MANCHESTER — The Harrisburg Senators belted three home runs and nearly blew an eight-run lead before holding on to defeat the Fisher Cats, 9-8, before 2,905 fans at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium Monday night.

Zach Walter and Tim Pahuta each homered in the second inning as the Nationals affiliate pounded New Hampshire starter Fernando Hernandez for eight runs.

Harrisburg (38-37), however, set the dial on cruise control, and the Fisher Cats kept chipping away the deficit. Brian Bocock ripped a two-run homer in the sixth, and Joel Galarraga scored on a throwing error as New Hampshire (28-46) made it a 9-8 contest. Bocock went 2-for-4 with four RBIs, and Mark Sobolewski and Kenen Bailli each had three hits as the Fisher Cats finished their homestand.

Ultimately, Harrisburg first baseman Justin Bloxom's solo homer against Matt Daly in the fifth proved to be the difference.

Sobolewski (3-for-4) lined a wall-ball double to lead off the seventh, and the Fisher Cats put runners on the corners, but Harrisburg erased the tying run at the plate on a fine defensive play by ex-Fisher Cats infielder Manny Mayorson. On a chopper to third base, Mayorson fired home and catcher Devin Ivany slapped the tag on Sobolewski.

Senators righty Kevin Pucetas (6-2) earned the win despite giving up six earned runs on eight hits. Hector Nelo, Harriburg's third reliever, pitched the ninth to earn his seventh save. Hernandez (1-5) exited in the second inning and took the loss for New Hampshire.