Portland, Maine – Ronald Rosario’s pinch-hit go-ahead home run in the eighth inning lifted the Portland Sea Dogs (33-31)(68-64) to a close-fought 8-6 win over the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (33-31)(60-73) on Tuesday night, starting the final week of the regular season 1-0.
Portland’s first six hits of the game were all for extra bases, with five doubles and a two-run home run by Will Turner. They finished the night with eight total doubles. Justin Gonzales, Henry Godbout, and Johanfran Garcia all recorded multi-hit nights. Garcia had two doubles, two RBI and scored a run. RHP Joe Vogatsky was phenomenal in relief with 2.1 perfect innings, extending his hitless and scoreless streak to 8.1 innings
The Sea Dogs wasted no time getting on the board in the first inning, starting with a Gonzales leadoff walk. Garcia doubled to drive him in, and Turner smashed a ball into the Giffords Pavilion sign in right field, extending the lead to 3-0.
A string of Portland errors allowed Binghamton to score four runs and take the lead in the third inning. Corey Collins homered and JT Benson reached on an error. Mitch Voit singled to put runners on the corners. Voit stole second, Garcia’s throw got away from Godbout, and Benson scored. Marco Vargas drove in Voit and Jacob Reimer drove in Vargas with a pair of singles before the Sea Dogs escaped the inning.
Portland led off the third inning with three straight doubles, from Godbout, Brooks Brannon and Garcia, retaking the 5-4 lead.
Another error in the fourth, an overthrow to third by LHP Dalton Rogers, allowed John Bay to score and tie the game.
Chris Suero hit a go-ahead RBI groundout in the top of the fifth, as Binghamton jumped back in front 6-5.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Abraham Liendo drew the leadoff walk. Gonzales singled, his second hit of the night, and Godbout singled, tying the ballgame.
The moment of the night came in the bottom of the eighth inning. Yoeilin Cespedes doubled on his birthday, extending his hit streak to nine games, setting up Ronald Rosario for a pinch-hit go-ahead two-run home run, the ultimate game winner.
LHP Jeremy Wu-Yelland (4-1, 7.53 ERA) earned the win, dealing one shutout inning. RHP Cristofer Gomez (2-1, 4.50 ERA) was tagged with the loss, allowing two runs on two hits in the eighth inning. RHP Steven Brooks (S, 1) earned his first Double-A save.
Tomorrow night is Bark in the Park and Hockey Night! The Sea Dogs will wear their teal pinstripe throwback jerseys, as reigning Eastern League Pitcher of the Week LHP Hayden Mullins (3-4, 4.15 ERA) is set to face RHP Will Watson (0-6, 8.88 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 pm at Delta Dental Park.