TRENTON, N.J. — The Portland Sea Dogs (56-28) held a six-run advantage early, staved off a furious comeback and downed the Trenton Thunder (39-47,) 8-6 Wednesday night at Arm & Hammer Park in Eastern League baseball play.

The win pushes the season series to 10-5 in favor of the Sea Dogs.

Portland was facing Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia of the New York Yankees. Shannon Wilkerson picked up a one-out single against the southpaw and Blake Swihart backed it up with a double to put two runners in scoring position. Sean Coyle followed with a sacrifice fly to center field to put the Sea Dogs in front 1-0.

Sabathia settled down and pitched a scoreless second before giving up a pair of runs in each of the next two innings. Derrik Gibson began the third with a triple to right and scored when the relay throw went into the Sea Dogs’ dugout. Wilkerson drew a walk and scored the second run of the inning on a Swihart double to center.

Meanwhile, Portland lefty Brian Johnson pitched two scoreless frames before the Thunder picked up a run in the third. Dan Fiorito began the inning with a single and cut the deficit to 3-1 on Carmen Angelin’s double.

With two outs in the fourth, the Sea Dogs went back to work. Wilkerson drove in two runs off reliever Fred Lewis for a 5-1 Portland advantage.

Sabathia pitched 3.2 innings, allowing five runs on five hits and one walk. He struck out two.

The four-game series concludes tonight. Mike Augliera (3-6) pitches for Portland. Game time is 7:05 p.m.