Binghamton, N.Y. — The Portland Sea Dogs (17-10) scored three runs early and Mike McCarthy (2-2) fired six strong inning, leading the Sea Dogs to a 4-1 victory over the Binghamton Mets in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at NYSEG Stadium. After losing the first 2 games of the series, the ”˜Dogs took the final two games, and have not lost a series on the road this season.

McCarthy’s only blemish came in the fifth inning, yielding an unearned run on a bases-loaded infield-single by Wilfredo Tovar. The righty has won two straight starts, giving up just five hits, two walks and fanning six (season-high).

RF Henry Ramos paced Portland’s 11-hit attack, going 4-for-4 with a huge two-out RBI single in eighth, giving the Sea Dogs a 4-1 lead. 

Travis Shaw (2-for-4) had a say in Portland’s first run in the opening frame against Rainy Lara (2-1). Mookie Betts led off the game with a single to right field, extending his on-base streak to 56 regular season games. Shaw ripped a double to right field, but Cory Vaughn bobbled the hit, allowing Betts to score from first base.

Portland responded in the second inning, putting two runs on the board, taking a 3-0 lead. Ramos began the rally with a double and scored on Heiker Meneses’ single. Peter Hissey followed with a sacrifice-bunt and Betts delivered again, ripping a run-scoring single to center.

Lara suffered his first loss of the season for the Mets, giving up eight hits and three runs (two earned) over five innings.

Binghamton didn’t strand a runner during the first 4 innings, but left 10 in the game. Noe Ramirez stranded four runners over two innings to earn his second hold of the season. In the bottom of the ninth, Miguel Celestino gave up two hits with two outs, but retired Brian Burgamy on a fielder’s choice to end the game. Celestino has earned both saves in Binghamton.