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

June 1, 2012

Brentz, Sea Dogs still sizzling

Bryce Brentz has another five-hit game and Portland wins a series in Harrisburg for the first time since 2007.

By MICK REINHARD Special to the Press Herald

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Bryce Brentz's record-setting day led the Portland Sea Dogs to a 7-2 victory over the Harrisburg Senators on Thursday in front of 4,659 at Metro Bank Park.

The Dogs won 2 of 3, their first series win in Harrisburg since 2007.

Brentz capped his torrid month by going 5 for 5 with three doubles, four runs scored and one run batted in. Brentz became the first player in franchise history to collect five hits in a game more than once; he also did it May 13 against Trenton.

"I think the situations I batted in helped out a lot. Three out of the five times I led off the inning and another time there was a guy on first, so I got to see some pitches," Brentz said. "It was one of those days where everything seemed to fall into place and I was lucky enough to take advantage and have some good swings today."

Eight players had at least a hit for the Sea Dogs, who had a season-high 16. Shannon Wilkerson, Dan Butler, Derrik Gibson and Nick Natoli chipped in with two hits apiece.

"I thought our guys managed our (at-bats) well today," said Dogs Manager Kevin Boles. "Our guys worked counts and were able to get pitches to hit."

The Sea Dogs scored first with a two-run second inning on RBI singles by Gibson and Jeremy Hazelbaker.

After the Senators cut the lead to 2-1, the Sea Dogs responded when Butler launched a two-run home run onto the left-field boardwalk. Portland added a run in the fifth, sixth and ninth innings.

Ryan Kalish played center field and batted third as he continued his rehab assignment after a brief three-game stint with Class A Salem.

Kalish, who is recovering from surgery last November to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, was 1 for 4 with a double.

Portland starter Chris Balcom-Miller labored through five innings before being pulled after 92 pitches. Balcom-Miller scattered six hits, walked three and struck out two to earn his third victory.

Reliever Marco Duarte worked four scoreless innings to earn his first save of the season and impressed Boles.

"He attacks the zone, does a nice job holding the running game together and maintains his stuff from the stretch," Boles said. "I thought he pitched very well for us today."

The Sea Dogs, who have won 7 of 10, head to Altoona for a weekend series against the Curve to complete their six-game trip.

The Sea Dogs are back at Hadlock Field to start a three-game series with Bowie on Tuesday.

 

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