Dogs erase eight-run deficit but lose 12-11
Published on May 8, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Portland Sea Dogs News Release
(Portland, ME) 2B Steve Tolleson (4-for-5, 2 RBI) drew a bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning, snapping an 11-11 tie and giving the New Britain Rock Cats (13-14) a 12-11 victory over the Portland Sea Dogs (13-14) on Friday night at Hadlock Field. Portland has lost two straight, allowing 21 runs over 17 innings in two games.
LF Aaron Bates (2-for-5, 5 RBI) drove in a season-high 5 runs, delivering two-out, run-scoring hits in the fourth and fifth innings. 3B Jorge Jimenez (3-for-4, 3 RBI) knocked in three runs with two outs and C John Otness picked up a 2-run single with two gone in the fourth inning.
RHP Anthony Slama (3-0) earned the win despite blowing the save in the eighth inning. Portland trailed 10-2 but tied the game at 11 in the eighth inning on 1B Jon Still s double off Slama. In the ninth inning, the Rock Cats closer fanned the side to seal the win. LHP Dustin Richardson (2-1) yielded an unearned run over 2 IP on two hits and four strikeouts, suffering the loss for Portland. In the top of the ninth inning, 3B Toby Gardenhire (2-for-4, 2B) doubled and reached third base safely on a fielder s choice and an error by 3B Jorge Jimenez. SS Yancarlos Ortiz grounded back to the mound, initiating a run down in which Jimenez dropped the throw from SS Zach Borowiak, allowing Gardenhire to reach third base and advancing Ortiz to second. CF Brandon Roberts (4-for-5, HR, 4 RBI, 3B) was intentionally walked and Tolleson drew a free-pass for the game-winner.
Roberts had four hits, including an inside-the-park-homer in the third inning to straight away center field. The inside the park home run was the fifth at Hadlock Field: Quincy Foster (9/1/2000), Pablo Ozua (8/22/00), Haywood Cook (4/30/98) and Victor Rodriguez (5/11/97). Roberts nailed a 3-run triple during a 7-run Rock Cats third inning, giving the visitors a 10-2 lead.
The Sea Dogs narrowed the gap with 5 runs off starter RHP Jay Rainville (3.2 IP, 8 H, 7 R) and LHP Jose Lugo (1.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R) in the fourth inning. Portland loaded the bases with nobody out but Rainville retired 2B Ryan Khoury (1-for-6) and 1B Lars Anderson (0-for-5). Bates, Jimenez and Otness drove in the 5 runs with two outs, cutting the deficit to 10-8. The Rock Cats came right back in the fifth inning to take a 3-run lead on a 1B Whitt Robbins run-scoring ground out. Bates continued his hot hitting, smacking a 2-run double in the next half inning bringing Portland within one.
Portland starter RHP Adam Mills (2.1 IP, 10 H, 10 R) allowed 10 runs over 2.1 IP on 10 hits, three walks and two strikeouts. RHP T.J. Large yielded three hits and one run in 2+ innings of work. RHP Chris Province was perfect over 2.2 IP with two strikeouts and six ground ball outs. CF Bubba Bell (3-for-4) scored a season-high 4 runs, 2B Zach Borowiak went 2-for-5 and RF Reid Engel reached base twice with a single and a walk.
Portland and New Britain play game two of their series on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 PM from Hadlock Field. RHP Jarod Plummer (1-1, 6.62) faces off against LHP Ryan Mullins (0-5, 6.65). Catch all the action on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network beginning at 12:35 PM with the CorrectDeck Pre-Game Show. Tickets for Sea Dogs Baseball can be purchased at www.seadogs.com
Notes: Bates has reached base safely in 18 straight games, currently the best streak in the Eastern League 18 of 19 players reached base safely, including both team s starting lineups Bell became the first Sea Dog since August 4, 2007 to score four runs (Chad Spann at Harrisburg).
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