Sea Dogs Return to Action with 4-2 Win
Will Latimer made his first professional start in 124 minor league appearances. The 26-year-old matched a career high tossing four innings. He held the Blue Jays affiliate to one run on one hit and recorded five strikeouts lowering his ERA to 3.86. The only run scored off Latimer in the third inning was when Kevin Howard scored on a John Tolisano ground out.
The Sea Dogs wasted no time getting some run support for Latimer. Jackie Bradley Jr. led-off the game with a walk. Hazelbaker followed with his tenth home run of the season to give Portland a 2-0 lead. Dan Butler added a RBI double to score Smith to cap a three run first inning for the Sea Dogs. All of the damage came against New Hampshire starter John Stilson (2-2), who suffered the loss.
Brock Huntzinger (3-4) relieved Latimer in the fifth inning. He fired three innings allowing one run on two hits notching three strikeouts to earn the win.
Mike McDade led-off the seventh inning with his 14th home run of the season to pull the Fisher Cats within a run at 3-2. Huntzinger was able to retire the next three including two strikeouts to preserve the lead.
Smith belted his first home run as a Sea Dog in the eighth inning off Trystan Magnuson to give the Sea Dogs an insurance run and a 4-2 lead.
Josh Fields earned his sixth save tossing two scoreless innings to end the game.
The Sea Dogs and Fisher Cats will play a doubleheader starting at 6:00 PM on Friday. The Sea Dogs have not yet announced starters for the twinbill. The Fisher Cats will send righty Deck McGuire (4-9, 6.01) in game one. Game two will feature New Hampshire lefty Matt Wright (1-1, 3.65). All of the action can be heard live on 95.5/ 95.9 FM WPEI. Friday night is Halloween at Hadlock Field, presented by the International Cyptozoology Museum. All fans are encouraged to wear their costume to the game. Tickets are available and can be purchased by calling the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 207-879-9500 or order online at www.seadogs.com.