Spring to the rescue, Sea Dogs win 5-3

Keith Couch three hitless innings of relief
Portland, Maine - Matt Spring smacked a three-run double with two outs in the seventh inning, leading the Sea Dogs (25-18) to a 5-3 win over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (23-23) on Tuesday night at Hadlock Field. Spring has delivered a base-loaded, game-winning hit, in both wins for Portland this homestand.

Keith Couch (2-1) relieved Brandon Workman in the sixth inning, and worked three hitless frames on a walk and four strikeouts to earn the win. Brock Huntzinger worked around a two-out double in the ninth to secure his ninth save of the season.

Workman pitched 5+ innings on five hits, three runs, three walks and fanned six.

New Hampshire's Deck McGuire (2-4) suffered the loss, giving up nine hits and four runs over 6+ innings. Trailing 3-2 entering the bottom of the seventh, Shannon Wilkerson (single) and Xander Bogaerts (walk) reached base off McGuire. Tyson Brummett entered the game and struck out Tony Thomas and got Michael Almanzar on a short fly out to right, but walked Travis Shaw.
Spring belted a 3-2 pitch off the Maine Monster to clear the bases.

The Sea Dogs grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first. Wilkerson led off with a double and Almanzar crushed a two-run shot over the Maine Monster in left field, his eighth homer of the season.

New Hampshire scored three times off Workman in the fourth, taking a 3-2 lead. Ryan Schimpf led off with a walk and scored on a run-scoring triple by Clint Robinson. Brad Glenn tied the game with a ground out and Sean Ochinko lined an RBI single to center.

Portland had a golden opportunity to score in the fifth, trailing 3-2.
Bogaerts doubled and moved to third on a single. McGuire retired Almanzar on a fly out and Shaw lined to center field, but Kevin Pillar threw Bogaerts out at the plate.

The Sea Dogs are 2-3 on their seven-game homestand and ended New Hampshire's four-game winning streak.

Prime Motor Group Player of the Game: Matt Spring (2-for-4, 3 RBI, 2B)

The Sea Dogs and New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays affiliate) continue their four-game series on Wednesday night at Hadlock Field, first pitch is slated for 6:00 PM. Right-hander Matt Barnes (3-1, 4.62) takes on Ryan Tepera (4-3, 3.76).

Radio coverage begins at 5:40 PM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network and via the Tune-In Radio app for smartphones and tablets. Wednesday is Good Neighbor Night at Hadlock Field. Tickets are available by calling 207-879-9500 or at seadogs.com.