MANCHESTER, N.H. — Fitting how the Portland Sea Dogs finished their 2016 schedule: They had some chances, but missed out on opportunities … much like the whole season.

The Sea Dogs managed eight hits, but lost to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats 3-1 Monday afternoon at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.

Twice the Sea Dogs had runners on first and third with one out. They hit into double plays both times.

“That’s the bottom line,” Sea Dogs Manager Carlos Febles said. “We pitched well and played good defense, but could not get the big hit.”

The Sea Dogs finished 55-84, the second-worst record in the Eastern League, percentage points ahead of Bowie (56-86). The Fisher Cats finished 69-73.

Mauricio Dubon went 2 for 4 to finish with a .339 average in 62 games, since his promotion from Class A. Dubon’s adjustment to Double-A was one of the Sea Dogs’ achievements this year.

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The highlights of 2016 were, of course, the rapid rise of outfielder Andrew Benintendi and third baseman Yoan Moncada, who went from Salem to Portland and then straight to the majors.

Portland almost celebrated another achievement as Aneury Tavarez just missed out on the Eastern League batting title. Still, his .335 average is 90 points higher than his career average. Tavarez went into Monday with a five-point lead in the batting race, but Febles elected to sit Tavarez, who had played six straight games.

Binghamton Mets infielder Phillip Evans went 4 for 6 Monday and overtook Tavarez for the batting title, edging him .3351 to .3350. Evans benefited by the Mets going into extra innings and singled in the 11th inning, putting his average above Tavarez. When Evans was to bat in the 13th inning, the Mets pinch hit for him, guaranteeing him the title.

Febles focused on individual accomplishments when talking about the team before the game.

“The win-loss record does not reflect how well this season went for us, to be honest with you,” Febles said. “Two guys went up to the big leagues from here, and we have a guy who can win the batting title. The guys who came up from Salem did well. Our guys got better. At the end of the day, that’s a winning season for us.”

Febles said he hasn’t heard officially about next year, but assumes he is returning to Portland.

NOTES: The announced paid attendance in New Hampshire was 5,138. The Fisher Cats finished with a 4,834 average attendance, sixth-best in the Eastern League (Portland was third at 5,354) … The Eastern League West Division race went down to the last day. Akron (77-64) clinched the division with an 8-6 win over Bowie. Altoona (76-64) took the second berth with a 2-0, 10th-inning win over Richmond. Altoona’s victory eliminated the Harrisburg Senators (76-66) … Akron will play Altoona in one league semifinal series, East Division winner Reading plays runner-up Trenton in the other.

 


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