Matt Spring with a two-homer game in the nightcapNew Britain, CT - The Portland Sea Dog (50-52) swept a doubleheader from the New Britain Rock Cats (48-54) on Monday night at New Britain Stadium. Portland won the opener 5-4 and took the nightcap in nine innings 8-3. The 'Dogs have won four straight and pulled within three games of second place New Hampshire.
Game 1 recap
Tony Thomas cracked a three-run homer and made a great diving catch, leading the Sea Dogs to a 5-4 win over the Rock Cats in the twinbill opener. Portland snapped a six-game losing streak on the road and earned their 11th win against New Britain.
Trailing 2-0 in the third, Garin Cecchini (2-for-4, RBI) got Portland on the board with a run-scoring single. After a walk to Michael Almanzar, Thomas blasted an 0-2 pitch from B.J. Hermsen (1-7) over the left-center field wall, his 11th of the season, giving Portland a 4-2 lead. Thomas' diving catch ended the fourth inning on a deep drive to LF by Danny Santana with a runner at second base. The Florida native leaped in the air, made a one-handed catch, and landed on the warning track.
Keith Couch (7-3) worked six strong innings on eight hits and four runs to earn the win for the 'Dogs. Couch allowed two homers for the first time this season. Jordan Parraz blasted a two-run homer in the second, giving New Britain a 2-0 lead. Daniel Ortiz (3-for-3, HR, 3 RS) hit a one-out blast in the sixth for the final run of the game.
Hermsen took the loss, giving up four runs on seven hits over 3.2 IP. Matt Hauser allowed Portland's fifth
run on Almanzar's wall-ball single in the fifth.
Rafael Perez closed out the win with his third save of the season. Twins Top Prospect Miguel Sano drew a two-out walk, but Josmil Pinto flied out to end the game.
Prime Motor Group Player of the Game: Tony Thomas
Game 2 recap
Portland used a five-run ninth to beat the Rock Cats 8-3 in game two of the twinbill. Matt Spring clubbed two homers and drove in three. Pete Ruiz (2-2) worked two scoreless innings for the win. Ruiz made his first appearance since being activated from the disabled list on July 18th.
Spring and Ryan Dent hit back-to-back homers to start the rally off losing pitcher Cole Johnson in the eighth. Garin Cecchini and Michael Almanzar added RBI hits with one out - Cecchini doubled and Almanzar singled. Ronald Bermudez (3-for-5) in his first game with Portland since early April, knocked in the final run with a single.
Ruiz retired all six batters faced and struck out Daniel Ortiz to end the game.
Jeremy Kehrt was outstanding in a spot-start for Portland, working six strong innings on three runs on three hits. Kehrt did not all a hit for the first 5-innings, but gave up two homers in the sixth to Angel Morales and Miguel Sano (2-run).
Prime Motor Group Player of the Game: Matt Spring
The Sea Dogs and New Britain Rock Cats (Twins affiliate) play game three of their series tonight beginning at 7:05 PM from New Britain Stadium. RHP Terry Doyle (0-3, 4.50) takes on former Minnesota Twin Nick Blackburn (first start)
Radio coverage begins at 6:45 PM 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.
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