Mayer, Yorke homer in 12-8 extra-inning loss

Rafaela extends hit streak to 14 games

June 9, 2023

Portland, Maine - The Maine Whoopie Pies (34-21) dropped their first extra-innings game at Hadlock Field with a 12-8 loss to the Akron RubberDucks (27-27) on Friday night. Marcelo Mayer and Nick Yorke crushed home runs while Ceddane Rafaela also extended his hitting streak to fourteen games. Nick Yorke, Ceddanne

Portland, Maine - The Maine Whoopie Pies (34-21) dropped their first extra-innings game at Hadlock Field with a 12-8 loss to the Akron RubberDucks (27-27) on Friday night.

Marcelo Mayer and Nick Yorke crushed home runs while Ceddane Rafaela also extended his hitting streak to fourteen games. Nick Yorke, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Chase Meidroth all recorded multi-hit games.

Akron plated two in the top of the second after a two-RBI double from Connor Kokx.

Ceddanne Rafaela put Portland on the board 1-0 with a line out to center field to score Matthew Donlan in the bottom of the fifth. An RBI single from Nick Yorke tied the ballgame before Marcelo Mayer came to the plate and blasted a two-run home run deep to right center field. With his second home run of the series, Portland was on top, 4-2.

Akron tied the game in the top of the sixth after a sacrifice fly from Connor Koxx along with an RBI single from Petey Halpin.

The RubberDucks continued to lead 8-4 after scoring four runs in the top of the seventh.

Nick Yorke blasted his eighth home run of the season in the bottom of the seventh. The two-run shot over the Maine Monster put Portland within two, 8-6.

Portland tied the game 8-8 in the bottom of the eighth after an RBI single from Ceddanne Rafaela before Tyler McDonough came home to score as Rafaela was caught stealing.

With the ballgame tied after nine, the Whoopie Pies played extra innings. The RubberDucks brought four around to score and took game four, 12-8 in the tenth inning.

Akron reliever RHP Davis Sharpe (3-3, 3.04 ERA) earned the win after pitching 2.1 innings allowing two runs on three hits while walking two and striking out five. Portland reliever LHP Brendan Celluci (0-1, 8.84 ERA) was issued the loss after pitching 2.1 innings allowing four runs on four hits while walking one and striking out two.

The Sea Dogs return to Hadlock Field tomorrow, June 10, 2023 for game five of a six-game series against the Akron Rubber Ducks. First pitch for game five is slated for 1:00pm. Portland will send RHP Grant Gambrell (1-0, 1.66 ERA) to the mound while Akron will start LHP Doug Nikhazy 1-2, 3.55 ERA).