Lackey scoreless, 'Dogs beat the Mets 8-2

(Portland, Maine) - On Monday night, John Lackey became the 28th Major Leaguer to rehab for the Portland Sea Dogs. He worked 3.2 scoreless frames on three hits, two walks and fanned five.  The Sea Dogs beat the Binghamton Mets, 8-2 in the series opener, and improved to 4-1 on the homestand.

Keith Couch (1-0) relieved Lackey (67 pitches/45 strikes), and earned the win.  The right-hander hurled four innings on four hits, two runs (one earned) and three strikeouts.

Binghamton committed five errors (tied a season-high), leading to seven unearned runs.  Jacob DeGrom (0-2) suffered the loss, yielding six runs (one earned) over five innings.

Portland scored three times in the first off DeGrom.  Xander Bogaerts (3-for-5) reached on a three-base error by centerfielder Alonzo Harris and scored on Travis Shaw's groundout.   Michael Almanzar capped off the rally with a  two-run double, and finished night 2-for-4.

In the second, Christian Vazquez led off the frame with a walk, and advanced to third base on a double.  Shannon Wilkerson lined an RBI single, but Harris bobbled the hit, enabling the fifth run to score.

The sloppy defense for the Mets continued in the fourth inning.  Bogaerts singled to right field, but the throw to third to base struck Wilkerson, he scored, giving the 'Dogs a 6-0 advantage.  In the sixth, a two-base error by left fielder Darrell Ceciliani on J.C. Linares' single, gave Portland an 8-0 lead.

Binghamton's Daniel Muno provided the offense, delivering a two-run single in the seventh.

Chris Martin closed out the victory with 1.1 innings, extending his scoreless streak to 13.1 to start the season.

Prime Motor Group Player of the Game: Keith Couch (4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, ER, 0 BB, 3 SO)

The Sea Dogs and Binghamton Mets continue their three-game series on Tuesday night at Hadlock Field.  Lefty Craig Breslow makes a Major League Rehab Assignment for the Sea Dogs.  RHP Tyler Pill (1-1, 7.20) makes his fourth start of the season.  Tickets are available online at seadogs.com or by calling 207-879-9500. Radio coverage begins at 5:40 on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network and via the Tune-In Radio app for smartphones and tablets.