PORTLAND – Charlie Zink struck out nine and threw eight scoreless innings as the Portland Sea Dogs won their fourth straight by defeating the Harrisburg Senators 1-0 Saturday at Hadlock Field.

Zink, a knuckleball specialist, narrowly outdueled opposing starter Rich Rundles, who gave up no runs over six innings, and reliever Chris Schroder, who surrendered Portland’s one run.

After six scoreless innings, the Sea Dogs (18-24) picked up their run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. Kenny Perez doubled off the left-field wall then scampered home on Edgar Martinez’s single to center.

The Senators (14-27) advanced a man past second base only once. In the eighth, Melvin Dorta reached on an error, stole second and moved to third on an infield single.

Zink (1-5) gave up four singles and allowed two walks in earning the win. Joe Nelson pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to notch his eighth save.

AP-ES-05-22-04 2056EDT