Couch, Shaw Lead Sea Dogs to 5-2 Win at Fenway

(Boston, MA) - Right-handed pitcher Keith Couch (8-3) worked seven strong innings and first baseman Travis Shaw went 3-for-4 with a homer, leading the Portland Sea Dogs (53-54) past the Harrisburg Senators 5-2 on Saturday afternoon in the Eighth Annual Futures at Fenway. Portland improved to 3-1 All-Time at Fenway Park.

Couch retired 16 of the final 17 batters faced, not allowing a hit after the second inning. The righty is 5-1, 3.16 ERA in 10 starts, since replacing Brandon Workman in the rotation on June 9th.

Miguel Celestino worked eighth, allowing a two-out double, but fanned Justin Bloxom to end the threat and earn his third hold. Matt Maloney gave up two singles with two outs in the ninth, but induced a fly out to rightfielder Ronald Bermudez to end the game. Maloney earned his first save in the Red Sox system.

Right-handed pitcher Taylor Hill (2-4) had his roughest outing in Double-A, giving up a season-high four runs on five hits over five innings pitched.

With the win, Portland snapped a two-game losing streak in the series and pulled within a 1.5 of second place Trenton.

Harrisburg scored a single run in their first two turns against Couch. Brian Goodwin led off the game with a triple and scored on a sac-fly by Bloxom. In the second, Couch walked two batters and allowed a run-scoring single to Brian Jeroloman.

Portland came back in their second, scoring three times off Hill. Shannon Wilkerson put Portland on the board with an RBI ground out. With two outs, Heiker Meneses nailed a two-un double off the Green Monster.
The thrill of a lifetime for Travis Shaw to start the bottom of the fourth, launching a solo-homer into the visitor's bullpen, giving Portland a 4-2 lead. The homer was the 13th for Shaw and his second of the series. Portland added the final run of the day on a wild pitch in the seventh.

Prime Motor Group Player of the Game: Keith Couch

The Sea Dogs and Senators wrap up their four-game series on Sunday afternoon at Hadlock Field. RHP Terry Doyle (1-3, 5.00) takes on RHP Nathan Karns (7-3, 3.42). First pitch is 1:00 PM.
 
Radio coverage begins at 12:40 PM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network and via the Tune-In Radio app for smartphones and tablets. Sunday is Kids Run the Bases at Hadlock Field. Tickets are available by calling 207-879-9500 or at seadogs.com.