PORTLAND

After several days of not being able to play due to poor field conditions and weather, the Portland Sea Dogs returned to Eastern League action on Tuesday night against Trenton.

The Sea Dogs and Thunder split a doubleheader, with Trenton winning the opener, 6-1, and Portland taking the second game, 6-4.

In the opener, Trenton rallied for five runs in the eighth inning for the extra-inning win.

Chris Gittens led off the inning with a two-run homer off of Adam Lau (L, 0-1). Gosuke Katoh started the inning at second as the automatic runner. After a single by Bruce Caldwell, Jhalan Jackson homered to make it 5-1. After a triple by Ben Ruta, Cesar Diaz hit a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 6-1.

In the bottom of the seventh, Tate Matheny led off with an infield single off of Andrew Schwaab, then Tony Renda worked a walk and Nick Lovullo dropped a bunt to set the table for Portland. John Nunez hit a sinking liner to left that was caught by Diaz on the dive, but Matheny tagged up from third to tie the game at 1, forcing extra innings.

Justus Sheffield dominated through six shutout innings for the Thunder. He scattered three Sea Dog hits while, striking out nine and walking three.

Matt Kent worked three scoreless innings of relief and allowed three hits and one walk. He struck out four for Portland.

Game 2

Cole Sturgeon hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to break a 4-4 tie, sending the Sea Dogs to the win,

After a one-out walk to Josh Tobias, Sturgeon went yard off of Hobie Harris into the Sea Dogs bullpen for the game-winning hit. The homer was Sturgeon’s fourth of the year.

The Sea Dogs were able to jump ahead early on back-to-back RBI doubles by Tony Renda and Austin Rei with two outs in the third inning.

After Trenton took the lead with four runs in the top of the fourth, Luke Tendler hit a solo homer off of Hobie Harris to tie the game, 4-4, in the fifth.

Sea Dogs starter Kyle Hart allowed one run on two hits in three-plus innings before being struck in the forearm by a line drive off the bat of Abiatal Avelino. Daniel McGrath earned the win despite allowing three runs over three innings of relief. Trevor Kelley earned his third save in as many tries this season.

The Sea Dogs and Thunder wrap-up their three-game series tonight with a 6p.m. start at Hadlock Field. Kevin McAvoy (0-0, 4.41) makes his fourth start of the year for Portland. Trenton counters with righty Dillon Tate (1-1, 3.00).