The Sens took game 1 of the series last night and lead the series 1-0. Mid week day game baseball today in Portland. Sens crept a bit closer to first place Erie with last night's victory and are now 3 games back. With the loss, Portland fell to a ½ game back of Reading, who was rained out.

The Sens will hand the ball to Issac Lyon, who looks to stay on roll of late. Lyon has won 4 of his last 6 starts and has been pitching tremendously well for the Sens. Lyon went 7 innings, allowing 4 hits, walking 1 and striking out 5 against Reading last week.

Portland turns to relief pitcher Max Carlson to open the game for them today. Carlson has pitched well in his last two outings and has not allowed a hit across 5 2/3 innings. In those innings he’s allowed 1 walk and struck out 7.

Senators and Sea Dogs are set for some matinee baseball from cool Portland, Maine. Sens look to extend their winning streak. Lineups have been announced and are posted below. First pitch coming up at 12:05.

Harrisburg Senators Lineup: 1. Sam Petersen CF 2. Miguel Villarroel SS 3. Branden Boissiere 1B 4. Kervin Pichardo 2B 5. Ethan Petry DH 6. Sam Brown LF 7. Devin Ortiz 3B 8. TJ White RF 9. Caleb Farmer C

Portland Sea Dogs Lineup: 1. Max Ferguson 3B 2. Mason White SS 3. Brooks Brannon 1B 4. Ronald Rosario DH 5. Nate Baez C 6. Will Turner CF 7. Miguel Bleis RF 8. Matt Fraizer LF 9. Ahbram Liendo 2B

The Senators used a big inning in the fourth and sixth last night to ease past Portland despite being out hit 10 to 5. Portland got on the board early in the game plating a run in each of the first two innings to take a 2-0 lead on the Sens. Sens would rally in the top half of the 3rd on a Branden Boissiere single that scored Johnathan Thomas to cut the deficit in half. In the 4th, TJ White reached in a fielder’s choice and Ethan Petry was called safe at home to tie the game at 2 a piece. Portland pitching would load the bases and walk in a run when Sam Petersen drew a walk, one of 9 on the evening. Cortland Lawson legged out a potential double play beating the throw to first and scored TJ White to take a 4-2 lead. With the bases loaded yet again, Kervin Pichardo walked scoring Johnathan Thomas to make it 5-2. In the 6th, Sam Petersen would triple and Cortland Lawson and Branden Bossiere would both walk. The big swing of the night came off of the bat of Ethan Petry. With the bases loaded, Ethan Petry smoked a ball down the 3rd base line just inside the bag. The ball ricocheted off of the wall and the left fielder chasing the ball slipped trying to play the bounce. Petry cleared the bases scoring three extending the lead to 8-3. The 5 run lead would be plenty for the Sens bullpen. Jhancarlos Lara, Luke Young, Blake Brown and Sandy Gaston combined to throw 5 innings allowing 5 hits, walking 2 and striking out 5. Sens would go into cruise to a 8-3 victory to take Game 1.

On Deck…

The Senators and Sea Dogs will meet for Game 3 of 6 tomorrow evening at Delta Dental Park. Alex Clemmey is scheduled to get the ball for the Sens. Clemmey pitched very well in last week’s outing against Reading. Portland will counter with Dalton Rogers. Roger’s has lost 2 of his last 4 starts. Unless there is a big change in the weather forecast, weather will likely play a factor into this game. Heavy rain is expected in Portland later on Wednesday through most of the day on Thursday. Should a rainout occur I would expect a DH either Friday or Saturday with this being the teams only series of the season. We’ll have to wait and see how it plays out.