Ricky Tiedemann struck out nine in just three innings of work Thursday for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. (Courtesy photo by Kristin Basnett)

MANCHESTER — The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, couldn’t hold their one-run eighth inning lead late and were defeated by the Portland Sea Dogs 3-2 Thursday night at Delta Dental Stadium.

Starting pitcher Ricky Tiedemann was in midseason form in his 2023 debut for the Fisher Cats. The Blue Jays No. 1 prospect struck out nine in three innings of work, striking out the side in each frame. It’s the first time at the Double-A level where Tiedemann has struck out nine batters in a game. His previous Double-A season-high was five strikeouts. He punched out nine or more hitters four times in 2022 between Single-A Dunedin and High-A Vancouver.

Orelvis Martinez broke out of his 0 for 10 skid and crushed his first home run of the season in the seventh off Portland (5-1) left-hander Skylar Arias (1-0). It was a two-run home run to put New Hampshire (4-2) on the scoreboard.

After Sean Mellen (0-1) departed the game with two runners on in the eighth, Tyler Dearden lined a two-run go-ahead single to left-field with two outs to put the Sea Dogs ahead for good 3-2.

Leo Jimenez drew a lead off walk for New Hampshire (4-2) in the ninth and got into scoring position but PK Morris struck out swinging to end the game.

The Fisher Cats continue the six-game homestand against Portland Friday night at 6:35 p.m. RHP Paxton Schultz (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will get the start for New Hampshire tomorrow against LHP Shane Drohan (1-0, 0.00 ERA) for the Sea Dogs.