Late Lead Slips Away in Series Opener
August 23, 2012 - Eastern League (EL1)
Erie SeaWolves News Release
Erie could not hold onto a late lead on Thursday night at First Energy Stadium as they dropped the series opener to the Reading Phillies 7-6.
The SeaWolves grabbed the lead in the second against Phillies starter Ethan Martin. With one out and Avisail Garcia on second and Daniel Fields on first, Rawley Bishop put Erie head 1-0 with a base hit up the middle. With two outs, Luis Sanz brought home Fields on an RBI double for a 2-0 lead.
In the fourth, Cody Asche led off with a solo home run to left making it a 2-1 game. Darin Ruf then single, moved into scoring position on a one-out Tug Hulett single and scored on a Tommy Joseph sacrifice fly tying the game at 2-2.
The 'Wolves regained the lead in the fifth. Tony Plagman and Nick Castellanos each walked. With one out, Garica singled to load the bases. Fields brought home Plagman on a sacrifice fly giving Erie the 3-2 edge. Erie loaded the bases again with a Bishop walk. Brandon Douglas drew a bases loaded walk, scoring Castellanos for a 4-2 lead.
The Phillies got one back in the sixth. Asche led off with a walk and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. With two outs, Tug Hulett singled home Asche making it 4-3.
The Erie lead held until the bottom of the seventh. Avery retired the first two in the inning before surrendering back-to-back singles to Troy Hanzawa and Tyson Gillies. Reliever Kelvin De La Cruz came in and walked Asche to load the bases for Darin Ruf. Ruf clobbered a go-ahead grand slam for a 7-4 Reading edge. The home run for Ruf was his league-leading 33rd.
The 'Wolves got one back in the seventh off of reliever Julio Rodriguez. Nick Castellanos singled and moved to third on a Jordan Lennerton single. Castellanos scored on an error to make it 7-5.
Erie would get one more in the ninth but could not complete a comeback, falling to the Phillies 7-6.
Avery (10-11) took the loss allowing five runs on 10 hits with no walks and three strikeouts in 6.2 innings of work.
The SeaWolves and Phillies meet in the second game of the four game series on Friday night at First Energy Stadium at 7:05. LHP Jared Wesson (7-9, 5.85 ERA) takes the mound for Erie against LHP Adam Morgan (2-0, 3.00 ERA).
• Discuss this story on the Eastern League message board...
Eastern League Stories from August 23, 2012
- Ruf, Friend Chase History in 7-6 Win over Erie - Reading Fightin Phils
- Portland Tops Binghamton in Slugfest - Portland Sea Dogs
- Welty Whacks Senators - Bowie Baysox
- Sea Dogs Run over B-Mets, 14-9 - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Trenton Slips By Aeros in Battle of Division Leaders - Akron RubberDucks
- Jose Bautista Homers Twice in Rehab Win - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Spearheads Shutout Win at Akron, 3-0 - Trenton Thunder
- Late Lead Slips Away in Series Opener - Erie SeaWolves
- Curve Keep on Rolling with Fourth Straight Win - Altoona Curve
- Squirrels Stumble in Opener, 2-1 - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Erie SeaWolves at Reading Phillies - Game Notes - Erie SeaWolves
- Flying Squirrels Game Notes at Altoona - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- B-Mets Game Notes: at Portland Sea Dogs - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Reliever Lee Hyde Sent Back to Trenton; Betances Hits DL - Trenton Thunder
- Sea Dogs Game Notes August 23 vs. Binghamton - Portland Sea Dogs
- Yuengling Oktoberfest 2012 to be Held September 29 at PNG Field - Altoona Curve
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
