Late Push Boosts Sea Dogs Over Fightins
BOX SCORE | POR 6, REA 3 The Reading Fightin Phils took the lead three times in Friday’s contest against the Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox). However, the Sea Dogs scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning and won 6-3. The Fightins scored the game’s first run
The Reading Fightin Phils took the lead three times in Friday’s contest against the Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox). However, the Sea Dogs scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning and won 6-3.
The Fightins scored the game’s first run and responded when Portland tallied a run every time through eight innings. Johan Rojas had his second three-hit game of the series on Friday. Jhailyn Ortiz and Carlos De La Cruz each had two hits apiece.
After the R-Phils got the first two outs of the first inning, Portland loaded the bases on a fielding error and two walks. However, Griff McGarry got a strikeout to work out of the jam unscathed.
Reading scored the first run of the game in the bottom half. For the second-straight game, Rojas walked and stole second base. He scored on Ortiz’s single to shallow center field.
Ortiz made an impact on the defensive side of the ball in the following inning. He made highlight reel catch at the wall in right center field for the second out of the second frame.
Portland tied the game with a sacrifice fly in the third.
De La Cruz put the Fightins ahead 2-1 with a solo shot deep to center field in the bottom of the fourth.
A balk in the top of the fifth allowed the tying run to cross the plate for Portland and the game remained knotted at two through the next two innings.
Wendell Rijo led off the bottom of the eighth with a walk. He hustled around the diamond to score the go-ahead run on Ortiz’s double, giving the Fightins a 3-2 lead heading into the ninth.
The Sea Dogs rallied to take the lead in the top of the ninth. Four hits, three walks, and two fielding errors allowed four runners to score and gave Portland a three-run lead.
De La Cruz singled with one out in the bottom half, but he was stranded as two strikeouts ended the game.
McGarry hurled five innings and gave up two runs on two hits in his second home start. He held the Sea Dogs hitless until the fourth inning and struck out four.
Adam Leverett pitched the next two innings. He allowed two hits but didn’t give up a run.
Brian Marconi came in to start the ninth inning for his third appearance of the series. He got the first out of the ninth inning, but gave up four runs on four hits before exiting. The lefty took the loss in Friday’s contest.
Jack Perkins relieved Marconi, inheriting a runner, and got the final two outs of the frame with two strikeouts. He didn’t allow a run or a hit, but walked two.
The Fightins will play at FirstEnergy Stadium next on August 20 at 6:45 PM.
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