SEA DOGS DROP SERIES OPENER AGAINST THUNDER 6 - 2

OFFICIAL PORTLAND SEA DOGS GAME WRAP
Jeremy Kehrt allowed just one run on two hits in five innings, but the Portland Sea Dogs were unable to hang on for a win. The Trenton Thunder scored five runs off of reliever Eammon Portice, including three driven in by Austin Krum. Trenton opened this three-game series with a 6-2 win at Waterfront Park.

The Thunder wasted little time in scoring off of Jeremy Kehrt, who was making his second career start in Double-A. Justin Christian led off the game with a walk, and quickly stole second base on the next pitch. Austin Krum moved his teammate over to third base with a groundout, before Austin Romine's RBI single to left, which put the home team on top.

Trenton starter Hector Noesi cruised through the first three innings, but ran into trouble in the top of the fourth. Nate Spears started the inning with a walk, and Ryan Khoury followed with a single up the middle. After Ray Chang flew out, Luis Exposito put the Sea Dogs on the board, singling through the right side of the infield. Anthony Rizzo stepped up next, and knocked in Khoury with a sacrifice fly to deep right field.

After giving up the run in the first inning, Kehrt was brilliant. The Portland starter went five innings, allowing one run, two hits, and one walk, while striking out five.

Kehrt's exit proved to be good news for the Thunder, who greeted Eammon Portice with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Trenton started the frame with three consecutive singles, including an RBI hit by Austin Krum. Two batters later, Brandon Laird brought in a run with an infield single, while a Ray Chang throwing error accounted for run number three in the inning.

Trenton's big sixth inning made a winner out of Noesi (1-0). The Thunder starter tossed six innings, allowing two runs, four hits, and two walks, while striking out four. Portice suffered the loss for the Sea Dogs, evening his record at 3-3.

Austin Krum's two-run double in the bottom of the seventh gave the Thunder a pair of insurance runs, as the home team won the series opener, 6-2.

The Sea Dogs and Thunder will play game two of their three-game series on Wednesday night at 7:05. Robert Coello (4-1, 3.21) will make the start for Portland, while Trenton turns to David Phelps (3-0, 2.40).


GAME HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE US CELLULAR SEA DOGS RADIO NETWORK