Sea Dogs hold for an 8-7 win over the Rock Cats

Brock Huntzinger converts his fourth save of the year
Portland, Maine - The Portland Sea Dogs (9-7) defeated the New Britain Rock Cats (8-9) 8-7 on Sunday afternoon at Hadlock Field in front of 4,808 fans.  Portland picked up all their runs and hits (10) over three innings (2nd, 5th and 6th).  With the victory, the 'Dogs took three of four from the 'Cats, and improved to two games over .500 for the first time since July 22, 2010.

Miguel Celestino (1-0) worked 1.2 innings on three hits and one run, but fanned three, to earn his first decision of the season.  New Britain made things interesting in the ninth, putting two on, but Brock Huntzinger retired Antoan Richardson to end the game.  Huntzinger made it 4-for-4 in saves, working 1.1 innings on three walks.

New Britain starter B.J. Hermsen (0-1) took the loss in his first appearance of the season.  The right-hander yielded six hits and five runs over 4.2 IP.

Trailing 1-0, Portland scored three times in the second inning off Hermsen.  Kolbrin Vitek nailed a two-run triple, and scored on Peter Hissey's ground out.

The Rock Cats took a 4-3 lead off starter Drake Britton in the fifth.  Britton worked 4.1 innings on five hits, four runs (one earned), three walks and two strikeouts.  Dan Rolfing delivered a two-run single off Celestino (runs charged to Britton) to give the visitors the lead.

Portland stormed back, scoring five runs over the next two innings.  Hissey and Shannon Wilkerson had RBI doubles, but Alberto Rosario's run-scoring single in the sixth, proved to be the game-winning RBI.

Pete Ruiz yielded two runs in the late innings, but fanned four over 1.2 innings pitched.

Michael Almanzar, Heiker Meneses, Rosario and Wilkerson each had two hits for Portland.

Prime Motor Group Player of the Game: Miguel Celestino (1.2 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 0 BB, 3 SO)

The Sea Dogs and Binghamton Mets open up a three-game series on Monday night (tonight) at Hadlock Field beginning at 6:00 PM. John Lackey is schedule to make a Major League Rehab Assignment for the Sea Dogs.  Righty Jacob DeGrom makes his second straight start against Portland. Tickets are available online at seadogs.com or by calling 207-879-9500. Radio coverage begins at 5:40 on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network and via the Tune-In Radio app for smartphones and tablets.