PORTLAND — They had it all at Hadlock Field Monday night.

Red Sox, blue skies and a dramatic comeback.

But something was missing: a ball hit off of the brand new left field wall.

Enter Dustin Brisson.

Brisson’s wall double scored Tonayne Brown with the go-ahead run with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Portland Sea Dogs rallied for a dramatic 9-7 victory over the Binghamton Mets in the team’s first home game as the Red Sox Double-A affiliate.

“I didn’t think I’d be the first one (to hit a ball off the wall),” said Brisson, who scored on Eric Owens’ double, the third straight off of losing pitcher P.J. Bevis (0-1).

“I’ve been hitting the ball pretty good the other way,” said Brisson, who a day earlier hit an opposite field home run in Trenton. “I was really pleased with all my at-bats tonight. I worked the count, got good hitters’ counts and took advantage of it.”

Brisson had capped a five-run sixth inning with a two-run home run, driving a low fastball into the Sea Dogs’ bullpen in right field to tie the score at seven.

“(Pitcher Eric Cammack) had been working me away the whole time,” said Brisson. “He tried to get one by me inside. I was looking for something to drive.”

The Mets put runners on second and third with one out in the top of the ninth inning against winning pitcher Felix Villegas (1-0), but James Johnson struck out pinch-hitter Kirk Asche looking and Jeff Duncan swinging to record his first save.

“I was hoping they would call my number again so I could redeem myself,” said Johnson, who gave up a game-tying, two-run home run in the ninth inning at Trenton Friday night.

“I may have gotten a little carried away,” Johnson said of his reaction after the final out. “But after my last outing, I’m going to sleep a little better tonight.”

“(Johnson) did a great job,” said Sea Dogs pitching coach Bob Kipper. “He took the ball, went out there with confidence and got the job done. That man goes away very happy tonight.”

Early on it looked liked very few people would leave Hadlock Field happy.

The Mets scored a pair of runs off of Portland starter Junior Herndon in the top of the first inning.

Daniel Garcia doubled home Duncan and later scored on a ground-out.

The Sea Dogs cut the lead in half in the bottom of the inning without the benefit of a hit.

Nelson Castro and Carlos Leon both drew walks as Binghamton starter Joey Cole struggled to find his rhythm. Castro scored on Justin Headley’s sacrifice fly after a double steal.

Cole settled down nicely, retiring nine straight at one point and surrendering just a single run in the bottom of the fourth.

The Mets, meanwhile, plated single runs in the the second and fourth, before chasing Herndon (five innings, 11 hits, six runs, five earned) with five hits and a pair of runs in the fifth, with Rodney Nye’s two-run double being the key hit.

The deficit grew to five after Craig Brazell’s sacrifice fly an inning later.

“We were pretty much out of the game at that point,” said Portland manager Ron Johnson. “It would have been easy to pack it in in that situation.”

Cole (five innings, four hits, four runs) gave up back-to-back singles, the second of which was Kevin Youkilis’ third hit of the night, to open the bottom of the sixth.

Binghamton manager John Stearns went to Cammack, who has spent time in the big leagues.

Justin Sherrod singled with one out for the second of his two RBI. Andy Dominique walked to load the bases and Youkilis scored on a fielders’ choice.

With Brisson at the plate, Cammack was charged with an error when his errant pick-off throw to first base allowed Sherrod to scamper home from third and make it 7-5.

Brisson then hopped on a 3-1 offering to tie the game.

“I was looking at the scoreboard,” Brisson admitted. “I was just looking for something to drive. It’s a great feeling.”

“It was nice to come back like that,” said Johnson. “It was scripted well.”

Sea Dogs notes: Leon left the game after the top of the third inning after being upended on a force play by Garcia at second base. Leon limped off the field favoring his left leg. He will be reevaluated today….Youkilis raised his average from .176 to .286….Owens received a picture and a letter from his brother Bill, who is a naval officer stationed in the Persian Gulf, early Monday…..Cheverus hockey player Anthony Aceto sang God Bless America and the national anthem before the game….Former Eastern League president Bill Troubh threw out the ceremonial first pitch….Jorge De la Rosa (0-0, 4.50 ERA) opposes Binghamton’s Phil Seibel (0-1,1.80) tonight at 6 p.m.


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