Haeger knuckles the Curve, 'Dogs beat Altoona 7-3

Xander Bogaerts his third homer of the homestand

Portland, Maine - Knuckleballer Charlie Haeger (2-2) yielded two runs over 6.1 innings and Portland (30-23) had six run-scoring hits, taking the series opener from the Altoona Curve (21-33) 7-3 on Friday night at Hadlock Field. The Sea Dogs finished May at 16-14 and improved to 2-2 on the homestand.

Haeger notched his second quality start of the season, giving up two hits, two runs, four walks and five strikeouts.

Altoona starter David Bromberg (2-5) suffered the loss, allowing three hits and two runs over four innings.

Xander Bogaerts put the game away in the eighth, cracking a two-run shot with two outs off Jason Townsend. Bogaerts is 7-for-14 with 3 homers and 9 RBI on the homestand.

Portland scored the game's first 2 runs in the fourth off Bromberg.
Bogaerts started the rally with a walk. Tony Thomas and Michael Almanzar had back-to-back RBI doubles.

Shannon Wilkerson extended his season-high hitting streak to eight games, blasting a solo-homer off the Coke Bottle above the Maine Monster, giving the 'Dogs a 3-0 lead.

In the fifth, Portland added two runs off reliever Luis Sanz. J.C.
Linares blasted a homer to center, his second of the season.
Christian Vazquez walked and scored on a triple by Heiker Meneses.

Altoona cracked the ice in the seventh with three runs off Haeger and Rafael Perez. With one out, Andrew Lambo blasted a solo-homer to right-center field for the Curve's first run. Haeger left the game after hitting Drew Maggi. Perez gave up a run-scoring single to Justin Howard and an RBI fielder's choice to Carlos Paulino.

Brock Huntzinger tossed a scoreless ninth to seal the win.

Prime Motor Group Player of the Game: Charlie Haeger

The Sea Dogs and Altoona Curve (Pirates affiliate) continue their three-game series tonight at Hadlock Field with a 6:00 PM first pitch. Right-hander Brandon Workman (5-1, 3.75) takes on James McDonald, who makes a Major League Rehab Assignment.

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. Tickets are available by calling 207-879-9500 or at seadogs.com.