'Cats Take It to 'Dogs 11-3
Trailing 2-0 in the fifth, the Fisher Cats stormed back and plated four runs in the inning and never turned back. Brad Glenn put the 'Cats on the board with a solo shot off of Portland lefty Chris Hernandez. The blast was the first hit allowed by the southpaw.
New Hampshire tied the game on a double steal that allowed Brian Bocock to score from third after Brian Van Kirk broke for second. Newcomer Jake Marisnick drove in the go-ahead run with a single, and Mark Sobolewski upped the lead to 4-2 with an RBI single.
After a scoreless sixth, New Hampshire resumed its attack in the seventh with four more hits, and four more runs. For good measure, the 'Cats hit a solo shot and a two-run homer in the eight to up the lead to 11-2.
Portland plated its two early runs in the second and fifth innings. Drew Hedman continued to make an impact in his time with the 'Dogs as he drove home Marquez Smith with an RBI double in the second.
Crawford tripled with two outs in the fifth and Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a single to the wall to plate the left fielder and double the Portland lead.
Drew Hedman was at it again in the ninth and hit his fourth home run in a Portland uniform, and second in as many nights. His solo home run was all of the damage the Sea Dogs could muster against the Fisher Cats' pitchers over the final four innings.
Starter Fernando Hernandez (2-6) was strong for the Fisher Cats. The righty allowed just two runs on seven hits in six innings. Portland's Hernandez (4-7) was not as lucky. The southpaw tossed six innings, but allowed four runs on five hits and took the loss.
As for Crawford and Sweeney, the two Red sox outfielders combined to go 2-for-8 at the plate. Crawford led off the Sea Dogs order for the second time in three games and patrolled left field once again. Sweeney was the designated hitter for Kevin Boles' squad.
Carl Crawford - 1-4, Triple, Run - 18 Pitches
Top 1st: 4-3 GO - 4 Pitches - Ball, Ball, Called Strike, 4-3 Top 3rd: K Swinging - 7 Pitches - Swinging Strike, Ball, Ball, Foul, Foul, Ball, Swinging Strike Top 5th: Triple (Run Scored) - 4 Pitches - Foul, Ball, Ball, Triple to Right Top 7th: Fielder's Choice 5-4 - 3 Pitches - Swinging Strike, Foul, FC
Ryan Sweeney - 1-4, Single - 13 Pitches
Top 1st: Single - 3 Pitches - Ball, Called Strike, Single Top 3rd: 4-3 GO - 4 Pitches - Ball, Called Strike, Ball, 4-3 Top 5th: 6-3 GO - 3 pitches - Called Strike, ball, 6-3 Top 8th: P5 - 3 Pitches - Called Strike, Ball, P5
Prime Motor Group Player of the Game: Drew Hedman 2-4, HR, 2B, 2RBI
The Sea Dogs continue a six game road trip Thursday night with the final game of a three-game series at 7:05 PM against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in Manchester, New Hampshire. Left-handed pitcher Drake Britton (1-2, 4.11) will get the start for the Sea Dogs. New Hampshire will send righty John Stilson (2-1, 3.18) 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.