A 7-run seventh does the trick, 'Dogs win 12-10 at Trenton

Keury De La Cruz 4-for-6, 4 RBI/Marco Hernandez 3 doubles

Trenton, New Jersey  -  The Sea Dogs trailed 9-5 after 5 innings, but scored a season-high 7 runs in the seventh, rallying back to beat the Trenton Thunder, 12-10 on Friday night at Arm & Hammer Park.

Portland had a season-high 18 hits, receiving a multi-hit game from 6 of 9 starters. Keury De La Cruz finished 4-for-6, 4 RBI, delivering the game-winning,  two-run double with the game tied at nine in the seventh.

Mike McCarthy (4-3) relieved Luis Diaz in the third inning, pitching 3.2 innings on on 3 hits, one run and 4 strikeouts to earn the win. Pat Light earned his third save of the season, working 1.1 innings and 2 strikeouts. The game ended on a diving catch in right field by Aneury Tavarez with a runner at first base.

Trenton reliever Chris Smith (1-1) suffered the loss for Trenton, yielding all 7 runs in the seventh in just 2/3 of an inning.

During Portland's huge rally in the seventh, Marco Hernandez (3-for-6, 3 RBI tied a franchise record with 3 doubles) knocked in two runs with a double. Jonathan Roof had an infield-RBI single and Oscar Tejeda tied the game with a single. Following De La Cruz's game-winning hit, Luis Martinez doubled home the 12th run.

Trenton added a run in the eighth inning on Taylor Dugas' RBI double off Madison Younginer (hold).

Portland struck in the first with two outs against Caleb Smith (6 IP, 12 H, 5 R, 3 ER). Hernandez led off the game with a double and scored on a two-out single by De La Cruz.  Trenton responded against Luis Diaz (2.1 IP, 6 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 4 BB, 0 SO). Jake Cave led off Trenton's first with a single, stole second base, and scored on Aaron Judge's ground out.

Hernandez would strike again with a double, knocking home Tavarez (2-for-4) in the second inning, giving Portland a 2-1 lead.  Once again, the Thunder would respond, scoring three times to take a 4-2 lead. All Castillo and Cito Culver had RBI singles - Francisco Arcia had a run-scoring ground out.

De La Cruz would bring the 'Dogs within a run at 4-3 in the third, nailing an RBI double to score Jantzen Witte (2-for-6).  Trenton would counter once again, scoring 4 times off Diaz and knocking him out of the game, and taking an 8-3 lead. Arcia and Castillo had 2-run singles.

The Sea Dogs would make it five straight innings with a single run, cutting the deficit to 8-5 after 4 1/2 innings.  In the fourth, Blake Tekotte hit a solo-homer to right field and David Chester delivered a sacrifice fly to right field.

Judge knocked home his second run of the game, nailing an RBI single off Mike McCarthy in the fifth, giving Trenton a 9-5 lead.

Portland improved to 3-1 on the roadtrip, and can clinch a winning May with a victory on Saturday night.

The Sea Dogs and Trenton Thunder (Yankees affiliate) continue their 3-game weekend series tonight - first pitch is 7:00 PM. New Jersey native Mike Augliera (2-7, 4.44) makes the start for Portland. Trenton sends righty Eric Ruth (2-0, 2.22) to the hill. Pre-Game coverage begins at 6:40 PM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network. MILB.TV begins at 6:55 PM.


Portland's next homestand begins June 2nd - tickets are still available for all Sea Dogs remaining home games as well as the Sullivan Tire Eastern League All-Star Classic on July 15th. Call the ticket office at 207-879-9500 or buy tickets online at seadogs.com.