PORTLAND (AP) – Carlo Cota’s triple sparked two runs as the New Hampshire Fisher Cats broke a 2-2 tie in the eighth inning and beat the Portland Sea Dogs 4-2 Monday in the Eastern League.

Ron Davenport homered and Ron Acuna tripled as the Fisher Cats extended their winning streak to seven and pulled within half a game of the Sea Dogs, who lead the Northern Division.

After Portland (17-10) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, Davenport’s homer tied it in the top of the second. David Murphy’s RBI double sent Portland ahead in the third, but the Fisher Cats (18-12) tied it again when Acuna tripled and scored in the sixth.

After Miguel Negron led off New Hampshire’s eighth with a single, he came home on Cota’s triple. Cota scored the game’s final run on a fielder’s choice.

New Hampshire starter Ismael Ramirez (2-3) earned the win.

Portland reliever Phil Devey (0-2) took the loss.

AP-ES-05-09-05 2105EDT