Portland Tops Binghamton in Slugfest
August 23, 2012 - Eastern League (EL1)
Portland Sea Dogs News Release
Portland, Maine- The Portland Sea Dogs (64-66) slugged their way to matching a season high of 14 runs taking the series' opener against the Binghamton Mets (63-68), 14-9, for their fifth consecutive win. The club is now 28-12 since the All-Star break and picked up another game on New Britain in the Eastern League Eastern Division standings. The 'Dogs trail the Rock Cats by 3.5 games and Reading by 4.5 games for a playoff spot.
Travis Shaw tied a franchise record with three doubles and Jeremy Hazelbaker had a banner day going 4-for-6 at the plate with two runs scored and two RBI.
Every Sea Dog in the lineup but one had a hit in the power surge that saw Portland connect for the most extra base hits (10) that the club has had all season. They eclipsed the previous total of nine that came against the Altoona Curve on August 14th. The club knocked around 17 hits coming up one shy of setting the season high.
After a perfect first inning from Mike MacDonald, Binghamton touched him up for the game's first runs in the second. Allan Dykstra doubled to right field leading off the frame. Following a walk by Jefry Marte, Raul Reyes singled sending Dykstra to the plate making the score 2-0.
A five run second inning gave Portland the lead and set the tone offensively for the evening. The number two prospect in the Red Sox Organization, Xander Bogaerts, drilled an opposite field home run tying the game at two. It was Bogaerts' fourth home run in a Sea Dog uniform and he has safely in 11 out of 13 games with Portland. Derrik Gibson, Zach Gentile and Peter Hissey reached in succession loading the bases for Ryan Dent. A fielding error by Wilfredo Tovar allowed Gibson to come across and Jeremy Hazelbaker followed by singling home Gentile and Hissey capping the five run outburst.
Portland built on its lead as the game progress putting up nine more runs over a five inning span. The Dogs' combined for six doubles after the second inning pouring on insurance runs in the process with three double-baggers and a triple, by Derrik Gibson, coming in a three run 6th.
Mike MacDonald allowed up six runs in his start but gave Portland 6.2 innings from his role as the starter earning the win (2-2). MacDonald's six runs came on eight hit; He racked up four strikeouts before being lifted in favor of Jason Urquidez. Urquidez finished the game going 2.1 innings giving up three runs on six hits.
Peter Hissey extended his hitting streak to seven games going 2-for-4 on the night. Hissey also drove two runs in and scored one himself.
The Sea Dogs will continue to push for a playoff spot as their four game series continues against the Mets on Friday at 7 PM. Portland will send righty Brandon Workman (2-0, 1.64) to the mound, opposing him will be Binghamton's Gonzalez Germen (7-10, 4.65). To listen to all the game action tune into 95.5/95.9 FM WPEI. Tickets are available by calling 207-879-9500 or at www.seadogs.com.
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Eastern League Stories from August 23, 2012
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- Portland Tops Binghamton in Slugfest - Portland Sea Dogs
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- Curve Keep on Rolling with Fourth Straight Win - Altoona Curve
- Squirrels Stumble in Opener, 2-1 - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Erie SeaWolves at Reading Phillies - Game Notes - Erie SeaWolves
- Flying Squirrels Game Notes at Altoona - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- B-Mets Game Notes: at Portland Sea Dogs - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Reliever Lee Hyde Sent Back to Trenton; Betances Hits DL - Trenton Thunder
- Sea Dogs Game Notes August 23 vs. Binghamton - Portland Sea Dogs
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