PORTLAND — The Portland Sea Dogs broke a tie with two runs in the seventh and downed the Binghamton Mets, 6-4 in the opener of an Eastern League three-game series Monday night at Hadlock Field.

The Sea Dogs held a 3-1 lead heading into the seventh inning, but Brandon Nimmo changed that in a heartbeat. T.J. Rivera connected for a lead-off single against Mike McCarthy and Nimmo drove him home with a two-run homer.

Portland responded and took the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the seventh. Derrik Gibson connected for his fourth hit and stole second against reliever Ryan Fraser. Blake Swihart walked. Ryan Lavarnway grounded to second for the first out, and Sean Coyle grounded to the pitcher, but Gibson was able to score and put the Sea Dogs in front 4-3. Dave Chester was next and struck out, but the third strike was a wild pitch and Swihart scored to make it 5-3.

Brian Burgamy hit a oneout solo home run in the top of the eighth, cutting the Portland lead to 5-4, but the home team responded again in the next half inning. Stefan Welch took over for Lavarnway and tagged a two-out RBI single to right field, plating Ryan Dent.

Robby Scott came on for the ninth and earned his second save. McCarthy (9-4) took home the win with his three innings of work. He allowed three runs, including the two homers, on three hits and struck out five.

Game two of the threegame series begins at 7 p.m. tonight.