Cecchini's clutch hit gives the 'Dogs a 4-2 win in Trenton

Portland trails the Thunder by 4 games with 10 games left

Trenton, New Jersey -  Garin Cecchini snapped a 2-2 tie with a two-run single with two outs in the ninth inning, leading the Portland Sea Dogs (64-68) to a 4-2 win over the Trenton Thunder (68-64) on Saturday night at Arm & Hammer Park. The win for Portland puts them four games behind the Thunder for the second playoff spot in the Eastern Division.

LHP Eric Niesen (1-2) earned his first win with Portland, hurling two scoreless frames on one hit and four strikeouts.  Portland's bullpen has 12 scoreless innings during the three games.

RHP Tommy Kahnle (1-3) took the loss, giving up two runs on two hits and two runs over 2/3 of an inning.

LF Ryan Dent went 3-for-4 with an RBI single, but all three of his hits led to runs.  In the seventh inning, Dent made a terrific catch on a pop up hit by Ben Gamel.  In the ninth, Dent singled with one out and stole second base after a strikeout.  Kahnle walked Shannon Wilkerson and Deven Marrero, leading up to Cecchini's game-winning hit.

For the third straight game, the Thunder took a 1-0 lead after the first inning.  Mason Williams led off with a double and scored on a single by Jose Pirela.

Portland tied the game at one in the third inning on Marrero's two-out RBI single to center.  Marrero extended his season-high hitting streak with the Sea Dogs to four games.

Dent delivered a huge hit in the seventh inning to give Portland a 2-1 lead.  Christian Vazquez (2-for-3) started the frame with a double and advanced to third base on a wild pitch.  Travis Shaw struck out, but Dent lined a single off the shortstop's glove, which was drawn in, scoring the tying run.

Gary Sanchez tied the game at two, leading off the home seventh with a solo-homer to left field off Keith Couch.  Couch was excellent in a no-decision, working seven innings on five hits, two runs, one walk and two strikeouts.

Trenton's Bryan Mitchell shined his second Double-A start, working 6.1 innings on six hits and two runs.

Prime Motor Group Player of the Game: Ryan Dent

The Sea Dogs and Trenton Thunder (Yankees affiliate) meet for the final time at Arm & Hammer Park on Sunday night at 5:05 PM.  Lefty Chris Hernandez (1-0, 2.25) makes his fourth start of the season for Portland.  RHP Mikey O'Brien (7-7, 4.20) gets the starting nod for Trenton.

Radio coverage begins at 4:45 PM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network and seadogs.com powered by the Tune-In Radio app. Portland's final homestand begins on August 30th versus the Trenton Thunder (Yankees affiliate). Tickets are available by calling 207-879-9500 or at seadogs.com.