The Portland Sea Dogs began their 24th season in the Eastern League Thursday night with a 6-0 road loss to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies at NYSEG Stadium in Binghamton, New York.
Binghamton (1-0) scored all their runs by using the long ball, starting in the bottom of the first. Peter Alonso launched a two run homer to make it 2-0. Then former Heisman trophy winner and NFL quarterback Tim Tebow launched a two out three run homer to make it 5-0. Jeff McNeil continued the power with a solo homer in the bottom of the second to finish the scoring on the night. Three of the Rumble Ponies four hits in the game were homeruns.
Portland (0-1) was also held to just four hits, including two by center fielder Tate Matheny. Drew Gagnon got the win on the mound for Binghamton, allowing just two hits, no runs, with five strikeouts in six innings. Teddy Stankiewicz took the loss for Portland, allowing four hits, six runs, four walks, with three strikeouts in four innings of work.
Portland plays three more games with Binghamton over the weekend, before traveling to Reading for a three game series. The Sea Dogs open up their home schedule at Hadlock Field next Friday night as they welcome in the Rumble Ponies for a three game set.
