Sea Dogs and Flying Squirrels Split Doubleheader

Richmond, Virginia – Pedro Castellanos extended his hit-streak to 18 games, tying Brett Roneberg’s record from 2004 as the longest streak for a Portland Sea Dogs (27-37) hitter as a Boston Red Sox affiliate, as they split the doubleheader with the Richmond Flying Squirrels (38-28) with a 4-3 win in game one. Castellanos’ hit streak came to an end in the 4-2 loss in game two on Thursday at The Diamond.

In the first game, the Flying Squirrels brought in the first run of the game in the bottom of the second against Sea Dogs starter Brian Van Belle. Frankie Tostado and Ricardo Genoves got the action started with singles, putting runners at first and second. Tyler Fitzgerald connected with an RBI single, plating Tostado, and giving Richmond their first lead of the night, 1-0.

Portland responded in the top of the third with Richmond starter Jake Dahlberg on the mound. Kole Cottom led off the inning with a base hit. Two outs later, David Hamilton doubled, placing runners at second and third. Ceddanne Rafaela brought home Cottam with an infield single, tying the game 1-1.

Richmond answered in the bottom of the fourth with Van Belle still on the mound. With one out in the inning, Tostado hit a solo homer to center field, giving the Flying Squirrels the lead back, 2-1. Richmond’s offense got back to work in the bottom of the fifth. Shane Matheny singled and Jacob Heyward walked. Michael Gigliotti took a base hit to right, driving in Matheny, expanding their lead to 3-1.

The Sea Dogs clawed their way back in the top of the sixth inning. Rafaela led off the inning with a homer, bringing Portland with one run, 3-2. One batter later, Pedro Castellanos doubled to left, putting a runner in scoring position. Tyreque Reed lasered a home run over the wall in right-center, putting the Sea Dogs in the lead 4-3. The bullpen held down the final two innings, holding on for a 4-3 win.

Van Belle (1-1, 5.40 ERA) tossed 5.0 innings, allowing three runs on six hits, walking one, and striking out seven in his first win of the year. Fenter (0-4, 4.75 ERA) took his first loss of the season, tossing 1.2 innings in relief while surrendering two runs on two hits and striking out one.

In the second game, the Flying Squirrels scored first once again, this time in the bottom of the first against Sea Dogs starter Victor Santos. Shane Matheny led off with a walk. Brett Auerbach singled to center, and Rafaela made an error in center, scoring Metheny and moving Auerbach to third. Sean Roby followed with a two-run homer, giving Richmond a 3-0 lead.

Portland brought in their first runs in the top of the fifth inning against Richmond starter Matt Frisbee. Hudson Potts connected with a one-out double and Izzy Wilson singled, putting runners at first and third. Tyler Dearden doubled to right, bringing in both runners, and making it a 3-2 score.

The Flying Squirrels got back on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth inning. Roby led off the inning with a solo homer to left. It was his 18th of the season and extended Richmond’s lead to 4-2. Portland was held scoreless in the seventh, dropping game two 4-2.

Frisbee (3-4, 4.04 ERA) tossed 7.0 innings, giving up just two runs on five hits, walking one, and striking out four in his third win of the campaign. Santos (5-7, 4.05 ERA) pitched all 6.0 innings, allowing four runs on four hits, walking two, and striking out six in his seventh loss of the season.

The Sea Dogs and Flying Squirrels play the fourth game of a six-game series on Friday with a 6:35 PM First pitch. Portland sends RHP Brett Kennedy (1-2, 4.00 ERA) to the mound against Richmond RHP Kai-Wai Teng (3-5, 5.28 ERA).