SEA DOGS OPEN 2ND HALF WITH TOUGH LOSS

The Trenton Thunder (45-45) scored nine unanswered runs and their bullpen hurled 6.1 scoreless innings in a 9-6 come-from-behind victory over the Portland Sea Dogs (43-47) on Thursday night at Waterfront Park. The Sea Dogs have lost 3 of their last 4 road games and trail the Thunder by two games for third place in the Northern Division.

RHP Kevin Whelan (4-0) tossed two perfect innings and recorded three strikeouts to earn the win for Trenton. RHP Jose Valdez pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his 6th save of the season. LHP Wilkin Arias (2.1 IP), Whelan (2 IP), RHP Grant Duff (1 IP) and Valdez combined for 6.1 scoreless relief frames for the Thunder on three hits and 10 strikeouts. Portland’s batters tied a season-high by striking out 14 times.

LHP Andrew Dobies (2-2) allowed four consecutive RBI hits in the sixth inning to take the loss for the Sea Dogs. Portland scored the first six runs of the game but Trenton fought back and closed the gap to 6-4 on 3B Marcos Vechionacci’s (2-for-3) RBI single off RHP Blake Maxwell. Dobies relieved Maxwell and retired CF Austin Krum (1-for-4) on a fly out to left field. 2B Reegie Corona (2-for-4, 4 RBI) tied the game with a 2-run double and scored from second base on an infield single by SS Eduardo Nunez (1-for-5). 2B Ryan Khoury made a great stop on Nunez’s hit but his throw to first base was late. 1B Lars Anderson had his back to the play and Corona never broke stride and scored the winning run. DH Jorge Vazquez (1-for-5) tagged an RBI triple off the center-field wall and C Jesus Montero (2-for-4, 2 RBI) laced a run-scoring single.

Portland started the series by sending seven men to the plate in the first inning and scored three times off starter LHP Jeremy Bleich. CF Josh Reddick (walk), Khoury (HBP) and LF Ryan Kalish (single) set the table for the Sea Dogs. After Kalish’s (1-for-3, SB) single, the game was delayed 45 minutes due to heavy rain and resumed at 7:58 PM. DH Jon Still (1-for-4) blooped an RBI single for the first run of the game and fielder’s choices by Anderson (0-for-3, RBI) and C John Otness (2-for-4, HR, 4 RBI) brought home the final two runs of the frame.

Otness blasted a 3-run homer with one out in the third inning to give Portland a 6-0 lead. Bleich was lifted after 2.2 IP, surrendering 6 runs on three hits, five walks and four strikeouts. Trenton responded in the third inning with three runs off LHP Felix Doubront (no-decision). Corona put Trenton on the board with a 2-run double and Montero produced a 2-out run-scoring single. Doubront gave up five hits, three runs, three walks and two strikeouts over 4 IP.

The Sea Dogs had two baserunners after the third inning and dropped to 20-22 away from Hadlock Field. Trenton received a hit from all nine starts and improved their division-best home record to 26-21.

The Sea Dogs continue their 4-game series in Trenton on Friday night beginning at 7:05 PM. Catch all the action on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network beginning at 6:35 PM with the Pre-Game Show built by CorrectDeck. RHP Junichi Tazawa (8-5, 2.79) will make his 17th start of the season against RHP Ryan Pope (3-5, 5.33).

Notes…RHP Ryne Miller tossed two scoreless innings for Portland and has not allowed a run in 4 IP since joining Portland from Salem…Doubront was the only pitcher to work more than 2.2 IP…The series opener was delayed after the two teams played only six minutes…Trenton starter for Sunday RHP Zach McAllister was placed on the disabled list during the game.

Courtesy Portland Sea Dogs