Sea Dogs Strike First, Can't Hold On
With the game tied 4-4 heading into the third inning, Reading third baseman Tim Kennelly put the R-Phils out in front for good with an RBI single to left. The Phillies added one in the each of the next four innings to cap off their nine run performance.
The Sea Dogs jumped on the board first, as they tagged Reading's starter Trevor May for four runs in the second inning. Jon Hee brought in the first run with a bases loaded sacrifice fly to right that scored Reynaldo Rodriguez. With two down in the inning, Juan Carlos Linares hit a double to center that cleared the bases and put the Sea Dogs up 4-0.
The lead was short-lived as in the home half of the inning Reading charged back with four runs of its own. Portland starter Brock Huntzinger allowed the first three batters to reach and cross the plate. With two outs, Tyson Gillies tripled to right, and scored the tying run on an error charged to the pitcher when Huntzinger dropped a pop-up off the bat of Cesar Hernandez.
May (1-0) regained composure after the second and retired 10 of the final 11 batters he faced. The top prospect in the Phillies organization earned the win and tossed five innings allowing the four runs, all earned, on three hits. He walked three and struck out six. The righty hit a milestone with his 500th career strikeout, when he got Oscar Tejeda swinging to end the third.
Huntzinger (0-1) battled through the second, and finished the third before his night was done. Jeremy Kehrt came on in relief of the righty and allowed four runs, two earned, on six Reading hits. Will Latimer finished the game on the mound for the Sea Dogs.
The Sea Dogs were out hit by the Phillies 14-6, however they drew eight walks compared to Reading's one. Seven of nine Sea Dogs hitters reached base. Linares notched two hits for the third straight game and chipped in the three RBI. Rodriguez reached base safely four of his five trips to the plate.
Prime Motor Group Player of the Game: Juan Carlos Linares 2-4, 2B 3RBI
The Sea Dogs and Phillies are back in action on Saturday night at 6:05 PM. The Sea Dogs will send left-handed pitcher Chris Hernandez (0-0, 0.00) to the mound. Reading will counter with righty David Buchanan (0-0, 0.00). The Sea Dogs can be heard on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs radio network with 95.5/95.9 FM WPEI serving as the flagship station.
The Sea Dogs will return home for their home opener on Thursday, April 12th at 6:00 PM against the Binghamton Mets. Tickets are available for all Sea Dogs' home games. Tickets can be ordered by calling the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 207-879-9500 or online at www.seadogs.com