Betances Shines But Thunder Lose Another Late Lead

(Portland, ME) - Drew Hedman's walk-off home run leading off the bottom of the ninth capped Portland's comeback from a late 3-0 deficit to defeat the Trenton Thunder, 4-3, Saturday night at Hadlock Field. After being shutout on only three hits through seven innings, the Sea Dogs scored three in the eighth and one in the ninth to stun the Thunder, who lost on a walk-off hit for the fourth time in June.

Dellin Betances made a successful return to the mound for the Thunder after being transferred from AAA Scranton on Wednesday, pitching six shutout innings. He allowed three hits and three walks while striking out five and left the game with a 2-0 lead.

Francisco Rondon allowed all four batters he faced to reach starting the eighth, with Jeremy Hazelbaker hitting a bases-clearing double to left center to tie the score. Then Hedman, just called up from the Carolina League, hit Lee Hyde's (2-3) pitch over the right field fence for his first Double-A home run to win the game.

Addison Maruszak hit his second home run in as many days and seventh of the season, a solo shot to lead off the first inning. Damon Sublett's RBI single in the sixth made the score 2-0, and Jose Gil's third single of the game extended the lead to three in the eighth.

Trenton, which has lost three straight for the first time since April 25-27, finished the month of June with a 15-13 record. The Thunder lost four games on walk-off hits in the month and six times in the opposing team' final at-bat.

The Thunder and Sea Dogs continue the five-game series on Sunday afternoon with a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 pm. Lefty Vidal Nuno (3-1, 0.89) will pitch the opener against lefty Drake Britton (1-2, 4.32). Right-hander Ryan Pope (3-5, 4.76) is expected to start for Trenton in the nightcap while Portland counters with righty Jeremy Kehrt (2-1, 5.36). Radio coverage on 91.3 FM (WTSR) and also streaming online begins at 12:45 pm.