PORTLAND – Having just three of 15 batters hit the ball out of the infield isn’t exactly the recipe for offense.

But it worked just fine for the Portland Sea Dogs Tuesday night.

The Sea Dogs exploded for 10 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning while downing the Norwich Navigators 12-2 at sold-out Hadlock Field.

Just three of Portland’s six hits in the frame reached the outfield grass, but the Sea Dogs were aided by three walks, two hit batsmen, a wild pitch and three Norwich errors.

“We were horrible,” said Norwich manager Shane Turner. “We didn’t field the ball. We didn’t catch the ball. We had the chance to make plays and we didn’t make any of them. We were absolutely horrible.”

The game was tied at two heading into the home half of the sixth.

Thirty-five minutes and three Norwich pitchers later it had turned into a rout.

Travis Wade, who had replaced Navigators starter Jack Taschner an inning earlier, allowed back-to-back singles to Sean McGowan and Kevin Haverbusch to start the onslaught.

Attempting to sacrifice, Carlos Leon beat out the bunt for a hit and McGowan scored when third baseman Michael Cervanek threw wide of first for an error.

A hit batter and an infield hit spelled the end for Wade (0-2), who gave up five runs in just two-thirds of an inning.

Matt Palmer replaced Wade and didn’t fare any better.

Even when the Navigators finally recorded an out, two runs scored on the play.

Palmer got Justin Headley to hit a bouncer to first base.

Chris Curry threw to second for the force out as one run scored and Jeremy Owens, who had been hit by a pitch, scampered home when shortstop Jamie Athas lost the ball on the exchange.

A hit, two walks and a hit batter later, Palmer exited having allowed five runs (four earned) in one-third of an inning.

Leon greeted Albert Montes with an RBI double, his second hit of the inning, to cap off the scoring.

The win snapped a three-game skid for the Sea Dogs, who had played 37 games in 32 days before finally getting a day off on Monday.

“We needed that,” said Leon. “We had so many games, doubleheaders, that we were tired. (Monday’s off day) helped. I think we’ll keep winning and make the playoffs.”

Junior Herndon, the beneficiary of the outburst, retired the final eight men he faced before leaving after the top of the seventh.

Herndon (8-7) gave up five hits and a pair of runs while walking one and striking out five.

The Navigators scored twice in the top of the fourth.

With runners at the corners and one out, Pat Hallmark dropped a bunt down the third base line that Herndon had no play on as the game’s first run scored.

Herndon then plunked Curry with an 0-2 pitch to load the bases, setting up a sacrifice fly by former Sea Dog John Pachot.

The Sea Dogs finally got to Taschner, who entered the game with an 0-6 record and a 6.67 earned run average, scoring twice in the bottom of the fifth to tie it.

Leon led off with a single to right field and Owens walked.

Raul Nieves bunted the runners over before Headley dropped a single over the head of second baseman Jay Pecci for a pair of RBIs.

“I was really pleased with our execution of the bunts,” said Portland manager Ron Johnson. “That’s the stuff you teach all year.”

With the win, the Sea Dogs pulled to within five games of first-place New Haven in the Eastern League’s Northern Division. The Ravens lost to Binghamton, 4-3.

Portland maintained its 11/2 game lead over New Britain for the second and final playoff spot. The Rock Cats edged Trenton 6-5.

Sea Dogs notes: With his fifth inning walk, Schrager has now reached base in 22 consecutive home games….Tim Kester (9-8, 4.04 ERA) opposes Norwich’s Ryan Cox (0-3, 8.00) tonight at 7 p.m.

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