HARTFORD, Conn. — The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (13-18, 47-51) split their Friday night twin bill with the Hartford Yard Goats (14-17, 53-46) at Dunkin’ Park with a pair of one-run games.

The Fisher Cats fell in nine innings in game one, 9-8, and won game two, 3-2. The Fisher Cats’ nightcap win snapped their eight-game skid.

New Hampshire’s game one starter Gage Stanifer was tagged for seven earned runs in 3-1/3 innings. Relievers Kelena Sauer and Yondrei Rojas combined for 4-2/3 innings of shutout ball out of the bullpen in the loss. Newcomer Jonathan Todd (L, 0-1) suffered the loss after he allowed a pair of runs to cross in the ninth.

In game two, starter Austin Cates matched his career high with 10 strikeouts in a dominant outing against the Yard Goats. The right-hander allowed two runs in 5-2/3 innings and punched out four of the last five batters he faced. Reliever Austin Marozas (W, 1-0) notched the final four outs of the game. Cates’ 10 strikeouts was a new Double-A high.

Game One

Behind 8-7 in the bottom of the ninth, Hartford rallied and won the game. With the bases loaded, center fielder Jacob Thomas tied the game on a groundout. The next batter, shortstop Dyan Jorge, rolled a ground ball to short. Catcher Cole Messina scampered home and the Goats completed the walk-off win, 9-8.

New Hampshire opened the scoring in the top of the first. Right fielder Eddie Micheletti Jr. walked to open the inning. With a runner at first, designated hitter Aaron Parker (12) walloped a two-run blast and gave the Cats the lead.

Hartford tied the game in the bottom of the third thanks to a sacrifice bunt and RBI single from Jorge. Evened up at two, the Fisher Cats quickly loaded the bases in the top of the fourth. Second baseman JR Freethy was hit by a pitch which made it 3-2. Shortstop Cade Doughty bounced into a double play, but it brought the second run of the inning home, 4-2.

The Goats bats stayed hot with a five-run bottom of the fourth. Highlighting the inning was a three-run double from Messina and a two-run homer hit by right fielder GJ Hill (12).

Trailing 7-4, New Hampshire mounted a rally. With one out in the fifth, Micheletti Jr. tripled. He scored one batter later on a sacrifice fly from Parker. With the bases empty, third baseman Dub Gleed (5) launched a solo home run. In the sixth, Doughty (2) slugged a two-out homer and tied the game at seven.

After two scoreless innings, the Fisher Cats took the lead in the top of the ninth. First baseman Carter Cunnigham opened the inning as the inherited runner. Left fielder Mathieu Vallee singled and with runners on the corners, Cunningham scored in a balk.

Game Two

Locked in a 2-2 tie in the seventh, Gleed (6) pummeled a solo home run on the first pitch of the frame which gave the Fisher Cats a 3-2 lead.

New Hampshire struck first in game two. Cunningham (5) clobbered a solo homer and made it 1-0.

In the bottom of the third, Hartford took the lead. With one away, right fielder Zach Kokoska was hit by a pitch. Thomas (1) clubbed a two-run homer and pushed the Goats ahead.

The Cats quickly responded in the fourth with a two-out solo home from Freethy (1).

The Fisher Cats and Yard Goats continue their six-game series on Saturday, August 1, with first pitch slated for 6:10 p.m. at Dunkin’ Park. New Hampshire’s Danny Thompson Jr. (0-1, 2.93 ERA) is penciled to start against Hartford’s Stu Flesland III (3-0, 2.56 ERA). Coverage begins at 5:50 p.m. on the Fisher Cats Radio Network.

New Hampshire returns home to open August with a six-game series against the Portland Sea Dogs, beginning on Tuesday, August 4.