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Lawson Dominates the Defenders, Dogs Win 8-3

LF Aaron Bates 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI - Lawson (7 IP) first win of the year
May 24, 2009
(Portland, ME) RHP Ryne Lawson (1-2) tossed seven strong innings and LF Aaron Bates (2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI) belted a 3-run homer in Portland's 8-3 victory over the Connecticut Defenders (24-19) on Sunday afternoon at Hadlock Field. The Sea Dogs (21-21) ended a 2-game losing streak and even their mark at 3-3 on their week long homestand.

Lawson tied RHP Adam Mills for a team-high with 7 IP and picked up his first career win at Hadlock Field. The lone run for Connecticut off the righty was C Jackson Williams homer over the Maine Monster in the fifth inning. Lawson scattered four hits, walked two and fanned three in his first win since August 5, 2008 at Reading (Double-A debut).

LHP Jesse English (2-3) lasted only 2.1 IP for the Defenders to take the loss, allowing two runs on three hits in 2.1 IP. Connecticuts bullpen trio of RHP Waldis Joaquin (2 ER), LHP Matt Yourkin (ER) and RHP Mike Musgrave (3 ER) surrendered six runs on five hits.

Portland jumped on the board first in the second inning when DH Jon Still launched his 4th homer, a solo-shot over the Maine Monster. In the third inning, C Mark Wagner (1-for-3, RBI) visited the Monster with a wall-ball double, scoring 2B Ryan Khoury (2-for-5, 2 RS), who doubled to start the inning.

Bates provided the game-winning hit, blasting a 3-run homer off Yourkin in the fifth, clearing the billboards in left-center field. CF Ryan Kalish emptied the bases in the seventh inning with a bouncing-ball triple that traveled down the right-field line. Kalish has 2 triples in Double-A and extended his hitting streak to 3 games.

RHP Richie Lentz relieved Lawson in the eighth inning but faced only batters (2 hit-by-pitch and 2 walks) and was charged with two runs. RHP Bryce Cox sealed the win with a two scoreless frames of relief, inducing a double-play ball to end the game.

Portland wraps up their 7-game homestand on Monday afternoon with a 1:00 PM start against the Connecticut Defenders from Hadlock Field. Catch all the action on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network beginning at 12:35 PM with the Correct Deck Pre-Game. Tickets for Sea Dogs Baseball can be purchased at www.seadogs.com or by calling (207) 879-9500.

Notes: RHP Clay Buchholz was the last Portland starter to work more than 7 IP at home hurling eight innings against New Hampshire on August 30, 2008The game featured 3 hit batters on both sides. Khoury picked ups his 8th multi-hit game and his team-leading 13th double of the year. Bates leads the team with 8 multi-RBI games and has 19 RBI this month.