Portland, Maine – It was a party in Portland as the Portland Sea Dogs (34-32)(69-65) won 14-6 over the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (34-32)(61-74) on a night that saw Will Middlebrooks, Sally McNamara and Bill Burke inducted into the Sea Dogs Hall of Fame.
The Sea Dogs blasted four home runs, one of each kind, as every batter in the order collected at least one hit. Ahbram Liendo hit his second grand slam of the season over the Maine Monster. Caden Rose hit a three-run shot and Ronald Rosario plated two with another pair of homers over the Monster. Mason White was three-for-three with a solo home run and two walks. He finished the night a triple shy of the cycle.
With 14 strikeouts on the night, Portland pitchers surpassed 1400 strikeouts for the first time in franchise history. Their 185 home runs is currently second best all time, as they chase down the franchise record of 191.
It was all Binghamton to start. In the top of the first, Mitch Voit and Jefferson Rojas reached base before Jacob Reimer hit a three-run home run, and the Rumble Ponies led 3-0.
Nelly Taylor and Mason White executed a double steal in the third inning as White scored to put the Sea Dogs on the board.
Portland sent nine batters to the plate and exploded for six runs on five hits in the fourth inning, including Liendo’s grand slam and Rosario’s homer. White’s solo homer came in the seventh.
After two quick outs to start the eighth inning, the Sea Dogs put together a string of five hits and one walk, capped off by Rose’s three run home run, for their second six-run inning of the night, extending the lead to 14-4. Brannon started the surge with a double, Rosario singled, Garcia doubled, Cespedes singled, and White walked.
LHP Erik Rivera hit two batters and walked one with two hits in the ninth inning, allowing Binghamton to plate two runs. He bounced back to end the game, 14-6.
LHP Tyler Davis (2-2, 5.29 ERA) earned the win, allowing no runs on three hits with three strikeouts in 2.1 innings pitched. RHP Luke Gabrysh (1-2, 6.88 ERA) was tagged with the loss, allowing four runs on three hits and three walks with five strikeouts in 3.1 innings of work.
Tomorrow night, the Sea Dogs will commemorate the 25th anniversary of September 11th and honor the lives lost and the heroes who answered the call. As a thank you for their service, the Sea Dogs are offering free tickets to first responders for the game. A pitcher to be announced for Portland will face RHP R.J. Gordon (5-8, 4.52 ERA) for Binghamton. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 pm at Delta Dental Park at Hadlock Field.