By New Britain Herald Press Staff Report

PORTLAND, Maine - After having an entire four-game series postponed due to
snow and wet field conditions, the Portland Sea Dogs finally hit the field
Monday night.

Unfortunately, the Dogs were victimized by the New Britain Rock Cats,
suffering an 8-6 loss at Hadlock Field.

New Britain built a 7-1 lead after six innings and then held off a Sea
Dogs' charge. Portland stranded 13 runners on base and Rock Cats pitchers
held Portland hitters to 3-for-17 with runners in scoring position.

New Britain opened up the scoring with three 2-out runs off Tommy Hottovy
in the second inning. The Rock Cats received two RBI each from hitters
seven through nine in the order - Brock Peterson, Luke Hughes and Kyle
Geiger. The visitors extended their lead to 7-1, tagging Scott Shoemaker
in the sixth inning for five hits and four runs.

Portland climbed back into the game in the sixth inning on David Bacani's
2-run homer and added two runs in the eighth inning on Cory Keylor's RBI
single and Dusty Brown's bases-loaded walk. Tim Lahey retired the Sea Dogs
in order in the bottom of the ninth inning, the only time the 'Dogs went
1-2-3 in the game, for his first save.

Jacoby Ellsbury paced Portland's 12-hit attack, picking up four hits,
including three doubles, which tied a franchise record. Bacani's first
home run was a two-run shot off Jesse Floyd (1-0) in the sixth inning.
Floyd earned the win in relief, working three innings, allowing five hits
and three runs.

New Britain relievers did not allow an inherited runner to score
(0-for-9).

04/09/2007