Kent strikes out a career-high 11 batters in 4-2 loss

Portland, Maine - The Trenton Thunder (33-30) rallied for two runs in the top of the eighth and prevailed 4-2 over the Sea Dogs (28-33) on Friday night at Hadlock Field.

With the game tied 2-2 in the eighth, Robinson Leyer (L, 1-1) walked the bases loaded to begin the inning. Jordan Weems entered the game and struck out Isiah Gilliam, but allowed the game-winning hit on an RBI single from Brandon Wagner. Two batters later Francisco Arcia walked with the bases loaded to extend the lead to 4-2.
It was the Sea Dogs who took an early lead in the ballgame, scoring twice off of Albert Abreu in the bottom of the first. After an infield single and error by Abreu put runners at the corners for Portland with no one out, Tommy Joseph and Joey Curletta hit back-to-back singles to give the Sea Dogs a 2-0 lead after one.
Trenton scored their first run on an RBI single by Rashad Crawford to score Max Burt in the third inning off of Matthew Kent.
The Thunder tied it off of Kent on an RBI single by Zack Zehner in the fifth.
The Thunder bullpen combined to work six scoreless innings of relief. James Reeves went three innings and fanned five. Trevor Lane (W, 4-2) worked 1.1 innings and struck out three. Braden Bristo (S, 1) closed things out with a perfect final 1.2 innings with three strikeouts. The Thunder staff combined to strikeout 14 Sea Dogs hitters.
Portland had chances in the sixth and eighth. The 'Dogs had runners at the corners with nobody out against Reeves in the sixth but couldn't score. Then in the eighth, they loaded the bases with one out, but Bristo struck out Nick Lovullo and Jarren Duran to end the inning. The Sea Dogs finished 3-for-18 with runners in scoring position.
Thunder starter Albert Abreu allowed two runs on five hits over three innings while walking two and striking out three.
Kent allowed two runs on six hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out a career-high 11, which also matched a Sea Dogs season-high by a single pitcher.
Weems struck out six over two scoreless innings of relief for Portland. The 17 strikeouts combined by Kent and Weems tied a season-high for the Sea Dogs.
The Sea Dogs and Trenton Thunder (Yankees affiliate) continue their series with a 6:00 PM first pitch on Saturday night at Hadlock Field. RHP Konner Wade (4-4, 3.21) takes on Trenton RHP Shawn Semple (0-2, 6.66). Radio coverage on the WPEI U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network begins at 5:45 PM. The game is available on the tune-in app and MiLB.TV.
Tickets for Saturday's game are available at 207-879-9500 or seadogs.com. Book your nine-inning vacation today!