Longball launches Sea Dogs to series win

Hamilton and Abreu homer as the Sea Dogs take four of six games over Hartford

August 28, 2022

Portland, Maine – David Hamilton was 2-for-3 with a solo home run, two runs, and stole his league-leading 58th stolen base, boosting the Portland Sea Dogs (60-60, 30-21) to a 4-1 win over the Hartford Yard Goats (68-51, 25-25), securing a series victory in front of a sold-out crowd on

Portland, Maine – David Hamilton was 2-for-3 with a solo home run, two runs, and stole his league-leading 58th stolen base, boosting the Portland Sea Dogs (60-60, 30-21) to a 4-1 win over the Hartford Yard Goats (68-51, 25-25), securing a series victory in front of a sold-out crowd on Sunday at Hadlock Field.

Hamilton is just six stolen bases shy of tying the Sea Dogs franchise record set by Julio Ramirez, who stole 64 bases in the 1999 season.

Portland jumped ahead in the bottom of the first inning against Hartford starter Noah Davis. With one out, David Hamilton launched a solo home run to right center. It was his 10th home run of the season, giving the Sea Dogs a 1-0 lead.

Hartford scored their first run in the top of third against Portland starter Brian Van Belle. Zac Veen led off with a double. He stole third base, and the throw from Stephen Scott got into left, letting Veen score to tie the game 1-1.

The Sea Dogs took the lead back in the bottom of the third with Davis still on the mound. Wilyer Abreu hit a solo home run to right field. It was his first in a Sea Dogs uniform, and his 16th at the Double-A level this season, giving Portland a 2-1 lead.

Another run came around to score for the Sea Dogs in the bottom of the fourth. Stephen Scott doubled to lead off the inning. Niko Kavadas followed with a double of his own, scoring Scott and making it a 3-1 game.

The Sea Dogs scored their final run in the bottom of the fifth. With one out, Hamilton singled and stole second base. Christian Koss tripled to right, plating Hamilton, extending Portland's lead to 4-1. Portland bullpen held strong the rest of the way, with Brendan Nail picking up the save with 2.0 scoreless innings, locking up a 4-1 Sea Dogs win.

Van Belle (5-4, 4.15 ERA) tossed 5.0 innings, allowing just one unearned run on three hits, walking two, and striking out five in his fifth win of the year. Davis (8-8, 5.97 ERA) hurled 5.0 innings, surrendering four runs on seven hits, walking three, and striking out nine in the loss.

The Sea Dogs enjoy a league-wide off day on Monday before traveling to New Hampshire to take on the Fisher Cats on Tuesday at 7:05 PM at Delta Dental Stadium.