Sea Dogs hold on for a 7-5 win at New Hampshire

Portland one single, 7 extra-base hits
Manchester, New Hampshire - The Portland Sea Dogs (40-38) used a two-run eighth to beat the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (39-42) 7-5 on Saturday night at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. Portland has won two straight in the series, and with a victory tomorrow, they can win their first series since May 20-23.

Will Latimer (1-4) entered the game with the Sea Dogs trailing 5-4, but fanned all five batters faced, working two perfect innings for a save.   Rafael Perez pitched a perfect ninth for his second save of the season.

The Sea Dogs took the lead for good with two unearned runs off losing pitcher Evan Crawford (2-2) in the eighth.  Christian Vazquez led off the frame by reaching on a shortstop's error.  Garin Cecchini (2-for-4) nailed a double to left field.  Dustin Antolin relieved Crawford, and induced a run-scoring ground out to Tony Thomas, tying the game at five.  With two outs, J.C. Linares blooped an RBI double, just fair to left, giving Portland the lead for good.   Cecchini added a run-scoring single in the ninth, Portland's only single of the game.

Chris Balcom-Miller tossed two scoreless innings and fanned two, earning his second hold of the year.

Matt Barnes was knocked out after 5+ innings, giving up nine hits, five runs (four earned) on two walks and five strikeouts.  New Hampshire scored three times in the first off Barnes.  A.J. Jimenez knocked in the first
run with a run-scoring single.  Brad Glenn launched a two-run homer to left-centerfield, his 10th of the season.

Portland responded with a run in the second inning on a sac-fly by J.C. Linares.  Heiker Meneses (2-for-3, RBI, 2 doubles) cut the deficit with a run-scoring double in the fifth.

Trailing 3-2, the Sea Dogs took the lead in the sixth inning off Deck McGuire (6.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO).  With one out, Cecchini walked and Thomas launched a two-run homer to left field, his 8th of the year.   Portland's lead didn't last long, as New Hampshire took a 5-4 lead in the sixth on a two-run homer by Ryan Schimpf.

The Sea Dogs have a 7-6 lead in the season-series against New Hampshire, and improved to 20-18 on the road.

Prime Motor Group Player of the Game: Will Latimer

The Sea Dogs and New Hampshire Fisher Cats conclude their four-game series on Sunday afternoon beginning at 1:35 PM from Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.  All-Star Anthony Ranaudo (7-2, 2.28) makes his 15th start of the season for the Sea Dogs.  New Hampshire has righty Ryan Tepera (6-5, 4.25) scheduled for his 16th start of the year.

Radio coverage begins at 1:15 PM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network and via the Tune-In Radio app for smartphones and tablets.  The Sea Dogs return home on Monday July 1st against the Trenton Thunder (Yankees affiliate). Tickets are available by calling 207-879-9500 or at seadogs.com.