Sea Dogs Fall 8-7 in Extras, Win Series 4-2

Richmond, VA - The Portland Sea Dogs (29-28) (64-61) ran out of arms in an 8-7 extra innings loss against the Richmond Flying Squirrels (29-27) (72-52) on Sunday night. Portland ultimately won the series four games to two.

Johanfran Garcia hit his third home run in the last two days, his 17th of the season. Tyler McDonough tied the game in the ninth inning with a two-run shot, while Yoeilin Cespedes came through with a two-out ninth-inning go-ahead double. LHP Erik Rivera continued his hot streak, dealing two one-hit innings without allowing a walk or a run.

Richmond jumped ahead early in the first inning. Dayson Croes doubled, Dakota Jordan walked, and Lisbel Diaz cleared the bases with a three-run home run.

In the top of the second, Richmond’s starter, LHP Jacob Bresnahan, walked four of five batters to start the inning. Caden Rose walked in a run, and the Sea Dogs trailed 3-1.

The Flying Squirrels added another pair of runs in the bottom of the second. Jancel Villaroel led off with a triple, and scored on a double steal. Catcher Johanfran Garcia threw out Jack Payton at second on the play, his second runner caught stealing of the game. Moments later, Trevor Cohen hit a solo home run, extending the lead to 5-1.

Garcia’s solo homer came in the top of the third. In the top of the fourth, Ahbram Liendo led off with a single, advanced to second on a passed ball, and scored on a Nelly Taylor RBI single, cutting the Richmond lead to 5-3.

After four scoreless innings, the Sea Dogs made a major push in the ninth inning. Caden Rose led off with a walk, and McDonough’s two-run shot tied the game 5-5. With two outs, Garcia singled to center field. Then, Cespedes ripped a double deep into the left field corner. Garcia slid in under a tag at home to score, as the Sea Dogs took their first lead of the night, 6-5.

Trailing by one in the bottom of the ninth, Richmond drew a leadoff walk against RHP Reidis Sena. Following the delivery of ball four, Sena was abruptly pulled from the game and replaced by RHP Steven Brooks. The Flying Squirrels loaded the bases. Lisbel Diaz grounded out to first base. Brooks Brannon tried to turn a game-ending double play but came up short, and Trevor Cohen scored the tying run, sending the game to extras.

In the top of the tenth, a wild pitch allowed the Sea Dogs’ designated runner Liendo to advance to third. He scored on a McDonough groundout and Portland led 7-6.

Hudson White, a catcher, was sent out to pitch for Portland. Richmond loaded the bases and scored the tying run on a walk before Cohen singled to end the game.

RHP Mitch White (5-4, 6.05 ERA) earned the win, allowing one run, unearned, in the tenth inning. Hudson White (0-1, 6.75 ERA) was handed the loss, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks in the tenth inning.

After a scheduled off day tomorrow, the Sea Dogs will continue their two week road trip against the Chesapeake Baysox. LHP Dalton Rogers (ERA) is the scheduled starter for the Sea Dogs, while the starter for the Baysox is yet to be announced. First pitch is set for 6:35 pm on Tuesday, September 1 at Prince George’s Stadium.