NEW BRITAIN, Connecticut — A rally by Portland fell short in the ninth inning, as the Sea Dogs dropped a 4-2 Eastern League decision to New Britain on Thursday night at New Britain Stadium.
The Sea Dogs (12-22) put runners on the corners with one out in the ninth inning against Rock Cats closer Austin House, but Carlos Asuaje hit into a game-ending 4-6-3 double play. New Britain (26-7) has won 13 straight games and 24 of their last 26. Portland has dropped 13 of their last 18.
Jason Gurka (3-0) worked 3⅓ innings of scoreless relief to earn the win for New Britain. House earned his 13th save in 14 chances.
Portland righty Mike Augliera (1-6) suffered his second straight loss to New Britain. Augliera yielded 6 hits on 4 runs, with 2 walks and 5 strikeouts. Robby Scott finished the game with 1⅔ scoreless innings of relief.
The Sea Dogs had 11 hits, including 2 hits each from the top 4 in the lineup: Asuaje, Mike Miler, Oscar Tejeda and Jantzen Witte.
New Britain came out swinging with back-to-back triples from Mike Tauchman and Trevor Story. Tyler Massey added the second run with a groundout and David Dahl hit a solo homer, giving the Rock Cats a 3-0 lead.
Portland responded with a run in the second inning off Gus Schlosser. Tejeda led off with a single and later scored on a single by Luis Martinez. Schlosser left the game in the third inning, taking a no-decision.
The ‘Dogs cut the deficit to 3-2 in the seventh inning when Mike Miller scored on a wild pitch. Story added the final run on a sacrifice fly in the seventh.
Portland and New Britain play game two of their series on Friday night at 6:15 p.m. Mike McCarthy (2-3, 4.71) takes on Matt Flemer (1-1, 3.71).