Sea Dogs battle, but fall 8-6 in New Hampshire

(Manchester, NH) - The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (67-69) scored two
runs in the late innings and beat the Portland Sea Dogs (66-70) 8-6 on
Wednesday night at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. The win puts New
Hampshire back in third place by a game over the Sea Dogs, who drop to
4-3 on their 8-game trip.

After Portland tied the game with five runs in the seventh, the Fisher
Cats answered with a run off losing pitcher Eric Niesen (1-3). Ryan
Schimpf (3-for-4, HR, RBI) doubled and scored on a double by Kevin
Ahrens (2-for-2, 2 RBI). New Hampshire added a run off Matt Maloney
in the eighth on a run-scoring single by Andy Burns.

Alan Farina (1-1) blew his third save, but earned his first win of the
season. Ryan Tepera yielded two hits in the ninth, but notched his
first save. Niesen gave up six hits and four runs over one inning
pitched.

Both teams scored in the second inning. The 'Dogs took a 1-0 lead on a
run-scoring double by Ryan Dent, but Schimpf tied the game with a
solo-homer to right, his league-leading 23rd of the season.

The Fisher Cats scored five runs in the sixth inning to take 6-1 lead.
Jeremy Kehrt left the game after 5.1 strong innings with two on and
one out. Niesen allowed a pinch-hit RBI single to Kevin Ahrens to the
first batter faced. New Hampshire scored four more times on a two-run
double by Amadeo Zazueta, a run-scoring single by Kenny Wilson and a
sac-fly from Burns. Kehrt made the spot start for Matt Barnes,
allowing three runs, five hits, three walks and four strikeouts.

Portland responded with a five-spot in the seventh inning off New
Hampshire's bullpen. Garin Cecchini cleared the bases with a triple
off Farina. Christian Vazquez added a run-scoring ground out, but J.C.
Linares tied the game with a solo-homer to left. Linares had 3
homers and 10 RBI in the series.

Cecchini improved his team-leading on-base streak to 37 straight
games, the fourth longest streak in team history.

Prime Motor Group Player of the Game: J.C. Linares

The Sea Dogs and Fisher Cats (Blue Jays affiliate) meet for the final
time this season on Thursday night at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.
RHP Keith Couch (10-3, 3.49) takes on RHP Casey Lawrence (0-0, 1.80).

Radio coverage begins at 6:15 PM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio
Network and seadogs.com powered by the Tune-In Radio app. Portland's
final homestand begins on August 30th versus the Trenton Thunder
(Yankees affiliate). Tickets are available by calling 207-879-9500 or
at seadogs.com.