Sea Dogs lose the fight with the 'Cats, 6-2

Portland picked up their first hit in seventh

New Britain, Conn. - Rock Cats lefty Hunter Musgrave (2-3) fired six hitless innings, leading New Britain (61-68) to a 6-2 win over the Portland Sea Dogs (48-83) on Thursday night at New Britain Stadium.

Musgrave walked Manuel Margot to lead off the game, but picked him off, and went on to retire the final 17 batters faced. The lefty earned his second Double-A winning, recording seven strikeouts.

Mike McCarthy (6-8) suffered his fourth straight loss with Portland, yielding three runs in the first inning. Mike Tauchman knocked in the game's first run with a single. Pat Valaika added a sac-fly and Will Swanner nailed a two-out RBI single. McCarthy (5 IP, 6 H, 5 R 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) yielded a two-run double to Joey Wong in the fourth, giving the 'Cats a 5-0 lead.

The Sea Dogs finally got in the hit column in the seventh inning when Margot began the frame with a single off Sam Moll. Tzu-Wei Lin singles and Sam Travis walked. Oscar Tejeda put the 'Dogs on the board with a run-scoring double-play ball. Carlos Asuaje cut the deficit to 5-2 with an RBI single.  New Britain added the final run in the seventh on a sac-fly by Tyler Massey.

Simon Mercedes worked two innings on two hits and one unearned run. Williams Jerez pitched a perfect eighth.

The Sea Dogs hit the road tomorrow to begin an eight-game road trip with a four game stop in New Britain against the Rock Cats, first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.  Mike McCarthy (6-7, 4.32) goes for Portland against Harrison Musgrave (1-3, 2.87) for New Britain.  Pregame coverage begins live on the WPEI U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Netowrk at 6:45 PM.  Tickets are still available for the final Sea Dogs homestand from September 4-7 and can be purchased by phone at 207-879-9500 or online at seadogs.com.