Deck McGuire retired the first 15 Binghamton Mets, but the Fisher Cats still ended their road trip with a loss, 6-2, at NYSEG Stadium on Monday. Only in 2012.

McGuire, on the mound for the Eastern League Championship Series clincher last season, took a perfect game into the sixth inning before the wheels came off and New Hampshire (20-29) was tagged with another loss. Fortunately, the Sea Dogs (20-30) also lost on Memorial Day or the Fisher Cats would have returned home in sole possession of last place.

It’s been a tough two months. The Fisher Cats lost their opening day starter, Drew Hutchison, called up to the Blue Jays. Catcher A.J. Jimenez underwent Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery and is done for the year. McGuire, Toronto’s first pick in the 2010 draft, has been pounded for an Eastern League-worst 38 runs (37 earned) while going 2-6 with a 6.80 ERA. Fellow Jays prospect Chad Jenkins (2-3, 5.03 ERA) got off to a rough start and was placed on the disabled list May 11. He is expected to be activated today and pitch the series opener against the first-place New Britain Rock Cats.

The Fisher Cats have won eight of 25 games at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium, posting the worst home winning percentage (.320) among all 30 teams in Double-A. New Hampshire hasn’t helped its own cause. There were incidents of failing to hustle against the Sea Dogs last week, and failing to run hard on the bases (especially with two outs in one situation) may have cost the Fisher Cats a game against the Sea Dogs.

Third baseman Mark Sobolewski, who always plays hard between the lines, said the losing record is not a reflection of the team’s overall effort.

“We’re not combining the different phases of the game. If we pitch, we don’t hit. If we hit, we don’t pitch. And the defense has to be there every night,” Sobolewski said. “We all are supposed to be playing the game as hard as we can. I think, for the most part, we do a good job of that, but we’re not perfect. There’s a code of conduct for that ... I see guys getting here early and putting in the work. I’m sure over the course of a year someone might not (run) 100 percent down the line. That can happen from time to time. For the most part, I’ve been happy with the effort. It just hasn’t translated into wins yet.”

Jenkins will be opposed by New Britain righty B.J. Hermsen (2-1, 2.83 ERA) in tonight’s 7:05 contest.

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WHO’S HOT: Switch-hitting first baseman Mike McDade, who homered from both sides of the plate against Portland last week, is riding a nine-game hitting streak. McDade (.324) and shortstop Ryan Goins (.323) rank among the top five hitters in the Eastern League. Lefty Brett Cecil, pitching Thursday’s game against the Rock Cats; WHO’S NOT: Outfielder Brad Glenn (.201) ranks second in the league with 58 strikeouts. Sobolewski is riding a 5-for-37 slump (.135).

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FARM REPORT: White Sox farmhand Terry Doyle, a Salem High graduate, took a no-hitter into the eighth inning on Monday as the Triple-A Charlotte Knights beat Rochester, 4-1. Doyle worked 7-1/3 innings before surrendering a hit, a double, and exiting the game on 85 pitches. Doyle has won his three outings, improving to 4-3 with a 3.05 ERA.

Staff writer Kevin Gray covers pro baseball for the New Hampshire Union Leader and New Hampshire Sunday News. His email address is kgray@unionleader.com.