Binghamton’s Tim Tebow dives into home plate as Portland’s Jhon Nunez attempts to put the tag on Tebow during Tuesday’s game at Hadlock Field. Tebow was called out on the play. (Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Portland Press Herald)

PORTLAND — He was the Boston College closer in mid-April of his junior season, in 2016.

Then Justin Dunn was moved to the rotation and the Eagles took off. Dunn not only led BC to the NCAA Super Regionals, he was a first-round draft pick of the New York Mets.

Dunn, 22, made his Portland debut Tuesday night, and mowed down the Sea Dogs. Behind Dunn’s two-hit pitching, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies beat Portland 2-1, before a sold-out Hadlock Field crowd of 7,368.

Dunn (2-2), making only his fifth Double-A start, struck out nine over 7 2/3 innings, allowing two walks and one run.

The Sea Dogs countered with an impressive sport start by Daniel McGrath. The lefty reliever put in his longest outing, allowing one run on five hits and one walk over five innings, striking out three.

Reliever Trey Ball (2-3) took the loss. With two outs in the eighth inning, Ball allowed a single, walk and game-winning RBI double by Tomas Nido.

Matthew Gorst kept his Double-A ERA at 0.00 (four games) with a hitless ninth, which including a strikeout of Tim Tebow (looking at a 90 mph fastball on the outside corner).

Tebow, who drew cheers, boos and plenty of autograph seekers, went 1-for-4 as Binghamton’s designated hitter. Tebow singled with two outs in the fifth inning. He advanced to second on a walk and tried to score on Levi Michael’s bloop single to left.

Left fielder Jantzen Witte charged the ball, trying to snag it in the air. It bounced, but Witte came up with the ball and threw Tebow out at home — a close play that Tebow disagreed with by hopping up and down.

That ended McGrath’s outing. He began the game in trouble, allowing back-to-back doubles, but settled down after that.

“He mixed it around and executed well,” Portland pitching coach Paul Abbott said. “He goes double-double, and then pitches five scoreless.”

Portland answered in the first when Danny Mars led off with a triple, attacking a Dunn 95 mph fastball, lining it down the right field line. Mars scored on a ground-out, and Dunn would allow only one more hit.

“He was really good,” Mars said. “Had a lot of life to his fastball and he threw three pitches for strikes (including a change-up and hard curve) at any count.”

Abbot was impressed: “Impressive. He threw upper level stuff today.”

NOTES: With the Sea Dogs on the road Wednesday, they celebrated the Fourth of July on Tuesday with the traditional fare, including Bellamy Jazz Band greeting fans outside and Lewiston native Rene Rancourt singing all four verses of the National Anthem … The Sea Dogs will be in Hartford the next five days before going on the three-day All-Star Break. They return to Hadlock Field on July 12 … The Sea Dogs wore special Fourth of July caps. The same caps are on sale at the Sea Dogs gift shop with some of the proceeds benefitting causes for veterans … At Lowell, corner infielder Michael Chavis went 1-for-3 with a double and walk. He could re-join the Sea Dogs in Hartford.

Portland’s Danny Mars attempts to make a diving catch against Binghamton on Tuesday. Mars was unable to catch the ball but he stopped it and held the runner to a single. (Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Portland Press Herald)Portland’s Chad De La Guerra turns a double play as Binghamton’s Joey Terdoslavich slides into second base Tuesday. (Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Portland Press Herald)Portland relief pitcher Matthew Gorst pitches against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies on Tuesday. (Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Portland Press Herald)Binghamton pitcher Justin Dunn pitches against the Sea Dogs on Tuesday. (Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Portland Press Herald)Binghamton pitcher Justin Dunn pitches against the Sea Dogs on Tuesday. (Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Portland Press Herald)