'Dogs attack 'Cats bullpen for six, win 9-3

J.C. Linares 4-for-5, 2 RBI, hit safely in all 8 games on the trip
Manchester, New Hampshire - The Sea Dogs (67-70) closed out an excellent roadtrip, defeating the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (67-70) 9-3 on Thursday night at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. Portland finished their trip at 8-3 and closed out the road portion of their season by going 36-35 (best road record since 2008).

Portland needs to sweep a five-game series with Trenton starting on Friday night at Hadlock Field to clinch the second playoff spot in the Eastern Division. The Fisher Cats have been eliminated.

J.C. Linares went 4-for-5 and nailed a two-run triple in the ninth inning.  Portland scored the final seven runs of the game, but six off the New Hampshire bullpen.  Linares hit safely in all eight games on the trip, with four multi-hit games in the New Hampshire series.

Keith Couch (11-3) earned his team-leading 11th win, notching his ninth quality start of the season. Couch yielded seven hits, three runs (two earned) on one walk and five strikeouts.

Tyson Brummett (1-7) took the loss for the Fisher Cats.  The righty gave up three runs on four hits over 3 IP.

Rafael Perez recorded the final four outs for his sixth save of the year and Miguel Celestino earned a hold with 1.2 innings pitched.

Shannon Wilkerson got the 'Dogs off to a good start, leading off the game with a solo-homer to left-center field.  Garin Cecchini followed by reaching on a three-base error by 1B Jon Talley and scored on a ground out by Christian Vazquez.

New Hampshire cut the deficit to 2-1, receiving a run-scoring single by Pierce Rankin.  The run was unearned due to an error by 3B Michael Almanzar.  The Fisher Cats took a 3-2 lead in the third inning on Adam Loewen's RBI double and a run-scoring single from Kevin Nolan.

Portland tied the game in the fifth with the help of three stolen bases.  Deven Marrero led off with a single, stole two bases and scored on a sacrifice fly by Garin Cecchini.   New Hampshire starter Casey Lawrence lasted five innings on four hits and three runs.

The 'Dogs took the lead for good in the sixth on a run-scoring double play by Almanzar.  Tony Thomas (1-for-3) and Almanzar added RBI's in the eighth.

Prime Motor Group Player of the Game: J.C. Linares

The Sea Dogs open up their final homestand on Friday night against the Trenton Thunder (Yankees affiliate) at Hadlock Field.  LHP Chris Hernandez (1-0, 2.08) makes the start in the opener of a five-game set.  RHP Mikey O'Brien (7-7, 4.01) gets the call for Trenton.

Radio coverage begins at 5:40 PM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network and seadogs.com powered by the Tune-In Radio app. Friday is a Flatscreen Friday at Hadlock Field. Tickets are available by calling 207-879-9500 or at seadogs.com.