NEW BRITAIN, Conn. — The Portland Sea Dogs (68- 40) needed extra innings, but took down the New Britain Rock Cats (52-54), 8-5 thanks to an unlikely hero in Danny Bethea, Sunday afternoon at New Britain Stadium in Eastern League baseball action.

The win wrapped up the season series 13-7 in favor of the Sea Dogs.

Leading 5-4 in the eighth, the Rock Cats trotted Cole Johnson out to the mound in hopes of collecting a twoinning save. The righty retired the side in order in the eighth, but faltered in the ninth. Keury De La Cruz stepped in to lead off the final inning and crushed a 1- 1 pitch from Johnson over the wall in right field for a game-tying home run, his third big fly of the season.

Ryan O’Rouke struggled in the 11th for New Britain. Michael Almanzar drove a single to left, and with one out Jonathan Roof doubled to right and put two on with one out for the Sea Dogs. Mike Brenly was intentionally walked to load the bases for Bethea. The Portland designated hitter had picked up his first Double-A hit earlier in the game and faced O’Rourke (1-2) with the sacks packed. Bethea smoked a 3-1 pitch to left field for a double that plated both Almanzar and Roof, giving Portland the 7-5 lead.

Noe Ramirez took over for Diaz on the hill for the final inning and became the fourth pitcher used by Billy McMillon on the evening. The tall, lanky righty gave up a one-out single to Jorge Polanco and Sean Coyle allowed Tony Thomas to reach on an error, putting the tying run at the plate in the form of Eddie Rosario. The center-fielder hit a sharp groundball up that middle, which Ramirez stabbed and fired to second, starting the game-ending 1-6- 3 double play. He earned his 12th save in as many chances with the scoreless inning.

The Sea Dogs return home tonight to face the Reading the Fightin’ Phils at 7 p.m. Mike Augliera (4-9) starts for Portland against Reading’s Severino Gonzalez (6-11).