Connecticut Sweeps Portland Saturday Night, 14-6 and 5-4
August 9, 2008 - Eastern League (EL1)
Portland Sea Dogs News Release
Norwich, CT--- The Connecticut Defenders took both games of a doubleheader from the Sea Dogs Saturday night, 14-6 in game one, 5-4 in game two. Portland (62-56) has now lost three of four in this series to the Defenders (60-60) with the finale scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
Dustin Richardson drew the start for the Dogs in game one. Last time out, he gave up four runs in the first inning against Reading Monday night. Against Connecticut Saturday, he didn't fare any better. The first three batters reached before Pablo Sandoval grounded into a fielder's choice, giving the Dogs and Richardson the first out of the inning. But, the good vibes ended quickly when Mike Mooney hit a grand slam over the leftfield wall to give Connecticut a 4-0 lead.
In the top of the second, the Dogs got a run back on back-to-back doubles by Lars Anderson and Aaron Bates. The double was Bates' 24th of the season to go along with his 58th RBI. Portland would have two runners on in that inning before SS Kyle Haines robbed Ryan Khoury of a single, forcing out Iggy Suarez for the final out of the inning. From that point on, Connecticut never looked back.
They would add two runs in the second, one coming from Antoan Richardson's solo homerun. In the third, Richardson allowed a lead-off single before giving up back-to-back homeruns to Simon Klink and David Maroul. Richardson finished just two-plus innings, giving up nine runs on ten hits, and allowing a professional-worst 4 homeruns. He's now failed to get out of the fourth inning in three straight starts, allowing 20 earned runs in just 8.1 innings (21.60 ERA).
Daryl Maday (1-1) earned his first Double-A victory for Connecticut. He worked six-plus innings, allowing six earned runs. But, four of those runs came after he tired in the top of the seventh innings. Mooney led the Defender's 16-hit attack, going 3-4, with two homeruns, and a career-high seven RBI's.
In the night cap, the Dogs would score right away, getting two runs in the top of the first inning against spot-starter Adam Cowart. With runners at first and second, Lars Anderson smacked a 2-out, 2-run double to left-centerfield to make it 2-0 Dogs.
Portland would add two more runs in the 3rd inning on another 2-out, 2-run double by Anderson. That made it a 4-0 game at the time and it gave Anderson 11 RBI's on the road trip through Reading and Connecticut.
Connecticut, though, would come back with a vengeance. They'd get a run on a double-play ground-out from Carlos Sosa in the fourth. In the fifth, they would take the lead. Maroul had a one-out single. With two outs Ryan Rholinger walked before Olmo Rosario delivered an RBI double to the gap in right-centerfield to make it 4-2. Jackson would leave to make way for Richie Lentz, who would give up a 3-run homerun, on a 3-2 pitch, to Pablo Sandoval to put Connecticut on top 5-4.
Portland had chances late in this game, leaving the bases loaded in the fifth inning. They also had the tying and go-ahead runs on base in the seventh before Justin Hedrick struck out Mickey Hall. Portland would leave in the game.
Portland has lost three of four in this series and will try to salvage the finale tomorrow. Portland's starting pitcher is TBA while Connecticut will counter with RHP Dave McKae (7-6, 4.21). First pitch is scheduled for 1:05pm. Pre-game coverage begins at 12:40pm on the US Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network.
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