The Portland Sea Dogs played an 11 a.m. game Wednesday at Hadlock Field. The bright sun – a welcome sight these days – became a problem for the team’s outfielders. But Portland fought off the glare and the New Britain Rock Cats for a 7-5 victory.

New Britain (2-5) scored twice after fly balls dropped in the outfield – the fielders twice losing the ball in the sun – one in left and one in right. The Sea Dogs (3-3) compensated with seven runs on 10 hits.

“It was tough today,” said Portland left fielder Kevin Heller. “We have to get used to the day games. But the pitchers picked us up and the hitters did a good job.” Heller paced the Sea Dogs with three RBI on a sacrifice fly and a two-run single. He also walked and had a sacrifice.

“It’s been a while since I went 1 for 1,” he said.

Reed Gragnani went 2 for 2 with two walks, two runs and an RBI, and Jonathan Roof and Henry Ramos both had two hits.

Jonathan Aro (2-0) picked up his second win in relief, striking out six in three innings. He allowed two hits and one run, courtesy of one of the lost fly balls. Dayan Diaz recorded the save, striking out the only batter he faced.

Justin Haley started, going on three days’ rest, and lasted four innings, allowing one run on five hits, striking out six. Portland led 7-2 after six innings. Reliever Robby Scott allowed a two-run homer to Jayson Langfels in the eighth and another run in the ninth, helped by another ball lost in the sun. Diaz came in and closed it out.

NOTES: The announced paid attendance was 3,167, which included scores of schoolchildren on field trips. … The Sea Dogs all wore No. 42 on their jerseys in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. … The Sea Dogs left after the game for a seven-game road trip to Trenton and New Britain. Portland returns to Hadlock Field on April 23 for a 6 p.m. game against Trenton.


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