(Portland, ME) - The Portland Sea Dogs hosted their first sellout of 2008 (7,368 fans) and thrashed the Binghamton Mets, 12-1 on Saturday afternoon. The Sea Dogs improved to 16-6 on the season and 3-3 on their 7-game homestand – they can win the series with a victory on Sunday afternoon.

Michael Bowden (1-2) had the performance of his career, fanning 11 batters over six scoreless frames. The righty earned his first win since defeating the B-Mets on August 22, 2007 at Hadlock Field.

Binghamton had just three hits off Bowden - only one reached scoring position (Concepcion double in the fifth). Bowden had two strikeouts in five of six innings pitched and surpassed his career-high of 10 (May 1, 2006).

For the second time in six days, the Sea Dogs scored eight runs in one inning against the Mets. Leading 4-0 entering the bottom of the fifth inning, Portland sent 13 men to the plate, receiving seven hits and two walks. Aaron Bates delivered a two-run single and Andrew Pinckney smacked a three-run homer to highlight the offensive charge. Tony Granadillo (2-for-3) added an RBI double and Sean Danielson had a run-scoring ground out.

Bobby Parnell (0-2) suffered the loss for the visitors, surrendering seven runs (six earned) in just four and 1/3 innings. Eude Brito yielded eight hits and five runs for the B-Mets over two and 2/3 innings.

Pinckney led the 17-hit attack, picking up his first 4-hit game in Double-A. Bates, Danielson, Granadillo, Ryan Khoury and John Otness (homered in the second inning) each had two hits.

The Portland pitchers combined to strikeout 15 batters. Hunter Jones was scoreless over two frames and fanned four. Daniel Haigwood allowed the lone run - a solo homer by Nick Evans in the ninth inning.

The Sea Dogs set a franchise record for total attendance in the month of April. Saturday's sellout put the team at 60,866 fans through 12 openings. The previous record was 2002 when Portland drew 54,201 in 13 openings.

Notes...John Otness picked up his first Double-A homer in his first career start batting clean-up with the Sea Dogs...Portland is 10 games over .500 for the second time this season...Aaron Bates extended his hitting streak to 11 straight games...Mickey Hall made his Double-A debut and went 0-for-1.