Morales and Ross aid the 'Dogs in their 8-4 win

(Portland, Maine) - The Sea Dogs (27-18) scored early and often, defeating the New Hampshire Fisher Cats , 8-4 on Thursday morning at Hadlock Field. Pitcher Franklin Morales and catcher David Ross both appeared on Major League rehab assignments for the Sea Dogs in the first ever morning game at Hadlock.

Morales made his MLB rehab appearance (second with Portland) and earned the win. He worked five strong innings on six hits, two walks and three strikeouts. The lefty threw 77 pitches (52 strikes), and the lone run allowed was unearned.

David Ross batted third, going 1-for-3 with a run-scoring double and two strikeouts.

New Hampshire jumped on the board first, scoring an unearned run in their first turn. Clint Robinson gave the visitors a 1-0 lead with a run scoring ground out. Portland responded in their half of the first, scoring three unearned runs off losing pitcher Matt Wright (1-1). Ross tied the game with a double, and two runs scored on a dropped fly ball by left-fielder Brian Van Kirk.

Portland scored three times again in the second off Wright. Shannon Wilkerson delivered a sacrifice fly, Xander Bogaerts tripled home Matty Johnson and Tony Thomas provided a run-scoring single.

Derrik Gibson (3-for-3, RBI, 2 doubles) knocked in Portland's next two runs, extending the lead to 8-1. Gibson nailed a run-scoring double in the third and an RBI single off Randy Boone in the fifth.

New Hampshire scored twice off Jeremy Kehrt in the sixth. Kevin Ahrens reached on Bogaerts' error, allowing Brad Glenn to score. Adam Loewen singled to center, scoring Van Kirk. In the seventh, the Fisher Cats scored the game's final run on a double-play ball. Brock Huntzinger relieved Kehrt in the eight and recorded the final four outs for his 10th save of the season.

Portland is 5-5 during a 17-game stretch against Binghamton and New Hampshire.

Prime Motor Group Player of the Game: Derrik Gibson

The Sea Dogs open up a four-game series with the Binghamton Mets over the holiday weekend at NYSEG Stadium. Game time on Friday night is
7:05 PM. Right-hander Anthony Ranaudo (5-1, 1.67) gets the start for Portland. Binghamton counters with righty Cory Mazzoni (2-1, 3.60).

Radio coverage begins at 6:45 PM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network and via the Tune-In Radio app for smartphones and tablets.

The Sea Dogs return home to Hadlock Field on May 28th against New Hampshire. Tickets are available by calling 207-879-9500 or at seadogs.com.