Wilson powers Sea Dogs to 5-3 win over Binghamton

Portland, Maine – Izzy Wilson blasted a two-run home run in the seventh inning, finishing the night 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored, leading the Portland Sea Dogs (68-61, 38-22) to a 5-3 win over the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (51-76, 23-35) on Thursday at Hadlock Field.

The Sea Dogs drove in the first run of the game in the bottom of the second inning against Rumble Ponies starter Alex Valverde. With two outs, Alex Binelas homered to right. It was his 11th home run of the season and gave Portland a 1-0 lead.

Binghamton tied up the game in the top of the third inning against Portland starter Thaddeus Ward. Matt Winaker led off with a single and Rowdey Jordan reached on a fielder’s choice, with a throwing error by Christian Koss at second. Ronny Mauricio doubled to left, scoring Winaker, tying the game 1-1.

Portland regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning with Valverde still pitching. Hudson Potts worked a one-out walk and Izzy Wilson double, putting runners at second and third. David Hamilton grounded out to first, scoring Potts, and giving the Sea Dogs a 2-1 lead. Wilyer Abreu followed with a single, scoring Wilson to increase the lead to 3-1.

The Rumble Ponies brought in two runs against Sea Dogs reliever Cody Scroggins in the top of the sixth. Mauricio walked and Luke Ritter was hit by a pitch. An errant pickoff attempt from Scroggins scored Mauricio and moved Ritter to third. Two outs later, Nic Gaddis singled to center, bringing around Ritter, and tying the game 3-3.

Wilson was able to lift the Sea Dogs ahead again in the bottom of the seventh inning with Binghamton reliever Joe Zanghi. With one out, Potts singled, and Wilson launched a two-run homer to right. It was his 11th of the year and gave Portland a 5-3 lead. Relievers Brendan Nail and Michael Gettys combined for two scoreless innings, locking down a 5-3 Sea Dogs victory.

Jacob Wallace (6-2, 4.08 ERA) tossed 1.1 scoreless innings in relief, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out four in his sixth win of the season. Zanghi (2-2, 3.20 ERA) tossed 1.1 innings, surrendering two runs on two hits while striking out one in his second loss of the year.

The Sea Dogs and Rumble Ponies play the fourth game of a six-game series on Friday with a 6:00 PM first pitch at Hadlock Field. Portland sends RHP Brian Van Belle (6-4, 4.13 ERA) to the mound against RHP Garrison Bryan (3-2, 6.69 ERA).