Pimentel pitches 5 strong, but Dogs lose to Cats 2 - 1

Ryan Lavarnway knocked in only Sea Dos run Friday (Photo Jason Gendron)

The Portland Sea Dogs got five excellent innings from starter Stolmy Pimentel (0-1), but the New Britain Rock Cats battled back and walked off with a 2-1 win Friday afternoon.  Steve Singleton knocked in the game-winning run with a single off Blake Maxwell (0-1) in the bottom of the ninth inning.  Maxwell surrendered the game-tying run on a double by Chris Parmelee the previous inning.

Pimentel looked much more confident in his second career Double-A outing.  After lasting just three innings last Saturday against Reading, the 21-year old took a no-hitter into the fifth inning and allowed just three baserunners total.  He also took on adversity well, getting out of a jam with two runners on and only one out in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Pimentel left the game in line to earn his first Double-A win.  Ryan Lavarnway singled in the only Portland run of the game following a Jorge Padron double.  Alex Hassan (Hass-un) singled in the ninth inning to keep his season-long eight game hit streak alive.  Unfortunately, Lavarnway would ground into a double play, stifling a potential rally.

New Britain tied the game with two outs in the bottom of the eighth.  Ray Chang beat out a double play ball, giving Parmelee the opportunity to drive in the tying run.  The same scenario happened in the ninth as Mark Dolenc beat a possible double play down the line.  The next batter, Singleton, would deliver the game-winning hit.

Tommy Hottovy came in to pitch the sixth and seventh innings for the Sea Dogs.  He retired the first five batters he faced before allowing a single to Yangervis Solarte.  That hit ended a run of 29 straight batters retired by Portland relievers.  The run scored off Maxwell marked the first time Portland's bullpen allowed a run in ten innings.

The Sea Dogs will take on the Rock Cats tomorrow in the third of this four-game set.  First pitch is scheduled for 6:35pm.  Stephen Fife (1-0) makes his second start of the year against Liam Hendricks (0-0) of New Britain.  The Portland road trip continues this week with three games in Binghamton.  The Sea Dogs then return home for a seven game swing with the Rock Cats and Mets.  April 22nd will be the first Fireworks night of the year, sponsored by Oxford Networks.  You can buy tickets in person, over the phone at 207-879-9500, or you can buy online at www.seadogs.com

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