Brentz Drives-in Five as Portland Sweeps Erie

Portland, Maine- Bryce Brentz had a career high five RBI and Steven Wright held the SeaWolves to one run in his Red Sox organization debut as the Portland Sea Dogs (53-62) swept a three game series from the Erie SeaWolves with a 11-2 win Sunday afternoon before a crowd of 6,102. It is the first series sweep over the SeaWolves for the Sea Dogs since June 8-10, 2010. Portland has now won four straight and finished the homestand with 5-1 record.

Portland pounded-out 17 hits, one hit shy of the team season high. The offense was led by the Portland 2-3-4 batters Marquez Smith, Jeremy Hazelbaker, and Bryce Brentz. Smith was 4-for-4 with three runs scored and a RBI. Hazelbaker was a perfect 3-for-3, reached base four times and scored three runs. Brentz was 3-for-5 with a single, double, and home run; he scored twice and collected five RBI. The Sea Dogs collected a season high six doubles on the day.

Meanwhile Steven Wright (10-6) was impressive in his Red Sox organizational debut. The knuckleballer was acquired Tuesday at the Major League Baseball trade deadline from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for former Sea Dog Lars Anderson. Wright scattered five hits over six innings of work allowing just one run. He walked two and struck out while lowering his ERA to 2.44, which ranks second in the Eastern League. The lone run allowed by Wright came in the sixth inning when Avisail Garcia doubled to score Jordan Lennerton with two outs.

The Sea Dogs got off to a hot start scoring two runs in the first inning. Smith doubled and moved to third on a Jeremy single. Hazelbaker stole second and a throwing error by catcher James McCann allowed Smith to score the game's first run. Bryce Brentz picked-up his first of five RBI's when he singled to score Hazelbaker.

Portland sent ten men to the plate and scored five runs in the second inning as they took a commanding 7-0 lead. Peter Hissey scored on a Jackie Bradley Jr. sacrifice fly to center. Smith had a RBI single and Brentz picked-up his second RBI of the game when he ripped his team leading 25th double of the season. Matt Spring capped-off the inning with a two run double.

Smith and Hazelbaker singled to lead-off the fourth inning. Brentz belted his 15th home run, a three run blast over the Maine Monster extending the Portland lead to 10-0. Brentz leads the team with 59 RBI.

Ryan Dent added a sacrifice fly in the sixth to score Spring for Portland's 11th run of the game.

Andrew Bailey pitched the seventh inning for the Sea Dogs on a Major League rehab assignment. Bailey allowed one run on three hits and struck out two. He tossed 26 pitches, 16 for strikes and hit 94 mph on the radar gun. Bailey has missed the entire 2012 campaign recovering from right thumb surgery.

Caleb Clay and Ryan Pressly each tossed a scoreless inning in relief for the Sea Dogs.

James Avery (10-9) suffered the loss for Erie surrendering seven runs (six earned) on eight hits in two innings of work.

The Sea Dogs embark on a six game road trip with stops in Akron, Ohio and Erie, Pennsylvania starting with a 7:05 PM contest on Tuesday night against the Akron Aeros. Maine native Mike MacDonald (1-2, 5.32) will get the start for the Sea Dogs. He will be opposed by righty Paolo Espino (6-2, 3.13). All of the action can be heard live on 95.5/ 95.9 FM WPEI. The Sea Dogs return home for a six game homestand on Tuesday, August 14th. Tickets are available for all remaining 2012 Sea Dogs home games and can be purchased by calling the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 207-879-9500 or online at www.seadogs.com.