For a makeshift pitching plan, the Portland Sea Dogs did all right Saturday night.

Using five relievers, the Sea Dogs beat the New Hampshire Fisher Cats 6-5 before 6,766 at Hadlock Field.

Danny Mars knocked in three runs, and Matthew Gorst (1-0), Portland’s second pitcher, picked up the win with three scoreless innings. His ERA remains 0.00 after six outings.

The Sea Dogs’ original rotation listed ace Mike Shawaryn as the starter, but the lineup card never had him.

Instead, reliever Daniel McGrath made his third spot start. McGrath retired the first two batters, then allowed a double, walk, RBI single and walk to put Portland down 1-0 with the bases loaded.

Andrew Guillotte doubled to left, scoring two more runs. Connor Panas tried to score from first and was thrown out on the relay by shortstop Jeremy Rivera. New Hampshire led 3-0.

McGrath and company stiffened. The Fisher Cats got only one more hit until the ninth. Closer Jordan Weems struggled (three hits, two runs) but still got his fourth save.

The Sea Dogs began their rally with Mars’ two-run single in the second. That was all New Hampshire starter T.J. Zeuch allowed, but reliever Justin Dillon (1-4) couldn’t hold the lead.

In the sixth, two hits (Deiner Lopez double, Rivera single), three walks, and sacrifice flies by Mars and Jordan Betts gave the Sea Dogs a 4-3 lead.

Josh Taylor relieved Gorst in the seventh and got himself in a bases-loaded jam (error, hit batter, walk) with two outs, but struck out Jon Berti to escape.

Travis Lakins relieved for a 1-2-3 eighth. Since becoming a reliever, Lakins has a 0.59 ERA in 15 appearances.

Tate Matheny’s RBI single and a New Hampshire error in the eighth gave Portland two more needed runs.

In the ninth, Weems allowed three straight singles to load the bases. A wild pitch and groundout scored two runs, with the tying run on third base and one out.

Weems then struck out Cavan Biggio and got Berti to ground out to end it.

The Sea Dogs (36-54) and Fisher Cats (50-40) complete their four-game series Sunday at 1 p.m.

NOTES: Portland Mayor Ethan Sterling attended the game with New York Mayor Bill de Blasio. … Betts went 3 for 4. … Sea Dogs reliever Trevor Kelley was sent to Triple-A to help Pawtucket. … Of note in Pawtucket was the promotion of former major league infielder Brandon Phillips, who was recently signed by the Red Sox. He went 1 for 3 with a walk.

Kevin Thomas can be reached at 791-7411 or:

kthomas@pressherald.com

Twitter: ClearTheBases