Sea Dogs Have Huge Eighth to Beat New Hampshire

The Portland Sea Dogs (20-19) exploded for 8 runs in the eighth inning and defeated the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (22-19) 10-3 in the series finale on Thursday afternoon at Hadlock Field in front of 4,256 fans. Portland won the series, taking 2 of 3 from the Fisher Cats and continues their 7-game homestand on Friday night against Connecticut.

1B Jon Still (2-for-4, 2 RBI) provided the game-winning hit, nailing a 2-run single with Portland trailing 3-2 in the eighth. The ‘Dogs scored eight times off losing pitcher LHP Edgar Estanga (.1 IP, 4 R, 4 ER, H, 4 BB) and RHP Leon Boyd (.2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB) after LHP Rommie Lewis hurled two scoreless frames of relief. C Mark Wagner (2-for-5, 2 RBI) blooped a 2-run single and 1B Lars Anderson (2-for-2, HR, 4 RBI) blasted a 2-run homer to cap off the 11-batter eighth inning.

RHP T.J. Large (1-0) earned his first decision of the season for the Sea Dogs, allowing one hit and fanning two over 1.2 IP. Estanga, who entered the game with a 0.60 ERA, suffered his 2^nd loss of the season for the Fisher Cats.

The Sea Dogs carried a 2-0 lead into the eighth inning thanks to a 2-run double by Anderson but that would change. RHP Richie Lentz opened up the top of the eighth inning by hitting 2B Brad Eamus and walking 1B Brian Dopirak. 1B David Cooper struck out but pinch-hitter Adam Calderone launched a 3-run homer into the U.S. Cellular Pavilion, giving New Hampshire a 3-2 lead.

LHP Felix Doubront made his 8^th start of the season and worked five scoreless frames for the ‘Dogs on four hits and six strikeouts. Doubront has allowed only 4 earned runs over his last 19 IP (1.89 ERA). RHP Randy Boone yielded two runs on five hits over 5 IP in taking a no-decision for New Hampshire.

Portland wins their 5^th series of the season and looks to match a season-high 3-game winning streak on Friday night against the Connecticut Defenders at Hadlock Field. RHP Junichi Tazawa (4-3, 3.12) will face RHP Jesse Foppert (0-2, 3.48). Catch all the action on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network beginning at 5:35 PM with the CorrectDeck Pre-Game. Tickets for Sea Dogs Baseball can be purchased at www.seadogs.com or by calling (207) 879-9500.

Notes-SS Zach Borowiak finished the series 4-for-8, 4 RBI and 2 doubles...Anderson has reached base safely in 7 of his last 9 plate appearances…Wagner has hit safely in 3 of 4 games since returning from the disabled list…Portland’s starters went 0-1 in the series but had a 1.15 ERA.

Courtesy Portland Sea Dogs