Dogs and Defenders Split Suspended-Game Doubleheader
August 8, 2008 - Eastern League (EL1)
Portland Sea Dogs News Release
Norwich, CT- The Sea Dogs (62-54) used a four-run 5th inning in Game 2 of their double-header to beat Connecticut (58-59) 7-5 in the nightcap of their doubleheader. The Defenders took Game 1, the suspended game, by a 1-0 final.
In the first game, the Defenders led off in the bottom of the fourth inning with one down and Carlos Sosa at the plate facing a 2-1 count. Mike James came on to relieve starter Kris Johnson and proceeded to walk Sosa. (Because it was a 2-1 count to Sosa, Johnson will be charged with the walk and subsequent run.)
After Sosa reached, James walked Simon Klink before David Maroul loaded the bases with a single. With the sacks full, Antoan Richardson lofted a fly ball to the gap in left-centerfield that brought home Sosa with the game's only run.
Portland's offense, which had been limited to three hits against Defenders starter Joey Martinez, didn't fare much better against reliever Ronnie Ray. He earned the victory, holding the Dogs to just two hits and a walk over three scoreless innings. Kris Johnson, despite not throwing a pitch on Friday, takes the loss to fall to 7-7. He was charged with the run scored by Sosa, leaving him winless in his last six games.
In the nightcap, Portland used a 4-run fifth inning to erase an early defecit and grab a 7-5 win. The winning rally started with three straight hits: a double by Jorge Jimenez, a single by Zach Daeges, and an RBI single from Mark Wagner. After Lars Anderson struck out, Aaron Bates hit his 8th homerun over the centerfield fence to give the Dogs a 6-5 lead. Portland would add an insurance run in the 6th on Anderson's bases loaded walk from Josh Sharpless.
Portland actually scored first in this game on Argenis Diaz' first homerun of 2008 (71 games in Lancaster, 19 in Portland). Diaz' 2-run shot in the second gave the Dogs a short-loved 2-0 lead because Connecticut would score four runs in the bottom of that inning. They added another run in the third when Mike Mooney hit a solo homerun off Gassner over the left field fence to make it 5-2.
Despite allowing five runs over five innings, Gassner earned the victory (5-5). He won his fourth straight decision, ending his night retiring seven of the final eight batters he faced. Daniel Bard earned his 3rd save by pitching two scoreless innings to end the game.
The Dogs and Defenders will play another double-header Saturday night at Dodd Stadium. Portland will use Dustin Richardson (6-6, 6.52-game 1) and Kyle Jackson (5-3, 6.39-game 2). Connecticut counters with Daryl Maday (0-1, 8.03) in game 1 and TBA in game 2. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 5:05pm. Pre-game coverage on the US Cellular Sea Dogs Radio network begins at 4:40pm.
Notes: Lars Anderson extended his hitting streak to 8 games in the first game but lost the streak with an 0-3 performance in the nightcap...Game 1 was delayed for 1:48 minutes prior to the resumption in the bottom of the 4th inning.
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