READING, Pa. — Justin Haley issued five hits over six scoreless innings and combined with three relievers Friday night in a nine-hit shutout as the Portland Sea Dogs defeated the Reading Fightin Phils 3-0 at First Energy Stadium.

The Sea Dogs (26-41) opened an eight-game trip by breaking a four-game losing streak.

Haley, who began the night with a 1-8 record and a 5.98 ERA, walked leadoff batter J.P. Crawford but induced a double play to get out of the inning. He also worked out of trouble in the third when Reading had runners on first and second with two outs.

Haley, who walked two and struck out one, faced Reading for the fourth time this season. His best previous outing was a 3-2 loss May 23 in which he allowed three runs and seven hits over 52/3 innings.

Haley, who didn’t allow a runner past second, worked ahead in the count against most of the hitters.

“I had a lot of jitters in the beginning but after I got the double play, I felt better,” he said. “All of my pitches were working tonight and I got into a good groove. I’ve had confidence over my last couple of starts and everything came together.

“(Catcher) Luis (Martinez) called a heck of a game and he was right on. He was a big reason for my success tonight.”

“Justin has been through a lot of streaks,” said Manager Billy McMillon. “It was good to see him have this kind of effort. He got ahead in counts and the defense was behind him. He’s starting to look like the pitcher he was last year.”

David Chester gave the Dogs a 1-0 lead in the second on a leadoff homer just over the left-field wall – his fifth of the year.

Portland made it 2-0 in the third on an apparent double-play ball that would have ended the inning.

Anuery Taverez led off with a single and moved to third on Carlos Asuage’s one-out blooper to center. Jantzen Witte’s grounder up the middle was fielded by second baseman K.C. Serna, who dropped the ball as Tavarez scored.

Taverez later extended himself to make a diving catch of a sinking line drive in center field in the sixth. He added an RBI single, one of his three hits, in the seventh to make it 3-0.

Reading starter Mark Leiter Jr., son of former major leaguer Mark Leiter and nephew of Al Leiter, made his Double-A debut. He allowed eight hits and six strikeouts in six innings.

Reading loaded the bases with one out in the eighth, but Robby Scott got Cameron Perkins to fly to shallow left and Art Charles to foul out to Martinez.

John Cornley pitched a scoreless seventh before giving way to Scott in the eighth.

Jorge Marban gave up a one-out single before getting his third save.

“Our bullpen has been stellar al year long and they did another great job tonight,” said McMillon.

“It’s nice to come here and get a win. Now we need to get going again.”

NOTES: Chester’s homer extended his hitting streak to five games. … Portland took 2 of 3 in its last visit to Reading on May 1-3. … Luis Diaz (0-5, 7.04) opposes Ben Lively (4-5, 3.95) on Saturday night in the second of a four-game set. Mike Augliera (2-10, 4.67) meets Jesse Biddle (6-1, 3.76) on Sunday.