Defenders Win Opener
Published on July 28, 2007 under Eastern League (EL1)
Portland Sea Dogs News Release
(Portland, ME) - Nick Pereira (6-9) fired six scoreless innings and the Defenders blasted two solo home runs, taking game one of a day/night doubleheader from the Portland Sea Dogs, 4-3 on Saturday afternoon at Hadlock Field. Chris Smith (3-7) suffered his third straight loss, allowing two runs (one earned) in five innings of work.
Pereira earned his second straight win and his second this season against the Sea Dogs. The righty scattered five hits over six frames, walking two and fanning five. In the bottom of the first inning, Portland put two on with one out but Peoria fanned Chad Spann and retired Andrew Pinckney on a fly out. Portland failed to put two runners on base with less than two outs for the final five innings of Pereira's start.
Saturday's contest came to a halt in the bottom of the seventh inning due to a rain delay, forcing a one hour and one minute break. The Sea Dogs loaded the bases with two outs against reliever Kelvin Pichardo when the game was stopped. Chad Spann was at the plate with the count 2 and 1. When play resumed, Brian Anderson relieved Pichardo and threw two balls to Spann (walk was charged to Pichardo), forcing in Portland's first run. Pinckney followed with a broken bat, two-run single, cutting the deficit to one. Bryan Pritz walked to reload the bases but John Otness flied to centerfield to end the game. Anderson earned his league-leading 23rd save of the season.
Connecticut scored an unearned run in the first inning when Carlos Sosa scored on an error by first baseman Spann. Smith fired over to first base on a pickoff attempt of John Bowker but the ball clipped off Spann's glove.
The Defenders received solo home runs by Tyler Von Schell and Simon Klink. Beau Vaughan worked the final two innings for Portland, allowing two runs on three hits in two innings pitched.
Zach Borowiak made a highlight reel play in the fifth inning by diving to his right and turning a 4-6-3 double play, aiding Smith out of a bases loaded one-out jam. Eugenio Velez, who leads the league in stolen bases, was the Defender doubled up on the play.
Game two of Saturday's twinbill begins at 6:00 PM. LHP Daniel Haigwood will make the start against Ryan Sadowski.
Eastern League Stories from July 28, 2007
- Walks haunt R-Phils - Reading Fightin Phils
- Thunder Snap Losing Skid With 9-3 Win - Trenton Thunder
- Akron Loses To Altoona For Third Straight Night - Akron RubberDucks
- Bowie's Epic Ninth Leads To B-Mets Loss - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Late Error Propels Curve To Third Straight Win At Akron - Altoona Curve
- Santos hits 17th HR in 4-3 loss to Rock Cats - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Portland Swept By The Defenders, 4-3 And 15-0 - Portland Sea Dogs
- Thunder Roster Move - Trenton Thunder
- Altoona Curve Transaction - Altoona Curve
- Defenders Win Opener - Portland Sea Dogs
- Romero tosses CG in 3-0 loss to Rock Cats - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Aeros Roster Change - Akron RubberDucks
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.
