Sea Dogs Drop Series Opener in New Hampshire 7-2

Manchester, NH - The Sea Dogs (32-60) outhit the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (46-42), but couldn't capitalize with runners in scoring position and lost 7-2 in game one of a four-game series at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.

Portland finished the game 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10 runners. After the Sea Dogs scored in the third on an RBI groundout by Oscar Tejeda to plate Manuel Margot and take a 1-0 lead, New Hampshire would follow with seven unanswered runs.

Blake Swihart batted second and served as DH for Portland on a rehab assignment and went 2-for-3 with a double and also reached on an error.

Justin Haley (L, 3-11) allowed four runs (three earned) on three infield hits in 2.2 innings, walking four and striking out three. Simon Mercedes worked three innings of relief and allowed three earned runs, two of which came on a home run from Dwight Smith Jr. in the sixth inning. Williams Jerez went 1.1 scoreless for Portland, and Jorge Marban pitched a scoreless eighth.

Casey Lawrence (9-8) earned the win for the Fisher Cats, allowing an earned run on four hits in six innings and striking out six. The Sea Dogs added their second run in the eighth inning on an RBI single by Jake Romanski off of Chad Girodo.

The series continues tomorrow night, first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM. Danny Rosenbaum (0-1, 36.00 ERA) makes his second start as a Sea Dog while Taylor Cole (4-7, 4.19) makes his 18th start of the year for New Hampshire. Pregame coverage begins on the WPEI U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network at 6:45 PM. Tickets for the next Sea Dogs' homestand beginning on July 20th are available and can be purchased by phone at 207-879-9500 and online at seadogs.com.