Sea Dogs Win on Cameron's Walk-Off Home Run
Portland's Robert Coello and Trenton's David Phelps were the game's starting pitchers, and the two matched each other early on, keeping the game scoreless through three innings. In the top of the fourth, the Thunder struck first, as Brandon Laird led off the frame with a solo home run into the screen above the Maine Monster.
Phelps retired the side in order in the fourth, but the Sea Dogs' bats came alive one inning later. Yamaico Navarro started the rally with a single to right field, and stole second base after a flyout by Jose Iglesias. Chih-Hsien Chiang singled Navarro to third, and Portland's third baseman beat the throw to the plate on Matt Sheely's soft infield grounder. Mike Cameron singled to load the bases, before Che-Hsuan Lin walked for the go-ahead run. Nate Spears and Luis Exposito kept the offense clicking, as Spears doubled home two, while Exposito knocked in a run with a single to center. The Trenton starter finally got the final two outs of the inning, but the damage was done, with Portland leading, 6-1.
Robert Coello's day ended after five innings on the mound for Portland. In his first professional start, Coello allowed one run, four hits, and one walk, while striking out a season-high six.
The Sea Dogs' starter left in line for the win, but did not get it, as reliever Mitch Herold received a less than pleasant greeting in his Double-A debut. Herold's outing began with a walk to Austin Krum. After a flyout by Austin Romine and a single by Brandon Laird, Daniel Brewer walked, loading the bases. Marcos Vechionacci brought in a pair of runs with a single, before a walk to Kevin Smith and an RBI single by Luis Nunez. Two batters later, Justin Christian singled home the tying run, knotting the score at six.
Although he allowed six runs in the fifth, David Phelps was otherwise very affective. Trenton's starter allowed just one hit and one walk in his other six innings on the mound. He joined Coello by also receiving a no-decision.
The game stayed tied until the tenth, when Mike Cameron provided the exclamation point. Cameron entered the at-bat 4-for-12 as a Sea Dog, and his 13th at-bat proved to be a lucky one, as the Portland center fielder launched a solo home run over the left-center field wall, giving the Sea Dogs a 7-6 win over the Thunder.
Cameron's second home run in three days made a winner out of Santo Luis (3-1). Luis was stellar out of the Sea Dogs' bullpen, allowing just one walk in three innings of work. For the second time in the series, Paul Bush (0-2) suffered the loss, allowing one run in two-plus innings.
Portland's win came in front of 7,368 fans - the fourth sellout of the homestand.
The Sea Dogs will spend a few days away from Hadlock Field this week, as they will play a four-game series against the Reading Phillies at FirstEnergy Stadium. Ryne Miller (1-2, 5.11) will make the start for Portland, while Reading turns to Yohan Flande (2-3, 2.39). The Sea Dogs return to Hadlock Field on Friday, May 28th at 6:00 PM against the New Britain Rock Cats.