Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

June 4, 2012

Sea Dogs silenced by Curve, 2-0

Portland manages just six hits and few scoring chances as it ends its road trip with a loss at Altoona.

By BILL ALBRIGHT Special to the Press Herald

ALTOONA, Pa. - On the heels of a disappointing walk-off loss to the Altoona Curve in the second game of Saturday night's doubleheader, things didn't get any better Sunday night for the Portland Sea Dogs in the series finale.

Unable to get anything going offensively, the Sea Dogs suffered a 2-0 defeat before 5,706 at Peoples Natural Gas Field.

Altoona right-hander Brandon Cumpton (7-4) held the Sea Dogs to four hits in eight innings. He struck out two and walked two.

Former Marlins and Nationals reliever Logan Kensing got the save.

"That was probably the most impressive start we have seen from an opposing pitcher this year. He was just terrific," said Sea Dogs Manager Kevin Boles. "He had real good rise on his fastball and we didn't barrel up too many balls on him. He was really good tonight."

Portland got only one runner as far as second base against Cumpton, who was aided by two double plays. He had 17 ground-ball outs, and picked Ryan Kalish off first base after a sixth-inning walk.

The Curve scored a run in the second inning and another in the third against Chris Hernandez (2-5).

In the second, Miles Durham walked, went to third on a single by Jeremy Farrell and scored when Quincy Latimore ripped a double to left. An inning later, Brock Holt walked and scored on a double to center by Tony Sanchez.

Hernandez went 5 2/3 innings, giving up six hits with three walks and four strikeouts.

"Early, it looked like he was struggling with his command," Boles said. "But when he settled down, he gave us a pretty good start.

"Hernandez has been quality for us. He has done a real nice job and we know what we are going to get from him. He knows what he is and he knows how to pitch. It is unfortunate those walks scored, but the bottom line is that he competes, and he did that tonight."

The Sea Dogs' biggest scoring threat came in the ninth. Shannon Wilkerson and Kalish greeted Kensing with back-to-back singles. Reynaldo Rodriguez followed with a line drive that was snared by third baseman Kelson Brown. Kensing then struck out Bryce Brentz before retiring Oscar Tejeda on a fly out to right.

"Rodriguez took a good swing at that pitch, but he just hit it right at the third baseman," said Boles.

"Our guys gave us a chance (to win) late in the game and they battled right to the end. Once Cumpton was out of there, (our batters) were able to make some adjustments, and as a result, we were able to put together some pretty good plate appearances in the ninth.

"That was good to see them come back like that."

The Sea Dogs start a six-game homestand Tuesday against Bowie.

 

Tweet