On this home stand that featured little offense and few wins, finding the positive may be tough for the Portland Sea Dogs.

But the pitching held up.

Portland's Ali Solis slides in a little late in an attempt to steal second base as Hartford's Pat Valaika throws to first for a double play in the third inning. Jill Brady/Staff Photographer)

And on Sunday, Justin Haley pitched a mighty fine game. But, as has been the case with Portland, the bats could not back him up. The Hartford Yard Goats topped the Sea Dogs 2-0, sending Portland (6-12) to its fourth straight defeat.

Haley (0-2) allowed only two runs on four hits in seven innings. He struck out seven and at one point retired 11 straight. His ERA dropped to 3.44.

“Just attacking the zone and throwing strikes,” Haley said. “We mixed a lot (fastballs, sliders and change-ups).”

Hartford (14-4) got a run in the first on Ryan McMahon’s RBI single, and one in the seventh on Dillon Thomas’ homer to right.

The Sea Dogs managed four hits. Only one Portland player reached second base and that’s because reliever Shane Broyles walked two batters in the seventh inning.

Portland entered its first home stand with a 3-4 record. The Sea Dogs won their home opener last week, beating Hartford 8-5. Since then, Portland has lost 8 of 10, scoring 16 runs in those 10 games.

“Just going through a little slump,” Sea Dogs Manager Carlos Febles said. “That’s part of the game. Sometimes you pitch and can’t hit. Just have to put everything together.”

Hartford starter Carlos Hernandez (2-1) held the Sea Dogs to three hits over six innings.

For Haley, it was one of his best outings. He made only one start of seven innings last year, and totaled 111/3 over his three previous starts this season. But Haley was in control (90 pitches, 61 strikes) Sunday

“The thing that was big for him was he threw a lot of strikes,” Sea Dogs’ pitching coach Kevin Walker said. “He was moving his fastball around well. And he committed to using his off-speed and had some success.”

The Sea Dogs left after the game for a three-game series in Binghamton, New York. The team returns to Hadlock Field on Friday for a 6 p.m. game against Reading.

Officially, the Sea Dogs were the “visiting” team for the past four games, which were originally scheduled to be played in Hartford. The games were moved to Hadlock because the Yard Goats’ new stadium is not ready because of construction delays.

The Yard Goats have Monday off and then play another “home” series in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The stadium is supposed to be ready by May 31 (the Sea Dogs visit June 3-6).

NOTES: Eduardo Rodriguez is not heading to Portland this week. Red Sox Manager John Farrell told reporters Sunday that Rodriguez will make his first rehab start Thursday with advanced Class A Salem. Rodriguez’s second rehab start would then be Tuesday, May 3. The Sea Dogs are home that night. … Another player from the 2015 Sea Dogs roster reached the majors when the Red Sox called up reliever Pat Light. … Febles was ejected in the eighth inning, arguing an out call at first on Jordan Weems’ grounder to short. … The announced paid attendance was 2,668.

Kevin Thomas can be reached at 791-6411 or:

kthomas@pressherald.com

Twitter: @ClearTheBases

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