'Dogs rally falls short - lose 5-2 in Connecticut!

(Norwich, CT) - LF Bobby Felmy went 4-for-4, 3 RBI and the bullpen finished the game with 4.2 scoreless frames, aiding the Connecticut Defenders in a 5-2 win over the Portland Sea Dogs on Saturday night at Dodd Stadium. The series is tied at one game apiece and wraps up on Sunday afternoon beginning at 1:05 PM.

LHP Matt Yourkin (2-1) worked 2.2 IP on two hits and four strikeouts to earn the win for Connecticut. RHP Dan Otero converted his sixth save by pitching the ninth and improved his scoreless streak to 9.1 IP to start the season.

RHP Blake Maxwell (0-1) pitched 5.1 IP for the Sea Dogs, allowing eight hits and four runs to take the loss. Maxwell left the game in the sixth inning after striking out CF Mike Mooney.

The Sea Dogs trailed 4-0 after four innings but scored twice in the fifth on a 2-out, 2-run single by LF Aaron Bates (2-for-4, 2 RBI). The 2-run hit by Bates was the lone hit for Portland with a runner-in-scoring position (1-for-11). In the final three innings, the 'Dogs received a lead single to start each frame but failed to score. CF Matt Sheely made his Double-A debut for Portland and went 2-for-3, BB, RS and a stolen base for Portland.

Maxwell fell behind 1-0 in the first inning when 2B Brock Bond (2-for-3, 3 RS) led off the frame with a single and scored on Felmy's 2-out double. In the third inning, the Defenders scored three runs on four hits off Maxwell. 3B Brad Boyer delivered a sacrifice fly, DH Brett Pill nailed a run-scoring double and Felmy picked up an RBI single. LHP Dustin Richardson allowed the final run in the seventh inning on Felmy's 2-out single to right field.

RHP Bryce Cox worked 2/3 scoreless frames and RHP Justin Hedrick pitched a scoreless ninth for the Sea Dogs. Hedrick spent the past two seasons pitching with the Connecticut Defenders and made his first appearance on the mound as a visitor.

Portland and Connecticut wrap up their 3-game set on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 PM. Catch all the action on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network beginning at 12:35 PM with the CorrectDeck Pre-Game Show. Tickets for Sea Dogs Baseball at Hadlock Field can be purchased at www.seadogs.com or by calling (207) 874-9300.

Notes...2B Ryan Khoury extended his hitting streak to five games and has reached base in 16 of 17 starts...1B Lars Anderson did not play...DH Jorge Jimenez went 0-for-4, snapping his hitting streak at seven games.