Hartford holds on for a 3-2 win Wednesday afternoon

Curletta with a 2-run single/Mata 6 IP

Portland, Maine - Matt Dennis worked six scoreless and the Hartford Yard Goats (15-18) defeated the Sea Dogs (16-18) 3-2 in the series finale on Wednesday afternoon at Hadlock Field. Portland won the series two games to one.

Dennis (W, 2-1) threw six scoreless innings and allowed nine hits while striking out six and walking none.

Hartford plated the game's first run on an RBI single by Mylz Jones to score Luis Castro, who had walked and advanced to second on a sac bunt.

In the third, the Yard Goats manufactured another run. After a leadoff single by Carlos Herrera, he advanced on a sac bunt and E2 by catcher Jhon Nunez then was bunted over to third base by Arvicent Perez before eventually scoring on a sac fly by Tyler Nevin. Hartford finished the game with four sac bunts and a sac fly.

Bryan Mata (L, 1-3) threw a quality start in defeat - his third in Double-A - he allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits in six innings with two walks and four strikeouts.

Manny Melendez padded the Yard Goats' lead with an RBI single in the seventh off of Jordan Weems.

The Sea Dogs rallied late with two runs in the seventh on a two-out single by Joey Curletta with the bases loaded.  But earlier in the innings Jhon Nunez was thrown out at home plate by left fielder Tyler Nevin to leave a crucial run off the board.

Portland opens up a four-game series with the Harrisburg Senators (Nationals affiliate) on Thursday night beginning at 7 PM from Hadlock Field. The 'Dogs send LHP Daniel McGrath (2-0, 1.64) to the mound. Harrisburg has yet to name their starter. Radio coverage on the WPEI U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network begins at 6:45 PM. The game is available on the tune-in app and MiLB.TV.

Thursday is Mookie Betts Bobblehead Giveaway and 90's Night. Tickets are available at 207-879-9500 or seadogs.com. Book your nine-inning vacation today!