Smith Sends Sea Dogs Past Aeros 3-1

AKRON, Ohio - The Portland Sea Dogs (54-62) notched three runs over the first three innings and held on late to take down the Akron Aeros (67-47) 3-1, Tuesday night at Canal Park. The Sea Dogs have now won three of four against Akron and improved to 16-12 against the West with the win.

Marquez Smith led the charge offensively for the Sea Dogs. The third baseman put Portland in front with an RBI single, which plated Jackie Bradley Jr., in the first inning. Peter Hissey walked with the bases loaded, and two outs, to plate the second run of the inning.

Leading 2-1 in the third, it was Smith again that provided the power for Portland. The righty took the first pitch of the inning and put it over the wall in left-centerfield to put the 'Dogs up by their final margin of 3-1.

The starters for each respective ball club lasted just four innings. Giovanni Soto's outing started painfully. Bradley Jr. swung at the first pitch of the ball game and hit it right back through the box and off the southpaw's right foot, which caused a delay. Soto wrapped up his outing allowing the three runs on five hits, a season-high five walks; he added three strikeouts.

Maine-native Mike MacDonald tossed the first four frames and allowed just one run on three hits. He walked one and struck out three.

The bullpens for both teams were outstanding. Jason Urquidez was first out of the pen for Portland. The righty tossed three scoreless before handing it over to Brock Huntzinger. After a scoreless eighth, Michael Olmsted came on to close it out in the ninth. Olmsted earned his first save with a perfect ninth and still has yet to allow a run in Double-A.

Trey Haley, Kyle Landis, and Preston Guilmet combined to throw five scoreless innings for the Akron Aeros.

Prime Motor Group Players of the Game: Jason Urquidez W 3IP, 1H, 0R, 1BB, 2K

Marquez Smith 2-for-4 HR, 2 RBI, R

The Sea Dogs continue a six game road trip with game two against the Aeros tomorrow night at 7:05 PM. LHP Drake Britton (3-4, 4.24) will get the start for the Sea Dogs. He will be opposed by Akron's 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.