Sea Dogs Split Double-Dip with Curve 5-3, 2-3

Sea Dogs Split Double-Dip with Curve 5-3, 2-3



Killer Bs Blast 'Dogs to Game 1 Win, Cunningham Completes Comeback in Game 2

ALTOONA, Pa. - The Portland Sea Dogs (23-32) and Altoona Curve (25-29) battled in a doubleheader, and split both games Saturday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. The Sea Dogs took game one 5-3 and game two went to the Curve 3-2.

Game 1 Recap

The Portland Sea Dogs used timely hitting and clutch pitching to take down the Altoona Curve 5-3 in game one of a doubleheader Saturday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. The win pushed the Sea Dogs to a 3-1 record over the first four games of a six game road trip.

Trailing 3-2 in the third, it was Bryce Brentz that provided the power and put the 'Dogs in front for good. After a leadoff walk by Reynaldo Rodriguez, Brentz connected and crushed a two-run blast to center that put the Sea Dogs in front 4-3.

Catcher Dan Butler complimented Brentz' power and supplied three runs batted in on two hits in the win. Butler hit a two-RBI single in the first to put Portland up 2-0 after half an inning. He doubled home a run in the seventh to push the lead to 5-3.

Portland's Anthony Ranaudo took the hill for his fourth start of the 2012 campaign. The righty struggled in the first inning and gave up a leadoff triple to Robbie Grossman. Grossman came around to score on an RBI single by the next hitter Brock Holt.

Ranaudo (1-1) allowed two more runs to cross the plate on three hits in the second, but rebounded to complete five full innings. Aaron Kurcz did not allow a hit and struck out three over the final two frames and earned his third save. Lefty Nathan Baker (3-6) took the loss for the Curve and gave up four runs in four and two-thirds innings.

Prime Motor Group Players of the Game: Dan Butler 2-4, 2B, 3RBI
Bryce Brentz 2-3, HR, 2RBI
 
Game 2 Recap

The Altoona Curve spoiled a sweep of a doubleheader by the Portland Sea Dogs with a 3-2 walk-off win in game two Saturday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. The loss marks the second time that Sea Dogs have split an opponent in a doubleheader on this road trip.

Jarek Cunningham broke an 0-for-5 showing in the double-dip with a game-winning two RBI single, off of Josh Fields, that plated Quincy Latimore and Kelson Brown. Fields (1-2) came on to close it out in the bottom of the seventh, but allowed the first two hitters to reach on a walk and a single.

Once again it was the 'Dogs jumping on the board in the first inning. Jeremy Hazelbaker led off the game with a solo home run to right field off of Altoona starter Phil Irwin. Irwin bounced back from the homerun to retire the final two hitters in the inning and the next 11 in a row until a leadoff single in the fifth. Victor Black (1-1) earned the win with a scoreless top of the seventh inning.

Shannon Wilkerson broke up a tie game in the fifth with a two-out, bases loaded single to left that plated Zach Gentile and gave Portland the 2-1 advantage. Nick Natoli was thrown out at the plate trying to score from second to end the inning.

Jeremy Kehrt took the mound, in a spot start, for Kevin Boles' squad and allowed just one run over four innings. Altoona's Charles Cutler tied the game at 1-1 with a solo home run off of Kehrt to begin the second. Brock Huntzinger was the first out of the 'pen for Portland and tossed two scoreless and hitless innings.

Prime Motor Group Player of the Game: Shannon Wilkerson 2-3, RBI

The Sea Dogs wrap up a six game road trip on Sunday with a 6:00 PM game against the Altoona Curve from Peoples Natural Gas Field in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Left-handed pitcher Chris Hernandez (2-4, 3.21) will get the start for the Sea Dogs. Altoona will send righty Brandon Cumpton (6-4, 3.52) to the hill. The Sea Dogs can be heard on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs radio network with 95.5/95.9 FM WPEI serving as the flagship station.

The Sea Dogs return to Hadlock Field June 5th-10th for six games, a three game series with the Bowie Baysox (Orioles affiliate), followed by three against the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Giants affiliate). Tickets are available for all remaining 2012 Sea Dogs' home games. Book your nine-inning vacation by calling the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 207-879-9500 or log on to www.seadogs.com.