The New Hampshire Fisher Cats took their second game in a row on Wednesday night, defeating the Portland Sea Dogs at Hadlock Field, 2-0.
New Hampshire was held to only four hits over the first seven innings of play, finally breaking the deadlock in the eighth.
A sacrifice bunt by Jonathan Davis brought Derrick Loveless across the plate for the Fisher Cats’ first run, followed immediately by a sacrifice fly by Richard Urena that would bring Davis home.
Jon Harris (4-8) scattered three hits in seven innings of work, striking out four Sea Dogs on the way to his second win against Portland this week and his third win against them this year. Andrew Case got New Hampshire through the ninth inning for his fourth save of the season.
Portland starter Kevin McAvoy matched Harris throughout most of the contest, leaving one out into the eighth.
McAvoy (3-6) allowed all seven of New Hampshire’s hits and both of their runs, striking out six in the defeat.
Although he couldn’t duplicate his victory against the Fisher Cats last week, recorded 67 strikes, a personal season high.
Between the two stellar starting performances, offense was hard to come by, as Tim Lopes was the only player to record more than one hit on either side, going 2-for-4 in service of the Fisher Cats.
The two straight shutouts mark the first time since May 2014 that New Hampshire has blanked an opponent in consecutive contests.
New Hampshire will conclude their series in Portland on Thursday night before heading to Trenton for their last series before the All-Star break.
Conner Greene (4-6, 4.61 ERA) takes the mound for New Hampshire against Sea Dogs All-Star selection Teddy Stankiewicz (3-3-, 4.09 ERA)
