Sea Dogs shutout the Rock Cats 4-0

New Britain, Conn. - Aaron Wilkerson (3-1) earned his third straight win, hurling five scoreless innings, as the Portland Sea Dogs (49-83) defeated the New Britain Rock Cats (61-69), 4-0 Friday night in front 8,672 fans, the largest crowd in the history of New Britain Stadium. Wilkerson, Madison Younginer and Kyle Martin combined on a 3-hit shutout.

Tonight's game was delayed an hour and 20 minutes at the start, due to a fire engine tearing up the grass in left field. The fire engine was leaving the field after a Pre-Game ceremony.

Portland grabbed a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning off losing pitcher Matt Flemer (7-10). Aneury Tavarez doubled with one out and cruised home on a two-out double by Cole Sturgeon. Flemer worked five innings on four hits, one run and four strikeouts for New Britain.

Wilkerson tossed five innings, yielding two hits, two walks and six strikeouts. The righty leads the Red Sox system in strikeouts.

In the eighth, the 'Dogs scored three runs off Tyler Ybarra. Sam Travis delivered a bases-loaded sacrifice fly. Tim Roberson (3-for-4) and Carlos Asuaje nailed two-out RBI singles.

Youginer worked two perfect innings with two strikeouts. Martin pitched the final two innings, stranding two in the ninth.

Rock Cats 1B Justin Morneau went 1-for-2 in a Major League Rehab Assignment.

The Sea Dogs and Rock Cats continue their 3-game series on Saturday night with a 7:05 PM start at New Britain Stadium. RHP Justin Haley (5-14, 5.43) makes his team-leading 26th start of the season for Portland. RHP Jeff Hoffman (0-2, 3.41) gets the start for New Britain. Pre-Game coverage begins live on the WPEI U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network at 6:45 PM. 

Tickets are still available for the final Sea Dogs homestand from September 4-7 and can be purchased at 207-879-9500 or seadogs.com.