'Dogs rally falls short, lose 8-6 to Trenton

Portland, Maine - The Trenton Thunder overcame an early 4-0 deficit and scored eight unanswered runs, ultimately defeating the Sea Dogs 8-6 on Friday night in the series opener at Hadlock Field.

Josh Rogers (W, 1-0) earned the victory in his Double-A debut. Rogers allowed four runs on five hits in 5.2 innings. All four runs were scored by Portland in the second - Rogers retired 14 of the 15 batters he faced in the other 4.2 innings he worked.
The Sea Dogs led off the second inning with four straight hits off of Rogers. Mike Olt drove in Nick Longhi with an RBI single to plate the game's first run, then Josh Tobias doubled to make it 2-0 Portland. Jake DePew followed with an RBI groundout, and two batters later Danny Bars dropped down an RBI bunt single to extend the Sea Dogs' lead to 4-0.
Trenton began their comeback in the fifth inning against Trey Ball (L, 1-4). Billy Fleming led off by reaching on an error by Rafael Devers, then Abiatal Avelino lined out to right for the first out. After a single by Thairo Estrada, Jake Cave doubled to plate both runners and cut the Portland lead to 4-2. Ball walked Miguel Andújar and Mike Ford, then Zack Zehner drove in Cave with an RBI single to make it a 4-3 game.
Trenton took the lead in the sixth inning, adding three more runs - all scoring with two outs. Ball got two outs, but allowed singles to Fleming and Estrada before being lifted for Josh Smith. Cave then greeted Smith with an RBI single to left-center to tie the game at four. Miguel Andujar followed with a two-run single to put the Thunder ahead 6-4.
Trey Ball allowed five runs (four earned) on 11 hits while walking two and striking out three in the start for Portland.
Trenton added two more runs in the top of the ninth inning of Yankory Pimentel. 
Matt Wotherspoon worked 2.1 innings of scoreless relief and allowed just one hit while striking out five. The Sea Dogs scored twice off of Cale Coshow in the bottom of the ninth on a two-run single by Joseph Monge.
Trenton cranked out a season-high 17 hits in the win. Six Trenton players had multi-hit games.
The series continues tomorrow afternoon at Hadlock Field with a 1:00 PM first pitch. RHP Kevin McAvoy (1-2, 3.35) is scheduled to start for Portland against RHP Yefry Ramírez (5-1, 3.00) for Trenton. Tickets are available by calling 207-879-9500 or seadogs.com.
Listen live on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network beginning at 12:45 PM and watch on MiLB.TV starting at 12:55 PM.