Couch goes the distance, 'Dogs win 2-1 in Harrisburg

Couch outstanding in nine-inning complete game gem.
Harrisburg, PA - Keith Couch (10-3) delivered one of the finest outings by a Sea Dogs starter this year, throwing a complete game as Portland (60-66) topped the Harrisburg Senators (68-59) 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Metro Bank Park. Couch earned his 10th win of the season, tying him for the Eastern League lead.

Couch became the first Sea Dogs pitcher to throw a nine-inning complete game since Charlie Zink on June 19th, 2007 at Connecticut. It was the second complete game of Couch's professional career; he threw nine innings for the Salem Red Sox on July 25th of last year against Myrtle Beach.

Couch allowed just six hits and issued no walks. He struck out four. He threw 96 pitches, 62 of which were strikes.The lone run allowed by Couch came on a solo- home run by Carlos Rivero in the bottom of the fifth.

The Sea Dogs lone runs came in the top of the fifth inning. Ronald Bermudez reached on an error by shortstop Jason Martinson to lead off the frame. Singles by Ryan Dent and Shannon Wilkerson loaded the bases. Garin Cecchini worked a bases-loaded walk to bring in the first run of the ballgame, and J.C. Linares followed Cecchini with a sacrifice fly to left to put Portland in the lead 2-0. Both runs were unearned as a result of Martinson's error.

Taylor Hill (2-6) delivered a strong outing for Harrisburg, tossing seven innings. He struck out three and walked three in the loss.

With the win, the Sea Dogs took the series two games to one. Portland also won the season series, taking four out of seven contests against the Senators.

Portland trails the Trenton Thunder by five games for the second playoff spot in the Eastern Division.

Prime Motor Group Player of the Game: Keith Couch

The Sea Dogs open up a three-game series with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Monday night at Hadlock Field.  LHP Chris Hernandez (0-0, 2.25) faces off against RHP Deck McGuire (8-9, 5.00)

Radio coverage begins at 6:40 PM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network and seadogs.com powered by the Tune-In Radio app. Monday night is a Jacoby Ellsbury Bobblehead giveaway and a Tribute to Elvis Night. Tickets are available by calling 207-879-9500 or at seadogs.com.