Reading, Pa. - The Reading Fightin Phils (19-16) scored in just innings, but that enough, defeating the Portland Sea Dogs (12-24), 7-2, Thursday night in the series opener at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Reading, Pa. - The Reading Fightin Phils (19-16) scored in just innings, but that enough, defeating the Portland Sea Dogs (12-24), 7-2, Thursday night in the series opener at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Red Sox Top Pitching Prospect Darwinzon Hernandez (1-3) was sensational in the loss, establishing career-highs in innings pitched (7) and strikeouts (11). Hernandez did not allow a run in six of seven frames.
Reading's RHP Mauricio Llovera (2-0) earned the win, working five innings on seven hits, two runs, two walks, and seven strikeouts. The Fightins bullpen closed out the game with four scoreless frames on just one hit and five strikeouts.
The 'Dogs took an early 1-0 lead against Llovera. Tate Matheny led off with a double and scored on a one-out single by Jhon Nunez (2-for-3, RBI, 2B, BB).
Hernandez's only stumbling block was the third inning. Scott Kingery (MLB Rehab) knocked in the first run by reaching on an error by 2B Brett Netzer. Mickey Moniak followed with a two-run double and the next batter, Adam Haseley provided a run-scoring double. Hernandez allowed one hit after that inning, and fanned four batters in the seventh, including Kingery for his 11th of the night.
Jerry Downs cut the deficit to 4-2 with an RBI double in the fourth. Reading scored three times off Dominic LoBrutto in the eighth.
Hernandez finished with seven innings pitched on five hits, four runs (three earned), two walks, and 11 strikeouts. He joins Kyle Hart to fan 11 batters for Portland this season.
The Sea Dogs and Reading Fightin Phis continue their four-game series with a 7:10 first pitch on Saturday night at FirstEnergy Stadium. Lefty Dedgar Jimenez (1-2, 4.71) takes on Reading RHP Thomas Eshelman (0-3, 7.77). Radio coverage on the WPEI U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network begins at 6:55 PM. The game is available on the tune-in app and MiLB.TV.
Tickets for any game at Hadlock Field can be purchased at 207-879-9500 or seadogs.com. Book your nine inning vacation today!
