Fisher Cats get walk of 1-0 win over Sea Dogs

Moises Sierra lined a bases loaded single up the middle to give the New Hampshire Fisher Cats a 1-0 walk-off win over the Portland Sea Dogs Monday night.  It marked the end of what had been a fantastic outing by both pitching staffs through the first eight and a half innings.  Eammon Portice (0-1) allowed the winning run after surrendering back-to-back singles to start the ninth.  Then, he intentionally walked Darin Mastroianni.  Portice battled back to strike out Mike McDade, but Sierra jumped on the first pitch he saw for the game's only RBI.

New Hampshire starter Chad Beck tossed another terrific outing.  He came in with a 3-0 record and didn't allow a run over seven innings.  Portland's Stolmy Pimentel looked even better.  The 21-year old gave up just three hits and a walk in six scoreless innings.  He also struck out seven batters, the most of any Sea Dogs pitcher in one outing this season.  His last one was also his biggest.

With two outs in the sixth inning, Pimentel allowed a single to Anthony Gose.  The Fisher Cats leadoff man quickly stole second base and moved to third on a wild pitch.  Then, Pimentel walked Adeiny Hechavarria, who also stole second to put two men in scoring position.  However, Pimentel managed to get Mastroianni to wave at a pitch down that Tim Federowicz threw to first, completing the strikeout.

The Sea Dogs had a couple of chances to get to Beck, but couldn't manage to squeeze a run across.  The first chance came in the second inning when Beck walked both Chih-Hsien Chiang and Oscar Tejeda with one out.  Jorge Padron then hit his first of two singles on the night to load the bases.  Beck would then get Jon Hee to strike out and Che-Hsuan Lin to ground out, ending the threat.

The best chance for Portland to score was the top of the sixth inning.  With one out, Ryan Lavarnway singled.  Then, Will Middlebrooks smacked a double deep to the outfield.  Lavarnway rounded third and ran over New Hampshire catcher Travis D'Arnaud in an attempt to jar the ball loose, but was called out.  Chiang then lined out to end the inning.

The Sea Dogs continue their series with the Fisher Cats tomorrow night at 6:35 PM.  Stephen Fife will make the start for Portland opposite B.J. LaMura of New Hampshire.  Thursday, the Sea Dogs head to New Britain for a five-game series over four days with the Rock Cats.  The team returns to Hadlock Field Tuesday for a three-game series with the Reading Phillies.  That night will be the 4th annual "All the Hair You Can Spare" event, allowing fans to donate their hair.  For tickets, log on to www.seadogs.com or call 207-879-9500.