It has been a trying season for the Portland Sea Dogs.

And the weather has been just as challenging.

On a June evening, when summer seems so far away, the Sea Dogs lost 7-1 to the Bowie Baysox at Hadlock Field.

The announced paid attendance for Tuesday’s game was 3,025. Several stayed away in the raw, 51-degree weather. And as the weather and game worsened, less than 100 fans remained for the ninth inning.

Sea Dogs leadoff batter Jeremy Rivera singled in the first inning. Portland managed one hit after that.

Sea Dogs left-handed starter Dedgar Jimenez (1-4) gave up four runs on seven hits and three walks over six innings. It was another hot-and-cold start for Jimenez. He can baffle batters with his mix of fastball, slider and change-up. But he is not a flamethrower and his command must be spot-on. A few defensive miscues, including two errors, did not help.

“He had some uncharacteristic walks,” said Portland Manager Darren Fenster. “We just have to clean it a little up and eliminate those walks, and do a better job of executing defensively.”

Meanwhile, Bowie starter lefty Jayson Aquino, who has made seven appearances with Baltimore the previous two seasons, including two starts last year, struck out six over six innings without allowing a run.

Aquino, re-signed to a minor league contract this year, began the season in Triple-A. He had a 4.26 ERA in April and was sent down to Bowie.

“He’s not going to wow you with his stuff, but he had a feel for pitching tonight,” Fenster said.

Bowie got two in the second – single and, with two outs, two walks to load the bases. Jimenez hung a slider and D’Arby Myers singled in two.

Jimenez then retired seven straight batters and 10 of 11. Anthony Santander led off the sixth with a homer. A walk and three singles (two by bunt) made it 4-0.

Kevin McAvoy, who had not pitched since May 17, was activated. He allowed three runs (two earned) in the ninth on one hit, three walks and a throwing error.

Portland dropped to 20-36, the second-worst record among all Double-A teams (the Frisco Roughriders in the Texas League are 19-37).

NOTES: Sea Dogs right-hander Mike Shawaryn was tentatively scheduled to start Tuesday, but he is getting skipped in the rotation (a common practice for Red Sox minor leaguers) and will start on Saturday … Portland reliever Daniel McGrath lowered his ERA to 3.49 with two scoreless innings, allowing one hit … Pawtucket (and former Sea Dogs) lefty Jalen Beeks had his start scratched in Pawtucket, fueling speculation that he will be called up to Boston on Thursday, replacing Drew Pomeranz, who went on the disabled list … Sea Dogs reliever Josh Smith was sent to Pawtucket to start Tuesday (three innings, one hit, no runs), allowing McAvoy to be activated … In advanced Class A, future Sea Dogs third baseman Bobby Dalbec hit his 12th home run for Salem.

Kevin Thomas can be reached at 791-7411 or:

kthomas@pressherald.com

Twitter: @ClearTheBases