MANCHESTER — Saturday night provided another ninth-inning nightmare for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

One night after surrendering three ninth-inning runs in a two-run loss to Portland, the Fisher Cats squandered a three-run lead with two outs in the ninth and dropped a 6-5 decision to the New Britain Rock Cats.

The Fisher Cats (35-51) held a 5-2 lead and were one out away from victory, but New Britain pulled even when catcher Chris Hermann singled to left off Ronald Uviedo with the bases loaded. Left-fielder John Tolisano let the ball get behind him, allowing all three runners to score.

New Britain (48-38) took its only lead when shortstop Estarlin de los Santos was hit by a Trystan Magnuson pitch with the bases loaded in the 10th. Evan Bigley was forced in from third, and that ended up being the game-winning run.

“It’s tough because we played well for most of the game,” Fisher Cats third baseman Mark Sobolewski said. “We left some opportunities on the table offensively. Defensively, we didn’t play as sharp as we have been the last couple weeks, and I’m sure we could have made some better pitches. It’s not fun to go out like that two days in a row.”

Mike McDade led off the bottom of the 10th with a single to right, but New Britain’s Bruce Pugh retired the next three batters in order. Pugh pitched two scoreless innings to collect the win.

New Hampshire starting pitcher Deck McGuire, the 11th overall selection in the 2010 draft, matched his career high with 10 strikeouts and was in position to pick up his third win in as many starts. McGuire allowed six hits and one walk in six innings, and left the game with a 3-2 lead.

McGuire, 23, said Saturday’s start may have been the best effort of his professional career.

“I had all four pitches working tonight, and that really, really seemed to keep them off balance,” he said. “It was one of those starts where I felt comfortable from pitch one.

“We’ve caught some tough breaks this year. It’s a tough game. It’s a long year and sometimes you’re gonna fail.”

The Fisher Cats led 3-0 after Sobolewski hit a two-run home run against New Britain starting pitcher Shairon Martis in the third. New Britain made it a 3-2 game on Deibinson Robero’s two run home run in the sixth, but the Fisher Cats added to their lead by scoring a run in the seventh and another in the eighth.

The last time Martis pitched against the Fisher Cats, he tossed a seven-inning no-hitter as a member of the Harrisburg Senators at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium last August.

The New Britain ninth featured singles by Nate Hanson, de los Santos and James Beresford before Hermann’s two-out single was misplayed and allowed the game-tying run to score.

“It natural that you shouldn’t feel very good after a game like this,” Sobolewski said. “We just have to throw this one out and get ready to play tomorrow.”

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NOTEWORTHY: Sobolewski’s home run was his 17th of the season, and gave him a share of the league lead in that category. He also picked up an RBI when he singled in the first. … Fisher Cats catcher Jack Murphy had three of the teams 12 hits. … New Hampshire ranked third among Eastern League teams in attendance entering Saturday night’s contest. The Fisher Cats averaged 5,495 fans per game through their first 42 home dates. Richmond (6,465) and Reading (6,110) were the teams ranked one and two. … The Fisher Cats and Rock Cats will play a doubleheader Sunday. The first game is at 6:05 p.m.