Penrod strikes out seven in 9-3 win

Portland, Maine - The Portland Sea Dogs (12-8) defeated the Reading Fightin Phils (10-12) 9-3 in the series opener on Tuesday night at Hadlock Field.

Zach Penrod earned his second win of the season by tossing 5.0 strong innings with seven strikeouts while Eddinson Paulino went two-for-four at the plate. Blaze Jordan extended his hit streak to ten-games while Mickey Gasper extended a fourteen-game on-base streak.

Portland capitalized early with five runs coming home to score in the first inning. Roman Anthony reached with a leadoff walk before Marcelo Mayer doubled (7) to put two on. Kyle Teel drove them in with his second double of the season to put Portland on the board. A pair of bases-loaded walks would score two more before Anthony reached on an error to the shortstop with the bases loaded to drive in another. Portland scored five runs on two hits after sending eleven to the plate.

Marcus Lee Sang countered to put Reading on the board in the top of the second with a two-run shot to center field but Portland held a 5-2 lead.

Paulino singled in the bottom of the second to drive in Nick Yorke who reached on a walk to give Portland a four-run advantage.

In the bottom of the third, a single from Jordan would score Mayer who reached on an error to the left fielder.

Portland executed the double steal in the bottom of the sixth to manufacture a run. Nick Decker stole second (3) while Gasper stole home (1) and Portland led, 8-2.

Paulino would plate another run in the bottom of the eighth with his second RBI single of the day to bring home Gasper.

Lee Sang rallied in the top of the ninth with two outs by hitting his second homer of the day to right center field but Portland held on to take game one, 9-3.

LHP Zach Penrod (2-0, 2.50 ERA) earned the win after pitching 5.0 innings allowing two runs on five hits while walking two and striking out seven. The loss was issued to RHP Zach Haake (1-1, 6.75 ERA) after pitching 0.2 innings allowing five runs (4 ER) on two hits while walking five and striking out one.

The Sea Dogs return to Hadlock Field tomorrow, Wednesday, May 1st, 2024 for game two of a six-game series with the Reading Fightin Phils. First pitch for game two is slated for 6:00pm. LHP Helcris Olivarez (1-0, 2.53 ERA) will have the start for Portland while Reading will give the ball to RHP Christian McGowan (0-0, 2.45 ERA).