Sea Dogs rally past Navigators

PORTLAND – Kelly Shoppach’s two-out double drove in the winning run as the Portland Sea Dogs rebounded from a 4-0 deficit to defeat the Norwich Navigators 6-4 on Thursday in Eastern League play at Hadlock Field.

The Navigators got all their scoring in the first inning off starter Brent Rudrude. The runs came on Mike Cervenak’s RBI single, Doug Clark’s groundout, a double by Pat Hallmark and a throwing error by Shoppach.

The Sea Dogs began chipping away at the Norwich lead in the third inning when Justin Headley homered with one on. Portland tied it in the fifth, scoring on a sacrifice fly by Shoppach and a single by Tony Schrager.

In the seventh inning, Shoppach’s double drove in Kevin Youkilis, who reached base on a walk. Schrager then doubled home Shoppach with an insurance run.

Jake Chapman (5-0), one of five Portland pitchers, worked an inning of relief to pick up the win. Anastacio Martinez collected his 13th save as he pitched the ninth inning, recording two strikeouts.

Reliever Vance Cozier (3-3) took the loss.

The Sea Dogs improved to 49-43; Norwich dropped to 42-52.