Howard Hoists Fisher Cats in Opener 11-10
The Sea Dogs took the 10-8 lead in the top of the 11th inning on a two-run single by catcher Dan Butler, but relinquished the lead in the bottom of the final frame. Jason Urquidez went out for his second inning of relief, but faltered and allowed a run to score on three hits to begin the inning.
After the second out, Howard made his was to the plate. The first baseman turned on a first pitch fastball from Urquidez (1-2), flipped his bat, and watched the ball sail out of the stadium for the win.
That would not be the first time the Fisher Cats plated three runs in a frame. Portland held an 8-5 advantage heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, thanks in part to a Butler solo home run.
Butler wasn't in the starting lineup, but was forced into action when Matt Spring was ejected in the fifth for arguing a called third strike. The catcher made the most of his night. He homered in the ninth to up the lead to three for Portland.
In the ninth, Brock Huntzinger faced nine men and gave up three runs and the game was tied and headed for extras. The tying run came around to score on a ball that was hit by the hero Howard. Marquez Smith could not handle a sharp ground ball that would have ended the game in the Sea Dogs favor.
The fireworks were scheduled for after the game, but that didn't stop both teams from lighting up the diamond during the game.
The action started in the first with Portland jumping out to the 1-0 lead on Smith's double. The 'Cats took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first on three base hits.
The seesaw battle continued throughout the night. Drew Hedman tied it with a homerun in the second inning, but New Hampshire plated an unearned run in the third to again take the lead.
A two-run single in the fourth, combined with an RBI double play, grounded into by Crawford put the 'Dogs in front 5-3. That was until a pair of solo shots in the fifth off of Portland righty Stolmy Pimentel, tied the game up at 5-5. Crawford broke the tie with an RBI single in the sixth inning.
Needless to say, the pitching was not the storyline of this ballgame. When all is totaled, there were 21 runs scored on 34 hits, 18 for the Sea Dogs, 16, and the most important one, for the Fisher Cats. The most effective pitchers were the first ones out of the 'pen for their respective squads. Aaron Kurcz pitched two scoreless and got out of a jam in the eighth inning. Matt Wright delivered two scoreless in relief of his starter Chad Jenkins. Matt Daly (2-4) earned the win in relief for the 'Cats.
Prime Motor Group Player of the Game: Dan Butler 2-3, HR, 3RBI, R
Jacoby Ellsbury: 1-5, Single - 16 Pitches
Top 1st: F7 - 3 Pitches - Called Strike, Ball, F7 Top 2nd: F7 - 3 Pitches - Foul, Ball, F7 Top 4th: Single - 1 Pitch - Single to Center Top 6th: 4-3 - 4 Pitches - Ball, Ball, Foul, 4-3 Top 8th: K Looking - 5 Pitches - Ball, Foul, Foul, Ball, Called Strike Carl Crawford: 2-4 RBI, Single - 15 Pitches
Top 1st: F7 - 3 Pitches - Ball, Foul, F7 Top 3rd: Single - 2 Pitches - Ball, Single Top 4th: 1-6-4 DP - 3 Pitches - Called Strike, Ball, DP Top 6th: RBI Single - 7 Pitches - Called Strike, Foul, Ball, Foul, Foul, Foul, Single
The Sea Dogs continue a six game road trip Thursday night with a 7:05 PM game against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in Manchester, New Hampshire. Left-handed pitcher Chris Hernandez (4-6, 2.91) will get the start for the Sea Dogs. New Hampshire will send righty Fernando Hernandez (1-6, 5.23) to the hill. The Sea Dogs can be heard on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs radio network with 95.5/95.9 FM WPEI serving as the flagship station.
The Sea Dogs return to Hadlock Field following the all-star break for eight games, a four game series with the Fisher Cats (Blue Jays affiliate), followed by three against the Reading Phillies (Phillies affiliate). Tickets are available for all remaining 2012 Sea Dogs' home games. Book your nine-inning vacation by calling the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 207-879-9500 or log on to www.seadogs.com.