.

World champion skier Bode Miller, playing to benefit his charity, finally put the ball in play after five career pro at-bats, grounding out to second base in his second shot last night.

Jarrett Stawarz (3-2) draws the start for the Pride tonight (7:05 p.m.) in the third of four games with the Rapidz.