PORTLAND — The Portland Sea Dogs’ recent troubles continued on Thursday at Hadlock Field with a 7-5 Eastern League loss to Reading on Thursday in front of 6,396 fans.

Portland’s seven-game slide is the longest streak for the club since August 18-24, 2011.

Jesse Biddle (4-9) tossed seven strong innings on three hits, two runs (one earned), two walks and seven strikeouts to beat Portland, his first victory since May 21.

Righty Terry Doyle (0-3) suffered his third straight loss for Portland, but notched a quality start, working six innings on seven hits and three runs.

Reading Catcher Sebastian Valle led the offense with two home runs and five RBIs.

For Portland, Michael Almanzar went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while designated hitter Stephen Drew, on a rehab assignment from the Boston Red Sox, was 1-for-4 and drove in a run. Drew is slated to play tonight for the Sea Dogs.

Reading got on the board first in the second inning. Kelly Dugan and Albert Cartwright began the inning with singles, and Valle crushed a three-run homer over the Maine Monster.

In the fourth, the ’Dogs cut the deficit to 3-1. Garin Cecchini tripled to lead-off the inning and scored on a throwing error by shortstop Edgar Duran.

Portland added an unearned run in the fifth inning off Biddle, as Peter Hissey singled, stole second and scored on an error.

A three-run eighth frame for Reading against reliever Jeremy Kehrt put the Sea Dogs away. An error allowed Cartwright to score, and Valle a Kehrt pitch out of the park for a two-run shot and a 6-2 Reading lead.

Drew picked up his lone hit in the eight with an RBI double, and Almanzar made it a 6- 5 contest with a two-run single. to score Almanzar.

Mike Nesseth retired the final five batters for Reading for his fifth save.

The series continues tonight at 7 p.m., with Portland pitcher Anthony Ranaudo (8-2) facing Reading’s David Buchanan (5-9).