MANCHESTER – That two-game win streak came to a quick halt.

The Sea Dogs, after a pair of one-run wins here on Wednesday night, were looking to make it three straight for just the second time this season.

The Fisher Cats and right-hander Yohan Pino were having none of that and pinned an 8-2 loss on Portland on Thursday night at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.

New Hampshire got to Portland starter Stolmy Pimentel early and often, and broke it open with a five-run fourth.

“We didn’t have command of the strike zone early on,” said Portland Manager Kevin Boles. “Give those guys credit. They weren’t chasing out of the strike zone. They were pretty disciplined up and down the lineup.”

Pimentel struggled in three-plus innings and walked four. It was his shortest stint of the season and he had not walked more than two batters in any other start.

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“I was trying so hard to find a way to be in the strike zone,” Pimentel said. “It happens. … When you work behind in the count, it gives the hitters confidence.”

The Fisher Cats had 13 hits in the game and the Sea Dogs had eight.

Pino and reliever Fernando Hernandez did not walk a batter.

First baseman Reynaldo Rodriguez provided most of the few highlights for the Sea Dogs.

He had a solo home run to left field in the sixth inning — his team-record ninth homer in May — and knocked in Portland’s first run. He also added a single in the eighth. Fifteen of his last 18 hits are for extra bases, with the nine homers, five doubles and a triple.

“We plugged him into the middle of the lineup and he’s offered us some protection there,” Boles said. “He’s done a nice job hitting in front of (Bryce) Brentz. He’s picked it up.”

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Juan Carlos Linares and Rodriguez ripped back-to-back, two-out doubles to put the Sea Dogs on the board in the first inning.

Not a whole lot went right for Portland after that.

The Fisher Cats tied it in the bottom of the first, scored a couple in the second and tacked on five in the fourth, knocking Pimentel from the game.

Pimentel gave up six hits, five runs and walked four while striking out two.

Jeremy Kehrt relieved Pimentel in the fourth and allowed five hits and three runs in two innings. Will Latimer allowed two hits, struck out three and did not walk a batter in his three innings.

The Sea Dogs fell to 17-29. The Fisher Cats are 18-27.

NOTES: Outfielder Shannon Wilkerson and pitcher Marco Duarte joined the Sea Dogs from high Class A Salem. Wilkerson made his Double-A debut in center field, batted second and was hitless in four at-bats. … Roster spots opened when outfielder Ronald Bermudez was promoted to Triple-A and infielder Kolbrin Vitek went on the disabled list, retroactive to May 22, with an intercostal strain. … Linares left the game after fouling a ball off his leg in the sixth inning.

 


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