Lugo's Two Run Home Run Lifts Sea Dogs to Victory 

Portland, Maine- The Portland Sea Dogs (24-24, 64-54) complete the eighth inning comeback to defeat the Richmond Flying Squirrels (23-23, 58-57) 6-4 on Thursday night Hadlock Field.

Alex Binelas blasted his second homer in as many games to take the team-lead with fifteen on the season. Tyler Esplin recorded a multi-hit day going two-for-three with a double and a single while Matthew Lugo went two-for-four with a single along with a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth. Angel Bastardo made his Double-A debut pitching 6.0 innings to start allowing three runs on six hits while walking two and striking out four. Jacob Webb earned his eighth save of the season with a perfect eighth before Alex Hoppe retired the side in order in the ninth to earn his first Double-A save.

Portland took the early lead, plating two runs in the bottom of the third inning. Alex Binelas ignited the scoring with his second homer in as many days. The leadoff solo shot marked his team-leading fifteenth of the season to put the Sea Dogs on the board. Nick Yorke extended the lead with a sacrifice fly to left field to put Portland on top 2-0.

Richmond evened the score in the top of the fourth after an RBI double from Victor Bericoto along with an RBI double from Logan Wyatt.

Bericoto put Richmond on top in the top of the sixth after a solo blast to left field.

Will Wilson extended the 4-2 lead in the top of the seventh with an RBI double to score Jimmy Glowenke.

Corey Rosier put Portland within one in the bottom of the seventh inning with an RBI single to score Alex Erro.

Blaze Jordan hit a single to left field in the bottom of the eighth inning before Tyler McDonough replaced him as a pinch runner. McDonough scored from first on an error by the catcher to tie the game at four. Lugo launched his fourth homer of the season deep past the Maine Monster in left field and the two-run blast gave the Sea Dogs the 6-4 lead.

Portland reliever RHP Jacob Webb (8-3, 5.24 ERA) earned the win after pitching a perfect eighth inning with a pair of strikeouts. He did not issue a walk. Alex Hoppe earned his first Double-A save after pitching a perfect ninth with two strikeouts. He did not issue a walk. The loss was issued to Richmond reliever RHP Sean Delaplane (1-2, 5.73 ERA) after pitching 2.0 innings allowing four runs on four hits while walking one and striking out two.

The Sea Dogs return to Hadlock Field on tomorrow, August 25th, 2023 for game four of a six-game series against the Richmond Flying Squirrels. First pitch for game four is slated for 6:00pm. Portland will start RHP Isaac Coffey (5-3, 3.65 ERA) while Richmond will give the ball to RHP Carson Seymour (3-2, 3.63 ERA).