Thanks, Joey Bats, for a helluva night

Jose Bautista provided the highlight of the 2012 Fisher Cats season, making a rehab stop on Aug. 23 before rejoining the Blue Jays. Joey Bats is a classy guy with lots of talent. He became baseball's greatest power hitter by obsessing over the mechanics of his swing and finally locking it down in 2009. 

Longest home game in Fisher Cats history

That's a night at the ballpark I'll never forget. To recap the 17-inning game between the Fisher Cats and SeaWolves in Manchester, N.H., last night:


Ryan Schimpf contributed to one of the most incredible games in Fisher Cats history with a home run in the ninth, triggering a Thursday-into-Friday marathon at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. New Hampshire erased a four-run deficit in the ninth inning and a one-run deficit in the 11th inning but lost to Erie, 9-7, in the longest home game in club history. Highlights and historic notes from my game story in the New Hampshire Union Leader:

1. Erie slugger Jordan Lennerton fouled off four straight pitches before doubling off Chorye Spoone in the 17th, driving home Niuman Romero, and ending the 5 hour, 39-minute contest. Spoone (2-2) was the game's 13th pitcher.

2. Schimpf, called up from Single-A Dunedin this week, broke an 0-for-8 stretch with a two-run homer against fireballer Bruce Rondon. The Erie reliever blew the save but registered 100, 101 and 102 mph on radar guns.

3. New Hampshire trailed by four runs when Ryan Goins (4-for-6) stepped to the plate in the bottom of the ninth. Goins' train-track homer against Kelvin De La Cruz launched New Hampshire's four-run rally.


4. Erie pulled ahead in the 11th on Jamie Johnson's sacrifice fly, but once again the Fisher Cats played long ball to force extra frames.

5. This time, Kevin Howard cranked a first-pitch fastball from Ryan Robowski over the right-field wall, tying the game at 7-apiece.

6. In the 16th, the Fisher Cats loaded the bases with no outs. Reliever Michael Morrison entered to strike out Schimpf, Sean Ochinko and Brian Bocock. Morrison (3-3 ) worked two innings, striking out five straight, for the win. More in the Union Leader.

Sobo says:

"This is a reminder for everyone to take care of your skin and use lots of sunscreen. Beaches, boats, and the outdoors are all great, just please be aware that sun exposure has consequences in time" -- Mark Sobolewski

Sam Dyson's Fourth of July surprise

RHP Sam Dyson "shed a few tears" after learning he was being up called by Toronto. The 24-year-old will join the Blue Jays on Thursday, becoming the 56th New Hampshire Fisher Cat to reach the majors. Apologies for the quick edit.

July 4th Walk-Off

Fisher Cats RHP Sam Dyson has been called up by the Blue Jays following an INCREDIBLE night here with the Fisher Cats and Sea Dogs. Players are pretty pumped up for Dyson, who has been throwing 92-96-mph and touching 97 and 98 with a few pitches. Packed house in Manchester: 8,544, the largest attendance of the season and fifth-largest in franchise history. Kevin Howard belted a first-pitch fastball in the 11th inning to beat the Sea Dogs, 11-10, capping the incredible walk-off win. New Hampshire rallied for three runs in the ninth to force extras. Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford had hits, and Red Sox prospect Jackie Bradley, Jr., went 4-for-6 with knocks against Chad Jenkins and Scott Gracey. Postgame interviews with the Red Sox All-Star outfielders. Oh, and Ryan Sweeney is also playing for the Sea Dogs on Thursday.