'Cats with a 4-run seventh, win 5-2

Manchester, N.H. - The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (65-68) scored four times in the seventh inning and earned a 5-2 victory over the Sea Dogs (50-86) on Tuesday night at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.

Trailing 2-1 in the seventh, Emilio Guerrero delivered a two-run single off of Simon Mercedes (L, 3-3) to give the Fisher Cats a 3-2 lead. Later in the inning, Jorge Flores and KC Hobson each added RBI singles to extend the New Hampshire lead to 5-2. It was the second straight night the Fisher Cats scored multiple runs late and Portland's third straight game with a blown save.

The Fisher Cats took the early lead on back-to-back two-out doubles by Dwight Smith Jr. and K.C. Hobson to take a 1-0 lead in the first. Portland responded in the sixth on a two-out RBI single by Keury De La Cruz to tie the game at one. Jordan Weems led off the seventh with a solo home run off of Austin Bibens-Dirkx (W, 6-8) to make it 2-1 Sea Dogs.

Bibens-Dirkx still earned the win thanks to New Hampshire's three-run seventh, he allowed two earned runs on seven hits in seven innings and threw a season-high 112 pitches. Mike McCarthy had no decision but threw a quality start, allowing just one earned run on six hits in six innings while walking one and striking out three.

The series continues tomorrow night at 6:35 PM, pregame coverage begins live on the WPEI U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network at 6:15 PM. Aaron Wilkerson (3-1, 3.03) goes for his fourth straight win for Portland, Taylor Cole (6-10, 4.24) takes the mound for New Hampshire. Tickets are still available for the last Sea Dogs homestand of the season from September 4-7 and can be purchased by phone at 207-879-9500 or online at seadogs.com.