truebluefan

The Portland Sea Dogs dropped a doubleheader on Friday night to the Connecticut Defenders, 10-4 and 1-0 at Hadlock Field. Portland remains four games in front of Trenton for the top spot in the Northern Division and an 8 ½ game lead over Binghamton for the second playoff spot.

In game one, Chris Begg (8-9) beat Portland for the third time this season, hurling a complete game, allowing eight hits and four runs. Begg was perfect in five of seven frames, allowing two runs in the fourth and seventh innings. Jose Vaquedano (6-4) lasted three innings, giving up six runs (four earned) on three hits, five walks but fanned six.

Brian Buscher went 3-for-4 with a home run and 5 RBI, including a two-run homer in the seventh inning. Connecticut received 10 walks from four different Sea Dogs pitchers and scored four unearned runs.

Luis Jimenez went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI; Tyler Minges and Jeremy West added RBI singles in the loss.

In game two, Travis Ishikawa singled home Brian Buscher with two outs in the fourth inning for the game's only run. Scott Shoemaker suffered the loss in his third straight spot start with the Sea Dogs. Shoemaker worked five innings, allowing one run, six hits and one walk.

Scott Munter pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Jason Waddell to earn his first win of the season. Billy Sadler notched the save, retiring Luis Jimenez with runners at first and second to end the game.

Notes...Portland has lost two, 1-0 games this season...Jacoby Ellsbury finished the doubleheader 2-for-6 with a stolen base...Chris Durbin had a hit in each game, extending his hitting streak to five games.

Allied Home Mortgage Big Dog of the Game: Luis Jimenez (1), Scott Shoemaker (2)