ALEX WILSON'S 2ND AA START MUCH BETTER, DOGS LOSE 2 - 1 TO ALTOONA #portlandseadogs #redsox #sblog

Hadlock Headlines Player of the Week Luis Exposito hit a HR for the Sea Dogs only run of the game.

OFFICIAL PORTLAND SEA DOGS GAME WRAP

Portland's Alex Wilson and Altoona's Rudy Owens were the story for most of the night, as the two starters combined to allow two runs on eight hits. However, Jordy Mercer earned the final recognition, as his RBI single in the eighth inning was the difference in a 2-1 win for the Curve at Blair County Ballpark.

After a rough start in his Double-A debut, Alex Wilson rebounded beautifully in his second game. Wilson's lone blemish came in the bottom of the third inning, when Chase d'Arnaud smacked his first home run of 2010. Gorkys Hernandez followed the homer with a double, but Josh Harrison's flyout ended the frame.

Wilson lasted into the sixth inning for the Sea Dogs, before allowing three consecutive hitters to reach base with two outs. Eammon Portice took over on the mound, and got Alex Presley out to avoid any further damage. Wilson's final line was five and two-thirds innings, one run, five hits, two walks, and four strikeouts.

Altoona's Rudy Owens also brought some of his best stuff to the hill as well, allowing two hits in the first six innings of the contest. Portland finally got to Owens with two outs in the seventh, as Luis Exposito connected for a solo home run to left field. The Curve starter ended up going seven innings, allowing one run and three hits, while striking out five.

With the game in the hands of the bullpens, the Curve retook the lead in the bottom of the eighth. Josh Harrison and Matt Hague both singled on 0-2 pitches, putting runners on the corners to start the inning. Jordy Mercer then put Altoona on top, knocking a base hit into left field.

Mercer's hit ended Eammon Portice's outing, as Bryce Cox took over for the Sea Dogs. Cox gave up an infield single to Hector Gimenez, but got Alex Presley to hit into a double play, before striking out Miles Durham.

Danny Moskos recorded two strikeouts in a perfect ninth inning, as the Curve opened the series with a 2-1 victory.

Dustin Molleken (3-3) earned the win with a scoreless eighth inning, defeating Eammon Portice (3-5), with Moskos (17) earning the save.

The Sea Dogs and Curve will play the middle game of their three-game series on Wednesday at 7:00. Jeremy Kehrt (1-2, 2.08) will make the start for Portland, while Altoona counters with Bryan Morris (3-2, 4.22).

GAME HIGHLIGHTS COURTESY US CELLULAR SEA DOGS RADIO NETWORK