The Sea Dogs clinched a winning trip with the victory (5-1), and improved to 9-5 against the Thunder this season.
Lefty Henry Owens (11-3) tossed 5.2 innings on two runs and became the first 11- game winner in the minor leagues. Owens has won seven straight starts dating back to May 24 at New Hampshire, and picked up his 34th career win.
Portland knocked out Trenton starter Manny Banuelos (0-1) in the middle of Mike Brenly’s at-bat in the first inning. Banuelos lasted just a third of an inning on two hits, two walks and four runs.
Trenton had a chance in the ninth, but Aaron Kurcz fanned Carmen Angelini with a runner at second base to end the game. Kurcz recorded the final four outs to notch his second save of the year.
Portland loaded the bases in the first inning on a leadoff single by Derrik Gibson and two walks. David Chester nailed a two-run single to center, giving him 13 RBIs with the bases-loaded. Jonathan Roof added a tworun single off reliever Jairo Heredia to cap off the fourrun start.
Trenton’s bullpen allowed just one run the rest of the way, working 8.2 innings on five hits.
The Thunder got to Owens in the fourth inning on a bases-loaded double by Rob Segedin. Owens stranded two runners on base after the double. In the sixth, the lefty was removed after a two-out walk to Angelini. Owens gave up seven hits, two runs, two walks and fanned five over 5.2 innings.
Blake Swihart picked up his second straight two-hit game, delivering a key twoout RBI single in the seventh, giving the Sea Dogs a 5-2 lead.
Trenton rallied for two runs off Robby Scott in the late frames. Peter O’Brien cut the deficit with a runscoring fielder’s choice in the seventh and Ben Gamel (4-for-5) delivered a two-out RBI single in the eighth. After Gamel’s single, Kurcz relieved Scott and walked Gary Sanchez. O’Brien popped out to left field to end the threat.
The four-game series continues tonight as Brian Johnson (7-1) takes the ball for Portland against rehabbing C.C. Sabathia. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m.
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