Game 3 winner usually captures title
The winner of Game 3 between New Hampshire and Richmond will capture the Eastern League Championship Series.
At least that's been the EL postseason trend since the Fisher Cats won it all in 2004. League-wide, the first team to win two games in a best-of-five format has won every postseason series since '04. Other nuggets to chew for the Fisher Cats and Flying Squirrels:
- Blue Jays outfielder Colby Rasmus, deeming himself "100 percent" after returning from a wrist injury, completed a rehab assignment with the Fisher Cats and returned to Toronto on Thursday. Rasmus initially planned to fly to Richmond for Game 3 but orders changed before Game 2 at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. Rasmus made an impact in Game 2, going 2 for 3 with two runs.
- Who's hot? Versatile first-year Fisher Cat Kevin Howard is batting .438 in the postseason, including four doubles in the past two games.
- Who's not? Fisher Cats closer Bobby Korecky blew the save in Game 1, giving up a two-run homer, and then allowed two runs on four hits in Game 2.
Player reaction
The truth didn't hurt. It helped. Before Game 2, New Hampshire owner Art Solomon provided motivation by telling some Fisher Cats "the way you played (in Game 1) was embarrassing." Richmond won the series opener following a sloppy 10-9 contest at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.
Fisher Cats full-season all-star Anthony Gose was part of the conversation when Solomon popped into the clubhouse before Game 2.
"No big deal. He was like, 'You're the spark plug. Let's go! Steal seven bases tonight.' He was just trying to fire us up," said Gose, who stole two bases and ripped a clutch three-run double.
Following the 7-5 victory, the Fisher Cats were treated with a lobster and shrimp pasta dinner before taking the 10-hour bus ride Richmond.
"I'm really proud of the team," Solomon said Thursday. "I'm also very thankful for the incredible support we've gotten during the regular season and playoffs from the Fisher Cats fans. Hopefully, we can have a victory party."
Manager Sal Fasano was pleased with his team's style of play in Game 2. Specifically, the quality of at-bats and overall base running were much improved.
"You would hope the playoffs will show everything you've done in the previous part of the year," Fasano said. "Get a good pitch to hit, battle, don't give an at-bat away. . . . Hitting is contagious. It's like a forest fire. All you need is a spark. I hope this is something we can build on and keep scoring runs."
Kevin Gray,
New Hampshire Union Leader
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