Portland Swept Away, Falls 13-3 in Finale vs. Mets

Binghamton, N.Y. - The Portland Sea Dogs (59-33) were within one, halfway through, but the Binghamton Mets (55-37) roared back for nine runs over the final three innings and swept away the 'Dogs with the 13-3 victory. The loss marks the fourth in a row for Portland and the first time all season they have had a losing streak of four games or longer.

Luis Diaz made his first start against the Mets, and was greeted by a four-run attack in the second inning. Travis Taijeron and Brandon Nimmo began the rally with a walk and single respectively, before Xorge Carillo doubled to left and plated the pair to make it 2-0.

Diaz continued to struggle in the inning as Rylan Sandoval hit a single to put runners at the corners with one out. The pitcher threw over to first to check on the runner, but threw it away down the right field line, allowing Carillo to score and Sandoval to go to third. Dilson Herrera hit a sacrifice fly to center, Sandoval scored and made it 4-0.

Steven Matz was on the other side of the hill for the B-Mets and the young lefty came out dealing. He threw four perfect frames for Binghamton before Sean Coyle broke up that stretch of 12-in a row with a double to center. Coyle came around to score the 'Dogs' first run on a Keury De La Cruz, which cut the deficit to 4-1.

Matz got out of the fifth without any further damage done, but gave up a pair of runs in the sixth. Heiker Meneses and Peter Hissey reached to begin the inning, and with one out Blake Swihart connected for a double to left that brought home both runners and pulled Portland to within one at 4-3.

That would be as close as the 'Dogs would get it as Binghamton doubled its output with another four runs in the seventh off of Robby Scott. Back-to-back singles began the home half of the seventh and Brian Burgamy loaded the bases on an error by the shortstop Meneses.

From there, Dustin Lawley connected for a sac fly and Darrell Ceciliani tripled to clear the bases and make it 7-3. Travis Taijeron capped off the scoring with a double to left, scoring Ceciliani and upping the lead to 8-3.

Portland went quietly in the eight, but Binghamton went back for thirds in its feast during Thursday's matinee. Michael Olmsted was on the mound, and the big righty walked the first two hitters he faced.

With two outs in the inning, Michael Almanzar committed an error that scored two and Taijeron connected for a three-run homer that hit the top of the wall in right and made it 13-3. The DH finished 2-for-4 with the home run and four RBI.

Cody Satterwhite came on in the ninth and retired Portland in order to finish the game.

Diaz (3-2) went the first five and two-thirds and took the loss, giving up four runs, three earned, on four hits two walks and nine strikeouts - tying a career-high in punch outs. He finished his outing by retiring 13 of the final 14 men he faced. Scott went the next inning and one-third and allowed four runs, three earned, as well. Olmsted gave up five runs, all unearned, in his one inning of work.

On the other side, Matz (2-1) earned the win going five and one-third innings, allowing three runs, all earned on four hits; he walked one and struck out five. Jack Leathersich, Chase Huchingson, and Satterwhite combined to throw three and two-thirds scoreless behind the starter.

The Sea Dogs return home and open up a five-game four day series against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats Friday night at 7:00 PM from Hadlock Field. RHP Jeremy Kehrt (0-0, 2.45) is scheduled to go for the Sea Dogs and will face off against a pitcher that has yet to be named for the Fisher Cats. Coverage begins at 6:40 PM on the WPEI U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network.