Lester, Greene Deliver Grand Slams in 14-2 Win
The SeaWolves (2-0), one night removed from setting a franchise record for Opening Day runs, teed off again on the Reading Fightin Phils (0-2) for a 14-2 win on Wednesday night at First Energy Stadium. Erie grabbed an early lead in the top of the third inning against Reading starter
The SeaWolves (2-0), one night removed from setting a franchise record for Opening Day runs, teed off again on the Reading Fightin Phils (0-2) for a 14-2 win on Wednesday night at First Energy Stadium.
Erie grabbed an early lead in the top of the third inning against Reading starter Francisco Morales. They loaded the bases on a Kerry Carpenter walk, Cole Peterson base hit and Riley Greene walk. Yariel Gonzalez singled home a pair with two outs for a 2-0 lead. Drew Ward followed with a walk to reload the bases for Josh Lester. Lester made it a 6-0 game when he blasted an opposite-field grand slam.
In the top of the sixth, Jacob Robson led off with a single and moved to second on an error. He came home on a Carpenter double for a 7-0 lead. Greene singled home Carpenter for an 8-0 advantage. It was Green’s first Double-A RBI.
Reading cut into the Erie lead in the home half of the sixth against reliever Brad Bass. Bass struck out the first two batters of the frame before walking Daniel Brito. Matt Vierling reached on an error and both runners scored on a Rodolfo Duran double making it 8-2.
The SeaWolves put the game out of reach in the top of the ninth against a pair of Reading relievers. Jonathan Hennigan started the inning and gave up three consecutive singles to Gonzalez, Ward and Lester to load the bases. Juan Centeno singled home Gonzalez with one out for a 9-2 lead. Carpenter picked up his second RBI of the night on a sacrifice fly, plating Ward making it 10-2. Peterson reloaded the bases beating out and infield single, turning the lineup over to Greene. Greene promptly took Jakob Hernandez yard for the SeaWolves second grand slam of the night. It was Greene’s first Double-A home run and he finished the night with five RBIs. It also marked the first time in SeaWolves franchise history that the team clubbed two grand slams in a game.
Erie starter Pedro Payano (1-0) earned the win. He hurled five scoreless innings, allowing one hit with three walks and five strikeouts. Bass, Wladimir Pinto and Gerson Moreno combined to throw the final four innings of the game without allowing an earned run.
Morales (0-1) took the loss for the Fightins allowing four runs on two hits with three walks and four strikeouts in 2.2 innings.