Hazelbaker Matches Franchise Record with Four Stolen Bases
Manchester, NH - The Portland Sea Dogs (45-57) got another strong relief performance from the bullpen and Jeremy Hazelbaker tied a franchise record with four stolen bases but, it was the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (39-63) who got the final say 6-5. John Tolisano got the game winning hit in the 10th inning snapping the Dogs winning streak at five. The final game of the series lasted 3:34 with 6,945 in attendance at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.
Pitching took over from the fourth inning on Sunday as both sides held each other scoreless until the 10th. Portland starter Mike MacDonald settled down after the five run New Hampshire second and shut the Fisher Cats out over his next 2.1 innings. MacDonald went 4.1 innings overall giving up five runs on nine hits earning a no decision. He also struck out four and walked one.
Chris Balcom-Miller came in to the game in relief of MacDonald and threw 3.2 nearly perfect innings giving up just one walk while racking up four strikeouts in his outing. Ryan Pressly went 1.2 giving up three hits and the game winner as the lone run scored against him. He also walked two.
Five Fisher Cats pitchers, including starter John Stilson and former Sea Dog Chorye Spoone, combined to shut the Sea Dogs down from the fourth inning on. Stilson went three innings, giving up all five of Portland's runs, four earned, on six hits. He also struck out four and walked two.
Sam Dyson (1-1, .64) earned the victory for New Hampshire tossing two perfect innings to complete the game after taking over for Fernando Hernanadez. Dyson compiled two strikeouts.
The game's scoring all took place in the first three innings until extras. The two hottest hitters in the Sea Dogs lineup, Jeremy Hazelbaker and Marquez Smith, went deep back-to-back in the first inning kick-starting Portland's offense. It was Hazelbaker's 15thhomer of the year and he became the first Sea Dog to swipe four bags in a game since Julio Ramirez on June 10, 1999.
Dan Butler led-off the third with a walk and advanced to second on a Sean Ochinko passed ball. With two outs Jackie Bradley Jr. singled to centerfield scoring Butler on the play. Bradley's RBI single put the Dogs in front 3-0.
New Hampshire then put a crooked number up in its half of the second inning taking a 5-3 lead. With one out, after Mike McDade singled to open the frame, the Fisher Cats rattled off five straight hits. Kenen Bailli, Sean Ochinko, Brian Bocock and John Tolisano each hit safely and earned a RBI one after the other. Bocock's base knock, a double, was the lone extra bagger of that group. Jake Marisnick also picked up a RBI in the five run second inning on his ground out.
Portland answered right back the following half inning. Smith doubled to lead-off and Bryce Brentz switched places with Smith with his 21st double of the season sending Smith to the plate. Kolbrin Vitek then singled Brentz to third in his first game back with the Dogs. Vitek was just activated from the disabled list. Brentz then scored on a Stilson wild pitch tying the score 5-5.
Prime Motor Group Player of the Game: Chris Balcom-Miller- 3.2 IP, 4 K, 0 R, 0 H
The Sea Dogs will return home for a three game set against the Trenton Thunder (New York Yankees) beginning Monday July 23 at 7:00 PM. Portland righty Jeremy Kehrt (4-3, 4.71) is scheduled to start in the series opener opposed by Trenton southpaw Vidal Nuno (5-2, 1.56). Catch all of the game action on 95.5/95.9 FM WPEI. Tickets are available at www.seadogs.com.
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