Down 7-0 after five, Portland wins 12-9 in 10 at Altoona

'Dogs score all 12 runs in last four innings, Tender game-winning homer

Altoona, Pa. - Two days ago in Reading, the Sea Dogs could not hold onto a 7-0. On Thursday night in Altoona, trailing 7-0 after five innings, the Portland Sea Dogs (14-24) scored 12 runs in the last four innings and beat the Curve (19-17), 12-9 in 10 innings.

With two outs in the tenth inning, Luke Tendler clocked a three-run homer over the right-field wall for the game-wall for the game-winning hit. Tendler finished 3-for-6, picking up his fourth homer of the year. Previous to Tender's at-bat, winning pitcher Trevor Kelley (1-2) hit for himself and struck out.

Kelley worked out of a bases-loaded-one-out jam in the 10th inning to secure his first win of the season.

Altoona built a 7-0 lead against Kevin McAvoy and Trey Ball. The Curve scored five times in the fifth inning, and the big hit was a two-run double by Jhin-De Jhang.

Portland chipped away in the seventh inning with the first three hitters delivering singles. Jantzen Witte (3-for-6) knocked home two runs with a single.

In the eighth inning, the 'Dogs did the same thing, picking up three straight hits. Chad De La Guerra and Jhon Nunez delivered run-scoring fielder's choices. Witte nailed an RBI single to right field.

The complete comeback began in the ninth inning. Nunez provided another RBI, and Danny Mars gave Portland the lead with a two-run single. De La Guerra added the ninth run with a run-scoring single.

In the ninth inning, Altoona tied the game on a ground-rule double by Logan Hill.

Portland scored 12 runs on 13 hits in the last four innings, and are now hitting .261, raising their batting average 30 points since May 8.

Portland and the Altoona Curve (Pirates affiliate) continue their four-game series on Friday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Right-hander Travis Lakins (0-1, 3.18) makes his fifth start of the season. Altoona counters with Dario Agrazal (3-0, 1.30). First pitch from Altoona is 6:00 PM. Radio coverage on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network begins at 5:45 PM. MiLBTV coverage starts at 5:55 PM.

Tickets for Portland's next homestand May 22-28 against Hartford and Reading. Tickets can be purchased at seadogs.com or 207-879-9500.