Sunday is a fun day for Portland, 7-5 win over Reading

McCarthy earns first Double-A win, Dent a three-run homer

Portland, Maine - The Portland Sea Dogs (48-52) overcame an early 3-1 deficit, and beat the Reading Fightin Phils (42-57) 7-5 on Sunday afternoon at Hadlock Field in front of 5,590 fans.  Portland has won two straight and took the season series from Reading 10-7.

RHP Mike McCarthy (1-3) earned his first Double-A win, working six innings on seven hits, four runs, one walk and two strikeouts.  McCarthy threw 63 of 92 pitches for strikes, and had his longest Double-A outing.

Relievers Bobby Lanigan and Eric Niesen closed out the victory.  Lanigan retired all five batters to earn his first hold with Portland. Niesen yielded a run on one hit over 1.2 IP to notch the save.

1B Michael Almanzar finished 3-for-4 with a homer and 2 RBI.  LF Ryan Dent added two hits, including his second home run (3-run shot) of the season.

LHP Mario Hollands (0-1) suffered the loss for Reading, giving up six runs on six hits over 5 IP.

Reading took a 2-0 lead in the second inning off McCarthy.  Jim Murphy led off the frame with a single and
advanced to third base on a double by Kelly Dugan.  Albert Cartwright knocked in the first run with a sac-fly and Justin Dalles followed with a run-scoring single.

Almanzar led off the second inning with a solo-homer over the Maine Monster, cutting the deficit to 2-1.  The homer was Almanzar's 12th of the season, but his first since June 5th at Erie.

In the fourth, Cartwright led off with a walk and stole second base with two outs.  Edgar Duran blooped a run-scoring double to left, giving Reading a 3-1 lead. The Sea Dogs responded in there half of the fourth, taking a 4-3 lead on Dent's two-out, three-run homer over the Maine Monster.

Portland continued their two-out offense against Hollands, plating two runs in the fifth.  Garin Cecchini knocked in a two-out run with two outs, Almanzar followed with a run-scoring single to right.

Reading added a run in the sixth on Tyler Henson's RBI single to left field, cutting Portland's lead to 6-4.  Portland answered, receiving a run-producing groundout by Shannon Wilkerson (27th RBI).

Niesen allowed a run-scoring fielder's choice to Derrick Mitchell in the ninth, but fanned Zach Collier to end the game.

Prime Motor Group Player of the Game: Ryan Dent (2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI)

The Sea Dogs open up a four-game series with a doubleheader against the New Britain Rock Cats (Twins affiliate) on Monday night beginning at 5:05 PM from New Britain Stadium.  RHP Keith Couch (6-3, 3.75) makes his 9th start of the season for Portland.

Radio coverage begins at 4:45 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.

Sea Dogs snap losing streak with a 5-1 win
Matt Barnes fans 10 over seven scoreless innings

Portland, Maine - Right-hander Matt Barnes (5-6) fired seven scoreless frames in Portland's (47-52) 5-1 win over the Reading Fightin Phils (42-56) on Saturday night at Hadlock Field.
Portland snapped an eight game losing streak and clinched the season-series over Reading.

Barnes tied a season-high with 10 strikeouts on three hits and three walks.  The Connecticut native tossed seven innings for the second time in his professional career, and earned his first victory at home since May 6th vs. Reading.

Portland scored all five runs over two innings, including three off losing pitcher Austin Wright (3-5).  Derrik Gibson gave the Sea Dogs a 1-0 lead, blasting his second Double-A homer over the Maine Monster.  With two outs, Peter Hissey singled and stole two bases.  Christian Vazquez nailed a run-scoring single.

In the seventh, the 'Dogs scored three times.  Ryan Dent scorched an RBI double down the left-field line.  Shannon Wilkerson on his 25th birthday, delivered a sac-fly and Heiker Meneses knocked in the final run with a single.

Miguel Celestino pitched a perfect eighth and Rafael Perez closed out the ninth, allowing a two-out homer to Jim Murphy.

Prime Motor Group Player of the Game: Matt Barnes