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Portland gets 13 hits, including four home runs, to win for the first time in eight games.

By KEVIN THOMAS, Staff Writer May 7, 2008

When Iggy Suarez visited Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School in Sanford as part of a team promotion early on Tuesday, the kids told Suarez what kids usually tell a ballplayer.

"Hit a home run," they said.

"They say it like it's real easy to do," Suarez said.

On Tuesday night, it looked that way.

Bubba Bell hit a leadoff home run.

Aaron Bates blasted a grand slam, part of a seven-RBI night.

And Suarez hit two home runs in a game for the first time in his pro career. He added a two-run double to give his new young fans something else to cheer about.

With the bats swinging so well, the Sea Dogs left no doubt that their losing streak was finished at seven games. Portland pounded New Hampshire pitching for a 14-3 win at Hadlock Field.

Bates and Suarez homered in a five-run second inning.

In the third, Suarez's double and Bell's RBI single fueled another rally.

After three innings, Portland led 11-0.

"It was just a matter of time before we busted out," Suarez said.

Portland batted .214 during the losing streak, scoring a total of 16 runs. The Sea Dogs nearly matched that in one game, while swatting 13 hits.

"It was a rough stretch," Bates said. "Some of the guys have been frustrated and it all came together tonight."

Matt Goodson (2-1) benefited from the offensive show, but he did not need much help. He carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning when Ryan Patterson led off with a homer.

Goodson, 25, a 23rd-round draft pick in 2004, used his sinker and slider to hold the Fisher Cats down. He allowed three hits and a run in the sixth before exiting.

Jose Vaquedano pitched 11/3 scoreless innings. Chad Rhoades gave up an Anthony Hatch homer in the ninth.

New Hampshire starter A.J. Wideman (1-4) saw his ERA balloon to 7.18, after allowing 10 runs over 22/3 innings. He fell behind batters, starting with Bell, who smacked a 2-0 fastball.

In the second, Wideman loaded the bases on a walk and singles by Mark Wagner and Andrew Pinckney. Wideman fell behind Bates 3-1 and tried a change-up.

"He hung it and I put a pretty good swing on it," said Bates, who also had a sacrifice fly and a two-run double.

Bates hit 28 homers last year. His homer Tuesday, which sailed over the clock above the message board, was his first.

"I got away from things I've been doing," Bates said. "I'm trying to use my lower half like I did in the past, and it paid off tonight."

Suarez led off the eighth with his second homer, hitting another fastball. Bates' double completed the Portland scoring.

"A real nice ballgame to break out," Portland Manager Arnie Beyeler said. "It's been a while since we've been out there to shake hands."

NOTES: Bates tied the franchise record for RBI in a game, set last year by Chad Spann ...

Bates has 19 RBI, second on the team to Pinckney, whose sacrifice fly Tuesday gives him 20. Both Bell and Suarez have 14.

Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:

kthomas@pressherald.com