B-Mets steal one from the Dogs, beat Portland 10-8

(Portland, ME) The first extra-inning game of the season was not kind to the Portland Sea Dogs (24-26), dropping the homestand opener, 10-8 in 10-innings to the Binghamton Mets (22-26) on Monday night at Hadlock Field. The winning run was scored on a double steal by DH Nick Evans (stole home) and C Josh Thole (stole second base) 1B Lucas Duda (1-for-1, 2 RBI, 3 BB) knocked in the 10th run with an RBI single to right-field.

LHP Edgar Alfonzo (3-1) worked 2.1 scoreless innings on one hit, two walks and fanned two to earn the win for the Mets. RHP Blake Maxwell (0-5) suffered the tough luck loss, allowing two unearned runs in the 10th inning on two hits. With two outs SS Argenis Diaz committed a fielding error, setting up the double steal by Evan and Thole.

The Sea Dogs established season highs with five errors and nine walks by their pitchers. Binghamton scored six unearned runs, including four off starter LHP Felix Doubront (3.1 IP, H, 4 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 5 SO). B-Mets starter LHP Mike Antonini yielded eight hits and seven runs over 4.2 IP in a no-decision for the Mets.

Portland trailed 3-0 after a inning but DH Jon Still (2-for-4, HR, 4 RBI) tied the game with a bases-loaded double off the Maine Monster. Still gave Portland a 7-4 lead with a solo-homer to right field during Portlands 2-run fifth. Despite an 8-4 lead, the B-Mets scored twice in the 8th inning on RF Carl Loadenthals first homer of the year off RHP Justin Hedrick. In the eighth inning, RHP Bryce Cox blew his first save of the season, yielding consecutive run-scoring singles to Evans and Thole.

C Mark Wagner went 3-for-6, 2 RBI and gave Portland a 4-3 lead with a single in the second. LF Aaron Bates, the Eastern League Player of the Week, doubled in CF Bubba Bell to put Portland in front 5-3. The Dogs added their 6th run in the third inning on 2B Ryan Khoury's (3-for-5, RBI, 2B) RBI double to left-centerfield.

RHP Stephen Clyne worked 3+ innings on three hits and one run for Binghamton in relief of Antonini. RHP Chad Rhoades was the only pitcher not to allow a run, tossing 1.2 innings on one hit, one walk and two strikeouts.

Portland and Binghamton continue their series on Tuesday night beginning at 6:00 from Hadlock Field. RHP Junichi Tazawa takes on RHP Tobi Stoner in game two of a 4-game set. Catch all the action on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network beginning at 5:35 PM with the CorrectDeck Pre-Game Show.

Notes: Still has homered in consecutive games. Khoury extended his hitting streak to 9 straight games. Thole and Bates are the top two hitters in the Eastern League...Mondays game had 425 pitches thrown by both teams combined. Doubront has lasted a combined 6 innings over his last two starts. Portland went 5-for-17 with RISP and stranded 12 runners on base.