Dave Gassner earns his franchise record 6th straight win
August 20, 2008 - Eastern League (EL1)
Portland Sea Dogs News Release
(Altoona, PA) - The Sea Dogs (69-58) scored four times in the fifth inning and Dave Gassner secured his 6th straight win as Portland beat Altoona (59-72), 4-3 on Wednesday at Blair County Ballpark. With the victory, the Sea Dogs clinch the season series from the Curve and snap their 4-game losing streak on the road.
Gassner (7-5) became the first pitcher in franchise history to win six straight starts. The lefty tossed six strong innings on five hits, one run, a walk and two strikeouts. Altoona scored the games first run on Brad Corley's run-scoring single in the fourth inning, scoring Jamie Romak.
Derek Hankins (1-10) remained winless for a 13th straight start, allowing two runs on five hits in 4+ innings for the Curve.
Altoona rallied in the eighth inning, scoring two runs off Portland's bullpen. Chad Rhoades (1.1 IP - Hold #8) worked a perfect seventh inning but hit Shelby Ford in the eighth with one out and Jose Tabata singled. Daniel Bard entered the game and allowed both inherited runners to score on a run-scoring single by Jim Negrych and a wild pitch on strikeout of Jamie Romak. Bard would finish off the Curve in the ninth inning to earn his 5th save in seven opportunities.
The Sea Dogs scored all four runs in the fifth inning off Hankins and Christian Castorri. Josh Reddick led off the frame with a single, stole second base and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Zach Daeges followed with a walk, chasing Hankins out of the game. Aaron Bates greeted Castorri with a run-scoring double down the right-field line. The next batter, Lars Anderson, delivered a 2-run double to the game in left-center field. Mark Wagner flied to right field, advancing Anderson to third base, which scored on Mickey Hall's RBI single.
Gassner stranded the bases loaded in the first inning after the Curve loaded the bases with nobody out. The lefty allowed only six baserunners and finished the season 2-0 against Altoona. Portland left 11 runners on base, including six in the first three innings.
The Sea Dogs look for the series win on Thursday night against the Curve beginning at 7:05 PM from Blair County Ballpark. RHP Ryne Lawson (1-0, 2.65) will make his 4th start of the season against Curve lefty Kyle Bloom (4-7, 4.47). Catch all the action on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network beginning at 6:40 PM with the Correct Deck Pre-Game Show.
Notes...Portland Manager Arnie Beyeler earned his 500th win as a Minor League Manager...Aaron Bates and Jorge Jimenez each had 2 doubles...Daniel Bard has been scoreless in 18 of his last 21 outings...Lars Anderson picked up his first Double-A stolen base.
• Discuss this story on the Eastern League message board...
Eastern League Stories from August 20, 2008
- Head, Martin Lead Aeros to 9-6 Victory - Akron RubberDucks
- Curve dealt one-run loss - Altoona Curve
- Dave Gassner earns his franchise record 6th straight win - Portland Sea Dogs
- Rock Cats plate only two in loss - New Britain Rock Cats
- Smith adds RBI single and walk in Fisher Cats' 6th straight loss - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Thunder play complete game in victory - Trenton Thunder
- Tillman, Torrealba Topple R-Phils - Chesapeake Baysox
- B-Mets Stymie Fisher Cats - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Defenders Fall, 9-6 - Connecticut Defenders
- Sens drop fifth straight game - Harrisburg Senators
- Former Senator blanks Phillies - Harrisburg Senators
- Aeros Notes - Akron RubberDucks
- Defenders Announce 2009 Home Schedule - Connecticut Defenders
- Akron Aeros roster moves - Akron RubberDucks
- Ryan Church Becomes Fifth Major Leaguer To Rehab With B-Mets - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Fisher Cats Announce 2009 Home Schedule - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Baysox Out To Beat The Streaks - Chesapeake Baysox
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.
