BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – The Portland Sea Dogs wrapped up a successful first road trip of the season with an effort that was perfect for a getaway day.

Brandon Workman and Chris Martin combined on a six-hit shutout as the Sea Dogs needed just 2:09 to stop the Binghamton Mets 1-0 in an Eastern League game Wednesday.

“That’s good, then you have a seven-hour bus trip and a game (today),” Martin, the first EL pitcher of the week, said after picking up his first save.

The Sea Dogs were able to pack up and leave the southern tier of New York a little earlier thanks to the efficient work of their two pitchers.

Workman has three wins in three starts this season after striking out nine and giving up just four hits. Martin remains unscored upon through 11 innings in four games after striking out three in two innings.

Neither pitcher allowed a walk or an extra-base hit.

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“The guys played well,” Sea Dogs Manager Kevin Boles said. “The pitching obviously has been one of our strengths but we played quality defense. That’s a nice combination.”

The trip started and ended with winning performances by Workman.

“This is the best my stuff has been,” said Workman, a second-round draft pick by Boston in 2010. “I was able to have all four pitches working.”

Workman, last year’s Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Year, has given up just 10 hits and two walks while striking out 25 in 18 innings.

“He’s got great stuff,” Boles said. “He’s an exciting arm to watch.”

Workman came out on top of a duel with Binghamton’s Jacob DeGrom, who was making his Double-A debut. DeGrom allowed just three hits and a walk while striking out eight in eight innings.

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The Sea Dogs managed the game’s only run in the fourth.

Xander Bogaerts doubled down the right-field line to lead off the inning. Bogaerts took third on a Travis Shaw groundout and scored on a Tony Thomas sacrifice fly.

Thomas has driven in at least one run in six straight games, compiling 10 RBI in that stretch.

“Whenever there are runners on, he seems to put together a quality at-bat,” Boles said.

Two of the first three Mets singled against Martin in the eighth, putting runners on the corners, but he answered with consecutive strikeouts.

“He’s had a lot of success early this year,” Boles said. “For him to pitch out of that jam, he showed a lot of poise, a lot of composure.”

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Martin likes the way his season has started.

“This year I got in a couple of big league spring training games and did pretty well,” he said. “That was a huge confidence booster.”

NOTES:Red Sox relief pitcher Craig Breslow will join the Sea Dogs for a rehab stint Tuesday.

Acquired last season from Arizona, Breslow has been plagued by left shoulder problems and has yet to pitch this season.

 


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