Two-run shot lifts Cats

Derrick Loveless drilled a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning for his first Eastern League hit, giving the Fisher Cats a 2-1 win, which completed a three-game sweep of Portland on Wednesday in Manchester.

New Hampshire (14-17) relievers Brady Dragmire (1-2), Murphy Smith and Wil Browning combined to blank Portland over the final four innings with five strikeouts. Dragmire earned his first win.

Portland (10-23) opened the scoring in the top of the fourth inning with an RBI single off the bat of Tim Roberson.

The Cats opens a seven-game road trip Friday night at Hartford.