PORTLAND – Ryan Tepera was invited by the Toronto Blue Jays to join their major league camp during spring training.

Impressive for a pitcher drafted in the 19th round in 2009 and yet to pitch higher than Class A.

Additional Photos

Zach Gentile of the Sea Dogs reaches for a hard-hit grounder in Sunday’s game at Hadlock Field. The ball went through to the outfield for a New Hampshire hit. Photos by Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

John Tolisano of the Fisher Cats beats the tag by Portland’s Zach Gentile to steal second in Sunday’s game at Hadlock Field. New Hampshire won the final game of the five-game series, 5-1.

On Sunday, Tepera, pitching for the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, showed why Toronto is high on him.

Carrying a no-hitter into the sixth inning, Tepera helped shut down the Portland Sea Dogs 5-1 before 7,108 at Hadlock Field.

Portland managed only two hits as its winning streak ended at four.

Tepera (3-1) gave up one run on one hit and three walks, striking out six in 51/3 innings.

“He was so effective pitching inside and getting us off the plate,” Sea Dogs Manager Kevin Boles said. “He was able to command from there, and we didn’t look too comfortable.”

Sea Dogs starter Chris Hernandez (4-8, 3.13 ERA) struck out six, but also gave up eight hits in five-plus innings. He allowed four runs, two of them unearned.

Hernandez continued to pitch out of jams. He gave up a two-out, two-run single to Ryan Goins in the third. Goins’ grounder bounced over the glove of diving first baseman Reynaldo Rodriguez into right field.

“That ground ball was a play that possibly should have been made,” Boles said. “I thought Hernandez pitched well. He gave us a chance. He just kept battling.”

Hernandez left in the sixth with two on, via a fielding error and a double.

Reliever Jason Urquidez got two outs, but then allowed the runners to score on Joel Galarraga’s single to left.

Portland put together one of its few rallies in the sixth. With one out, Zach Gentile drew the third walk issued by Tepera. The wildness increased as Gentile reached third on two wild pitches.

Jackie Bradley Jr. lined a single to center, ending the no-hitter, shutout and Tepera’s day.

Reliever Ronald Uviedo hit Jeremy Hazelbaker with his first pitch, putting runners on first and second. He settled down and escaped, striking out Marquez Smith and getting Rodriguez to pop up.

In the eighth inning, Fisher Cats reliever Michael Dubee loaded the bases with two outs, on two walks and a hit-batter. He fell behind Bryce Brentz 2-0, but then struck him out.

New Hampshire got its fifth run in the ninth, the first given up by reliever Josh Fields in nine outings. John Tolisano singled, stole second, advanced to third on a groundout and scored on a ground ball, beating the throw from shortstop Derrik Gibson.

Portland got its second hit on a ninth-inning double by catcher Matt Spring.

NOTES: Right-hander Ryan Pressly, 23, was called up to Portland from advanced Class A Salem, filling the spot left when reliever Chorye Spoone was released. Pressly, a starter since he was drafted in the 11th round in 2007, was moved to the bullpen June 22. He was 5-3 with a 6.28 ERA in Salem.

Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:

kthomas@pressherald.com

Twitter: ClearTheBases

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