Thunder score late, beat the 'Dogs 5-1

Trenton, NJ - The Trenton Thunder (50-29) scored five runs in their final three at-bats, defeating the Portland Sea Dogs (27-50), 5-1, Wednesday night at Arm & Hammer Park. The win completed a three-game sweep for Trenton, and they have won 23 of the last 34 games from Portland.

Andrew Benintendi (1-for-3, SB) continued his hot hitting, blasting a two-out solo-homer in the first inning, giving the Sea Dogs a 1-0 lead. Benintendi's homer was Portland's only hit.

Trenton scored two runs off Mitch Atkins (2-4) in the sixth inning to take a 2-1 lead. The Thunder loaded the bases with nobody out and scored both runs on sacrifice flies by Dustin Fowler and Miguel Andujar.

In the seventh, the Thunder added a two-out run off Atkins, taking a 3-1 lead. Cito Culver doubled and scored on a single by Billy Fleming. Atkins worked a season-high seven innings on 6 hits, 3 runs, one walk and seven strikeouts.

Righty Chance Adams (3-0) was lights out for Trenton, not allowing a hit after the Benintendi homer in the first. Adams fired seven innings, giving up one hit, 4 walks and fanning seven.

Trenton scored twice off Luis Ysla in the eighth. Dustin Fowler tripled home a run and scored on a sacrifice fly.

The Thunder closed out the game with scoreless frames from J.R. Graham and Jonathan Holder.

The Sea Dogs begin a five-game, four day homestand tomorrow night at Hadlock Field against the Hartford Yard Goats (Rockies affiliate) at 7:00 PM. Teddy Stankiewicz (2-7, 4.91) is scheduled to start for Portland against Alex Balog (1-0, 0.00) of Hartford. Tickets are available by calling 207-879-9500 or at seadogs.com.