PORTLAND — The Portland Sea Dogs took a quick 6-0 lead, but the Binghamton Mets made it 6-6 in the top of the fifth.

This looked like it was going to be a wild one, Monday night at Hadlock Field. But the game settled down, and the Sea Dogs took advantage of solid relief and some heads-up plays to take a 7-6 decision before 5,126 at Hadlock Field.

Additional Photos

Jose Iglesias fields a ground ball for an out Monday night against the Binghamton Mets. Portland opened its season-ending, eight-game homestand with a 7-6 win. Photos by John Patriquin/Staff Photographer

Ryan Khoury connects for a single against Binghamton on Monday night at Hadlock. The Dogs built an early 6-0 lead but starter Jeremy Kehrt couldn’t hold it, setting up a dramatic fifth inning.

After Anthony Rizzo stole third base in the bottom of the fifth inning, Jorge Padron brought him home for the winning run on a deep sacrifice fly to center field.

Sea Dogs reliever Ryne Reynoso (2-0) got the win with 31/3 shutout innings in relief.

“My stuff has been feeling better,” said Reynoso, the former Boston College and Sanford Mainers pitcher. “I’m starting to feel comfortable for the first time this season — and it’s the last two weeks.”

New closer Dan Turpen picked up his third save with a scoreless ninth — helped by Nate Spears’ diving catch of a line drive at second base, resulting in a double play.

Turpen had walked the leadoff batter on four pitches, and pinch-runner Jonathan Malo entered. With a full count on Marshall Hubbard, Malo got a good lead and took off.

Hubbard sizzled a line drive toward center, but Spears made the diving catch. He threw to first to easily double-up Malo.

“Basically a reaction play,” Spears said. “He hit it hard and it worked out for us.”

Turpen struck out Eric Campbell to end the game.

Chih-Hsien Chiang paced Portland with three hits and a RBI. Jose Iglesias recorded two hits and a RBI, and Luis Exposito added two RBI.

The Sea Dogs took a 1-0 first-inning lead (Iglesias double, Spears RBI single) and then jumped on Binghamton starter Robert Carson (1-5) with five runs in the second inning.

Ryan Khoury (single), Will Vazquez (RBI double), Chiang (RBI double), Che-Hsuan Lin (single), Iglesias (RBI single), Exposito (two-run double) kept the line moving for Portland.

But Portland starter Jeremy Kehrt could not hold the lead. He allowed a run in the third, left bases loaded in the fourth, and could not finish the fifth.

The Mets scored five runs on seven hits — two of which were long fly balls that Portland outfielders sprinted after, but could not snare.

“We didn’t play defense behind him,” Portland Manager Arnie Beyeler said.

Reynoso entered and got a groundout to end the rally.

Carson walked Rizzo and Khoury with one out in the fifth. Carson was not checking the runners and both took off on a double steal.

“A real head-up base-running play,” Beyeler said. “It was the difference in the game.”

NOTES: Third baseman Ray Chang, the Sea Dogs leading hitter with a .298 average, is out for the rest of the season with a broken finger. Chang, 27, was hit by a pitch Sunday in New Hampshire. … Portland catcher Ryan Lavarnway was chosen the Eastern League Player of the Week after batting .421 (8 for 19) with three doubles, four home runs and seven RBI. … Former Sea Dogs outfielder Josh Reddick was named the International League Player of the Week for the second time this month, after batting .500 (17 for 34) with four doubles, five home runs and 12 RBI. …

Before Monday’s game, the Portland Hurling Club put on a demonstration in the outfield. … Today’s pregame festivities feature the Sea Dogs Hall of Fame inductions of former catcher Mike Redmond and former EL president Bill Troubh.

Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at: kthomas@pressherald.com

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