Portland, Maine - The Sea Dogs (49-62) couldn't overcome a five run fifth inning put up by Akron (66-44) and a strong starting performance by the Aeros' Paulo Espino in a 5-2 loss on Wednesday Night at Hadlock Field. The Dogs' bullpen was again superb but it wasn't enough in the game that lasted 2:54 with 4,874 on hand.
Mike MacDonald, (1-2, 5.32) was perfect through three innings but ran into trouble in the fourth giving up five runs on six hits in the frame. MacDonald threw a scoreless fifth before Chris Martin took over in the sixth. The Maine native took the loss striking out four over his five innings and gave up seven hits, he also walked a batter.
Portland's bullpen continued to be brilliant on Wednesday. Martin made his first appearance since July 2nd for the Sea Dogs and pitched two no hit innings before giving way to Michael Olmstead. Olmstead, making his third Portland appearance, has yet to give up a run in Double-A. He has fanned 11 batters in six innings of work and tossed two perfect frames Wednesday striking out three. With Martin's and Olmstead's efforts Sea Dog relievers have been scoreless in 108 of their last 130 innings.
Paulo Espino (6-2, 3.13) was stellar Wednesday night earning the win. Espino struck out a season high 11 hitters in his outing. The Akron righty's night was finished after six innings of work giving up two runs on four hits, he also walked two batters.
Portland jumped on the scoreboard first in the second inning. Bryce Brentz led-off with his 23rd double of the season. Brentz advanced to third on a groundout by Travis Shaw and came around to score the first run of the game on a force out play putting the Sea Dogs up early 1-0.
Akron came up with a five spot in the fourth inning ending MacDonald's scoreless game. The Aeros sent 10 hitters to the plate including six batters who singled in succession before an out was recorded. Adam Abraham drove in two runs with his hit and Nick Weglarz recorded a RBI on his single. Abraham and Diaz came home on a pair of groundouts capping the scoring in the fourth and putting Akron up 5-1.
The Dogs inched a run closer in their half of the fifth inning. Ryan Dent (3-for-3, RBI, R) started the offense with a single a stole second with Kolbrin Vitek at the plate. Jeremy Hazelbaker then ended the Sea Dogs 0-for-8 streak with runners in scoring position on the night with his 16th double of the year scoring Dent. Hazelbaker recorded his 52nd RBI of the season with the hit which tied him with Brentz for the team lead.
Portland made it interesting in the bottom of the ninth. Peter Hissey doubled to lead-off and advanced to third on a Dan Butler single. Dent then drove Hissey home with a single cutting the Akron lead to 5-3. But that is as close as the Sea Dogs would get as Preston Guilmet enticed Kolbrin Vitek into a game ending double play. Guilmet picked up his Eastern League leading 19th save of the season.
Travis Shaw, newly received from Single-A Salem, didn't record a hit but drew a walk in the 8th inning in his first Double-A start.
The Sea Dogs and Aeros conclude their only series at Hadlock Field this season Thursday August 2nd at 12:00 PM. LHP Drake Britton (2-4, 4.64) will take the ball for Portland in the series finale against Aeros southpaw T.J. House (6-2, 3.65). The Dogs will take on the Erie Sea Wolves for three games at the conclusion of the Akron series. Jeremy Kehrt (5-3, 4.50) is slated to start game one for the Sea Dogs. Catch all of the game action on 95.5/95.9 FM WPEI. Tickets are available at www.seadogs.com.
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