Sea Dogs hold on to win a thriller, 8-7 at New Britain

Doyle fans 10, 'Dogs hit two homers
New Britain, CT - The Portland Sea Dogs (51-52) won their fifth straight game, defeating the New Britain Rock Cats (48-55) 8-7 on Tuesday night at New Britain Stadium.

Terry Doyle (1-3) had a tale of two starts. The righty gave up five runs on four hits over the first 2 IP, but went hitless, retiring 16 of the final 17 faced in his last 5 IP.  Doyle earned his first win with the Sea Dogs and recorded a season-high 10 strikeouts.

Former Rock Cat Bobby Lanigan allowed a solo-homer to Miguel Sano in the eighth, allowed two runs, but worked the final two innings for his first save with Portland.

The Rock Cats scored three times in the first off Doyle. Sano nailed a one-out, run-scoring double.  Yosmil Pinto followed with a two-run homer over the left-field wall.  In the second, Nate Hanson cracked a two-run triple off the center-field wall, giving the 'Cats a 5-0 lead.

Portland responded with seventh straight hits (eight overall) in the fourth, scoring five times off Kyle Davies (3.1 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 6 SO).  Tony Thomas put Portland on the board with a two-run double and Ronald Bermudez nailed a three-run homer down the left-field line.

Christian Vazquez put the Sea Dogs up for good, leading off the sixth inning with a homer off losing pitcher Blake Martin (2-2).  Portland scored an unearned run in the eighth to take a 7-5 lead.  After Sano's homer in the eighth, Portland grabbed an 8-6 lead on Garin Cecchini's run-scoring single in the ninth.

New Britain pulled within one on Angel Morales' sac-fly to center field.  Peter Hissey robbed Danny Santana of the game-winning hit, making a diving catcher in right-center field.  Lanigan got Sano to hit into a force out to end the game.

Portland has won 13 of 22 from the Rock Cats and pulled within two of second place New Hampshire.

The Sea Dogs and New Britain Rock Cats (Twins affiliate) meet for the final time on Wednesday afternoon with a 12:05 PM first pitch.  RHP Anthony Ranaudo (8-3, 2.87) faces righty Virgil Vasquez (3.18)

Radio coverage begins at 11:45 AM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network and via the Tune-In Radio app for smartphones and tablets.  Portland returns home on July 25th to open up a four-game series against the Harrisburg Senators. (Nationals affiliate). Tickets are available by calling 207-879-9500 or at seadogs.com.