Samad Taylor's two-run homer helped the New Hampshire Fisher Cats to a 3-2 win on Thursday night in Hartford. (Fisher Cats courtesy photo)

HARTFORD, Conn. – Maximo Castillo logged his longest start of the season on Thursday night, and Samad Taylor smacked a two-run homer as the New Hampshire Fisher Cats beat the Hartford Yard Goats (Colorado Rockies) 3-2 at Dunkin’ Donuts Park.

Castillo (W, 10-3; 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K) tossed seven innings, allowing four hits and two runs while walking two and striking out three. Taylor went 2-for-5 with his team-leading 16th blast and two RBIs.

Tanner Kirwer also tied a Fisher Cats franchise single-game record with four stolen bases.

The Fisher Cats (44-45) took the early lead against the Yard Goats (29-63) for the third consecutive game. Kirwer drew an 11-pitch leadoff walk in the first against Hartford starter Ian Clarkin (L, 0-2). After Kirwer swiped two bases, Jordan Groshans laced an RBI double to right to put New Hampshire ahead 1-0.

In the third, Taylor drilled a two-run homer to left against Clarkin (6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K) to make it a 3-0 New Hampshire lead.

Castillo retired the first eight batters he faced, but ran into trouble with two outs in the third. Jose Gomez walked with two outs, and, with Matt Hearn batting, he swiped second.

Hearn then reached on an infield single to put runners at the corners. With Sean Bouchard at the plate, Hearn stole second to put runners at second and third. Later in the at-bat, Bouchard grounded a two-run single to left to cut the Yard Goats deficit to 3-2.

Castillo allowed just more hits the rest of the way. Brandon Eisert (2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K) relieved Castillo and earned his first career save with two scoreless innings.

New Hampshire has now won three straight against Hartford.

The Fisher Cats continue their six-game set against the Yard Goats on Friday with a 7:05 p.m. contest. New Hampshire righty Elvis Luciano (0-1, 3.51 ERA) takes the hill against Hartford right-hander David Hill (1-3, 4.93 ERA). Fans can catch all of the action on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network.

The Fisher Cats will return home to Delta Dental Stadium on Tuesday, August 24 for games with Binghamton (Mets) and Portland (Red Sox).

FCBL FINAL PPD

Thanks to the heavy rain all day Thursday, the deciding Game Three of the Futures Collegiate League final between Vermont and Pittsfield was postponed to Friday at 7:05 at Burlington’s Centennial Field.

Pittsfield won Game 1 10-2 while Vermont won Game 2 in Pittsfield, 12-5.

(Telegraph staff writer Tom King contributed to this report)