The Portland Sea Dogs brought out one of the best pitchers in the Eastern League, but so did the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

Sea Dogs right-hander Justin Haley gave up only one run but took the loss Saturday night in a 4-1 game at Hadlock Field.

Haley (5-4), whose 2.20 ERA is fifth-best in the Eastern League, allowed four hits and one walk but lasted only 42/3 innings because his pitch count hit 92. He struck out four.

Richmond left-hander Adalberto Mejia (3-2), second in the league with a 1.94 ERA, pitched seven shutout innings, allowing three hits – two by Ryan Court – and striking out four.

Hunter Cole broke the game open with a three-run homer in the eighth off Taylor Grover. Sean Coyle’s single in the eighth produced Portland’s only run.

An omen for Haley’s night came in the first when Christian Arroyo struck out on a nine-pitch at-bat.

Through three innings, Haley allowed only one hit and no walks but was up to 47 pitches.

In the fourth, Haley gave up a run on a walk, a double and a groundout. He left with two outs in the fifth after giving up two singles.

Ty Buttrey, making his second appearance since moving to the bullpen, followed with 21/3 no-hit innings, walking one and striking out two.

Mejia, meanwhile, retired the first 10 Sea Dogs on 31 pitches.

Mejia, 22, is considered the San Francisco Giants’ fifth-best pitching prospect and top left-hander by Baseball America. This is already his third season with Richmond (he missed 50 games last year for using a stimulant).

The Sea Dogs rarely got good contact. Court got the first hit with a double to left with one out in the fourth. Andrew Benintendi (walk) and Nate Freiman (infield single) reached to load the bases, but Cole Sturgeon hit into a double play.

A walk and a Court single put runners on first and third in the sixth, but Mejia escaped with a strikeout and a groundout.

NOTES: The announced paid attendance was 5,391. … The Sea Dogs wore olive-colored jerseys as part of their Top Gun promotion. The jerseys will be auctioned off for charity, starting Tuesday. … In Pawtucket, Henry Owens allowed one run on six hits, two walks and one hit batter over 52/3 innings, striking out five. … Before Sunday’s game at Hadlock, ticket holders can play catch in the outfield from 10 to 11:15 a.m. … The Sea Dogs and Portland Kiwanis are holding a food drive before Sunday’s game. Fans are asked to bring nonperishable items for the Good Shepherd Food Bank. … A wedding took place before the game, with the couple exchanging vows at home plate. Slugger the mascot served as the ring bearer. The reception was held in one of the sky boxes.

Kevin Thomas can be reached at 791-6411 or:

kthomas@pressherald.com

Twitter: ClearTheBases

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