Barnes Stymies Reading Bats 2-1

(Reading, PA) - The Portland Sea Dogs (15-9) continued their excellent play on the road with a 2-1 victory over the Reading Fightin Phils on Tuesday afternoon at First Energy Stadium.

Matt Barnes (2-1) earned the win and was outstanding in six innings of work. He gave up two hits and one earned run. He set a season high with ten strikeouts. Barnes' career high is twelve, set last May 5th while pitching for the Salem Red Sox. Barnes' lone blemish on the day was a sole home run given up to Jim Murphy.

The Sea Dogs bullpen was stellar once again. Pete Ruiz worked one and two thirds of an inning before giving way to Chris Martin with a runner on third and two out in the eighth. Martin got out of the jam as Heiker Meneses made a diving stop on a hard hit ball from Murphy to save a run and end the inning. Martin worked a scoreless ninth and earned his second save of the season. Martin has not allowed a run this season.

Portland got on the board in the first inning. J.C. Linares' RBI double brought home Xander Bogaerts to put the Sea Dogs in the lead 1-0. Murphy's sole home run in the bottom of the fourth tied the ballgame.

Shannon Wilkerson's solo home run in the seventh inning broke a 1-1 tie. It was Wilkerson's second home run of the season

The Sea Dogs and Reading Fightin Phils (Phillies affiliate) conclude their three-game series on Thursday morning beginning at 11:35 AM at First Energy Stadium. Right-hander Anthony Ranaudo (3-0, 0.83) makes his 5th start of the season for Portland. Radio coverage begins at 11:15 AM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network and via the Tune-In Radio app for smartphones and tablets. Tickets are available for the upcoming homestand on May 3-8 at Hadlock Field by calling 207-879-9500 or at seadogs.com.