PORTLAND (AP) – Tyler Minges’ bases-loaded double drove in three runs as the Portland Sea Dogs scored five times in the fifth inning to come from behind and beat the Connecticut Defenders 7-3 Wednesday in the Eastern League.

Brian Horwitz’s RBI triple was the big blow as the Defenders (32-37) scored once in the third and once in the fifth.

The Sea Dogs (42-26) took command in the bottom of the fifth. Luis Jimenez’s triple and Minges’ bases-clearing double were the key hits as the Sea Dogs went ahead 3-2, and two more runs scored on Brandon Moss’ RBI double and a fielding error.

Brian Buscher homered for the Defenders in the seventh, but the Sea Dogs replied with two the eighth on RBI singles by Zach Borowiak and Minges. Portland starter Chris Smith improved to 8-3, giving up two runs and striking out eight over six innings.

AP-ES-06-21-06 2217EDT