Defenders pound Sea Dogs

John Bowker went 4-for-5 with five RBIs as Connecticut crushed host Portland, 15-0, to sweep Saturday's doubleheader.

The 24-year-old right fielder, who was a double shy of the cycle, singled in the first inning, delivered an RBI base hit in the second, belted his 17th homer with two men on in the fourth and tripled home a run in the seventh.

Bowker also drove in five runs on June 17 at Altoona and on July 28, 2004 while playing in the Arizona Rookie League.

Pat Dobson, Simon Klink, Tyler Von Schell and Randy Ruiz also homered for the Defenders (46-60), who won the opener, 4-3. Von Schell and Klink went deep in both games.

Connecticut starter Ryan Sadowski allowed two hits, walked three and fanned four over 3 1/3 innings. Justin Hedrick worked around three walks in 1 2/3 hitless frames and Joe Bateman (3-1) picked up the win after yielding one hit while striking out one and walking one in two innings.

Dusty Brown went 2-for-3 for the Sea Dogs (55-49).

Portland starter Daniel Haigwood (3-5) surrendered six runs -- five earned -- on six hits, striking out two and walking two in two frames. --Alan Friedman/MLB.com