RICHMOND, VA — Kevin McAvoy (5-6) set the tone on Tuesday night, firing eight scoreless frames in Portland’s 5-0 win over the Richmond Flying Squirrels (49-64) in the series opener at the Diamond. The Sea Dogs (54-58) have won five of their last seven.

McAvoy did not allow a hit until the eighth inning when Hunter Cole singled. Later in the frame, Brandon Bednar added a single. The righty tied a career-high with eight innings on just two hits, two walks and seven strikeouts. At one point, McAvoy retired 16 straight batters.

Portland took a 3-0 lead in the second inning off losing pitcher Tyler Herb (1-1).  Josh Tobias hit into what could have been an inning-ending double play, but it was bobbled by SS C.J. Hinojosa. Cole Sturgeon knocked in the first run with a walk, and with two-outs, Danny Mars delivered a two-run single.

Herb was effective for Richmond in the loss, picking up a perfect frame in five of seven innings pitched.

Portland put the game away in the eighth inning on a two-run homer by Michael Chavis. The homer was the 11th for Chavis in Double-A and his 28th between Portland and High-A Salem. The Sea Dogs have hit a homer in 15 straight games.

The Sea Dogs and Richmond Flying Squirrels (Giants affiliate) play game two of their series on Wednesday night, beginning at 6:35 PM.