DOGS BEAT TRENTON 5 - 2

Chih-Hsien Chiang didn't have had any hits at the plate, but he was one of the biggest contributors for the Portland Sea Dogs on Saturday night. The Portland left fielder drove in a couple of runs, while also throwing out Austin Romine at home plate, as the Sea Dogs defeated the Trenton Thunder, 5-2 at Waterfront Park.

In the top of the second inning, the Sea Dogs scored first. Lars Anderson led off the frame with an infield single, and was followed by Ray Chang, who doubled down the left field line. Two batters later, Chih-Hsien Chiang stepped in, bringing home Anderson with a ground out to second.

Stephen Fife and Ryan Pope got the nods for their respective clubs, and proceeded to pitch very well for the next three innings.

Pope began to tire in the top of the sixth, and Portland took advantage. Once again, it was Anderson and Chang setting the table, except this time, Anderson doubled, and Chang singled. Jose Iglesias loaded the bases, rifling a single off of the Thunder starter, loading the bases for Chiang. The Sea Dogs' left fielder picked up his second RBI of the night, knocking in Anderson with a fly ball to right. The visitors added two more runs in that inning, on a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly by Ryan Kalish.

The Thunder ended the Sea Dogs' shutout bid in the bottom of the sixth. Jose Gil led off with a double, moved to third on a Damon Sublett single, and scored on Reid Gorecki's grounder to short. Gil was in the game for Austin Romine, who was ejected after being gunned down at the plate by Chiang in the third.

Portland needed just one pitch to regain their four-run advantage, as Nate Spears led off the seventh with a towering home run to right field.

Both starting pitchers saw their nights end in the sixth, and both were the pitchers of record. Stephen Fife (1-1) picked up his first win in Double-A for Portland, going five-plus innings, allowing one run, five hits, and three walks, while striking out five. Ryan Pope (0-2) was the losing pitcher for Trenton, going 5 1/3 innings, allowing four runs, seven hits, and five walks, while striking out five.

TJ Large took over for Fife, going 2 2/3 scoreless innings in his first appearance of the season. Anderson and Chang were two of the other bright spots for the Sea Dogs, as both players had two hits, while reaching base three times each.

The Sea Dogs now lead this series 2-1. They and the Thunder will conclude their four-game series tomorrow afternoon at 1:05. Felix Doubront (2-0, 3.21) makes the start for Portland, going up against Trenton's Jeremy Bleich (1-1, 2.04).

RECAP AND BOX SCORE

COURTESY PORTLAND SEA DOGS