Rodriguez Clubs Two Homers in 8-1 Win

Portland, Maine- Reynaldo Rodriguez hit two home runs and Chris Balcom-Miller provided solid pitching as the Portland Sea Dogs (10-21) defeated the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (13-17) 8-1 Monday night before a crowd of 5,563 at Hadlock Field. The win gives the Sea Dogs back-to-back wins for just the second time this season. The Sea Dogs have now won three out of their last four.

Rodriguez, 3-for-4, homered twice and drove in four runs for the Sea Dogs. Rodriguez got the Sea Dogs out to an early lead with a two run homer in the first inning. Rodriguez struck again with a two run blast in the third inning. He is the first Sea Dog to collect a multi home run game this season and the first since Jeremy Hazelbaker on August 25, 2011. The home runs were the fourth and fifth on the season for Rodriguez who ties Juan Carlos Linares for the team lead.

Zach Gentile added a RBI single in the fourth scoring Derrick Gibson and Ryan Dent scored on a Ronald Bermudez sacrifice fly to center to extend the lead to 6-1.

Rodriguez led-off the fifth inning with his team leading ninth double. Bryce Brentz clubbed his second Double-A home run; a two run shot over the Maine Monster scoring Rodriguez to make it 8-1.

Randy Boone (0-1) made his first Double-A start since Tommy John surgery suffered the loss allowing eight runs on nine hits in 4.1 innings of work. He walked one and recorded one strikeout.

Meanwhile Portland starter Chris Balcom-Miller (2-2) was outstanding tossing seven innings allowing one run on three hits. He walked two and notched three strikeouts. The seven innings tied a Double-A career high for Balcom-Miller. He threw 95 pitches, 65 for strikes and recorded 12 ground ball outs in the win. The Fisher Cats were able to scratch Balcom-Miller for one run in the second inning when John Tolisano walked, stole second and scored on a Brian Van Kirk RBI single.

Josh Fields tossed two no-hit innings in relief of Balcom-Miller.

The two clubs will play game two of the series Tuesday night at 6:00 PM at Hadlock Field. Right-handed pitcher Stolmy Pimentel (0-0, 5.79) will get the start for the Sea Dogs. New Hampshire will send righty Casey Lawrence (0-1, 6.39) to the mound. The first 1,000 fans to enter the ballpark will receive a Josh Beckett bobblehead doll, made possible by U.S. Cellular. Tickets are available by calling the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 207-879-9500 or order online at www.seadogs.com.